Seven Sisters, Living Root Bridges and Waterfalls: A North East India Adventure

  • Day 1: Shillong
    Starting point

    Arrive in Shillong and rest for a while. Visit the Elephant Water Falls which is a joy to watch while it cascades down the rocks.

  • Day 2: Chirapunji
    56 km from Shillong, 2 hours 45 minutes by car

    Explore the breath-taking Nokalikay Waterfalls before arriving at the very wet and mesmerizing city of Chirapunji. Visit various points of interests including the Mawsmai Caves where you can witness the natural wonders that have been created by stalactites and stalagmites.

  • Day 3: Dawki
    80 km from Chirapunji, 2 hours 30 minutes by car

    Head to the magnificent Dawki, known for its emerald green Umngot River with crystal clear water. Take a dip and enjoy a boat ride while discovering the border town with Bangladesh.

  • Day 4: Mawsanram
    35 km from Dawki, 1 hour by car

    Visit the serene Mawsanram which is known as the ‘abode of the clouds.’ Encounter nature’s wonders as you explore some of the renowned caves, cliffs, and waterfalls such as Seven Sister Falls.

  • Day 5: Double Decker Living Root Bridge
    60 km from Mawsanram, 2 hours 30 minutes by car

    Journey to the Double Decker Living Root Bridge, one of the most offbeat wonders of India that’s made from intertwined tree roots.

  • Day 6: Umiam Lake
    188 km from Double Decker Living Root Bridge, 5 hours by car

    Enjoy the beauty of the Umiam Lake which is an artificial lake and a perfect spot for some water sports. Spend some leisurely time around the serene lake and simply take on the stunning views of the mountains which surround it.

  • Day 7: End of adventure
    Starting point

    Conclude your adventure and head back home with memories that you will cherish for a lifetime.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Elephant Water Falls (2 hours): Free
  • Nokalikay Waterfalls (1.5 hours): INR 20 per person
  • Mawsmai Caves (2 hours): INR 60 per person
  • Umngot River boat ride (1.5 hours): INR 300 per person
  • Double Decker Living Root Bridge trek (4 hours): INR 250 per person
  • Umiam Lake (2 hours): Free
  • Total Estimated Costs: INR 630 per person

Transportation

During your trip, you can hire taxis or private cars for transportation. Public transportation is not a feasible option since the connectivity is not frequent enough. The estimated cost for hiring a car with a driver is INR 3,000-5,000 per day. The estimated travel time has already been mentioned above for each itinerary point.

Useful Tips

If you have more time, you can visit some of the nearby destinations such as Kaziranga National Park or the Tawang Monastery. The suggested trip is for 7 days, but it can be extended or shortened based on the traveler's preference. It is advisable to carry light warm clothes since the temperature drops during the evenings and early mornings. Don’t forget to try the local cuisine including bamboo shoot pickle, jadoh, and momos.

Airports

The nearest airport is the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (GAU) which is located around 130 km away from Shillong. The airport is connected to major Indian cities such as Delhi, Kolkata, and Mumbai. From the airport to the city, you can hire a taxi which takes around 3 hours or take a shared taxi which is facilitated by the Meghalaya Transport Corporation.

0