Best Meghalaya Itinerary: 1 Week & 10-day Trip Planning
Are you looking for the ultimate Meghalaya itinerary? I have suggestions for both 1 week and 10 day trips to the Indian state known as the abode of the clouds.
If you are a nature lover or an adventure traveler, you should add Meghalaya to your India travel bucket list. Though the Northeast of India is often over looked when travel planning it is a hidden gem with plenty of the beautiful places to explore.
Meghalaya Itinerary: 1 week
If you don’t have a full 7 days like I outlined below, I’d stick to just Shillong and Cherapunjee for Meghalaya highlights.
Day 1: Arrive in the Abode of the Clouds
After you land there’s no need to stick around Guwahati – you should head straight to the state’s capital, Shillong.
- Fly into Guwahati Airport.
- Hire a car to drive you to Shillong (100 kms and about 3 hours)
- Stop at Umiam Lake viewpoints along NH 40, Shillong-Guwahati highway for panoramic views of the long lake. This is on your way into town from Guwahati so you don’t need to go out of your way.
- If you landed early enough to stop for lunch at Umiam Lake, enjoy a meal at Ri Kynjai, a lakeside resort with a restaurant and views of the lake.
- Check into a hotel in Shillong for two nights.
📍Recommended hotel: Vivanta Meghalaya Shillong
Day 2: Shillong Highlights
Shillong earned the nickname “The Scotland of the East” from the British because the rolling green hills around the city reminded them of Scotland’s landscape. While there is a lot to do in the city, I personally think the best things to do include nature. If you have time, you can also add another day to check out more of the city.
- Visit Elephant Falls in the morning. If you’re traveling with a friend or significant other, take a cute couple photo like the locals do.
- In the afternoon, head out of town to check out the sweeping green views of Laitlum Canyon.
- Enjoy dinner at one of the best restaurants in Shillong, such as Rynsan.
Day 3: Cherapunjee (Sohra)
Cherapunjee is one of the wettest places on earth and all that rainfall creates some magnificent waterfalls, caves, and more. Read more about the Top Things to do in Cherapunjee.
- Drive from Shillong to Cherapunjee. It’s about 55 kms and Google Maps says it will take you 2 hours, but due to traffic and the road conditions you should plan for 4 hours on the road.
- Check into your hotel and eat lunch there.
📍Recommended hotel: Polo Orchid Resort
- Drive to the viewpoint for the Seven Sisters waterfalls. Here seven separate waterfalls plunge from the rocky cliffside side by side. Their names pay homage to the seven northeastern states of India.
- Next stop at Dainthlen Waterfall, where you’ll get a unique view from the top of a plunging waterfall.
- Then drive to where you start the trek down to the magical Wei Sawdong waterfall. This was a highlight of my time in Meghalaya. The tiered waterfall is about a 30 minute hike (and climb!) down into the forest. The difficult sections where you need to navigate bamboo ladders are well worth it! The picture below doesn’t do the beauty of this location justice.
Day 4: Living Root Bridge Trek
Visit the village of Nongriat and trek to the Living Root Bridges. This beautiful hike is challenging but worth it! I’d reserve a whole day so you can take your time and enjoy every step (literally, since you’ll have to climb up and down over 3,500 stairs).
- Start your day early by driving down to Tyrna village where the hike starts from.
- Hike down to the single decker Living Root Bridge. Cross it and enjoy sitting on the rocks while you admire the ingenuity of the bridge with the calming sounds of the babbling river running below it.
- If you’re up for a challenge continue to the double decker Living Root Bridge. Just remember you’ll need to return the way you came (back up the steps!) so it’s even more difficult on the way back.
- Take rest breaks at the small shacks where you can buy water, juice, soda, chips, and Maggi to help you recharge.
Insider tip: You can rent walking sticks from locals by the entrance to the hike, I highly recommend doing so. The sticks offer much needed support going up and down the many stairs.
Day 5: Shnongpdeng & Umngot River
Most Meghalaya itineraries may recommend Dawki, but I’d advise against stopping there and, instead, continue on to the village of Shnongpdeng to see the Umngot River in all its glory.
- Drive from Cherapunjee to Shnongpdeng (92 kms and about 5 hours).
- Take a kayak out on the river and then take the guided canoe. (You can of course do one or the other but I recommend both to really enjoy the crystal clear water).
