I (Puja) was born and raised in Guwahati (Assam) but as they say you never explore places that’s close to you, instead you chase those which are not. And now while I stay miles apart from my home town and even country, it aches my heart thinking why I didn’t explore North East much the way I should have when I stayed so close to this slice of wonderland. But anyway its never too late, isn’t it? This year of 2023 I travelled home and planned to visit couple of places in Meghalaya with my friend who has the same story like mine. Though it wasn’t possible for me to explore nook and corner, but I tried my best to do as much as possible just in 7 days and can suggest few places that I have visited earlier as well. Continue reading the 7 days Meghalaya Travel Guide that will help plan your Meghalaya trip and things you can do in Meghalaya in 7 days.
Lets know a bit of Meghalaya : 7 days Meghalaya Travel Guide
In Sanskrit, Meghalaya means ‘abode of clouds’ that plays hide and seek between the rain and sun, and I really mean it when I say Meghalaya and its weather is my absolute favourite.
Meghalaya lies in North Eastern region of India and is situated in the hills of the eastern sub-Himalayas, commonly known as the state of ‘seven sisters’ that includes- Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura. It is surely one of the most beautiful destinations in India, still unexplored and alien to some sadly.
Meghalaya was formed by carving out two districts from the state of Assam 1. Khasi Hills and Jaintia Hills 2.The Garo Hills offering simple and unspoiled beauty to its visitors.
Shillong is the capital city of Meghalaya and during the British rule they nicknamed it as the ‘Scotland of East’.
The state oozes with natural beauty all year round that has some of the beautiful cascading waterfalls, natural root bridges, shimmering blue waters, lush green picturesque, crystal clear river, natural caves and even a small village there snatched the title for Asia’s cleanest village. How incredible is that!
Table of Contents : 7 days Meghalaya Travel Guide
- Day 1: Arrive in Guwahati and reach Shillong by shared cab or private car which is roughly 120 Kms or 3 hours away.
- Day 2: Directly drive to Umngot River(Asia’s cleanest river) for overnight camping under the stars.
- Day 3: Visit the ‘Krang Suri’ waterfalls which is amongst one of the most scenic waterfalls of Meghalaya and overnight stay in Mawlynnong – Asia’s cleanest village.
- Day 4: Explore Mawlynnong at ease and directly drive to ‘Wei Sadong’ Waterfall which is a 3 layer waterfall and a must see.
- Day5: Explore Cherrapunji’s waterfalls and its natural caves and overnight stay at Cherrapunji.
- Day6: Drive back to Shillong for the sightseeing, explore the local markets and overnight stay at Shillong.
- Day7: Time to say goodbye to the ‘Scotland of East’
Things to know in Meghalaya before you go
1.How to reach Meghalaya : 7 days Meghalaya Travel Guide
The best way to reach Meghalaya is to reach Guwahati (Assam) that serves as the major entry point of Meghalaya. Guwahati has an international airport and very well connected by road, rail and frequent flights from major the cities of India as well.
Book your flights from MakeMyTrip or Goibibo
Also Shillong has a domestic airport which is 30 kms away from the main city.
If you don’t wish for a road trip from Guwahati than boarding direct flights for Shillong would make sense but that would be costlier because the frequency of flights arriving in Shillong is very low.
Also you can hire a private cab for the entire duration of your trip to Meghalaya right from Guwahati airport which will be far more comfortable than shared cabs or public buses. I would suggest not to miss the road trip for some unforgettable maggi stops that comes with awe-inspiring views.
Contact Himangshu(+917576096491) for car rentals and travel guide right from pick up till drop off. Please tell him that I said ‘hello’ if you meet him.
Hailing from Guwahati made it easier for me and my friend to plan this perfect self driven road trip. We booked our car from FuFu Gadi( Maruti Baleno for 2000 INR per day).
Road condition upto Shillong and Cherrapunji are very good and well maintained. If you wish to go to Dawki river and other offbeat places than 4 wheel drive cars are must, because we struggled a lot for not having one, the off roads were pathetic.
Let me add, places that I have recommended in this blog are really offbeat and you wont find any suitable public transportation to visit those places, so self driving is an option or if you can reserve a private car all for yourself.
