Arrive in Shillong, settle into your hotel and take a slow walk to Ward’s Lake to stretch after your journey — enjoy the manicured paths, wooden bridge and carp-filled pond while breathing the crisp hill air. If time allows, pop into the Don Bosco Museum nearby for a concise introduction to Meghalaya’s tribal cultures and natural history, which sets the context for the rest of the trip.
Head to Police Bazaar for lunch at a local café (try local Khasi dishes like jadoh or tungrymbai) and spend the afternoon browsing shops, street stalls and bookstores — this lively market is perfect for picking up warm shawls, local jams and handmade trinkets. Walk up to the nearby Bara Bazaar and Bara Bazar viewpoint for a panoramic feel of the city and to get oriented with tomorrow’s sightseeing.
As dusk falls, enjoy a relaxed dinner at a rooftop or open-front restaurant in Police Bazaar where you can sample momos or grilled trout, a regional specialty. Finish the evening with a short stroll around the lit-up market to soak in Shillong’s laid-back nightlife and return to your hotel early to rest and acclimatize ahead of the more active days to come.
Start the day after breakfast with a short drive to Elephant Falls, where misty cascades plunge through layered rock—take the stepped path down for close-up views and photo spots before returning uphill to visit Shillong Peak for sweeping panoramas of the Shillong plateau and distant pine-clad ridges. On the way back, stop at the Don Bosco Museum viewpoint if you missed it yesterday for a quick cultural peek and clearer context about the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo peoples.
Return to the city for lunch in Police Bazaar—sample a warm bowl of jadoh or a trout dish at a popular local café—then stroll to Laitumkhrah and Bara Bazaar to browse ethnic handicrafts, woollens and quaint bookshops; don’t miss the street stalls selling local chutneys and honey. If you’re interested in gardens, slip into Lady Hydari Park for a leisurely walk among landscaped lawns and orchids to recharge before the evening.
As dusk settles, head to one of Shillong’s rooftop or open-front eateries near Police Bazaar for dinner and try momos or a Khasi thali while enjoying live music at some venues. Finish the night with a relaxed walk along the lit market lanes to pick up any souvenirs and return early to rest—tomorrow you’ll set off for the dramatic landscapes of Cherrapunji.
Leave Shillong after an early breakfast for the 2-2.5 hour drive to Cherrapunji (Sohra), pausing at the Seven Sisters (Nohsngithiang) viewpoint to admire the curtain-like falls and photograph the dramatic cliffs—if the season is right you’ll see multiple cascades. Continue to the Nohkalikai Falls viewpoint, where a short stroll takes you to the edge of the precipitous gorge; spend time soaking in the panorama and visiting the small information kiosk that explains the folklore behind the falls.
After a packed-lunch picnic or tiffin at a nearby café, explore Arwah Cave for a brief spelunking experience (carry a torch) or visit Mawsmai Cave for its easy limestone passages and mossy chambers; both are close by and add variety to the waterfall views. Drive to the Dainthlen and Eco Park area to walk short trails through cloud forest, stop at local viewpoints over the plains, and browse stalls selling Khasi handicrafts and warm snacks before heading back toward Shillong later in the afternoon.
Return to Shillong in the early evening, arriving in time for a relaxed dinner in Police Bazaar—choose a cosy eatery to trade Cherrapunji stories over trout or jadoh and a hot beverage. Finish the night with a gentle stroll around the market to pick up any souvenirs you missed earlier and get a good night’s rest ahead of the Mawlynnong and Dawki explorations tomorrow.
After an early breakfast in Shillong, set off for the 2-2.5 hour drive to Mawlynnong, taking in the rising hill air and scattered rice terraces en route; on arrival stroll the tidy lanes to see why it’s called Asia’s cleanest village, visit the living root garden and climb the bamboo viewing tower for sweeping views of the plains below. Pop into local homestays or craft stalls to meet Khasi hosts, sample local snacks like tungrymbai or sweet rice, and pick up handmade broom or honey as souvenirs.
