Start early from Noida/Delhi with your pre-booked morning flight to Guwahati; use the flight time to relax and enjoy the changing landscape as you descend into northeastern India. On arrival at Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi Airport, meet your driver/guide, collect any remaining permits, and begin the scenic 3-4 hour drive up to Shillong — pause at a highway tea stall for hot chai and short stretch breaks while taking in rolling hills and roadside pine forests.
Arrive in Shillong around mid-to-late afternoon and check in to your guesthouse or hotel in Police Bazar or Laitumkhrah; take time to freshen up before a gentle orientation walk. Stroll through Police Bazar to sample local snacks like steaming momos or jhalmuri, browse handicraft stalls for Khasi shawls and bamboo goods, and visit the nearby Ward’s Lake for a peaceful lakeside break and photos.
As dusk falls, meet your guide for a short briefing about the week ahead before dining at a popular local restaurant such as City Hut Family Dhaba or Dylan’s Café to try Khasi specialities like Jadoh or tungrymbai. Finish the night with a relaxed walk up to Shillong Peak viewpoint or Lady Hydari Park (time permitting) to enjoy panoramic night views of the hill city and prepare for tomorrow’s waterfall-and-market explorations.
After a relaxed breakfast at your hotel in Police Bazar or Laitumkhrah, set out for Elephant Falls and Shillong Peak for crisp hill air and sweeping views — the short walk around the falls and the platform at Shillong Peak are perfect for sunrise photos and a gentle introduction to the Khasi hills. On the way back, stop at the Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians and a roadside stall for hot momos and chai to refuel before continuing the day.
Spend the afternoon exploring the bustling Police Bazar and the nearby Laitumkhrah market where you can browse Khasi handlooms, bamboo crafts and local spices; pop into local cafés like Dylan’s Café or Café Shillong for light bites and people-watching. Then visit Ward’s Lake and the Don Bosco Museum to gain cultural context on Meghalaya’s tribes — the museum’s interactive exhibits offer a concise, fascinating look at Khasi traditions and lifestyle.
As evening approaches, enjoy a leisurely walk along the lit streets of Police Bazar sampling street snacks such as jhalmuri and local sweets, or join a short live-music session at a café if available to soak up Shillong’s vibrant indie scene. Return to your guesthouse for a briefing with your guide about tomorrow’s Cherrapunji excursion, followed by a warm Khasi dinner featuring jadoh or tungrymbai at a recommended local restaurant.
Depart Shillong after an early breakfast for the scenic 1.5-2 hour drive to Cherrapunji, stopping first at the Nohsngithiang (Seven Sisters) viewpoint to drink in the dramatic cliffs and morning mist. Continue to the Mawsmai Cave for a short, easy exploration and then head to the Mawkdok Dympep Valley viewpoint and Eco Park for sweeping valley panoramas and photos.
After a packed lunch or a meal at a local eatery in Cherrapunji, visit the famous Double Decker Living Root Bridge at Nongriat (short trek option) or the smaller single root bridges near Tyrna; your guide will help choose a route suited to the group’s energy level. Stop at the breathtaking Nohkalikai Falls and Arwah Cave on the return, taking time for photo stops and to learn about local Khasi legends tied to these sites.
Return to Shillong in the late afternoon, arriving before dusk for a relaxed debrief and hot tea at your guesthouse in Police Bazar or Laitumkhrah; use any spare time to rest or browse evening stalls. Dine at a recommended local restaurant—try Khasi specialties if you missed them earlier—and review tomorrow’s Mawlynnong and Dawki itinerary with your guide.
Leave Shillong after an early breakfast and enjoy the scenic drive east toward Mawlynnong, the famed ‘cleanest village in Asia’; stroll the tidy lanes, visit the Living Root Bridge lookout near the village, and climb the bamboo watchtower for panoramic views over the plains and Bangladesh. Pop into local homes and community-run stalls to see traditional Khasi bamboo crafts and try freshly brewed local tea and sweet rice cakes prepared by village families.
After a simple village lunch, continue to Dawki for a short drive to the Umngot River; take a glass-bottom boat ride from the Dawki jetty to admire the startlingly clear water and submerged riverbed, and walk across the Dawki suspension bridge for dramatic photos. Stop at the nearby Krang Suri or Shnongpdeng picnic spots if time and water levels permit, where you can wade at the river edge, swim (season permitting), or relax on riverside rock benches amid limestone cliffs.
