Dates are flexible. This day-by-day plan is provisional until you choose exact travel dates.
After landing at Bandaranaike International Airport, allow roughly 1–1.5 hours door to door to reach Colombo Fort, depending on immigration, baggage collection, and traffic on the airport–Colombo road. A pre-booked hotel taxi is simplest for two people with luggage; app-based rides through PickMe can be cheaper, though pickup instructions at the airport may be less straightforward. Check in, freshen up, and avoid packing too much into the first afternoon if your flight arrives late.
Head to Gangaramaya Temple beside Beira Lake, usually a 15–25-minute tuk-tuk or taxi ride from Fort, depending on traffic. Give yourself about an hour to see the shrine rooms, Buddha images, antiques, and the temple’s wonderfully eclectic collection of donated objects. Dress modestly—shoulders and knees covered—and remove shoes before entering. A small entrance donation or ticket may apply; opening hours can vary, so confirm locally if arriving near closing time. From the temple, continue by taxi toward Galle Face Green, allowing extra time during Colombo’s busy late-afternoon traffic.
Walk along Galle Face Green as the heat softens, with views across the Indian Ocean and plenty of local families out flying kites or watching the sunset. Try a snack from the promenade stalls—especially isso wade, a spicy prawn fritter—or buy a drink and simply sit facing the sea. Use normal street-food caution: choose busy stalls with quick turnover and eat freshly cooked items. An hour here is enough without making the evening feel rushed.
For dinner, go to Ministry of Crab in the Dutch Hospital Precinct, a short tuk-tuk ride from Galle Face Green. Reserve ahead through the restaurant’s official channels, particularly for dinner, and expect approximately LKR 8,000–15,000 per person before drinks and extras. The menu focuses on large Sri Lankan lagoon crab, so confirm the final weight and price when ordering.
After dinner, spend about 45 minutes wandering through Colombo Fort, where colonial façades, old trading buildings, and quieter night streets contrast with the busy waterfront. Keep valuables secure and use a metered tuk-tuk or PickMe for the return to your hotel rather than walking long distances late at night. Withdraw some Sri Lankan rupees or keep small notes ready for tuk-tuks and snack stalls; cards are common in hotels and established restaurants, but not everywhere.
Take the reserved Colombo Fort Railway Station train to Kandy in the morning, ideally around 7:00–8:00am. Allow 3.5–4.5 hours door to door, including getting to the station, finding your platform, and transferring from Kandy Railway Station to your hotel. Reserved seats are worth paying for on this scenic but busy route; check current availability through Sri Lanka Railways or 12Go rather than relying on an unreserved carriage. After checking in or leaving your bags, take a tuk-tuk to the city centre—allow roughly 10–20 minutes depending on traffic.
Start at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, allowing about 1.5 hours for security, queues, and the shrine complex. Modest clothing is required: shoulders and knees should be covered, and shoes and hats must be removed before entering the inner areas. Entry is commonly around LKR 2,000 per foreign adult, but confirm the current fee at the official ticket counter. From the temple, walk along the edge of Kandy Lake for about 45 minutes; the shaded lakeside path is an easy way to slow down after the train journey, though traffic crossings near the town centre require care. A tuk-tuk to Balaji Dosai takes roughly 5–10 minutes, depending on your hotel’s location.
Continue by tuk-tuk or PickMe to the Kandy Royal Botanic Gardens in Peradeniya, usually 15–25 minutes from central Kandy. Give yourselves around two hours to wander among the palms, orchids, giant tropical trees, and broad lawns; the gardens are best enjoyed without trying to cover every path. Check the current closing time before setting out, as hours and last-entry rules can change, and leave enough time to return before dusk traffic builds. Finish at Balaji Dosai in Kandy town for an inexpensive vegetarian dinner—dosas, idli, vada, and South Indian thalis generally cost about LKR 1,500–3,000 per person. It is a casual, popular spot, so expect a short wait at peak dinner time; a tuk-tuk or PickMe is the easiest way back to your accommodation.
Arrange a private car through your Kandy hotel or PickMe and leave around 7:00–8:00am. The drive to Nuwara Eliya takes roughly 3–4 hours without long stops, but mountain traffic and winding roads can easily add time. Ask the driver to use the Ramboda route and keep a light jacket handy—the temperature drops noticeably as you climb. Around Ramboda Falls, stop at the roadside viewpoint for about 30 minutes; the waterfall is especially impressive after rain, though the rocks and viewpoints can be slippery.
