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Meghalaya itinerary for 5 days

A 5-day Meghalaya trip plan in which each day stays in one part of Meghalaya, in route order: Shillong; Mawphlang and Laitlum; Sohra (Cherrapunji); Nongriat root bridges; and Mawlynnong and Dawki.

Meghalaya rewards effort: the double-decker living root bridge at Nongriat is a 3,000-step descent and climb back, and Dawki’s clear river and Mawlynnong are day trips from Shillong or Cherrapunji. Five days lets you do the trek without wrecking the rest of the trip.

Trip length
5 days
Best time
October to April
Bases
Shillong, then Sohra
Region
Meghalaya, India
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5-day Meghalaya itinerary, day by day

Day 1: Shillong

Arrive in Shillong. An easy arrival day after the drive from Guwahati: the lake, the museum and Police Bazaar for dinner.

  • Ward’s Lake
  • Don Bosco Museum
  • Elephant Falls

Day 2: Mawphlang and Laitlum

The sacred forest of Mawphlang with a local guide, then the cliffs of Laitlum, best in the afternoon light.

  • Mawphlang Sacred Grove
  • Laitlum Canyons

Day 3: Sohra (Cherrapunji)

Check out and move to Sohra today. An hour and a half from Shillong to the falls and caves of Sohra. The falls are fullest from June to September, clearest from October.

  • Nohkalikai Falls
  • Mawsmai Cave
  • Seven Sisters Falls
  • Arwah Cave

Day 4: Nongriat root bridges

About 3,000 steps down from Tyrna to the double-decker living root bridge and back. Start by 8 am; add Rainbow Falls only if you are fit and early.

  • Double-decker living root bridge, Nongriat
  • Swim in the natural pools

Day 5: Mawlynnong and Dawki

South to the Bangladesh border: the clean village of Mawlynnong, a single root bridge at Riwai, and a boat on the clear Umngot river, best from November to April. Keep the end of the day free so the journey home is not rushed.

  • Mawlynnong village
  • Riwai single root bridge
  • Boating on the Umngot river, Dawki

The app times each stop for your dates and shows the driving distance between stops and the cab cost for each day.

Where to stay

Stay two nights in Shillong and two or three in Sohra (Cherrapunji), or in Tyrna or Nongriat village if you are doing the root bridge trek. Hire a car for the trip; buses are slow.

When to go

October to April is the dry window with the best trekking conditions and clear water at Dawki. The monsoon from May to September brings some of the heaviest rainfall on earth — dramatic waterfalls, but difficult hiking.

Getting there

Fly into Guwahati (GAU) and drive about three hours to Shillong; Shillong Airport has limited connections.

Frequently asked questions

Is 5 days enough for Meghalaya?

Yes. 5 days covers Shillong; Mawphlang and Laitlum; Sohra (Cherrapunji); Nongriat root bridges; and Mawlynnong and Dawki without rushing, which is why it is the most common trip length for Meghalaya.

What is the best 5-day itinerary for Meghalaya?

Day 1: Shillong (Ward’s Lake, Don Bosco Museum, Elephant Falls). Day 2: Mawphlang and Laitlum (Mawphlang Sacred Grove, Laitlum Canyons). Day 3: Sohra (Cherrapunji) (Nohkalikai Falls, Mawsmai Cave, Seven Sisters Falls, Arwah Cave). Day 4: Nongriat root bridges (Double-decker living root bridge, Nongriat, Swim in the natural pools). Day 5: Mawlynnong and Dawki (Mawlynnong village, Riwai single root bridge, Boating on the Umngot river, Dawki).

Where should I stay in Meghalaya?

Stay two nights in Shillong and two or three in Sohra (Cherrapunji), or in Tyrna or Nongriat village if you are doing the root bridge trek. Hire a car for the trip; buses are slow.

What is the best time to visit Meghalaya?

October to April is the dry window with the best trekking conditions and clear water at Dawki. The monsoon from May to September brings some of the heaviest rainfall on earth — dramatic waterfalls, but difficult hiking.

How do I get to Meghalaya?

Fly into Guwahati (GAU) and drive about three hours to Shillong; Shillong Airport has limited connections.

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