It is not very often that we hear the name of a place and make an effort to find its meaning. Well, Meghalaya, a beautiful state tucked in North East India is definitely one of the very few places which left me in awe when I heard its the very first time and wondered what it would mean. An abode of clouds, it truly is, justifying the name that it carries. This state in North East India is a destination that every traveler must visit who is on a quest for scenic beauty as well as adventure(meghalaya tour packages).
This abode of clouds is a treasure in the North East, well known for its pristine waterfalls, winding roads, cleanest village in Asia and best of landscapes that you’d witness throughout your visit across the state. Meghalaya is a place where time freezes over crystal clear river waters and the heart skips a beat each time you witness a gorgeous waterfall gushing down mightily from sharp cliffs. A trip to Meghalaya will be one of your best experiences and worth your time.
The state is full of hidden spots and offbeat locations and to explore them thoroughly it would take almost a month. But not everyone can spare so much time out of their schedule. And thus, to help people plan their trip to Meghalaya in a short span while not missing out on the best of places in the state, I am chalking out a 7 day travel itinerary for Meghalaya in this blog.
7 Day Tour to Meghalaya – Travel Itinerary
How to reach Meghalaya?
Fly to Guwahati in Assam from where you can head to Shillong by road. There are plenty of options when it comes to covering the journey between Guwahati to Shillong. You can reserve a taxi which would ideally take INR 2000 to drop you to your hotel or Police Bazar
Great savings on hotels in Shillong, India online. Good availability and great rates. Read hotel reviews and choose the best hotel deal for your stay.Check Availability (the main market area) in Shillong. You can also hop onto a shared cab/sumo from the airport, railway station or Paltan Bazar in Guwahati, which should not cost you more than INR 200.
Meghalaya 7 Day Travel Itinerary
Day 1 : Guwahati to Shillong
- Reach Guwahati by train or by air. It’d be convenient for if you could reach Guwahati by 1pm.
- Reserve a cab for your transfer to Shillong or hop onto a shared sumo from the airport, railway station or Paltan Bazar in Guwahati.
Travel time : 3 hours
Upon reaching Shillong, you could visit the Police Bazar area, indulge in some street shopping and hit the pubs. Shillong is known for its phenomenal taste in music and for hosting the best rock concerts of the country
Day 2 : Explore Shillong
Wake up in this picturesque town amidst the hills surrounded with pine trees and relish in some breakfast with a view at your hotel/homestay or head out to a café for breakfast. Post breakfast, leave for a tour of the popular places in the city of Shillong, also famously known as Scotland of the East.
Places to visit in Shillong
Umiam Lake
Surround by Majestic umiam lake, you will find beautiful pine trees all over the land, three local tribal caretakers always be there to look after your need &requirements, the tiny safari tents are all lake facing, having twin beds and a attach toilets. power supply are solar powered also you can charge your phone. Guest have your own private entrance. The tent room opens out to a tiny sitting area facing the lake the perfect space for your FURY friends if they are joining you, also bonfire facilities, table and chairs. Plenty of trekking spaces.See prices, located 17 kms away from the city, is a scenic place you must visit when you are in Shillong. The calmness of the waters and the vastness of the lake is sure to leave you in awe upon your arrival. Adventure sports like Kayaking and water skiing can be opted for. The water sports are offered by Water Sports Complex between 8 am to 5 pm on all days of the week. You could also experience a boat ride in this lake. If time permits, explore Lumpongdeng Island, located on the other shore of Umiam lake
Ward’s Lake
Ward’s Lake is located right in the heart of the city of Shillong. The lake is named after Sir William Ward who had initiated the construction of this artificial water body. The lake is made in the shape of a horse shoe and is surrounded by beautiful gardens. A wooden bridge in the middle of the lake makes the place look splendid.
Shillong Peak
A prime tourist spot in the city, Shillong Peak is located at a height of 1965 metres. It offers panoramic views of Shillong and on days the skies are clear
Elephant Falls
Originally known as ‘Ka kshaid lai pateng khohsiew’ in Khasi, which means Three Steps Waterfalls, Elephant Waterfalls
Don Bosco Museum
Don Bosco Museum in Shillong is a storehouse of traditions and culture. Each floor in the seven storied, hexagonal shaped museum represents the seven sister states of the North East. Here, you could expect to get a glimpse of the multi-cultural lifestyles of the indigenous people of North East India. There are 17 galleries in the museum that displays cultural artefacts and paintings. Visitors can also taste the indigenous cuisines from the food lounge. The museum also attracts students
Day 3 : Shillong to Cherrapujee (Sohra)
How to get there?
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- To reach Cherrapunjee by a private cab, head to Police Bazar.
- You can also get to Cherrapunjee by a shared sumo/alto. You’d find these shared vehicles in Bara Bazar. Do keep in mind that Cherrapunjee and Sohra are same places and do not get confused while picking your vehicles.
Day 4 : Cherrapunjee – Tyrna – Nongriat
How to get there?
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- From the Taxi Stand in Cherrapunjee, book a private cab for Tyrna Village, which would cost you about INR 500.
- The taxi would drop you off where the steps for downward hike to Nongriat start.
- It is advisable to take a porter if you have heavy backpacks or luggage. A porter will charge you about INR 500 for one way.
Travel Time : Cherrapunjee to Tyrna – 45 minutes; Tyrna to Nongriat (trek) – 2 hours
Places to visit in Nongriat
Double Decker Root Bridge
The 2 hour downward hike is going to be a very scenic as well as adventurous one. You’d be crossing many suspension bridges and root bridges along the forest trail. The Double Decker root bridge would be the highlight of your trip to Meghalaya
Day 5 : Nongriat – Cherrapunjee – Dawki – Mawlynnong
How to get there?
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- On this day, you’d be required to trek back to Tyrna from Nongriat. The trek can get quite tiring. Again, it is advisable to hire a porter if you are not comfortable to walk with your luggage. It could take anywhere between 3 to 4 hours to reach back to Tyrna depending on your pace and fitness.
- From Tyrna, book a cab till Cherrapunjee or hop onto a shared cab
Day 6 : Explore Mawlynnong & transfer to Shillong
- This day would be dedicated in exploring the Asia’s Cleanest Village, a sleepy town, full of soul.
Day 7 : Shillong to Guwahati
Start from Shillong post breakfast, by 7 am so that you reach Guwahati by 11am.
Travel Time: Shillong to Guwahati – 3 hours
It’s preferable to have your flight booked post 3pm. Else, it becomes a rush and you wouldn’t want to take a risk for sure.
If you have a few more days, check this blog on jaw-dropping destinations in Assam and add in a day or two in Guwahati to explore these places.
Fly out of Guwahati with a box full of memories.