2. Best time to visit Meghalaya : 7 days Meghalaya Travel Guide
You can visit Meghalaya all year round as its beauty keeps on changing with seasons.
April to June are the summer months and definitely the peak season. The prices for everything shoots up and most of the tourist destination remains crowded, so try to avoid those months if possible.
From July to September are the monsoon and best months where you can enjoy the cascading waterfalls and greenery around.
Cherry Blossom season usually begins in October and Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival is held every year in November in The Eastern Khasi Hills. Its a treat to the eyes watching the bloom that turns the region pink.
If you’re are camping lovers and wish to visit Dawki river( Asia’s cleanest river) than December to March is the perfect time. Now its up to you what encourages you the most to visit Meghalaya.
3. Is Meghalaya safe? : 7 days Meghalaya Travel Guide
Answer is yes, absolutely.
Meghalaya itself has always been a peaceful state in terms of tourism and we didn’t feel unsafe or uncomfortable for a single moment. The locals are so friendly and polite they helped us with everything possible they could.
4. Language in Meghalaya : 7 days Meghalaya Travel Guide
The official language here is ‘khasi’. You don’t have to be worried about communication because everyone do speaks and understands English and Hindi as well.
5. Mobile Networks : 7 days Meghalaya Travel Guide
Mobile connectivity can be very poor in some remote areas and even the GPS might not work at times. We struggled a lot for exact road locations by asking around local peoples who served as the best google maps. But you will be under network coverage in all the civilised areas.
6. Cash / ATM : 7 days Meghalaya Travel Guide
Make sure you carry hard cash whenever you are entering or staying at any off beat locations. No one accepts cards and even the network might be poor for mobile money transfers.Its likely you might need to drive back for hours just to find an ATM. So keep cash handy at all times.
7. How many days are enough for a Meghalaya trip : 7 days Meghalaya Travel Guide
Usually 5-7 days are ideal for the Meghalaya trip where you can visit the major attractions without any rush.
Places to visit in Meghalaya in 7 days
Umiam Lake
From home we started our drive by 12pm to reach Shillong. Almost after 2hrs you will notice that Umiam Lake locally known as ‘Dam Sait’ lies on the way just 15 kilometres ahead before reaching Shillong that can be visited as a stopover where you can enjoy the panoramic view.
Umiam lake was initially established as a dam but now its a popular tourist attraction famous for water sports like kayaking, water cycling, boating etc which is open from 9am-5pm. Entry ticket charge is INR 20 per person.
Umngot River( Asia’s cleanest river)
We reached Shillong by 3pm which was pretty late and literally had hunger pangs. Had lunch at Vivanta Shillong located in the police bazaar area which is the busiest point in Shillong. However there are several restaurants and food stalls in that locality to serve your gastronomical cravings.
For that night we didn’t had any plans to stay in Shillong instead we directly drove to Dawki for overnight camping. You can stay and explore Shillong on your way back, so lets keep it for the last day.
The drive from Shillong to Dawki as per the google maps shows 3 hours but you can consider it to be 5hours if not less. The drive up to certain highways is absolutely wide and fine but as soon as the under constructed patch starts its really OMG. We drove in the dark with no cars and civilization within miles and without GPS signal too, it felt crazy with the thought if we are driving through the right direction or not. The roads were just torture for the mind and body. Day trip to Dawki from Shillong is also possible with hired cars that would cost approx 3000 INR one way.
We arrived in Dawki by 9pm and it was pitch dark everywhere. To our surprise near the entry point there were locals who pitched us to avail their camping sites with different price rates. We didn’t book any camping sites in advance and wanted to go with the flow for some extra thrill. Fortunately we found ourselves really lucky and got the best of everything we wished for. Our guide paddled the manual boat for almost 20min to reach the camp under the starry night and it was such an amazing experience honestly.
Nolcy’s camping ground was newly opened and we were the only people there in tranquil. Contact Mike(+96406003206157) as he can be your best camping guide and help for everything you would ask for. Per camp would cost 1000-1500 INR and can accommodate 3 people (includes food and boat rides)
Note: these camping sites do offer food but don’t expect anything fancy and warm. Would highly recommend to pack some eatables as there are no foods joints or stores within miles.
The bonfire was lit and it was the moment for a lifetime, hearing the water flow and the moon-glade made it absolutely magical.