Head to the nearby short hike toward the small living root bridge (or the village’s stone footbridge) — the walk is gentle, lined with orchids and ferns, and offers intimate glimpses of rural Khasi life and shaded streams for photos. After the hike, drive toward Dawki and the Umngot River, arriving in time for a riverside lunch at a simple café before checking in for the afternoon’s clear-water boat ride (season permitting) to the Bangladesh border view.
As light fades, enjoy a relaxed riverside stroll in Dawki or Mawlynnong depending on your return timing, watching the sun set over limestone ridges and reflecting on the day’s contrasting village and river landscapes. Return to your Shillong hotel (or a local homestay if you chose to overnight in Mawlynnong/Dawki), savor a warming Khasi meal and rest early for tomorrow’s longer Dawki boat experience or the trek toward the double-decker living root bridge.
Leave Shillong after an early breakfast for the scenic 3-3.5 hour drive to Dawki, enjoying terraces and limestone outcrops en route; pause at scenic viewpoints along the way to stretch and photograph the rising mist over the valleys. On arrival in Dawki, head straight to the Umngot River jetty and board a traditional motorboat to glide over crystal-clear water—watch schools of fish beneath your feet and aim for the stretch near the Dawki-Tamabil border for the best reflections and photo opportunities.
After the boat ride, walk along the riverbank toward the small suspension bridge and the local market stalls, sampling fresh river trout at a riverside café for lunch and chatting with Khasi vendors about life along the border. Later, visit the Dawki border viewpoint to look across toward Tamabil (Bangladesh) and explore nearby limestone formations and the Yepem or Wahkaji picnic spots before beginning the relaxed drive back toward Shillong in the late afternoon.
Return to Shillong by early evening and settle back into your hotel, taking a short walk in Police Bazaar to browse any last-minute handicrafts or chutney jars you noted earlier in the trip. Enjoy a comforting dinner—perhaps grilled trout or a Khasi thali—recap the clear-water contrasts of Dawki with your travel companions, and rest up for tomorrow’s trek toward the living root bridges.
Set out early from your Shillong base after a hearty breakfast and drive to Tyrna or Mawlynnong (depending on your chosen route) to begin the trek toward Nongriat; the morning cool and misty is perfect for the 3,000+ stone steps descent through moss-draped forest, hanging gardens and bamboo groves as you pass small Khasi villages and tea stalls en route. Pause at viewpoints above the Cherrapunji gorge to catch light filtering through the canopy, and arrive at the iconic Double Decker Living Root Bridge mid-morning to linger at the lower pool and take photos from the upper root span.
After a riverside picnic or local lunch of smoked trout and rice at Nongriat, explore the area’s smaller single-span root bridges and natural swimming pools — if energy is low you can opt for the shorter trek to the nearby Rainbow Falls and soak in the cool water; alternatively, take the steeper climb back up in stages, stopping at village homestays to chat with Khasi hosts and sample homemade snacks like tungrymbai. Allow extra time in the afternoon for gradual ascent so you can enjoy the forest sounds and birdlife; guides and porters can be hired locally if you prefer a gentler return to the roadhead.
Return to your vehicle and drive back toward Shillong as dusk settles, arriving in time for a warm shower and a relaxed dinner in Police Bazaar where you can trade stories of the living root bridges over momos or a Khasi thali. Wind down with a short evening stroll around the market or a quiet cup of tea at a rooftop café, reflecting on the day’s forest immersion and the ingenuity of the Khasi people before turning in for a restful night ahead of your transfer to Guwahati tomorrow.
Pack your bags after an early breakfast in Shillong and check out, then begin the 3-3.5 hour drive to Guwahati; stop at the Shillong-Guwahati highway viewpoint near Byrnihat for a final look at the rolling Khasi hills and to stretch your legs. If time allows, detour to the Kamakhya Temple on Nilachal Hill for a brief cultural visit and panoramic views over the Brahmaputra (dress modestly and allow 45-60 minutes for the visit).
Arrive in Guwahati and head to the airport or railway station depending on your chosen departure—if you have a midday flight or train, enjoy a leisurely lunch at a café near the airport serving Assamese specialties like fish tenga or khar for a last regional taste. For extra time, paseo along the Brahmaputra riverfront at the Fancy Bazaar or visit the Assam State Museum for a quick cultural recap before checking in for your onward journey to Mumbai.