Return toward Shillong in the late afternoon, pausing at small roadside viewpoints or local markets to pick up honey, betel nut crafts, and tribal souvenirs as the sun softens the hills; use the drive back for a relaxed debrief with your guide about tomorrow’s Jowai/Mylliem plans. Back in Shillong, enjoy a cosy dinner at a recommended eatery sampling Khasi stews or thukpa, and unwind at your guesthouse preparing for a slightly more rural exploration the next day.
Head out after an early breakfast for the 2-3 hour drive to Jowai, the heart of the Jaintia hills; stop at panoramic viewpoints over rice terraces and the rolling Mylliem slopes, then visit Krang Suri Falls (if road and water levels permit) for a short walk and refreshing photo opportunities. Explore the bustling Jowai market to see Khasi and Jaintia produce, pick up handmade bamboo goods, and sample local morning treats such as pukhlein (rice cakes) with hot tea at a roadside stall.
After a simple local lunch in Jowai, drive toward the serene Phew (Phewa) Lake area in Mylliem for a leisurely boat ride or lakeside stroll, enjoying birdlife and hill reflections; alternatively visit Thadlaskein, an important local cultural site, to learn about Jaintia folklore and tribal customs from your guide. Include a stop at a village homestay or community craft workshop to see traditional weaving and to taste seasonal snacks prepared by host families, keeping the day intimate and culturally rich.
Return to Shillong in the late afternoon, pausing en route at small viewpoints to watch the sunset wash the hills in gold and to take final photos of the Mylliem panorama. Back in Police Bazar or Laitumkhrah, enjoy a relaxed farewell-style dinner at a favourite local restaurant sampling Khasi/Jaintia dishes, and gather for a short debrief with your guide about tomorrow’s return to Guwahati and optional Assam sightseeing.
After an early breakfast, check out and begin the 3-4 hour scenic drive down to Guwahati, pausing at the Shillong-Guwahati highway viewpoints to soak up final hill vistas and buy roadside tea and local snacks for the road. On arrival in Guwahati around midday, drop your bags at the hotel and, if you’re feeling fresh, visit the iconic Kamakhya Temple perched on Nilachal Hill for panoramic city views and a cultural glimpse into Assamese religious life.
Choose a relaxed afternoon option: explore the Assam State Museum and nearby Kalaigaon markets for handicrafts and tea souvenirs, or take a refreshing cruise on the Brahmaputra from Pandu Port (seasonal) to watch river life and the skyline from the water. Alternatively, unwind at the hotel — use spa facilities or take a short city drive to Umananda Island (boat ride permitting) for birdwatching and quiet riverside time.
As dusk falls, enjoy a riverside dinner at a popular Guwahati restaurant like Paradise or Naga Kitchen to sample Assamese cuisine such as masor tenga and tenga chicken, followed by a leisurely walk along the Brahmaputra promenade if available. Return to the hotel for a final trip briefing and to prepare luggage and documents for tomorrow’s transfer back to Noida.
Pack up after an early hotel breakfast and complete check-out formalities; your guide will help with last-minute purchases of Assam tea or handicrafts from nearby Kalaigaon market if you wish. Transfer to Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi Airport with time to spare — on the drive, enjoy a final view of the Brahmaputra and Nilachal Hill where Kamakhya Temple perches, reflecting on the week’s hillscapes and river memories.
Board your scheduled flight to Noida/Delhi and use the flight time to relax, sort photos, and swap favourite moments from Shillong, Cherrapunji, Mawlynnong and Dawki with fellow travellers. On arrival at Delhi airport, collect luggage and clear formalities; if you have afternoon onward travel, the group can assist with onward transit to Noida or private transfers pre-arranged through the operator.