Continue to Damro Labookellie Tea Centre, allowing about an hour for the tea-factory visit and tasting. Tours and demonstrations are generally during daytime working hours, but the exact schedule can vary, so confirm on arrival. Tea and snacks are inexpensive; budget around LKR 1,000–2,500 per person. The plantation views along the approach are a highlight, and the factory shop is a good place to buy sealed Ceylon tea without spending time comparing many shops in town.
After checking in and having lunch in Nuwara Eliya, head to Gregory Lake, usually a 10–15-minute tuk-tuk or taxi ride from the town centre. Spend about an hour walking the lakeside paths or taking a pedal boat; allow extra time if the area is busy or you stop for photographs. Entry and boating charges are modest but can change, so check the current ticket price at the gate. The lakeside is cooler and breezier than town, particularly in the late afternoon, so carry a rain layer rather than relying on an umbrella.
Return to central Nuwara Eliya for dinner at Grand Indian Restaurant, a convenient choice if you want familiar vegetarian and North Indian dishes after a full travel day. Dinner typically costs around LKR 2,500–5,000 per person, depending on drinks and shared dishes. It can get busy at dinner, so arriving a little before peak hours is sensible. Keep the evening relaxed—many attractions close early, and the best part of Nuwara Eliya after dark is simply strolling around the colonial town centre before turning in.
Take the Nanu Oya–Ella train after an early breakfast, allowing about 4–5 hours for the journey and delays. Reserved seats are worth trying through Sri Lanka Railways or 12Go, but schedules and availability can change, so confirm locally the day before. Keep snacks and water with you; the best views come as the train descends through tea country and forested valleys. On arrival at Ella Railway Station, take a tuk-tuk to your accommodation, leave your bags, and have a quick lunch in town.
Walk or take a short tuk-tuk ride toward Nine Arch Bridge in Demodara. From the road, the path down through the trees takes roughly 15–20 minutes; allow around 1.5 hours overall. Train timings are unreliable, so treat seeing a train cross the bridge as a bonus rather than planning your day around it. Return toward Ella and continue to Little Adam’s Peak, where the relatively easy viewpoint hike takes about 1–1.5 hours with photo stops. Go in the late afternoon for softer light, but carry water and wear shoes with decent grip—the steps and exposed sections can be slippery after rain.
If operating, join the cooking-focused session at Ella Spice Garden for about 1.5 hours. Confirm availability in advance, as the experience may run only on selected days and often needs prior booking. It is a pleasant way to learn about cinnamon, curry leaves, cardamom, and Sri Lankan curry techniques without adding another long transfer. Finish with dinner at Matey Hut in Ella town; expect approximately LKR 2,000–4,000 per person. It is casual and popular, so arrive before the busiest dinner period or be prepared for a short wait. Keep the evening relaxed—after the train ride and two walks, Ella’s small lanes and cafés are best enjoyed without squeezing in another attraction.
Leave Ella around 8:00am in a pre-booked private car or taxi. The drive to Mirissa via Wellawaya and the Southern Expressway usually takes 3.5–4.5 hours door to door, allowing for mountain roads, a comfort stop, and traffic near the coast. Ask your hotel to arrange the car the previous evening; expect approximately LKR 20,000–30,000 per car. Keep swimwear, sunscreen, and valuables in a day bag rather than buried in the luggage, as you can go straight to the beach after checking in.
After dropping bags at your Mirissa accommodation, head first to Coconut Tree Hill. It is a short tuk-tuk ride from the main beach area, though the final approach can be uneven and muddy after rain. Allow about 45 minutes for photographs and the coastal view. Go carefully near the cliff edge—the viewpoint is not fenced consistently, and it becomes slippery in wet weather. A tuk-tuk around town generally costs roughly LKR 500–1,000 depending on distance and negotiation.
Spend the early afternoon at Mirissa Beach, where the broad crescent of sand is ideal for a relaxed swim and an unhurried lunch. Choose a section with lifeguards or visible local swimmers, and ask before entering if the surf is strong; currents can be powerful, particularly during rough-sea conditions. Beach cafés typically charge around LKR 1,500–3,000 for a casual meal and drink. Keep the afternoon deliberately light after the long transfer—this is a good place to read, nap, or take a short walk rather than trying to add another excursion.