Board your evening flight or overnight train back to Mumbai, reflecting on the week’s highlights from Cherrapunji’s cliffs to the Dawki waters and living root bridges as the landscape recedes; carry home local treats like Khasi chutneys or dried trout as mementos. If you arrive in Mumbai late, plan a relaxed final meal at home or in the city and rest—your Meghalaya memories and photos will be the perfect keepsake from this hill-country escape.
| Place / Activity | Cost |
|---|---|
| Shillong - Arrival / Ward's Lake | Free (small parking/entry fees may apply ~INR 10-20) |
| Don Bosco Museum (Shillong) | INR 50 - 200 (typical donation/entry; camera fee possible) |
| Police Bazaar & Bara Bazaar (shopping, cafés) | Varies — street food INR 50-200 per person; souvenirs INR 100-2,000+ depending on item |
| Rooftop/open-front restaurants (Police Bazaar) | INR 200 - 800 per person (meal + drinks; trout and specialty dishes cost more) |
| Elephant Falls | Free - small parking/entry ~INR 10-50 |
| Shillong Peak | Free - small parking/entry ~INR 10-50 |
| Lady Hydari Park | INR 10 - 50 |
| Drive: Shillong to Cherrapunji (Sohra) | Private taxi INR 2,000 - 3,500 one way; shared taxi/jeep less (~INR 200-400 per person) depending on arrangement |
| Seven Sisters (Nohsngithiang) viewpoint | Free - small parking/entry ~INR 10-50 |
| Nohkalikai Falls viewpoint | Free - small parking/entry ~INR 10-50 |
| Arwah Cave / Mawsmai Cave | INR 20 - 200 (entry + guide/torch rental varies; Arwah may have small local fees) |
| Dainthlen / Eco Park area (Cherrapunji) | Free - small local fees for parking/entry ~INR 10-50 |
| Drive: Shillong to Mawlynnong | Private taxi INR 2,500 - 4,000 round-trip (shared options cheaper) |
| Mawlynnong village walk & bamboo tower | Free - viewing tower tip/fee INR 20-100; small donations encouraged |
| Short living root bridge walk near Mawlynnong | Free - small local guide fee possible INR 100-300 |
| Drive: Mawlynnong to Dawki & Umngot River | Included in taxi day rate; if separate transfer INR 800 - 1,500 one way |
| Boat ride on Umngot River (Dawki) — clear-water stretch | INR 300 - 800 per boat (rates vary by season, boat size; per person if shared) |
| Dawki suspension bridge & riverside market | Free to stroll; shopping/snacks INR 50-300 |
| Drive: Shillong to Dawki (direct) | Private taxi INR 3,000 - 5,000 one way (shared options cheaper) |
| Trek to Double Decker Living Root Bridge (Nongriat) from Tyrna / Mawlynong trailhead | Guide ~INR 500-1,500 (optional); porter fees if hired INR 500-1,500; no formal entry fee but small community/parking donations common INR 50-200 |
| Rainbow Falls & natural pools (near Nongriat) | Free - small guide/entry/donation may apply INR 20-200 |
| Taxis / local transport average day hire (Shillong base, full day) | INR 2,500 - 4,500 per day for private cab (includes driver allowance/fuel for typical sightseeing within 80-200 km/day). Shared transfers much cheaper per person |
| Accommodation — Shillong mid-range hotel | INR 1,800 - 4,000 per night (mid-range); budget guesthouse INR 600-1,500; premium hotels INR 5,000+ |
| Accommodation — Mawlynnong / Dawki homestay | INR 800 - 2,500 per night (simple homestays to comfortable lodges) |
| Meals (average) | Breakfast INR 60-200; lunch/dinner INR 150 - 600 per person depending on place and dish (trout / specialty meals higher) |
| Miscellaneous (permits, tips, snacks, SIM/data) | INR 500 - 2,000 total for the trip (estimate) |
| Return transfer: Shillong to Guwahati (airport) private taxi | INR 3,000 - 5,000 one way (shared bus/train lower ~INR 150-400 per person) |
| Estimated Total (per person) | INR 26,000 - 62,000 per person (7 days) — estimated range |