Shillong Day Tour from Guwahati: Lunch & Lake Views

Ten hours to see the Scotland of the East without arranging your own transport

A ten to eleven hour day tour from Guwahati to Shillong covers the hill station's main attractions (a man-made lake, three-tiered waterfall, tribal culture museum, boating lake and cathedral) with private air-conditioned transport, lunch and bottled water included. You choose between a guided tour or self-guided exploration. Pickup from your Guwahati hotel is included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Shillong's key attractions

• Visit man made lake en route
• See Elephant Falls waterfall
• Tour Don Bosco Museum
• Enjoy Ward's Lake garden and boating
• Visit first Catholic Cathedral Church
• Shop at local market

The experience

The route climbs from Guwahati into Shillong's hills, starting at a man-made lake known for views across water and forested slopes. From there the day moves through Elephant Falls, a three-section waterfall the British renamed after a rock formation that no longer exists (an 1897 earthquake destroyed it), and the Don Bosco Museum, which holds tribal artifacts, traditional crafts and cultural exhibits from across Northeast India's communities. The stops are spaced to fit inside a single day without rushing.

Lunch is included with both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options, and the vehicle stays air-conditioned throughout. The tour also takes in Ward Lake (called Nan-Polok locally), an artificial lake with gardens and boats, and the Salvatorian Cathedral, built by German missionaries and the first Catholic church in the region. A local market rounds out the afternoon, selling produce and handicrafts made in the area. The driver handles all navigation and parking. You decide whether to book with a guide who explains the sites or explore on your own pace.

The tour is rated safe for women travellers and works for all fitness levels. Infants sit on an adult's lap during the drive. Entrance fees to individual attractions are not included in the price, so budget separately for any sites you want to enter.

What’s included

• Private air-conditioned transport from Guwahati.
• bottled water throughout the day.
• lunch with vegetarian and non-vegetarian options.
• parking fees at all stops.
• hotel pickup and return.

Options for this experience

2 options

Shillong tour without a guide7 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 08:30Pickup is included with the guide

Shillong tour with a guide7 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 08:30Includes pickup

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day7 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 08:30

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (18 to 59 years) · Senior (60 to 80 years) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (5 to 12 years) · Infant (under 5): free

GroupPrivate

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 today

Good to know

Low physical effortInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Avani Travel Services

Is this one for you?Book the guided option if you want context on the history and culture at each stop. Choose self-guided if you prefer to explore at your own pace and linger where you choose. Either way, the fixed itinerary means all the main attractions fit into one day without the logistics of renting a car or navigating unfamiliar roads.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (5 to 12 years); Infant (under 5): free.

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.

How long is the drive from Guwahati to Shillong?

The full tour runs ten to eleven hours from pickup to return, covering the journey up to the hills and all the stops in between. The drive itself is part of the experience, passing through changing landscape as you climb.

What is Elephant Falls and why is it called that?

Elephant Falls is a three-section waterfall in Shillong. The British named it after a large rock formation that resembled an elephant and sat near the left side of the main falls. The local Khasi people called it Ka Kshaid Lai Pateng Khohsiew, meaning "Three Steps Waterfalls." An earthquake in 1897 destroyed the elephant-shaped rock, but the British name stuck.

Can I choose between a guided tour and exploring on my own?

Yes. You pick either the guided option, where someone explains the sites as you go, or the self-guided version and set your own pace at each stop. Both include the same transport, lunch and itinerary.

What does the Don Bosco Museum show?

The Don Bosco Museum, officially the Center for Indigenous Cultures, preserves tribal artifacts, traditional crafts, music, occupation tools and cultural items from the communities of Northeast India. It is run by the Silesians of Don Bosco and focuses on the region's indigenous heritage.

Is pickup from my hotel included?

Yes, pickup from your Guwahati hotel is included in the tour price. The driver collects you and returns you at the end of the day.

What is not included in the tour price?

Entrance fees to individual attractions and gratuities for the driver are not included. Budget separately if you want to enter any of the sites, such as the museum or the boating lake.