Later, walk along the eastern end of Mirissa Beach to Parrot Rock Bridge. The climb is short but involves uneven rocks, so sandals with grip are preferable. From the top, you get a compact panorama over Mirissa Bay, especially attractive in the late afternoon. Allow about 30 minutes, and avoid climbing if waves are washing heavily over the access rocks.
For dinner, settle in at Zephyr Restaurant & Bar on Mirissa Beach, preferably arriving before sunset or reserving ahead during busy periods. Its beachfront setting suits a relaxed first evening by the coast; seafood, rice dishes, curries, and cocktails typically put the bill around LKR 3,000–7,000 per person, depending on what you order. Afterward, return by tuk-tuk or walk along the busier beach stretch, keeping phones and wallets secure in the darker sections. If you plan an early activity tomorrow, avoid booking a very late night—Mirissa is best enjoyed at an easy pace.
Treat this as a full travel day. Leave Mirissa at least 5–6 hours before your international flight, allowing about 3.5–4.5 hours by private car to Bandaranaike International Airport, plus a generous buffer for Southern Expressway traffic, tolls, luggage, and airline check-in. Your hotel can arrange the car; agree on the fare and airport terminal in advance, and carry some Sri Lankan rupees for refreshments and toll-road stops. For an international departure, aim to reach the airport around three hours before take-off.
Your flight to Hanoi will likely involve a connection, so allow roughly 10–16 hours door to door, including check-in, transit time, immigration, baggage collection, and the airport transfer into the city. Do not plan sightseeing around a tight arrival estimate—flight schedules and connection points vary, and Vietnam immigration can take time. Have your e-visa details, hotel address, passport, and onward-travel information readily available.
After arriving at Noi Bai International Airport, a pre-booked hotel transfer is easiest after a long journey; the drive to Hanoi Old Quarter generally takes 45–75 minutes, depending heavily on traffic. A metered taxi or reputable ride-hailing service is also practical, but avoid unofficial touts inside the terminal. Check in, freshen up, and keep your first exploration deliberately compact: spend about an hour wandering the lanes around Hàng Bạc, Tạ Hiện, and Hàng Mã. The streets are atmospheric after dark, but traffic is chaotic—cross steadily and follow locals rather than waiting for every motorbike to stop.
Continue to Hoàn Kiếm Lake for an easy 45-minute evening walk. The lakeside is a good first taste of Hanoi, with residents exercising, chatting, and gathering around the water. If your arrival falls on a weekend, parts of the surrounding area may be pedestrianised, though exact closures can change; otherwise, stay on the lakeside paths and avoid lingering in the busiest road crossings.
Have dinner at Bún Chả Hương Liên in Hai Bà Trưng, made famous for its grilled pork, rice noodles, herbs, and dipping sauce. From Hoàn Kiếm Lake, it is roughly a 15–25-minute taxi or ride-hailing trip, depending on traffic; walking is possible but not ideal after a long international journey. Budget approximately VND 100,000–180,000 per person. The restaurant can be busy and service is straightforward rather than leisurely, so go with flexible expectations. After dinner, return directly to your hotel and rest—save Hanoi’s museums and longer neighbourhood walks for the following day.
Take an early limousine van or private car from Hanoi’s Old Quarter to Tam Cốc, allowing about 2.5–3 hours door to door with hotel pickup, traffic, and a short rest stop. Ask the operator to drop you at your accommodation or the Tam Cốc riverside area, where most guesthouses and cafés are clustered. After leaving your bags, have a quick lunch nearby rather than trying to fit in a full sightseeing stop before the boat ride.
Arrange a taxi or hotel car from Tam Cốc to Tràng An Scenic Landscape Complex—roughly 20–30 minutes each way, depending on traffic. The boat route takes around three hours, passing through limestone valleys, temples, and a series of low cave tunnels. Queueing and boat allocation vary, so allow extra time and carry water, sun protection, and a light layer; the boat is shaded in places but exposed elsewhere. Entrance and boat tickets are generally around VND 250,000–300,000 per adult, subject to change, and the final route depends on the operating allocation that day.
