Arrive at Shillong Airport (Umroi) where your pre-arranged transfer awaits to whisk you through the rolling hills to your hotel in Police Bazar or Laitumkhrah; enjoy panoramic views en route and settle into your room with tea. Take a relaxed walk to Ward’s Lake and the nearby Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians to stretch your legs and get your first taste of Shillong’s colonial-era charm and cool mountain air.
After a leisurely hotel lunch, head to the Don Bosco Museum for a fascinating introduction to Meghalaya’s tribal cultures and crafts, then stroll down to the bustling Police Bazar to browse local handicrafts, fresh produce and ka-mei (local snacks). If time allows, pop into Shillong Viewpoint for a quick photo stop that offers sweeping vistas of the town and surrounding hills as the light softens.
As dusk falls, sample Khasi and local fusion dishes at a popular eatery near Police Bazar—try jadoh or tungrymbai—and enjoy a cup of hot tea or local coffee at a cozy café. Finish the night with a gentle walk along the Mall Road, taking in street life and planning tomorrow’s waterfall and market explorations, ensuring a calm, restorative first night in Meghalaya.
Start the day with a hearty breakfast at your hotel, then drive a short distance to Elephant Falls for misty cascades framed by lush ferns and photogenic viewpoints; follow this with a visit to Shillong Peak for panoramic morning light over the Khasi Hills and a brisk, refreshing walk amid pine-scented air. On the return, stop at Lady Hydari Park to see manicured gardens and koi ponds — a gentle way to transition from scenic viewpoints back into town life.
After lunch in Police Bazar, head to Laitumkhrah’s local markets and the alleys around Bara Bazar to sample street snacks like momos and ka-mei while browsing Khasi handicrafts, textiles and bamboo work; pop into the State Central Library or a nearby café for a short rest and people-watching. Later, visit the Don Bosco Centre for Indigenous Culture (if you missed parts yesterday) or the charming Bara Bazaar Clock Tower area to soak up the bustle and pick up souvenirs.
As dusk falls, enjoy dinner at a popular Shillong restaurant—try jadoh or chilli pork—then wander down to the lively Police Bazar and the Mall Road where street music and night cafes create a friendly atmosphere; stop at a local tea shop for piping hot Khasi tea or a dessert. If you’re up for it, cap the night with live music at a well-known local venue (many cafes host local bands), keeping the relaxed, cultural rhythm established on arrival.
Leave Shillong after an early breakfast for the scenic drive to Cherrapunji, arriving at Nohkalikai Falls viewpoint to admire India’s tallest plunge waterfall framed by sheer cliffs and morning mist. Continue to Arwah Cave or Mawsmai Cave for a short, easy spelunking experience among limestone formations, then head to the start of the famous Double Decker living root bridge trek at Tyrna village—enjoy the cool forest walk and the ingenuity of the root bridges as you descend toward the narrow gorge.
After a packed or local lunch in a village eatery near Tyrna, explore the double and single living root bridges in Nongriat (or the less strenuous single-root paths if time/fitness is limited), taking time to swim in the clear pools beneath the bridges when weather permits; photograph the lush, fern-draped ravines and interact with local guides who maintain the roots. Later, drive to the Seven Sisters Falls viewpoint and Eco Park for sweeping panoramic views, then stop at the Krem Mawmluh or the Dainthlen region if you’d like more short walks and local folklore about the rock formations.
Return to Shillong in the late afternoon, stopping for tea at a roadside viewpoint to watch the changing light on the Khasi hills, and arrive back at your hotel in time to freshen up. For dinner, choose a cozy restaurant near Police Bazar to recount the day’s adventures—try local Khasi trout if available—and relax with a hot drink while planning tomorrow’s trip to Mawlynnong and Dawki.
After an early hotel breakfast in Shillong, set off for Mawlynnong — the acclaimed 'Cleanest Village in Asia' — where you'll stroll the tidy, flower-lined lanes, visit the living root skywalk for panoramic views over the Bangladesh plains, and meet local families to learn about their community-led waste and bamboo-craft practices. Stop at the village’s bamboo viewpoint and the charming schoolhouse for photos; the calm atmosphere and community gardens offer a lovely contrast to yesterday’s waterfalls and root-bridge hiking.
Continue to Dawki for a scenic drive alongside terraced fields, arriving at the Umngot River in the early afternoon to take a glass-bottom boat ride across the remarkably clear water and watch fishermen ply their traditional nets; explore the riverside markets for fresh fish and local snacks and cross the Dawki Bridge for postcard views of the river and surrounding limestone outcrops. If time permits, visit the nearby Krang Suri or nearby limestone pools for a quick dip and a few more photographs of the turquoise water.
Return toward Shillong in the late afternoon, pausing at scenic roadside viewpoints to capture golden-hour light over the Khasi hills and enjoy a tea stop at a local dhaba; arrive at your hotel to freshen up and reflect on the day’s contrasts between Mawlynnong’s village charm and Dawki’s crystalline river. For dinner, choose a restaurant near Police Bazar to sample regional fish preparations or jadoh, sharing highlights from the day and preparing for tomorrow’s optional Nongriat hike or relaxed village walks.
Set out early from your Shillong-area hotel for the drive to Tyrna and the trailhead toward Nongriat, enjoying cool hill air as you descend the stone steps through mossy forest toward the famous double-decker living root bridge; pause at jungle clearings and small streams to photograph ferns, orchids and the clever lattice of roots, and if you’re up for it, take a refreshing dip in the crystal pools beneath the bridges. Local guides and village children often greet trekkers — soak in stories about how the roots are trained and maintained while sampling homemade snacks from a village stall before continuing deeper into the gorge.
After a simple, hearty lunch in Nongriat village (try steamed rice, local greens and fresh fish if available), explore nearby trails to lesser-known single root bridges, viewpoint ridges and terraced fields; opt for a relaxed village walk to meet Khasi families, visit a local homestead to see bamboo crafts, or climb the steps to the scenic Cherrapunji ridge for sweeping views. If energy allows, take the optional climb up toward Tyrna village at a gentle pace, enjoying layered valley panoramas and stopping for tea with locals along the way.
Return to your vehicle in the late afternoon and drive back toward Shillong, stopping at roadside viewpoints to watch the hills turn golden as dusk approaches and to stretch your legs with a short walk in the pine-scented air. Back in Police Bazar or Laitumkhrah, relax over a well-earned dinner — try Khasi trout or jadoh at a popular local restaurant — and recount the day’s root-bridge wonders while planning a leisurely final morning before tomorrow’s airport transfer.
Enjoy a relaxed final morning with a late breakfast at your hotel in Police Bazar or Laitumkhrah, savouring a last cup of Khasi tea or local coffee and packing any souvenirs from nearby shops. If time allows, take a short stroll to Ward’s Lake or the nearby Cathedral one more time for a quiet photo op and to breathe in the cool hill air before checkout.
After settling any hotel formalities, your pre-arranged transfer will collect you for the scenic drive to Shillong (Umroi) Airport; en route pause at Shillong Viewpoint or a roadside tea stall for a final look over the rolling Khasi Hills and one last snack. Arrive at the airport with time for boarding checks and a relaxed farewell to Meghalaya, reflecting on the living root bridges, Mawlynnong’s charm and Dawki’s crystal waters from the journey.
If your flight departs later in the evening, use the airport lounge or a café to rest, check photos and exchange contact details with new friends or guides; otherwise, on arrival back home, carry with you the calm, green memories of Meghalaya’s villages, rivers and hills. Safe travels—your driver can assist with any last-minute needs as you prepare to depart.