Meghalaya Multi-Day Tour: Shillong, Cherrapunjee & Mawlynnong

Summary

Discover Meghalaya’s Hidden Gems with Local Guides

You’ll wander through Meghalaya’s most unique spots—from misty mornings in Shillong to crystal-clear rivers at Dawki and ancient living root bridges in Mawlynnong. This tour gives you time to really take each place in, with local guides sharing stories along the way.

What’s the experience like?

First morning in Shillong felt cool and a bit misty—my jacket came in handy. We started at the old Shillong Golf Course where locals were already teeing off. Ward’s Lake was next; you’ll spot couples feeding fish or just sitting quietly under the pine trees. Our guide, Rakesh, pointed out the best spot for photos near Lady Hydari Park (watch for the roses if you’re here in spring). The Don Bosco Centre surprised me—never thought I’d spend so long looking at tribal artifacts. Elephant Falls was louder than I expected; you can feel the spray if you get close enough. If Shillong Peak is open (sometimes it’s closed by the Air Force), don’t skip it—the view stretches forever on a clear day.

The drive to Sohra (locals still call it Cherrapunjee) winds through green hills. Mawkdok viewpoint is worth a quick stop—there’s a chai stall with sweet milk tea that hits the spot. Nohkalikai Falls drops straight down; you’ll hear it before you see it. Eco Park has these odd-shaped clouds rolling in fast—makes for wild photos. Wakaba Falls is quieter, almost hidden away. Ramakrishna Mission is peaceful; we heard school kids singing inside. By evening, back in Shillong, my shoes were muddy but I didn’t mind.

Mawlynnong really lives up to its “cleanest village” name—sweeping brooms everywhere and not a scrap of trash in sight. Walking across the single-decker living root bridge feels like stepping into another world; it’s damp and smells earthy underfoot. The balancing rock nearby looks like it shouldn’t stand up but somehow does. Dawki’s Umngot River is so clear you can see pebbles on the bottom—even from the bridge above. Local boatmen wave as they pass by with tourists snapping photos.

Nartiang is quieter than other stops but full of stories—our driver shared legends about the monoliths scattered around like chess pieces. The Durga Temple sits tucked away behind old trees; incense drifts out when someone opens the door. On the way back, we stopped at Thadlaskein Lake—a few kids were skipping stones—and Tyrshi Falls where you can hear birds over the water if you listen closely.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Shillong Local Sightseeing

• Visit Shillong Golf Course
• Explore Ward’s Lake
• Visit Lady Hydari Park
• Tour Don Bosco Centre for Indigenous Cultures
• See Elephant Falls
• Visit Shillong Peak or State Central Library

Day 2 — Sohra (Cherrapunjee) Tour

• Sightseeing at Mawkdok
• Visit Nohkalikai Falls
• Explore Eco Park
• See Wakaba Falls
• Visit Ramakrishna Mission
• Tour Eco Nohsngithiang Falls
• Visit Maswai Cave
• Return to Shillong

Day 3 — Mawlynnong Village Visit

• Visit Mawlynnong, Asia's Cleanest Village
• See Single Decker Living Root Bridge
• Visit Balancing Rock
• Tour Dawki (Umngot River)
• Return to Shillong

Day 4 — Nartiang and Surroundings

• Visit Nartiang Monoliths and Durga Temple
• See Thadlaskein Lake
• Visit Tyrshi Falls
• Return to Shillong

Top questions

Is this Meghalaya tour suitable for families with young children?

Yes, families are welcome! Just note that infants need to sit on an adult's lap during transport and some walks may be slippery after rain.

Are all entrance fees included?

No, entrance fees aren’t included—you’ll pay those directly at each site if needed.

Can I join if I have mobility issues?

This tour involves some walking on uneven paths and stairs; it's not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.

What kind of vehicle will we use?

You’ll travel in a private air-conditioned vehicle for comfort between sites.

What’s included

Your trip covers private transportation in an air-conditioned car or van with a friendly driver-guide who knows all the local shortcuts and stories. Public transport options are nearby too if needed.