Budget-friendly 3-Day Meghalaya Adventure (≈ ₹4,000)

Day 1: Arrival & Shillong Exploration

Morning: Arrive at Guwahati, take a shared taxi to Shillong (≈ ₹300). Check‑in at a clean budget hostel near Police Bazaar and enjoy a simple breakfast.

Afternoon: Stroll through Police Bazaar for local snacks and shop for souvenirs. Visit the nearby Shillong Peak for panoramic city views (entry free).

Evening: Relax at Ward’s Lake, rent a paddle‑boat for a short ride, and dine on affordable local thali at a family‑run eatery.

Day 2: Cherrapunjee & Nohkalikai Falls

Morning: Catch an early shared jeep to Cherrapunjee (≈ ₹150). Explore the lush Mawsmai Cave and admire its limestone formations.

Afternoon: Head to the breathtaking Nohkalikai Falls, spend time photographing the cascade, and enjoy a packed lunch with a view.

Evening: Return to Shillong, freshen up, and try a budget-friendly dinner of momos and tea at a roadside stall.

Day 3: Mawlynnong Village & Dawki Border

Morning: Depart for the cleanest village in Asia, Mawlynnong. Walk the bamboo walkways and visit the Living Root Bridge (short trek).

Afternoon: Continue to Dawki for a boat ride on the crystal‑clear Umngot River (₹50 per person). Enjoy a simple riverside lunch of rice and fish.

Evening: Return to Shillong, collect luggage, and catch the shared taxi back to Guwahati for departure.

Time and Cost Estimates

• Shared taxi Guwahati‑Shillong (round trip) – 6 hrs total – ₹300
• Budget hostel (2 nights) – 48 hrs – ₹800
• Meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner for 3 days) – 9 meals – ₹900
• Shared jeep to Cherrapunjee (round trip) – 4 hrs – ₹150
• Mawsmai Cave entry – 1 hr – ₹20
• Nohkalikai Falls (no entry fee, transport) – 2 hrs – ₹100
• Shared jeep to Mawlynnong & Dawki (round trip) – 5 hrs – ₹200
• Living Root Bridge trek – 2 hrs – ₹0
• Boat ride on Umngot River – 1 hr – ₹50
• Miscellaneous (snacks, water, small tips) – – ₹380
• Total Estimated Cost: ₹4,000

Tips

To extend the trip, add an extra day to explore the scenic Shillong Golf Course and nearby Elephant Falls, staying in a budget guesthouse for just ₹250 more per night. If you need to shorten the itinerary, skip Dawki and spend the third day exploring more of Shillong’s local markets and parks, saving roughly ₹250‑₹300 on transport.