Arrive back in Noida and conclude the trip with a brief farewell from your guide who will provide any needed receipts, contact details for follow-up, and a short feedback note on the week’s highlights. Unpack at your accommodation, enjoy a quiet home-cooked or nearby meal reminiscing about the living root bridges and crystal-clear Dawki waters, and rest after a memorable seven-day Meghalaya adventure.
| Place / Activity | Cost |
|---|---|
| Flight Noida/Delhi → Guwahati (one-way) | INR 4,000-9,000 per person (economy, advance fares vary Dec peak) |
| Airport pickup & transfer Guwahati → Shillong (shared car or private taxi) | INR 2,000-3,500 per vehicle (shared/minivan) or INR 3,500-5,500 per vehicle (private taxi/SUV) one-way |
| Tea stall break / highway chai & snacks | INR 20-100 per person |
| Hotel / guesthouse in Police Bazar / Laitumkhrah (per night) | INR 1,200-3,500 per room (budget to midrange double); INR 4,500-9,000 for boutique/higher-end |
| Police Bazar stroll & local snacks (momos, jhalmuri) | INR 50-300 per person |
| Ward’s Lake visit | INR 10-50 per person (mostly free/minimal) |
| Dinner at local restaurant (City Hut Family Dhaba / Dylan’s Café) | INR 150-500 per person |
| Shillong Peak viewpoint / Lady Hydari Park (evening) | Shillong Peak: INR 10-50 per person; Lady Hydari Park: INR 10-50 per person |
| Elephant Falls | INR 10-50 per person (parking/tip minimal) |
| Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians (visit) | Free (donation optional) |
| Don Bosco Museum | INR 50-200 per person |
| Mawsmai Cave (Cherrapunji) | INR 10-100 per person |
| Nohsngithiang (Seven Sisters) viewpoint | Free / small donation or parking INR 10-50 |
| Mawkdok Dympep Valley viewpoint & Eco Park | INR 10-50 per person |
| Packed lunch / local eatery in Cherrapunji | INR 100-300 per person |
| Double-decker Living Root Bridge (Nongriat) - short trek option | Guide/porter optional: INR 500-1,500; entry/permits minimal INR 10-50; local homestay if overnight INR 600-1,200 per person |
| Single root bridges near Tyrna | Free-INR 50 (local donation) |
| Nohkalikai Falls | INR 10-50 per person |
| Arwah Cave | INR 10-50 per person |
| Mawlynnong village (watchtower & village walk) | INR 20-100 per person; bamboo watchtower INR 20-50; village donations/ purchases extra |
| Local tea and sweet rice cakes at Mawlynnong | INR 30-150 per person |
| Dawki Umngot River glass-bottom boat ride | INR 300-600 per boat (shared, up to 3-6 people) or INR 600-1,200 private depending on season |
| Dawki suspension bridge & riverside walk | Free |
| Krang Suri / Shnongpdeng picnic spot (entry/parking/swim) | INR 50-300 per person (boat or entry fees vary); swimming optional |
| Drive Shillong → Jowai (per trip) | Included in day hire taxi; add INR 1,500-3,000 per vehicle depending distance and vehicle type |
| Jowai market visit & local snacks (pukhlein) | INR 30-200 per person |
| Phew (Phewa) Lake area / boat ride | INR 100-400 per boat/person depending on type and duration |
| Thadlaskein (cultural site) & village craft workshop / homestay visit | Workshop visit free-INR 100 donation; homestay INR 600-2,000 per person (simple to comfortable) |
| Drive Shillong → Guwahati (return) | INR 2,000-5,000 per vehicle (taxi transfer one-way) |
| Kamakhya Temple (visit) | Free entry; special puja/prasad fees INR 50-500 if participating |
| Assam State Museum & Kalaigaon markets | Museum INR 10-50 per person; shopping depends on purchases (tea INR 200-1,000+ per pack) |
| Brahmaputra river cruise (Pandu Port) — short cruise | INR 300-1,000 per person depending on operator |
| Hotel in Guwahati (per night) | INR 1,200-3,500 per room (budget to midrange); INR 4,000-8,000 higher-end |
| Flight Guwahati → Noida/Delhi (one-way) | INR 4,000-9,000 per person (economy, fares vary) |
| Guide services (per day) | INR 1,000-2,500 per day (local guide); specialized naturalist or longer treks INR 2,000-4,000 |
| Driver + vehicle hire (per day) | INR 2,500-4,500 per day for small SUV (varies by vehicle & fuel), higher for larger vehicles |
| Permits / entry fees (miscellaneous across sites) | INR 0-200 per person overall (small entry/parking/eco fees) |
| Emergency / buffer / tips / miscellaneous | Recommend INR 1,000-3,000 per person reserve |
| Estimated Total (per person) | INR 28,000-72,000 per person (7 days) |