The next morning we were served maggi and egg for breakfast that we enjoyed with the perfect view. Let me add these camping grounds are between raw nature, please don’t expect anything fancy or homely(especially with toilets).
The Umngot River commonly known as the Dawki River is considered to be the cleanest river in Asia which is situated on the border of Bangladesh and also serves as a trade route between India and Bangladesh. Go for boating in this crystal clear water and flaunt your pictures. Enjoy the glimpse of Umngot river that overlooks the Dawki bridge and flows between hills on both sides. You can also visit the nearby village called Shnongpdeng which is 7km away from Dawki for some similar experience.
Make sure you try to catch the boats before noon for that perfect water reflection picture, 9-11 am would be a good time. Let my pictures talk!
Krang Suri Waterfalls
Say goodbye to Dawki and directly head towards Krang Suri Waterfalls which is nestled in the serenity of Jaintia hills and one of the most scenic and indeed a fascinating waterfall of Meghalaya. It would take an hour to reach Krang Suri from Dawki and almost 3-4 hours if your are directly visiting from Shillong.
Parking for cars are allowed up to the point where you see the signboard welcoming you to Krang Suri falls and after that you need to walk for couple of minutes through the steps descending to the waterfall with an entry fee of 50 INR. You can even go for swimming in this beautiful waterfall, just sit and enjoy the breathtaking views or even can go for boating.
Mawlynnong – Asia’s cleanest village
Spend good 2hours in Krangsuri and head towards Mawlynnong ‘Gods own garden’ that would take 2 hours. If you’re heading from Shillong it would take approx 3hrs to reach.
On your way stop for some local khasi delicacies, there are many roadside restaurants and homestays that offers amazing local cuisines for about 200-400 INR.
You will notice a board that says welcome to Mawlynnong- which was chosen by Discover India magazine in 2003 as Asia’s cleanest village.
Mawlynnong has 1000 residents and previously agriculture was the chief occupation of the local population, but now a days its more concentrating on booming tourism which has eventually grown by 60%. Its a very small village where you can talk a stroll in the alleys and engage with nature and greenery around and detox your lungs.
Even the people are so kind and welcoming. We booked our stay at Deiphi & Risa Homestay and also had the opportunity to meet the village headman who was so humble and narrated about the measures they carry out for the development and betterment of this village. It was really inspiring knowing how they are keeping pace with rest of the world in their own unique ways.
Note: some homestays here do offer food with accommodation and some doesn’t. You wont find any fancy restaurants around, but there are few food joints that serves local food. These joints closes by 8-9pm so make sure you check with your hosts how you can go about the meals.
Living root bridge in Mawlynnong
Living root bridge also known as ‘Jingmaham Living Root Bridge’ is one of the natural living single root bridge which is 300 years old. Interestingly it is a man-made bridge which is built across a stream by intertwining the aerial roots of Rubber trees around a Betel tree trunk, where you can walk and pass from one end to the other.
Entry fee for this root bridge is 40 INR and it opens from 8am-5pm. The route is little uneven from the start so make sure you wear comfortable shoes. Try to visit the bridge right after the opening hours before the crowd flocks in.
Visit Wei Sawdong waterfalls
From Mawlynnong we reached Cherrapunji in less than 2 hours and directly headed for Wei Sawdong waterfalls.
The name Wei Sawdong is derived from the Khasi language (‘Wei’ means resembling a pool and ‘Sawdong’ means square-shaped). This is a three tiered waterfall really offbeat that has bluish-green crystal-clear water. We literally had tears in our eyes to navigate the exact route on our own while the GPS dumped us badly. Cant even express in words how ugly the roads were, but finally with the help of locals found it with a sigh of relief.
As this waterfall is not that popular and doesn’t attract much tourist it is very difficult to access, and the trek to the waterfall is made from the cut out bamboos, the steep trail is really challenging and scary at the same time.
Parking for cars are allowed up to the point where you see the first signboard welcoming you to Wei Sawdong falls and after that you need to trek for couple of minutes through the dangerous steps descending to the waterfall. Parking fee is 50 INR.
Once we reached the waterfall it felt like we have conquered the world, its that amazing! There are many tea and food stalls in the neighboring area so grab some drinks after the intense cardio and energize your soul later on.
