5-Day Private Tour in Meghalaya: Living Root Bridge & Waterfalls

Trek to the Double Decker root bridge, bathe in a secret lagoon, and watch three waterfalls cascade at once.

A 5-day private tour from Guwahati into Meghalaya takes you through mountain villages, cascading waterfalls, and the Living Root Bridge: a centuries-old structure woven from tree roots in Nongriat village. The itinerary includes a night in Shillong, treks to remote sites, a natural swimming pool with a fish spa, and a bonfire in the village. Accommodation is in homestays. All transport, meals and a live guide are included. Moderate fitness is required for the trekking days.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Journey from Guwahati to Shillong

• Pick up from Guwahati
• Visit Umiam lake for boating and rafting
• Visit Police bazaar in Shillong

Day 2: Explore Shillong and visit waterfalls

• Visit Police Bazaar and Ward's Lake
• Visit Elephant Falls
• Drive to Cherapunjee

Day 3: Trek to Double Decker root bridge

• Trek from Nohkalikai falls to Nongriat
• Visit Double Decker root bridge
• Enjoy bonfire in the evening

Day 4: Visit Secret Lagoon and Rainbow Falls

• Visit Secret Lagoon and natural swimming pool
• Trek back to Tyrna
• Drive to Sohra
• Hike to Rainbow Falls and enjoy fish spa

Day 5: Visit Seven Sister Falls and Garden of Caves

• Pack and leave from Cherapunjee
• Visit Seven Sister Falls
• Visit Garden of Caves
• Return to Guwahati

The experience

The tour starts with a pickup from Guwahati and a drive to Shillong, stopping at Umiam Lake for boating or rafting on the way. You'll spend your first night in a homestay in Shillong, then explore the city's Police Bazaar, Ward's Lake and the Elephant Falls: a three-part waterfall with a walking path and bridge crossing the stream. From there you drive to Cherapunjee (also called Sohra), the base for the trek days ahead.

On day three, you trek down from Nohkalikai Falls to Nongriat village to reach the Double Decker root bridge, a living structure that has been cultivated over centuries and needs no introduction among trekkers. You'll spend time near the bridge and end the day with a bonfire in the village. Day four takes you to a secret lagoon near Nongriat where you can swim in a natural pool, enjoy a free fish spa, and hike to Rainbow Falls before trekking back via the Tyrna route and returning to Cherapunjee for the night. On the final day, you visit the Seven Sisters Falls and the Garden of Caves (a natural habitat carved by seasonal waterfalls and surrounded by green hedges) before driving back to Guwahati by evening.

Private transportation is included throughout, as is accommodation in hygienic homestays and traditional cottages. A live guide who speaks English, Hindi or Bengali travels with you for all five days. The tour is not recommended for pregnant travelers, and you'll need at least moderate fitness for the trekking sections.

What’s included

• Private transportation for all five days.
• accommodation in hygienic homestays and traditional cottages.
• a live guide in English, Hindi or Bengali.
• breakfast, dinner and some meals throughout.
• a bonfire in Nongriat village on day three.
• access to the natural swimming pool and fish spa near Nongriat on day four.

Before you book

Days and timesSunday

AgesAdult (18 to 65 years) · Under 18: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Bangla and Hindi

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by The Unexplored

Is this one for you?Your guide speaks English, Hindi or Bengali, so choose the language that suits you when you book. This is a private tour, meaning no other travelers join your group. The pace and stops are yours alone, and the guide's attention stays with your party for all five days.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Hindi and Bangla.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Living Root Bridge and why do people trek to see it?

The Living Root Bridge in Nongriat village is a structure woven from tree roots over centuries, cultivated by locals as a natural crossing over the stream. It's the centerpiece of the trek on day three and you'll spend time near it before the evening bonfire.

How difficult are the treks on this tour?

The trek down from Nohkalikai Falls to Nongriat on day three and the return trek via Tyrna on day four require moderate fitness. The walking paths are established but involve descending and ascending terrain. The operator recommends at least a moderate level of physical fitness.

What waterfalls will I see during the five days?

You'll visit the Elephant Falls in Shillong (three waterfalls with a walking path and bridge), trek past Nohkalikai Falls to reach Nongriat, see Rainbow Falls on day four, and visit the Seven Sisters Falls on the final day. The Garden of Caves also features seasonal waterfalls fed by rains.

Where do I stay each night on this tour?

Accommodation is in homestays and traditional cottages throughout: night one in Shillong, night two in Sohra (Cherapunjee), night three in Nongriat village, and night four back in Cherapunjee before returning to Guwahati on day five.

What's included in the tour price?

Private transportation throughout the five days, accommodation in homestays, meals, and a live guide in English, Hindi or Bengali are all included. Alcoholic beverages and lunch are not covered.

When does the tour start and end?

You're picked up from Guwahati on day one and return to Guwahati by evening on day five, timed to catch flights or trains home.