Make this trip your own
Create your own free, personalized itinerary in seconds — then sign up to save and edit it.
Create my version

6-Day Budget Offbeat Meghalaya: Mawlynnong, Dawki, Cherrapunji, Root Bridge, Wari Chora & Laitlum Canyon

Viewed by 410 travelers

Day 1: Arrival & Short Shillong

Shillong, India on November 19, 2025

7:00am

Travel: Guwahati → Shillong (shared bus/taxi)

Drive from Guwahati airport/railway to Shillong; scenic hill approach. Typical duration is ~3–3.5 hours — book a shared taxi/volvo for lowest cost.
INR400, 3h30m

10:30am

Breakfast — Cafe Shillong / Local cafe

Simple local breakfast (omelette, paratha, tea) at a budget cafe in Shillong to fuel up before heading out.
INR150, 45m

12:30pm

Check-in: Budget guesthouse

Check into a budget guesthouse in Police Bazaar area — central and economical for day excursions.
INR800, 30m

1:30pm

Lunch — Trattoria / Local Dhaba

Relaxed lunch with local Khasi/Indian dishes; inexpensive, filling and close to the hotel.
INR250, 1h

4:00pm

Short viewpoint: Shillong Peak (brief visit)

Quick photo stop for panoramic views of Shillong; open daily but visibility depends on weather — keep visit short to minimize city sightseeing.
INR0, 45m

8:00pm

Dinner — City Hut / Local eatery

Budget dinner in Police Bazaar area; try local Khasi-style preparations or simple north-Indian meals.
INR350, 1h

Day 2: Mawlynnong & Dawki

Mawlynnong & Dawki, Meghalaya, India on November 20, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast — Quick tea & snacks

Early breakfast in Shillong before the Mawlynnong drive; simple and quick to start early.
INR120, 30m

7:30am

Drive: Shillong → Mawlynnong

Scenic drive to Asia's 'cleanest village' — travel time ~2–2.5 hours by shared taxi or small cab.
INR800, 2h30m

10:30am

Visit Mawlynnong Village & Sky View

Explore the well-maintained village, living root walkways and the skywalk for valley views; open daily (small donations appreciated).
INR50, 1h30m

1:00pm

Lunch — Mawlynnong homestay / local eatery

Simple local lunch at a homestay or village dhaba; try local rice and chicken/vegetarian options.
INR200, 1h

2:30pm

Drive: Mawlynnong → Dawki (Umngot River)

Short drive to Dawki; famous for glass-clear Umngot River and border views. Boats run in daylight — best to go mid-afternoon when visibility is good.
INR0, 1h

3:30pm

Umngot River boat ride (Dawki)

Short boat trip on crystal-clear river — excellent for photos and a calm, offbeat experience. Boats typically operate during daylight (check season/weather).
INR150, 30m

7:30pm

Return to Shillong & Dinner

Return drive to Shillong and dinner in the town; rest early for next day’s long travel.
INR300, 3h

Day 3: Cherrapunji (Sohra)

Sohra (Cherrapunji), Meghalaya, India on November 21, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast — Guesthouse

Hearty breakfast in Shillong before heading to Sohra; roads to Cherrapunji are hilly so start early.
INR120, 30m

8:00am

Drive: Shillong → Cherrapunji (Sohra)

Drive to Sohra (approx 1.5–2 hours). This places you near the famous waterfalls, caves and viewpoints.
INR600, 2h

10:30am

Mawsmai Cave (explore)

Famous limestone cave near Cherrapunji; usually open ~9:00am–4:30pm — narrow pathways and photogenic formations.
INR30, 1h

12:30pm

Nohkalikai Falls viewpoint

Short visit to one of India’s tallest plunge waterfalls; viewpoint is a quick stop and very scenic (open daylight hours).
INR0, 45m

1:30pm

Lunch — Local dhaba in Sohra

Budget lunch near the attractions; filling and quick, so you can continue exploring.
INR200, 1h

3:00pm

Explore smaller offbeat spots: Eco Park / Nohsngithiang (Seven Sisters) viewpoint

Visit other viewpoints and less crowded falls; check local opening hours for Eco Park (usually daylight).
INR30, 1h30m

