Arrive into Shillong in the morning and settle into your guesthouse or hotel in Police Bazar or Laitumkhrah, then stretch your legs with a gentle walk to Ward’s Lake for a relaxing introduction to the city’s greenery and birdlife. Pop into a nearby café such as Café Shillong or City Hut Family Dhaba for a steaming cup of local tea and a Khasi breakfast of puri, aloo and chutney while you review the week’s plan and purchase any last-minute supplies.
After lunch, take a short drive up to Shillong Peak for panoramic views of the pine-clad hills and the distant Brahmaputra valley, then stop at Elephant Falls to feel the cool spray and snap photos of the tiered cascades. Spend the late afternoon wandering the lively Police Bazaar — browse fabric and handicraft shops, pick up local handicrafts at Don Bosco Centre for Indigenous Cultures, and sample street snacks like momos and chizz toast to get a taste of local life.
As dusk falls, head to Lady Hydari Park for a peaceful stroll across manicured lawns and seasonal flowerbeds before dinner at a local restaurant such as Dylan’s Café or Trattoria where you can try Khasi specialties like Jadoh or dohneiiong. Finish the night with a relaxed drink at a rooftop spot or a gentle walk along the illuminated streets of Police Bazaar, preparing for tomorrow’s full day of waterfalls and viewpoints.
Wake up after a restful first night and head out to one of Shillong’s best morning outings: Shillong Peak for sunrise views over the rolling pine-clad hills and the distant Brahmaputra valley—bring a light jacket and your camera. From there drive to Elephant Falls to feel the cool mist between the tiered cascades, then stop at Cafe Shillong or Dylan’s for a late breakfast of local tea and fluffy momos before returning to Police Bazaar to browse handicraft stalls and pick up any supplies for tomorrow’s Cherrapunji day trip.
After lunch, take a short drive to Lady Hydari Park to wander through manicured gardens and see seasonal flowers, then continue to the Don Bosco Centre for Indigenous Cultures to learn more about Khasi art and traditions through its exhibits and craft shop. If time allows, weave in a visit to Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians for its tranquil architecture or pop into the State Museum for a quick cultural primer before returning to your hotel to freshen up.
As dusk falls, stroll down lively Police Bazaar to sample street snacks like chizz toast or steamed rice cakes and shop for shawls and bamboo crafts, then enjoy dinner at Trattoria or a local Khasi restaurant—try jadoh or dohneiiong for authentic flavors. Cap the night with a relaxed rooftop drink or a gentle walk along the illuminated streets, packing light layers and your camera for the early start to Cherrapunji tomorrow.
Depart Shillong early after a hearty breakfast and drive the scenic route to Cherrapunji (Sohra), stopping first at the dramatic Nohkalikai Falls to feel the spray and photograph the plunging emerald pool from the viewpoint. Continue to the nearby Mawsmai Cave for a short, adventurous walk through limestone passages and then head to the Eco Park viewpoint for sweeping vistas of the Khasi Hills and cloud-filled valleys.
After a packed picnic or lunch at a local eatery in Cherrapunji, visit the Seven Sisters Falls and the nearby Tyrna village area to begin your introduction to the living root bridges—take a guided short trek toward the simpler root bridge sites to see the ingenuity of Khasi root engineering and learn from local guides about how the bridges are grown and maintained. If time and energy allow, explore the Balancing Rock and small local craft stalls for handmade souvenirs before beginning the return drive toward Shillong.
Arrive back in Shillong in the early evening, unwind with a warm drink at your hotel or a cozy café in Police Bazaar, and reflect on the day’s waterfalls and living-root discoveries while trying local dishes like dohneiiong for dinner. Spend a relaxed night packing light layers and your trekking shoes for tomorrow’s longer trek to the Double Decker Living Root Bridge in Nongriat.
Leave Shillong early after a packed breakfast and scenic drive toward Tyrna; arrive at Tyrna or Dawan and meet your local guide before beginning the descent into the Nongriat valley. The trek starts with several steep stone steps through village lanes, bamboo groves and terraced fields — pause at small viewpoints to admire the cloud-filled ravine and listen for the first calls of hill birds as you approach the Umshiang path.
By midday you'll reach the iconic Double Decker Living Root Bridge (Umshiang) — spend time crossing both levels, photographing the mossy roots woven over generations and learning from your guide about the Ficus elastica pruning techniques and maintenance by local families. After lunch (packed or at a simple tea stall in Nongriat), continue down to visit the nearby single-root bridges, swim or relax in the icy natural pools beneath the falls if conditions permit, and explore the hamlet to see everyday Khasi life and traditional bamboo houses.
Begin the steady climb back up toward Tyrna in the late afternoon, timing breaks to catch golden-hour views of the valley and the distant hills; celebrate your effort with chai at a village stall before the final push. Return to your guesthouse in Mawlynnong or Shillong by evening — enjoy a hearty dinner of local dishes like jadoh or dohneiiong and swap photos with your guide, packing light layers and sore-but-happy feet for tomorrow’s gentle visit to Mawlynnong village.
Wake early and wander Mawlynnong’s tidy lanes after a simple Khasi breakfast, visiting the famed Living Root Skywalk for panoramic views over Bangladesh and the surrounding bamboo groves. Pop into the community-run craft stalls and the cleanest-village-in-Asia pathways to meet villagers, learn about their sustainable practices, and photograph the neat homesteads and floral displays.
After lunch at a local homestay or the village eatery, stroll to the nearby Mawlynnong waterfall for a short, refreshing walk and a chance to relax by the pool before beginning the scenic drive back toward Shillong. Stop en route at the Balancing Rock viewpoint or a roadside tea stall for chai and last-minute crafts, savoring the final hill vistas and the rhythm of Khasi countryside life.
Arrive in Shillong in the early evening, return to your Police Bazaar or Laitumkhrah accommodation to freshen up, and enjoy a farewell dinner at a favourite spot such as Dylan’s Café or Trattoria to toast the week’s adventures. If time allows before departure, take a final stroll around Ward’s Lake or the bustling bazaar to pick up any last souvenirs and reflect on the waterfalls, treks and root-bridge memories from your Meghalaya escape.