Return toward Tam Cốc and continue to Bích Động Pagoda, a quiet, compact complex built into a limestone cliff. Set aside about an hour for the three levels, including the steps to the upper shrine; wear shoes with good grip, especially after rain. A short taxi ride or pre-arranged hotel car is easiest between Tràng An and Bích Động. Finish with a relaxed cycle or walk around the Tam Cốc riverside and nearby rice-field lanes for about an hour. Rent bicycles from your hotel or a local shop—typically around VND 50,000–100,000 per bicycle—and return before dark, when the unlit rural roads become less comfortable.
Have dinner at Father Cooking Restaurant in Tam Cốc, a friendly choice for Vietnamese dishes and an easy end to a full day. Expect approximately VND 150,000–300,000 per person, depending on what you order. The area is casual, but service can slow down when several tour groups arrive, so go a little early or ask your accommodation to check current opening hours and reserve a table. Afterwards, keep the evening simple: the Tam Cốc waterfront is pleasant for a short stroll, while taxis can be limited later at night, so arrange your return ride in advance if your accommodation is outside the main strip.
Treat the first half of the day as a travel block. Leave your Ninh Binh accommodation early enough for the roughly 2–2.5-hour private-car transfer to Hanoi’s airport, then allow time for traffic, check-in, security, and baggage. With the airport transfer and domestic flight included, expect the move to Da Nang to take around 5–7 hours door to door. Book the car through your hotel and confirm the flight directly with the airline; schedules and fares vary, and an early departure gives you the best chance of enjoying the coast rather than arriving after dark.
After checking in and dropping your bags, take a short taxi or Grab ride to My Khe Beach in Sơn Trà. Give yourselves about 1.5 hours to slow down properly: walk barefoot along the wide sand, swim if the sea is calm, and choose a shaded spot near the central promenade. The beach is generally most pleasant later in the afternoon, when the heat softens, though swimming conditions depend on surf and local safety flags. A Grab from central hotels usually costs roughly VND 40,000–80,000, depending on traffic and distance.
Around sunset, head toward Dragon Bridge in Hải Châu and stroll beside the Han River for about 45 minutes. The bridge is especially atmospheric once the city lights come on; on certain weekend evenings it may have a scheduled fire-and-water display, but confirm the current timing locally rather than planning the evening around it. Continue by taxi or Grab to Bánh xèo Bà Dưỡng, a casual local institution tucked off Hoàng Diệu Street, for crisp turmeric pancakes wrapped with herbs and dipped in its thick sauce. Budget approximately VND 80,000–150,000 per person; arrive before the busiest dinner period if you prefer a quicker table, and carry small cash in case card payment is unavailable.
Treat this as the main travel day. Book the international flight from Da Nang International Airport to Cochin International Airport as a confirmed itinerary, then arrange a separate prepaid taxi from Kochi to Munnar. With connections, airport formalities, baggage collection, and the 3.5–4.5-hour mountain drive, the door-to-door journey can take roughly 10–16 hours. A private airport taxi to Munnar typically costs around ₹4,500–₹7,000, while the combined international airfare and road transfer may be approximately ₹25,000–₹60,000+ for two, depending heavily on the route and booking date. Keep passports, Indian entry documents, hotel confirmation, and a little cash accessible; do not plan any fixed attraction booking today.
After checking in, take a gentle 45-minute walk through Munnar town, particularly around the market streets near the main bus stand. This is a good time to buy snacks, bottled water, and anything needed for the next day rather than attempting a full sightseeing circuit. The centre is compact, but roads can be busy and uneven, so use an auto-rickshaw or hotel car for short uphill stretches; agree on the fare before departing. If your arrival is delayed, skip the walk and go directly to dinner.
If you reach Munnar before the last admission, visit the Munnar Tea Museum in Nullathanni for about an hour. Its operating hours can change, and it may close earlier than expected, so confirm the same day with your hotel or the museum before making the short taxi ride from town; allow extra time for local traffic and any entry queue. Continue by taxi to Pothamedu View Point, where the tea-covered slopes are especially atmospheric near sunset. Visibility is weather-dependent, and the viewpoint can be misty, so carry a light layer and avoid lingering after dark on the roadside. Finish with dinner at Rasa Gurukulam in Munnar, budgeting approximately ₹500–₹1,000 per person; call ahead if arriving late, as smaller kitchens may stop taking orders early.
