Travelonama logoTravelonama — Travelonama Expeditions
Living root bridge over an emerald river in the misty forests of Meghalaya

The abode of clouds

Meghalaya

Living root bridges, canyon waterfalls and some of the wettest villages on earth — Meghalaya rewards travellers who like walking, water and slow days.

Plan My Meghalaya TripView journeys

Why visit Meghalaya

  • Root bridges grown over decades by Khasi and Jaintia communities, still used daily.
  • Waterfall country: Nohkalikai, Seven Sisters and dozens of unnamed monsoon falls.
  • Crystal-clear rivers at Dawki and Shnongpdeng, best in the drier months.
  • Limestone caves, canyon viewpoints and short forest treks close to Shillong.

Best places to visit

Shillong
Base town for the state — markets, cafés and onward drives.
Cherrapunji (Sohra)
Canyon viewpoints, Nohkalikai Falls and cave systems.
Nongriat
Double-decker root bridge reached by a long stepped descent.
Dawki & Shnongpdeng
Umngot river camping, kayaking and clear-water boating.
Mawlynnong
Village walks, sky walk and nearby single root bridge.
Laitlum Canyons
Wide grassland canyon views a short drive from Shillong.

Top experiences

  • Trek to the double-decker living root bridge
  • Camp beside the Umngot river
  • Caving in Mawsmai or Arwah
  • Village homestays with Khasi families
  • Monsoon waterfall photography

Best time to visit

October – April
Clearest skies, best river visibility, easy trekking.
June – September
Full monsoon drama — waterfalls at their most powerful.
May
Shoulder month: green landscapes with early rain.

How many days

5–7 days for Shillong, Sohra, Nongriat and Dawki at a comfortable pace.

How to reach

  • Fly to Guwahati (GAU), then a 3–4 hour road transfer to Shillong.
  • Shillong airport (SHL) has limited connections; Guwahati is the practical gateway.
  • Internal travel is by private vehicle — distances are short but roads are winding.

Travel tips

  • · Carry cash: card acceptance is patchy outside Shillong.
  • · The Nongriat descent is roughly 3,000 steps each way — grip shoes matter.
  • · Respect village entry rules and photography norms in community-run areas.
  • · Book Umngot camping ahead during winter weekends.

Sample itineraries

5 days

Meghalaya Essentials

  1. Day 1 — Arrive Guwahati, drive to Shillong
  2. Day 2 — Shillong to Sohra — falls and canyon viewpoints
  3. Day 3 — Nongriat root bridge trek
  4. Day 4 — Dawki, Shnongpdeng and Mawlynnong
  5. Day 5 — Return to Guwahati

8 days

Meghalaya Slow Travel

  1. Day 1 — Shillong arrival and market walk
  2. Day 2 — Laitlum and Mawphlang sacred forest
  3. Day 3 — Sohra caves and waterfalls
  4. Day 4 — Nongriat overnight
  5. Day 5 — Umngot river camping
  6. Day 6 — Jaintia hills detour
  7. Day 7 — Shillong buffer day
  8. Day 8 — Departure

Available journeys

Meghalaya tours

All journeys

Read before you go

Meghalaya travel guides

All guides
Monsoon clouds over a Meghalaya waterfall canyon

Best Time to Visit

Best Time to Visit Meghalaya

Monsoon drama or clear rivers? A month-by-month look at what Meghalaya offers and what it costs you.

Travelonama Travel Desk6 min read

Related travel

You may also like

Meghalaya travel FAQs

Is Meghalaya good to visit in the monsoon?

Yes, if you are travelling for waterfalls and green landscapes. Expect heavy rain, slippery trails and reduced river visibility at Dawki.

How difficult is the Nongriat trek?

It is a steep stepped descent and climb of roughly three thousand steps each way. Reasonable fitness and good footwear are enough; there is no technical section.

How many days are enough for Meghalaya?

Five days covers the highlights. Seven to eight days lets you add an overnight at Nongriat and the Jaintia hills without rushing.

Custom trip

Plan your Meghalaya journey

Tell us your dates, pace and interests. We'll build the itinerary around you.

Or chat with a travel expert