Kolkata Wedding + 5–6 Night North East Family Escape

Route: Surat → Kolkata (by ~2 Dec from Surat) for wedding stay 10–12 Dec → Fly/drive to Guwahati → Shillong → Cherrapunjee → Mawlynnong → Return Guwahati → Fly back to Surat/Kolkata as needed. Planning step-by-step: arrive Surat→fly to Kolkata→wedding→travel northeast by flight/car→explore Meghalaya & nearby attractions→return.

Travel & Logistics

• Depart Surat around 2nd December (flight to Kolkata or transit as preferred).
• Stay in Kolkata for wedding: 10–12 December (family: you, wife, 5-year-old daughter).
• After 12th Dec, fly from Kolkata to Guwahati (gateway to Northeast) and proceed by car to Meghalaya for 5–6 night itinerary.
• Booking help: Check hotels & flights on KAYAK

Itinerary Option A — 5 Nights / 6 Days (Meghalaya-focused, family-friendly)

Day 1 — Arrival in Guwahati & Transfer to Shillong

09:00AM: Land Guwahati / Start transfer

Arrive at Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi Airport, Guwahati. Drive to Shillong (3–3.5 hr). Check into Shillong hotel and relax. (Car transfer ~₹3,000–₹4,500; airport pickup ₹800–1,200). Time spent: 4–5 hours including travel and check-in.

Day 1 — Late Afternoon: Police Bazar & Ward's Lake

04:30PM: Police Bazar & Ward's Lake

Stroll Police Bazar for snacks, handicrafts, and family-friendly dining; visit Ward's Lake for a short boat/duck-feeding walk. (Shopping/food ~₹500–1,500; Ward's Lake entry minimal; 1.5–2 hours).

Day 2 — Shillong Sightseeing

09:00AM: Elephant Falls & Shillong Peak

Visit Elephant Falls (easy walk, family-friendly) then Shillong Peak for panoramic views. (Entry/free viewpoints; local cab ₹1,500–2,000 for half day; 3–4 hours).

02:00PM: Don Bosco Museum & Local Lunch

Explore Don Bosco Museum (culture and kid-friendly exhibits) then lunch at a family restaurant in Police Bazar. (Museum ~₹100–200 pp; 2–3 hours).

Day 3 — Day Trip to Cherrapunjee (Sohra)

08:00AM: Drive to Cherrapunjee

Drive ~2 hours to Cherrapunjee. Visit Nohkalikai Falls, Mawsmai Cave (easy walk), Arwah Cave, and eco viewpoints. (Car ₹2,500–3,500/day; park entries/guide ₹100–300; 6–8 hours).

Day 4 — Mawlynnong & Dawki (Clear-water river)

08:00AM: Depart for Mawlynnong Village

Visit Asia's cleanest village Mawlynnong (living root bridge viewpoints), then proceed to Dawki for boat ride on the Umngot River (crystal clear water). (Day car ₹3,500–4,500; boat ₹300–800; 8–10 hours).

Day 5 — Relaxed Morning in Shillong & Local Activities

09:30AM: Botanical Gardens / Playtime

Relaxed morning at Lady Hydari Park or Botanical Gardens and pony/park time for your daughter, followed by shopping. (Park free/minimal, 2–3 hours). Afternoon free for rest or short local outing.

Day 6 — Return to Guwahati & Depart

08:00AM: Drive to Guwahati & Fly Out

Transfer back to Guwahati (3–3.5 hr), visit Kamakhya Temple if time permits, then airport drop for flight to Surat/Kolkata. (Transfer ₹3,000–4,500; Kamakhya donation minimal; travel time 4–5 hours).

Itinerary Option B — 6 Nights (Add Kaziranga for wildlife)

• Replace Day 5–6: After Cherrapunjee, drive to Kaziranga (longer transfer ~6–7 hr from Shillong/Guwahati area), stay 1–2 nights for jeep safari (one morning elephant/jeep safari suitable for kids). Estimated added cost: safari ₹1,000–3,000 pp + stay ₹2,500–5,000/night.

Estimated Costs (Family of 3)

• Flights (Surat→Kolkata→Guwahati round-trips): ₹8,000–20,000 pp depending on booking time — check KAYAK link.
• Local car with driver (6 days): ₹18,000–30,000 total.
• Accommodation (mid-range family rooms): ₹2,500–6,000/night → ₹12,500–36,000 for 5–6 nights.
• Food & entry fees: ₹3,000–8,000 total.
• Total rough budget: ₹45,000–90,000 (family of 3, mid-range) depending on choices.

Hidden Gems and Local Favorites

Seek Mawphlang Sacred Forest for short guided nature walks, the Living Root Bridges around Nongriat (if you opt for a longer trek), local Khasi bakeries for pumpernickel-style breads, and family-friendly homestays in Mawlynnong for cultural encounters. Locals love evening chai shops around Police Bazar and simple thali meals at neighborhood eateries.