Leave Munnar around 7:00–8:00am in a preed private car. winding drive via Kumily takes about 3.5–4.5 hours door to door, with tea-growing hills, forested stretches, and possible delays on narrow mountain roads. Ask the driver to stop only at safe viewpoints, and keep motion-sickness medicine handy if either of you is sensitive to hairpin bends. After checking in around Thekkady or Kumily, have a light lunch and confirm your evening show timings and Periyar Tiger Reserve boat tickets.
Join a guided 1.5-hour Kumily spice walk in the afternoon, ideally through a small plantation rather than a rushed souvenir-oriented tour. You’ll see cardamom, pepper vines, cloves, and nutmeg growing among shade trees; wear closed shoes and carry insect repellent. Later, take the short auto-rickshaw or hotel transfer to Periyar Tiger Reserve for the approximately two-hour lake boat cruise. Advance booking is strongly recommended through the official Periyar Tiger Reserve booking system, as popular departures can sell out; arrive well before boarding for entry checks and the queue. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, but the forested shoreline is excellent for spotting kingfishers, cormorants, egrets, and occasionally elephants.
Return to Kumily and attend either Kadathanadan Kalari or Navarasa Kathakali, depending on the show schedule confirmed locally. Performances generally last around 1.5 hours, and arriving 20–30 minutes early gives you a better chance of a good seat; timings and prices can change seasonally. Finish at Thekkady Cafe for a relaxed Kerala dinner—allow roughly ₹400–₹800 per person for dishes such as appam with stew, parotta, or a vegetarian thali. Keep the evening unhurried: Kumily is compact, and most hotels, restaurants, and performance venues are reachable by a short auto-rickshaw ride.
Leave Thekkady around 7:00am in your pre-booked private car, following the route through Kumily, Kottayam, and Changanassery. The drive to Alappuzha takes roughly 4.5–5.5 hours door to door, with winding roads at first and flatter, busier roads closer to the backwaters. Ask the driver for a breakfast or tea stop rather than trying to push through; the final approach can be slow around town. Have your hotel confirm luggage drop-off or early check-in, since arrival around noon is possible but not guaranteed.
After lunch and a rest, begin with a gentle canal-side walk near the town’s boat jetties. This is the best time to observe everyday backwater life—small ferries, coir workers, market traffic, and homes opening onto the water—without committing to another long excursion. Keep the walk unhurried and carry water; some stretches are sunny and uneven. Later, head by auto-rickshaw or a short taxi ride to Alappuzha Beach, generally costing about ₹100–₹250 depending on traffic and pickup point. Spend about an hour by the Arabian Sea, when the beach begins to cool and local families gather.
Before sunset, visit Alappuzha Lighthouse, a short walk from the beach. The climb takes around 45 minutes including the viewing platform, but opening hours and access can change, so confirm locally before making it the centerpiece of the evening. If the tower is closed, the beach promenade still offers a pleasant sunset stroll; avoid swimming after dark because currents and visibility are unreliable.
For dinner, take an auto-rickshaw into town to Thaff Restaurant, a practical local choice for Kerala seafood and regional dishes. Expect approximately ₹300–₹700 per person, depending on your seafood order. Try a fish curry meal, appam, or a biryani, and ask what arrived fresh that day. Service is informal and the restaurant can become busy at dinner, so an early meal is easier if you are tired from the road. Afterward, return to your accommodation and keep the night relaxed—your next backwater activity will be more enjoyable with an early start.
Treat this as a full travel day rather than trying to fit in another backwater activity. Leave Alappuzha around 5:00–6:00am, depending on your confirmed flight, for the 1.5–2.5-hour taxi ride to Cochin International Airport. Allow at least two hours at the airport for check-in, security, and baggage; a hotel-arranged taxi is worth the extra reliability for this long onward journey.
After landing at Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Guwahati, collect your luggage and meet your pre-booked driver. The road journey to Shillong generally takes about 3–4 hours, but traffic around Guwahati and the hill approach can stretch the total airport-to-hotel transfer to roughly 6–8 hours. Keep water and a light snack handy, and confirm whether your taxi fare includes airport parking and tolls.
Once checked in and rested, take a gentle walk around Ward’s Lake, one of the easiest first introductions to Shillong. Allow about an hour for the landscaped paths, small bridges, and quiet water views; it is best treated as a relaxed stroll rather than a major sightseeing stop. Check the same-day closing time locally, as entry hours can vary, and avoid arriving too late if your flight and hill transfer run behind schedule.
