Meghalaya, India · Trip plan
4 days in Meghalaya
Living root bridges, waterfalls and a river so clear the boats seem to float on air.
- Best time
- Oct – Apr
- Ideal length
- 4 days
- A day, mid-range
- ₹5,000 per person
- Trip for two
- about ₹40,000
Planning a 4-day trip to Meghalaya? Here's a day-by-day Meghalaya itinerary with what it costs, where to stay and how to get there, ready to follow or make your own.
Why go now
From November the Umngot river at Dawki turns glass-clear, and dry winter days are perfect for the root-bridge trek.
Meghalaya, the 'abode of clouds', is a state of green plateaus, deep gorges, waterfalls and living root bridges grown by the Khasi people. Shillong is a lively hill capital, while Sohra (Cherrapunji) is one of the wettest places on earth.
- Jan: a good time to go
- Feb: a good time to go
- Mar: a good time to go
- Apr: a good time to go
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct: a good time to go
- Nov: a good time to go
- Dec: a good time to go
October to April: 10–24°C, dry and clear from November.
Don't miss
Best things to do in Meghalaya
- 01
Double-decker root bridge
A trek of about 3,500 steps to Nongriat.
- 02
Nohkalikai Falls
India's tallest plunge waterfall.
- 03
Dawki
Boats on the transparent Umngot river.
- 04
Mawlynnong
Billed as Asia's cleanest village.
Day by day
Meghalaya itinerary for 4 days
- D1
Day 1: Guwahati to Shillong
- Morning
- Drive from Guwahati to Shillong (3 hours), stopping at Umiam Lake for the view.
- Afternoon
- Ward's Lake and the Don Bosco Museum of Northeast cultures, one of the best museums in the region.
- Evening
- Police Bazaar for street food: jadoh, momos and tungrymbai.
Hire one taxi for the whole trip; it's simpler than shared Sumos.
- D2
Day 2: Laitlum and Sohra
- Morning
- Laitlum Canyons in the morning, when the valleys below are often filled with mist.
- Afternoon
- Drive to Sohra (Cherrapunji); Nohkalikai Falls, India's tallest plunge waterfall, and Mawsmai Cave.
- Evening
- Check in to a homestay in Sohra.
If mist hides the falls, wait a few minutes; it clears and returns quickly.
- D3
Day 3: The root bridges
- Morning
- Start from Tyrna by 7 AM and walk down about 3,500 steps to Nongriat's double-decker living root bridge.
- Afternoon
- Continue to the blue pools near Rainbow Falls for a swim.
- Evening
- Climb back up, or stay overnight in Nongriat to see the bridge without crowds.
The climb back takes 1.5–2 hours; carry water.
- D4
Day 4: Mawlynnong and Dawki
- Morning
- Mawlynnong village, billed as Asia's cleanest, and its single-decker root bridge at Riwai.
- Afternoon
- Boat on the glass-clear Umngot river at Dawki, near the Bangladesh border.
- Evening
- Drive back to Shillong.
The river is clearest from November to April.
Shorter or longer
Meghalaya in 3, 4 or 6 days
3 days in Meghalaya
Follow days 1 to 3 above and leave out “Mawlynnong and Dawki”. Start early each day and book the main sights ahead.
6 days in Meghalaya
Slow down with a free day for a spa, a cooking class or simply wandering, then add 1 day in Auli.
Meghalaya trip from your city
- From Kolkata:Flight to Guwahati, then by road to Shillong
What it costs
Meghalaya trip budget
| Style | Per person, a day | 4 days for two |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | ₹2,000 | ₹16,000 |
| Mid-range | ₹5,000 | ₹40,000 |
| Luxury | ₹14,000+ | ₹1,12,000 |
Stay, food, local transport and entry fees; travel to Meghalaya is extra. Rough guides from recent prices, so check before you book.
Where to stay
Best hotels in Meghalaya for every budget
What to eat
Food to try in Meghalaya
Jadoh
Rice cooked with pork and spices.
Dohneiiong
Pork in a black sesame gravy.
Tungrymbai
Fermented soybean dish.
Getting there
How to reach Meghalaya
- Travel
- Guwahati airport is about 100 km from Shillong; shared taxis run from Guwahati.
- Getting around
- Hire a taxi for the trip (about ₹3,000–3,500 a day); shared Sumos for budget travel.
- The root-bridge steps are tough on the way back up: start early.
- Carry cash; card machines are rare outside Shillong.
Before you go
What to pack for Meghalaya
- Power bank and charging cables
- ID (Aadhaar or licence)
- Warm layers for the evenings
- Comfortable walking shoes
- A small first-aid kit
- A reusable water bottle
Good questions
Meghalaya trip FAQs
How many days are enough for Meghalaya?
4 days are enough to see the highlights: Double-decker root bridge, Nohkalikai Falls, Dawki. Add a day or two if you like a slower pace.
How much does a 4-day Meghalaya trip cost?
Roughly ₹2,000 a day per person on a budget, ₹5,000 mid-range and ₹14,000+ for luxury, not counting travel to get there. For two people mid-range, that's about ₹40,000 for 4 days.
What is the best time to visit Meghalaya?
Oct – Apr. From November the Umngot river at Dawki turns glass-clear, and dry winter days are perfect for the root-bridge trek.
Where should I stay in Meghalaya?
Budget: Homestays in Sohra & Nongriat (Cherrapunji), from about ₹1,500 a night. Mid-range: Hotel Polo Towers (Shillong), from about ₹7,000 a night. Luxury: Ri Kynjai Serenity by the Lake (Umiam Lake), from about ₹15,000 a night.
How do I reach Meghalaya?
Guwahati airport is about 100 km from Shillong; shared taxis run from Guwahati.
Is 3 days enough for Meghalaya?
Yes, if you focus: follow days 1 to 3 of the itinerary above and skip "Mawlynnong and Dawki". 4 days is the comfortable length.
How do I plan a trip to Meghalaya from Kolkata?
Flight to Guwahati, then by road to Shillong. Then follow the 4-day itinerary above; budget from about ₹2,000 a day per person plus travel.
What is the weather like in Meghalaya?
October to April: 10–24°C, dry and clear from November.
What food should I try in Meghalaya?
Jadoh: Rice cooked with pork and spices. Dohneiiong: Pork in a black sesame gravy. Tungrymbai: Fermented soybean dish.
How do I get around Meghalaya?
Hire a taxi for the trip (about ₹3,000–3,500 a day); shared Sumos for budget travel.
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