Cherrapunji
Cherrapunji (meaning the land of oranges) or Sohra is located in the East Khasi Hills which was once the wettest place on earth but now Mawsynram took over the title. You can also reach Cherrapunji from Shillong and that would take 2hrs approx by a hired taxi from police bazar (3000 INR one way).The best time to visit Cherrapunji is during the monsoons and winter between October – February.
Double Decker Living Root Bridge
This double decker living root bridge is one of the popular destination in Cherrapunji where 2 bridges are piled up one on the other because of the inter-twisted roots. The roots are inter-tangled in such a complex manner making the bridge sturdy and strong that it can bear the weight of people crossing it. Definitely a wonder to experience.
The Double Decker Living Root Bridge lies in Nongriat village which is accessible only by trek from Tyrna village that you can reach by cab or bus. The journey to and fro is pretty treacherous and you should keep this in mind because it is a 3 km challenging hike which includes around 3500 odd concrete steps one way. The total trek would take around 5 to 6 hours depending on your speed. If you are old or have health issues, I would suggest that you do not attempt visiting the double decker living root bridge and challenge your physical limitations. The entrance fee to the living root bridge is INR 20 per person.
Also visit the Mawsmai Cave which is located at a short distance from Sohra which is easy to access and explore. This cave is formed by the erosion of limestone and unrelenting flow of water which is famous for its fossils. Inside the cave there are some places where you will need to squeeze and crawl a bit to come out from the other end.
Listing Some of the major attractions in Cherrapunji:
- The Nohkalikai Waterfalls
- Dainthlein Falls
- Nohsngithiang Falls or Seven Sister Falls
- Wah ka ba falls
There are many luxurious hotels and budget accommodations and homestays in Cherrapunji, stay for overnight and ride back to Shillong the following day.
Where to stay in Cherrapunji
Luxury stays: Polo Orchid Resort, Cherrapunji
Mid range: Labana Hotel, Cherrapunji
Budget: Airbnb /homestays
Shillong
Every time I visit Shillong it makes me feel like home. There is something in the air that can’t be put together in words. Shillong being the capital city of Meghalaya it is also referred as the ‘Scotland of East’
Shillong is a very trendy and vibrant city with the major population with lot of British influence in the architecture mostly the old buildings and churches. Shillong is packed with crowds that has the busiest marketplace, hotels and restaurants and have some of the coolest cafeterias in the Police Bazaar area. During your stay you can visit these places in and around.
All Saints Cathedral Shillong
This is one of the oldest churches of Shillong that boasts the colonial-style architecture and was structured by the British.
This church was completely damaged in the year 1897 after an earthquake and later a new church was constructed in 1902. Definitely a great place to spend some quality time surrounded by peace and in solitude. Entry is absolutely free.
Cathedral Of Mary Help Of Christians or The Catholic Church Grotto Chapel, Shillong
The Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians, also known as the Laitumkhrah Church is one of the most beautiful and iconic churches of Shillong painted in blue that has high arches and glass painted windows and one of my personal favorite.
This church stands high in the city centre and to reach the main church you need to climb a set of steps and its worth it. The church comprises of two levels: a chapel and a huge cathedral that was built in the year 1980. Also, do not miss out on the Grotto church that lies directly below it and can be best viewed from the viewpoint near the church. Entry is absolutely free.
Local Market
You cannot leave Meghalaya without exploring the local market and Police bazaar is one of the main attraction of Shillong. Meghalaya is famous for its bamboo handicraft and other handmade items like warm shawls and trendy winter wears. Make sure you take few back home as souvenirs and gifts.
Other attractions in Shillong:
- Don Bosco Centre of Indigenous Cultures
- Ward’s Lake
- Elephant Falls
- Shillong Peak
- Laitlum Canyons
- Beadon falls
Where to stay in Shillong
Luxury stays: Vivanta Meghalaya, Shillong
Mid range: Hotel Polo Towers, Shillong
Budget: Airbnb / homestays
Envisioning the lovely end to this amazing time spent in Meghalaya. So guys hope you find this blog helpful planning yours, and if you have any queries please write it down in the comment section below. We would try to help with the best of our knowledge.
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