From Ward’s Lake, a short taxi or auto-rickshaw ride brings you to Police Bazaar, the city’s busiest shopping and food district. Spend about an hour browsing the covered market lanes and trying local snacks, but keep valuables secure in the crowd. Finish at Trattoria, a popular sit-down choice for Khasi and North-Eastern dishes; budget approximately ₹400–₹800 per person. If you arrive after a delayed transfer, go straight to dinner and save the market wandering for another evening—Shillong’s traffic makes an unhurried plan much more enjoyable.
Leave Shillong around 7:00–8:00am in your pre-booked private car for Cherrapunji (Sohra). The drive along Shillong–Sohra Road takes about 2–2.5 hours, though scenic viewpoints and weekend traffic can stretch it longer. Ask your driver to stop only at marked viewpoints and carry a light rain jacket—the weather can change quickly, even when Shillong is dry.
Start at Mawsmai Cave, where the accessible limestone passage takes roughly an hour to explore. Wear shoes with good grip, as the floor is often damp and uneven; avoid carrying bulky bags. Continue to Nohkalikai Falls, whose viewpoint is usually best before midday, when cloud cover is less likely to obscure the valley. Allow around 45 minutes here, including the walk from the parking area and time at the viewing platforms.
Have lunch at Orange Roots in Sohra, a convenient vegetarian stop known for simple Khasi-style dishes. Budget approximately ₹300–₹600 per person; service can be unhurried, so allow about an hour rather than trying to rush through. Ask what is freshly prepared that day, and keep some cash handy in case card or mobile-payment connectivity is unreliable.
After lunch, drive a short distance to the Seven Sisters Falls viewpoint in the Mawsmai area. The cascades are strongly seasonal and may appear as thin ribbons—or not at all—outside the monsoon, but the escarpment views remain worthwhile. Spend around 30 minutes before returning to your Sohra accommodation or continuing to another nearby stop only if the weather and energy allow. Expect roughly ₹20–₹50 per person for viewpoint or local parking charges, varying by site; confirm the return pickup time with your driver before beginning the sightseeing loop.
Leave your accommodation in Cherrapunji (Sohra) around 6:30–7:00am in a pre-booked taxi to Tyrna. The drive takes roughly 45–60 minutes, and starting early is important: the trail becomes warmer and more tiring later in the day, while misty views are often best in the morning. A taxi typically costs around ₹1,500–2,500 per car for the round-trip arrangement; confirm the driver’s waiting time and return pickup before setting off.
At Tyrna, carry plenty of water, a packed breakfast, snacks, sunscreen, and shoes with firm grip. There are many uneven steps and sections can be slippery after rain. The descent to the Nongriat Double-Decker Living Root Bridge and return climb usually takes 5–6 hours, including rests and time at the bridge, so do not begin without agreeing on a clear meeting time with your driver.
Follow the marked village trail down through dense forest toward Nongriat. The route is beautiful but physically demanding; take it steadily rather than rushing the descent, since the return climb is the harder part. Allow time to pause at viewpoints and let local residents or guides indicate the safest sections. There is no road access to Nongriat, and mobile coverage can be unreliable, so keep valuables secure and avoid depending on digital payments or navigation once on the trail.
Spend time at the Nongriat Double-Decker Living Root Bridge, admiring the living structure and the forest setting before beginning the return journey. Continue to the Nongriat natural pools for about 45 minutes, but swim only where local guidance confirms the water is safe. Avoid jumping, especially after rain, and keep footwear and phones protected from water. Pack out all rubbish; this is a village environment rather than a developed attraction.
Start climbing back with enough daylight in hand. Once you reach Tyrna, take a 30-minute break for tea and a substantial snack before getting into the taxi. Small local stalls may have limited choices, so bringing bananas, sandwiches, nuts, or energy bars from Cherrapunji is wise. After the hike, expect tired legs and allow extra time for the winding drive.
Your pre-booked car can take you back to Shillong in about 3 hours. If you are continuing to Guwahati, the road journey is usually around 4.5–5.5 hours, making this a very long finish after the hike; in that case, arrange the car and pickup in advance and avoid adding extra sightseeing. If you are returning to Shillong, plan a simple dinner and an early night rather than another outing.
No packing list attached yet.