Meghalaya · The Abode of Clouds

Living Root Bridges,
Waterfalls & Cloudlands

7 days through Shillong, Cherrapunjee, Mawlynnong & Dawki - Meghalaya's misty hills, ancient living root bridges, and cascading waterfalls.

6 Nights / 7 Days
Private Tour
5 Destinations
Khasi Hills & Bangladesh Border
D1
Guwahati
D1-D2
Shillong
D3-D5
Cherrapunjee
D6
Mawlynnong
D6
Dawki
D7
Guwahati
About This Tour
Overview

This 6-night journey takes you into the misty, emerald heart of Meghalaya - "the Abode of Clouds." Beginning from Guwahati, the route climbs into the Khasi Hills to Shillong, the charming capital known for its colonial character, rock music culture, and the fascinating Don Bosco Museum of Indigenous Cultures. Venture into the ancient Mawphlang Sacred Forest and gaze into the vast Laitlum Grand Canyon. Descend to Cherrapunjee (Sohra), one of the wettest places on Earth, where you'll witness thundering waterfalls, mysterious caves, and the remarkable Double Decker Living Root Bridge - a feat of indigenous bio-engineering. The tour also visits Mawlynnong, Asia's cleanest village, and Dawki on the Bangladesh border, with its crystal-clear Umgot River where boats appear to float on air.

Duration
6 Nights / 7 Days
Tour Type
Multi Day · Private · Package
Region
Meghalaya, Northeast India
Unique
Living Root Bridges
Cleanest Village
Mawlynnong - Asia's Cleanest Village (2003)
Language
English & Khasi
Top Experiences
Highlights
Shillong
The "Scotland of the East" - colonial-era charm, Don Bosco Museum, Umiam Lake, and the vibrant Police Bazaar
Cherrapunjee
One of the wettest places on Earth - Seven Sisters Falls, Nohkalikai Falls, and the spectacular living root bridges
Root Bridges
Double Decker & Umshiang - ancient living root bridges woven by the Khasi tribes, a UNESCO World Heritage contender
Mawlynnong
Asia's cleanest village - a model of eco-tourism with living root bridges, natural balancing rock & pristine beauty
Dawki
The Bangladesh border - Umgot River's crystal-clear waters where boats appear to float on air over the riverbed
Laitlum Canyon
"The End of the World" - a breathtaking precipice at the edge of the Khasi Hills with vast, plunging valley views
What's Covered
Includes / Excludes

✓ Included

  • Hotel accommodation as per package (6 nights)
  • Daily breakfast at hotel; meals as per property inclusions
  • Private air-conditioned vehicle for all transfers & sightseeing
  • Airport arrival & departure transfers at Guwahati
  • Guide assistance for sightseeing throughout
  • Driver allowance, parking, tolls & transport taxes
  • Assistance with trek permits & local guide for root bridge treks

We will arrange and confirm your hotel stays as per the trip and budget - hotel options are not fixed and can be customised to your preference. Contact us for details

✗ Excluded

  • Airfare to / from Guwahati
  • Lunch, dinner & drinks unless mentioned
  • Entry fees at parks, caves, waterfalls & museums
  • Camera fees, tips & personal expenses
  • Boat ride at Dawki / Umgot River
  • Travel insurance
  • Anything not specifically mentioned in inclusions
Day by Day
Itinerary
DAY01
Guwahati → Shillong
120 km · 3 hrs
  • Arrive at Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, Guwahati - meet your guide and driver
  • Drive towards Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya
  • En-route, stop at Umiam Lake to capture the mesmerizing view of the lake - a vast artificial reservoir surrounded by pine-covered hills
  • On arrival in Shillong, check into the hotel
  • Evening: take a stroll around Shillong's famous Police Bazaar - a bustling market area with shops, cafes, and local handicrafts
  • Overnight in Shillong
🏛 Culture & Canyon Day
  • Breakfast at hotel
  • Visit the Don Bosco Museum of Indigenous Cultures - sprawling over seven floors, it showcases cultural artifacts of various tribes of Northeast India, including costumes, musical instruments, utensils, weapons, ornaments, housing styles, and languages
  • Drive to Mawphlang Sacred Forest (25 km one way) - a village in the East Khasi Hills, site of one of the Khasi Hills' sacred groves. The word "Mawphlang" means "grassy stone."
  • Afternoon excursion to Laitlum Grand Canyon (30 km one way) - one of the most amazing and picturesque tourist destinations, perched atop the East Khasi Hills. "Laitlum" literally means "The End of Hills" or "The End of the World."
  • Evening: explore the local markets of Shillong
  • Overnight in Shillong
🌊 Waterfalls & Caves Day

The undulating Meghalaya uplands give way abruptly on the state's southern fringe to deep, jungle-clothed, waterfall-ribboned valleys plunging precipitously to the plains of Bangladesh. Cherrapunjee (also called Sohra), sitting near the lip of the escarpments, is the obvious base for exploring this spectacular landscape.

