After landing at Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, meet your pre-arranged driver and head to Shillong via NH6, usually through Nongpoh. Allow about 4–5 hours door to door, including airport pickup and a short break; traffic and road conditions can add time, especially near Shillong. Keep water and a light snack handy, and ask your driver to make a brief stop if needed rather than trying to rush the hill drive.
Pause at Umiam Lake on the way into town for lakeside views and a 30–45-minute leg-stretch. It’s a relaxed first taste of Meghalaya, and a good spot for photos; facilities and any boating options can vary, so don’t count on a particular activity being available. Continue into Shillong, check in, and leave time to rest after the journey.
If you reach town with daylight to spare, take an easy 45-minute loop around Ward’s Lake in central Shillong; check the current entry hours and fee at the gate, as these can change. Then head to Trattoria in Police Bazaar for Khasi dishes—budget roughly ₹300–600 per person. Police Bazaar gets busy in the evening, so allow a little extra time for the short taxi ride or walk from your hotel, depending on where you’re staying.
Start at Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians in Laitumkhrah, a peaceful hilltop stop with lovely views and vivid stained glass. Allow about 45 minutes; entry is generally free, though a small donation is welcome. Go in the morning and keep voices low if a service is underway. From here, take a taxi or app cab towards Mawlai—allow roughly 20–30 minutes, depending on Shillong traffic.
Spend around two hours at Don Bosco Museum in Mawlai, where the galleries introduce the cultures and traditions of Northeast India. It is typically open Tuesday to Saturday during the day, but check its current hours before setting out; allow extra time for the exhibits and lift queues. Budget roughly ₹100–200 per adult, subject to change. Then head across town to Lady Hydari Park in Laban, about 20–30 minutes by cab. Its lawns, flowerbeds and small zoo make for an easy, unhurried hour; admission is usually a modest fee, and it’s worth checking the day’s opening hours locally.
Finish back in Laitumkhrah at Cafe Shillong for a relaxed meal—budget around ₹400–800 per person. It’s a good place to take your time over local and café-style dishes after a day of crossing town. Keep a little slack between stops: Shillong’s narrow, busy roads can make short cab journeys take longer than the distance suggests.
Hire a car and driver for the day—these stops are spread across the hills, and public transport won’t make the sequence practical. Head first to Shillong Peak in Laban; aim to arrive around opening time, usually about 9 a.m., and allow 1–1½ hours for the viewpoint and checkpoint. Carry photo ID, as access is controlled, and keep a light layer handy: the view can disappear into cloud, so be flexible if conditions are poor. Continue to Elephant Falls in Upper Shillong (roughly 30–45 minutes by road). Give yourself 1–1½ hours for the stairways down to the three cascades; the steps can be slippery, so wear shoes with grip. Entry is usually a modest charge, but confirm the current fee locally.
From the falls, allow about 1–1½ hours to drive to Mawphlang Sacred Grove. Set aside around two hours for a local guide-led walk; guides and a small fee are generally arranged at the entrance, but confirm availability before setting out. Treat the grove with care: follow your guide’s instructions and don’t remove plants, leaves, or stones. The return drive to Shillong takes roughly an hour or more, depending on road conditions, so this is a full day—start early and ask your driver to wait rather than trying to find transport back from Mawphlang. Finish at Dylan’s Cafe in Laitumkhrah for a relaxed meal and music memorabilia; budget about ₹400–800 per person. A private car for the day may cost roughly ₹3,500–5,500, depending on the vehicle and operator; confirm the fare and whether waiting time is included.
Leave Shillong early enough to reach Dawki around midday; the drive commonly takes about 3–4 hours, but allow longer for road conditions and stops. Keep the rest of the day light, check in, and ask your accommodation to help arrange a boat ride on the Umngot River. Boat availability and rates vary with water conditions and demand, so agree on the price and ride duration before boarding; carry cash.
After the ride, walk over to the Dawki Suspension Bridge for a look at the river from above, then return to your accommodation before dark. Simple local meals are the practical choice here; budget roughly ₹150–350 per person for a basic meal, with limited options compared with Shillong. Stay overnight in Dawki so tomorrow’s onward travel does not require a late return drive.
Keep the morning for the journey and arrival in Shillong; allow roughly 2½–3½ hours on the road, with extra time for conditions and a stop if needed. Once you’re checked in, take a proper break rather than trying to squeeze in a full sightseeing day.
If you feel rested, head to Shillong Golf Course for an easy walk and a change of pace. Then spend some unhurried time in Laitumkhrah, browsing the neighbourhood and picking a café or casual restaurant for a late lunch or early dinner; budget around ₹250–600 per person, depending on what you order.
Keep the evening flexible and arrange a local taxi or hotel car between stops. If the Dawki drive runs late or leaves you tired, skip the walk and settle in for a meal instead.
Leave Shillong in the morning in your pre-arranged taxi; the drive to Guwahati via NH6 takes about 4–5 hours door to door, including traffic and the hotel check-in. Confirm the pickup time, luggage space and Guwahati drop-off with your driver the day before. Keep the morning flexible: a slow stretch on the road could push your arrival later than expected.
The Assam State Museum at Dighalipukhuri is a worthwhile 1½–2-hour introduction to Assam’s history and culture, but Sunday opening is the key caveat: check directly with the museum before setting out, as it may be closed. If it confirms it is open, go after check-in; otherwise, don’t count on getting inside today. Head to Khorikaa in Ulubari for a late lunch or early dinner—budget about ₹400–800 per person, and allow extra time for the cross-town drive in traffic.
Finish at the Brahmaputra riverfront in Uzan Bazaar for an easy 45–60-minute stroll and a change of pace after the road trip. A cab from Ulubari is the simplest connection; leave a little slack for Sunday traffic, and bring a light layer if the river breeze picks up.
Set out early for Kamakhya Temple on Nilachal Hill; from central Guwahati, allow roughly 30–45 minutes by taxi, more in traffic. Aim to arrive around opening time and leave plenty of slack: darshan queues and ritual schedules can make the visit unpredictable. Check current entry arrangements before you go, and book ahead if required. Modest clothing is a good idea; follow posted guidance on photography and access.
Take a taxi to Navagraha Temple on Chitrasal Hill—allow about 30–45 minutes for the drive, depending on traffic, and 45–60 minutes at the temple for its hilltop setting and city views. Then head to The Guwahati Address in Lokhra for an early meal. Expect about ₹700–1,200 per person; call ahead to confirm opening hours and avoid a long wait.
From Lokhra, allow around 45–75 minutes by taxi to Guwahati Airport, with extra time for traffic. Aim to arrive by 3–3:30 p.m. for your 6 p.m. departure, or earlier if your airline recommends it. Keep your airport transfer pre-arranged, and leave the restaurant with enough time to absorb delays.
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