7:30pm

Stay overnight in Sohra — Budget guesthouse

Overnight in a basic guesthouse near Cherrapunji to get an early start for the root-bridge trek the next day.
INR700, Overnight

8:00pm

Dinner — Local restaurant

Local dinner at the guesthouse or nearby eatery; keep it early and simple for the trek day.
INR300, 1h

Day 4: Nongriat Root Bridge Trek

Nongriat / Tyrna (near Cherrapunji), Meghalaya, India on November 22, 2025

6:30am

Breakfast — Early at guesthouse

Early packed breakfast to carry on the trek to the living root bridges; eat light and pack water/snacks.
INR120, 20m

7:00am

Trek: Tyrna → Nongriat (Double-decker living root bridge)

A challenging but rewarding descent (and long ascent back). Plan 3–4 hours down+explore and 3–4 hours up; hire a local guide for safety and navigation (especially monsoon season).
INR400, 8h0m

12:30pm

Lunch — Packed / Homestay at Nongriat

Budget packed lunch or a simple homestay meal in Nongriat village after exploring the bridges and small waterfalls.
INR150, 45m

5:30pm

Return: Drive back to Shillong

After the long trek, return by road to Shillong — allow 2–3 hours depending on traffic and stops.
INR600, 3h

8:30pm

Dinner & Rest in Shillong

Light dinner after a tiring day; stick to simple local food and rest early.
INR300, 1h

Day 5: Jowai & Wari Chora (offbeat)

Jowai & Wari Chora, Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya, India on November 23, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast — Shillong

Early breakfast before driving east to Jowai for a day of offbeat exploration.
INR120, 30m

8:00am

Drive: Shillong → Jowai

Scenic drive to Jowai (approx 2 hours). Jowai is quieter and offers hill-lake and cultural sights.
INR600, 2h

10:30am

Visit Thadlaskein Lake & local sights

Peaceful local lake and surrounding Khasi culture; great for short walks and fewer tourists.
INR0, 45m

1:00pm

Lunch — Local Jowai eatery

Budget local lunch with Jaintia specialties or simple rice-and-curry.
INR200, 1h

2:30pm

Wari Chora — Offbeat gorge/rock-pools exploration

Wari Chora is a lesser-known gorge/rock-pools area near Jowai; excellent for photography, short walks and natural pools. (Access can be informal — local guide/donation recommended and check for seasonal water flow).
INR200, 2h

6:00pm

Return: Jowai → Shillong

Drive back to Shillong for the night; relax after a day off the beaten track.
INR600, 2h

8:00pm

Dinner — Shillong

Dinner in Police Bazaar; try inexpensive eateries or street-food options.
INR300, 1h

Day 6: Laitlum Canyon & Departure

Laitlum Canyon / Shillong → Guwahati, India on November 24, 2025

5:30am

Early departure to Laitlum Canyon (sunrise)

Short drive to Laitlum Canyon for spectacular sunrise views over dramatic gorges — offbeat and peaceful in the early morning (arrive pre-sunrise for best photos).
INR50, 2h

9:00am

Breakfast / Brunch — Shillong

Return to Shillong for a relaxed brunch before checkout and return to Guwahati.
INR200, 1h

11:00am

Checkout & Travel: Shillong → Guwahati

Shared taxi or bus back to Guwahati for onward travel; plan ~3–3.5 hours travel time to reach the airport/railway by mid/late afternoon.
INR400, 3h30m

3:30pm

Buffer / Departure from Guwahati

Buffer time for transfers to the airport/railway station — end of the 6-day budget loop around Meghalaya.
INR0, —

8:00pm

Overall cost summary (estimate per person)

Estimated total budget per person including shared transport, budget accommodation, food, activity fees and a small contingency (see line items). This is an approximate budget — actuals depend on group size, vehicle-sharing, season and personal spending.
INR0, —

20:00pm

Cost Breakdown (approx.)

Accommodation INR3,900 + Transport INR3,400 + Meals INR3,500 + Activities/entry INR880 + Misc/contingency INR700 = TOTAL ≈ INR12,380 per person for 6 days (budget estimate).
INR12380, —
0
Like this trip? Make your own version.
A free, personalized itinerary in seconds — sign up to save and edit it.
Create my version

Plan Your plan a budget trip and cover offbeat and beautiful places in meghayala for Trip