Insider tip: The time of year you are traveling matters greatly when planning to see the Umngot River which is famous for its crystal clear water. You’ll need to visit between October and March to witness the clear water. During rainy season, the dirt gets kicked up in the river and it becomes murky.
Day 6: Mawlynnong
This village was once dubbed the “Asia’s Cleanest Village” and is known for its cleanliness and eco-friendly practices.
- Spend the morning exploring Mawlynnong, including stopping by the Living Root Bridge and taking a guided tour to learn more about the ways of living locally.
- Drive back to Shillong (78 kms and about 5 hours).
Day 7: Travel day
If you only have a week, this concludes your Meghalaya itinerary. Depending on the time of your flight you can enjoy the morning exploring a couple more Shillong sights or head straight to Guwahati Airport.
- Go for a stroll around Ward’s Lake and/or take a paddle boat out on the lake.
- Drive from Shillong to Guwahati Airport (about 100 kms and 3 hours).
Meghalaya Itinerary: 10 days
If you have another few days to spend in Meghalaya, you’ll enjoy exploring some more off the beaten path places. Follow the itinerary for 1 week through Day 6 and then continue with the below suggested itinerary.
Day 7: Jowai
Located in the heart of the West Jaintia Hills, Jowai is situated 66 kilometers away from the bustling city of Shillong. Serving as the headquarters of the Jainta Hills district, Jowai is a gem yet to be fully unearthed on the traveler’s map of Meghalaya.
- Drive from Shnongpdeng to Jowai (about 60 kms and 3 hours).
- About halfway through the drive stop at Krang Suri waterfall.
- Next stop at Phe Phe Falls. This two-tier waterfall takes about 30 minutes to walk to.
- Check into your accommodation.
📍Recommended stay: Odyssey Stays Jowai
Day 8: Jowai
- Visit Tyrshi Falls, which is only a short walk from the road.
- Visit the Nartiang Monoliths. Located in the quaint village of Nartiang, these towering stone sentinels offer a glimpse into the rich heritage of the Jaintia Hills.
Day 9: Jowai – Shillong
- Drive from Jowai to Shillong (about 65 kms and 3 hours)
- Enjoy a nice dinner at the Heritage Club in Shillong. Be sure to check out their deck area with a view of city and rolling hills in the distance.
Day 10: Travel Day
This concludes your Meghalaya itinerary. Depending on the time of your flight you can enjoy the morning exploring a couple more Shillong sights or head straight to Guwahati Airport.
- Go for a stroll around Ward’s Lake and/or take a paddle boat out on the lake.
- Drive from Shillong to Guwahati Airport (about 100 kms and 3 hours).
Meghalaya Itinerary: FAQs
Answering some additional questions about traveling in Meghalaya.
How many days are enough in Meghalaya?
I recommend a full week because many of the highlights of Meghalaya take time to travel to. They are spread out and the roads to get to them aren’t in the best shape for easy/smooth driving so you’ll want to ensure you have enough time to get around.
The minimum time I would spend in Meghalaya is 5 days. And with a full 2 week Meghalaya itinerary you’ll get the complete “off the beaten path” experience.
What is the best time to travel to Meghalaya?
The abode of the clouds is best enjoyed with the clouds! Between the end of May to the end of September is best. Although it’s monsoon season, it’s also the best time to see the gushing water streams that transform the nature scenes in the surrounding area.
October to March the rainfall is much lighter and the weather cools down. October may be the perfect shoulder season month as you’ll get the end of the rains but still have the lush green landscapes the rains brought out.
If Shnongpdeng is a “must-see” of your Meghalaya itinerary, I’d say October is a good time because it’s the first month after the monsoons that the water of the Umngot River is likely to be crystal clear.
Is Meghalaya worth visiting?
Yes! Meghalaya is a unique travel destination with lots of hidden gems and beautiful landscapes to explore. There’s so many amazing places, landmarks, and historical sites to see in Meghalaya.
TL;DR: Best Meghalaya Itinerary: 1 week and 10 day
Whether you have one week or more in Meghalaya, nature lovers and adventure seekers will have plenty to explore. If you only have time to explore one place, I’d recommend making it Cherapunjee because of the abundance of natural beauty there. If you have time to drive to more remote locations, then you should explore the hidden gems amongst the Garo Hills. Regardless, I know you’ll have an unforgettable time in the abode of the clouds!