Meghalaya in November: Weather, Places to Visit & Festivals
November is the month most local drivers would pick for a first trip to Meghalaya. The monsoon is over, the roads are dry, the Umngot River at Dawki has turned clear, and the waterfalls still carry water from the rains. Here is what the weather is really like, where to go, what is on, and how to plan around the busy weeks.
Quick answer
November is one of the best months to visit Meghalaya. Expect dry, sunny days of roughly 8–20°C in Shillong, with cold mornings and evenings. The Dawki river is clear, Cherrapunji's waterfalls are still flowing, and skies are clear for viewpoints like Laitlum. The Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival is on 20–21 November 2026 at New Shillong. It gets dark by about 4:30–4:40 PM, so start day trips early, and book cabs and hotels ahead because November is peak season.
Key facts at a glance
| Shillong temperature | About 8–20°C (colder at Laitlum and Shillong Peak) |
|---|---|
| Rain | Very little — the monsoon is over |
| Dawki river | Clear, and getting clearer through the month |
| Waterfalls | Still flowing well in early November, thinning by month-end |
| Sunrise / sunset (Shillong) | About 5:30–5:50 AM / 4:30–4:40 PM |
| Cherry Blossom Festival 2026 | 20–21 November, New Shillong |
| Crowds | Peak season — book cabs and stays early |
| What to pack | Light jacket or sweater, comfortable walking shoes |
Meghalaya weather in November
November is dry, cool and bright. Shillong (about 1,500 m) sees day-time highs of around 18–20°C and night-time lows of around 8–10°C, dropping a little as the month goes on. Sohra (Cherrapunji) is similar; Dawki and the Bangladesh border are a few degrees warmer, so you can be in a T-shirt on the boat and a jacket back in Shillong the same evening.
Rain is rare and skies are usually clear, which makes November excellent for long views from Laitlum, Shillong Peak and the Sohra plateau. Early mornings can be misty in the valleys, but it usually burns off by mid-morning.
- Days: pleasant, around 18–20°C in Shillong
- Nights and early mornings: cold, around 8–10°C
- Dry, mostly clear skies; very little rain
- Dark by about 4:30–4:40 PM — plan an early start
Best places to visit in Meghalaya in November
November suits almost every part of the usual Meghalaya circuit, because you get dry roads and clear water without having lost the waterfalls yet.
- Dawki and Shnongpdeng: the Umngot River is clear again — go early for calm water and short boat queues
- Cherrapunji (Sohra): Nohkalikai, Seven Sisters and Wei Sawdong still have water, especially in the first half of the month
- Double Decker Living Root Bridge, Nongriat: dry steps and comfortable trekking weather
- Mawlynnong and the Balancing Rock: easy to pair with Dawki on the same day
- Laitlum Canyons and Rapleng Canyon: clear skies for the gorge views, about an hour from Shillong
- Krang Suri Falls near Jowai: blue pool, dry trail, fewer people than the Sohra side
Festivals and events in November
The Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival is scheduled for 20–21 November 2026 at the new permanent venue in New Shillong, with a music line-up and food stalls. It is a ticketed event, and hotels fill up around those dates, so book early if you plan to attend. The Himalayan cherry trees around Shillong flower pink through much of the month whether or not you go to the festival.
The Wangala (100 Drums) festival of the Garo community is usually held in November near Tura in the Garo Hills. Tura is a long drive from Shillong (most of a day each way), so treat it as a separate trip rather than a side visit. The Nongkrem dance at Smit, near Shillong, is a traditional autumn festival whose dates are set locally each year; check the announced dates before planning around it.
How to plan a November trip
November is peak season, so the main risk is availability rather than weather. Lock in your cab and hotel early, especially around the Cherry Blossom Festival weekend and if you are travelling as a group that needs an Innova or Tempo Traveller.
Short daylight is the other thing to plan for. With sunset around 4:30 PM, a Dawki–Mawlynnong day works best leaving Shillong by 7 AM, and Cherrapunji is best done as its own day rather than squeezed together with Dawki. A 4–5 day trip covers Shillong, Cherrapunji, Dawki–Mawlynnong and one extra day for the root bridge or Jowai.
- Book cabs and stays 2–4 weeks ahead in November
- Leave Shillong by about 7 AM for Dawki or Cherrapunji
- Keep Cherrapunji and Dawki on separate days
- 4–5 days is the comfortable length for a first trip
What to pack for Meghalaya in November
Layers are the answer: a T-shirt for the afternoons, plus a sweater or light jacket for mornings, evenings and the higher viewpoints. Comfortable shoes with good grip matter more than anything else if you plan the root bridge trek or the walk down to Rapleng or Krang Suri.
- Light jacket or fleece, plus a warmer layer for nights
- Walking shoes with grip for steps and trails
- Sunscreen and sunglasses — the sun is strong on clear days
- Some cash for entry fees, parking and the Dawki boat
Frequently asked questions
Is November a good time to visit Meghalaya?
Yes — it is one of the best months. The weather is dry and cool (about 8–20°C in Shillong), the Dawki river is clear, waterfalls are still flowing and skies are clear for viewpoints. It is also peak season, so book early.
What is the weather in Meghalaya in November?
Dry, sunny and cool, with very little rain. Shillong sees about 18–20°C by day and 8–10°C at night. Dawki is a few degrees warmer; Laitlum and Shillong Peak are colder.
Is Meghalaya cold in November?
Mornings and evenings are cold enough for a sweater or light jacket (around 8–10°C in Shillong), but afternoons are comfortable. It is not winter-cold yet — that comes in December and January.
Is the Dawki river clear in November?
Yes. By November the monsoon silt has settled and the Umngot River at Dawki and Shnongpdeng is clear, getting clearer through the month. The clearest water is usually December to March.
When is the Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival in 2026?
The 2026 Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival is scheduled for 20–21 November at New Shillong. It is a ticketed event; check the official announcement for the final schedule.
Are the waterfalls flowing in November?
Yes, especially in the first half of the month. Nohkalikai, Seven Sisters and other Cherrapunji falls still carry water from the monsoon, though less than in August–September, and they thin out towards December.
Plan & book your trip
Tour Meghalaya runs private cabs and tour packages across Meghalaya. Book directly with a local operator.