💧 Note: During dry season, waterfalls may not have enough water.
  • Breakfast; check-out; drive to Cherrapunjee (also called Sohra) - one of the wettest places on Earth
  • Visit Seven Sisters Waterfalls - a spectacular seven-segmented waterfall cascading down the escarpment
  • Nohkalikai Falls - the tallest plunge waterfall in India (340 m), plunging into a turquoise pool
  • Dainthlen Falls - a wide, powerful waterfall with a legendary serpent tale
  • Thangkharang Park - a scenic park offering panoramic views of the Bangladesh plains
  • Mwasmai Cave - a limestone cave with stalactites and stalagmites in innumerable forms, shapes and sizes; 150 m is open for tourists
  • Kho Ramhah Rock (Motrop) - a single gigantic cone-shaped rock formation
  • Check in at hotel; overnight in Cherrapunjee
🌿 Root Bridge Trek Day
  • Breakfast at the hotel
  • Move towards the starting point of the Double Decker Bridge trek, located in Nongriate village
  • Trek through lush forest to the Double Decker Living Root Bridge - one of the most unique bridges in the world, built by weaving the aerial roots of ancient rubber fig trees by the Khasi tribes
  • Enjoy a refreshing dip in the pristine blue water pools beneath the bridge
  • Cross the hanging bridge for spectacular views of the valley
  • The trek involves climbing/descending approximately 4,000+ uneven steps - suitable only for people with good health
  • Return to hotel; overnight in Cherrapunjee
🌿 Living Root Bridge Day
  • Breakfast at hotel
  • Drive to visit Umunoi Root Bridge - the trek starts by walking downhill through Sohsarat village
  • The steps are relatively steeper in two short stretches. Half the distance is covered by steps going downhill, then a jungle path along the hillside leads to the living root bridge
  • Witness the incredible engineering of the Khasi people who have shaped these roots over generations to create functional bridges that grow stronger with time
  • Return to hotel; overnight in Cherrapunjee
🏡 Cleanest Village & Border Day
  • Breakfast; check-out; drive to Mawlynnong Village (90 km · 2½ hrs)
  • Mawlynnong, also referred to as "God's Own Garden," won the acclaim of being the cleanest village in Asia in 2003
  • The village offers picturesque natural beauty and a trek to a living root bridge at neighbouring village Riwai
  • Visit the natural balancing rock - a strange natural phenomenon of a boulder balancing perfectly on another rock
  • Lunch at Mawlynnong (limited dining options at Dawki)
  • Later, visit Dawki, the Bangladesh Border (Tamabil Border from the Bangladesh side). The main attraction is the Umgot River with crystal-clear water where you can enjoy a boat ride
  • Drive to Shillong (90 km · 3 hrs); overnight in Shillong
  • Breakfast at hotel
  • Check-out and transfer to Guwahati Airport (Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport)
  • Tour concludes. Carry the mist and magic of Meghalaya home with you.
Good to Know
Frequently Asked Questions
1
When is the best time to visit Northeast India?
October to April is the optimal window for Northeast India, featuring clear blue skies, comfortable temperatures, and dry trekking conditions. Kaziranga safari season runs from November to April, and the world-renowned Hornbill Festival is held in Nagaland during the first week of December.
2
Do Indian citizens or foreign travelers need special permits?
Yes. Indian travelers require an Inner Line Permit (ILP) for Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland. Foreign travelers require a Protected Area Permit (PAP) for Arunachal Pradesh. Our team at Vedantaa Leisure Holidays assists with all permit documentation and processing prior to travel.
3
How do wildlife safaris operate in Kaziranga National Park?
Safaris are conducted in open 4x4 jeeps and on elephant back across distinct ranges (Kohora Central Range, Bagori Western Range, and Agaratoli Eastern Range). Morning and afternoon safaris provide spectacular opportunities to observe the Great One-Horned Rhinoceros, wild water buffalo, and migratory birds.
4
How physically demanding is the Living Root Bridge trek in Meghalaya?
The trek to the Double Decker Living Root Bridge in Nongriat begins from Tyrna village and involves descending and climbing approximately 3,500 stone steps. A moderate level of fitness is recommended. Local bamboo walking sticks and porters are available.
5
What cultural etiquette should be observed in tribal villages?
Tribal communities in Nagaland, Assam, and Arunachal Pradesh are warm and welcoming. Always seek permission before photographing village elders, sacred groves, or village morungs (communal houses), and dress respectfully when entering local homes.
Full Route
Tour Map
Meghalaya Tour - Living Root Bridges, Waterfalls & Cloudlands  ·  Guwahati · Shillong · Cherrapunjee · Mawlynnong · Dawki  ·  6 Nights / 7 Days
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