Most lists of Meghalaya tourist places are a long scroll with no sense of where anything is. This one is grouped the way our drivers actually run the trips: Shillong and around, Cherrapunji (Sohra), Dawki and Mawlynnong, and Jowai. Each group is one day out of Shillong, with real distances, entry fees and what is worth your time.
Quick answer
The best places to visit in Meghalaya are Laitlum Canyons, Umiam Lake and Elephant Falls near Shillong; Nohkalikai Falls, the Seven Sisters Falls, Mawsmai Cave, Wei Sawdong and the Double Decker Living Root Bridge around Cherrapunji (Sohra); the Umngot River at Dawki, Shnongpdeng and Mawlynnong village in the south; and Krang Suri Falls near Jowai. Base yourself in Shillong and treat each area as a day trip: Sohra is 54 km, Dawki 95 km and Jowai about 65 km away. Five days covers all four areas without rushing.
What the car costs
- Guwahati → Shillong₹2,700
- Shillong → Cherrapunji₹2,800
- Shillong → Dawki₹3,500
- 5 days car + driver₹22,800
Fixed fares, fuel and driver included · only 10% advance
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On this page(9)ShowHide
- 1.Quick answer
- 2.Key facts at a glance
- 3.Shillong and around (day 1)
- 4.Cherrapunji (Sohra): waterfalls, caves and root bridges (day 2–3)
- 5.Dawki, Shnongpdeng and Mawlynnong (day 4)
- 6.Jowai and Krang Suri (day 5)
- 7.Offbeat places if you have more time
- 8.How to see these places in 3, 5 or 7 days
- 9.Frequently asked questions
At a glance
Key facts at a glance
| Base | Shillong (100 km / 3 hrs from Guwahati airport) |
|---|---|
| Areas | Shillong · Cherrapunji (Sohra) · Dawki & Mawlynnong · Jowai |
| Days needed | 4–6 days for the main sights |
| Best time | October to April (dry roads, clear views) |
| Getting around | Private car + driver, from ₹4,560 a day |
| Entry fees | Mostly ₹10–₹100 per person, paid in cash |
Shillong and around (day 1)
Shillong is where almost every Meghalaya trip starts and ends, so most people see its sights on arrival day or the last afternoon. The city spots are close together; the viewpoints are 10–25 km out.
- Laitlum Canyons: a ridge-top view over deep green gorges, about 23–25 km from Shillong via Smit. Go early before the cloud comes up.
- Umiam Lake (Barapani): the big reservoir on the Guwahati highway, 15–17 km north of Shillong. Most people stop on the way in from the airport.
- Elephant Falls: a three-tier waterfall 10–12 km from Police Bazar on the Sohra road, about ₹20 entry.
- Shillong Peak: Meghalaya's highest point (about 1,965 m) inside an Air Force station, 10 km from the city. Carry photo ID.
- Ward's Lake and Police Bazar: the 1894 lake garden and the main market, about 1 km apart in the city centre. Ward's Lake is closed on Tuesdays.
- Don Bosco Museum: seven floors of Northeast tribal culture in Mawlai, about ₹100 entry. The best rainy-day stop.
- Mawphlang Sacred Forest: an ancient Khasi grove 25 km out, visited with a local guide.
Cherrapunji (Sohra): waterfalls, caves and root bridges (day 2–3)
Sohra is 54 km (1.5–2 hours) south of Shillong and has more sights than any other part of the state. A full day covers the waterfalls and caves; the Double Decker Living Root Bridge trek needs a second day or a night in Sohra. A Shillong–Sohra cab starts from ₹2,800 one way, or keep the car for the day.
- Nohkalikai Falls: India's tallest plunge waterfall, over 340 m into a turquoise pool. ₹10–20 entry.
- Seven Sisters Falls (Nohsngithiang): seven streams side by side near Mawsmai, at their fullest in the monsoon.
- Mawsmai Cave: a lit 150 m walk-through limestone cave, 6 km from Sohra market.
- Wei Sawdong Falls: a three-tier waterfall down a short, steep path; ₹50 for Indians.
- Arwah Cave: a quieter cave with fossils in its walls, 3.5 km from Sohra town.
- Double Decker Living Root Bridge: about 3,500 steps down to Nongriat and back up, 4–6 hours return.
- Mawkdok Dympep viewpoint: the valley view and zipline on the drive in, 25–30 km from Shillong.
- Nohkalikai Falls
- Seven Sisters Falls
- Mawsmai Cave
- Wei Sawdong Falls
- Arwah Cave
- Double Decker trek
- All places in Cherrapunji
Dawki, Shnongpdeng and Mawlynnong (day 4)
The south of the state is one long day: about 95 km (3 hours) to Dawki on the Bangladesh border, with Mawlynnong and the Riwai root bridge on the way. A Shillong–Dawki cab starts from ₹3,500. Since late 2025, mud from the Shillong–Dawki road widening has made the Umngot murky on some days even in the dry season, so check with us before planning a trip around clear water.
- Dawki and the Umngot River: the "floating boat" photo. Boats are about ₹500–800 per boat, not per person.
- Shnongpdeng: upstream of Dawki, for riverside camping, kayaking and snorkelling.
- Mawlynnong: often called Asia's cleanest village, with the Sky View bamboo tower.
- Riwai Living Root Bridge: a 30 m root bridge a short walk from the road near Mawlynnong, ₹30–50.
- Balancing Rock: a boulder on a small stone base, a quick stop near Mawlynnong.
Jowai and Krang Suri (day 5)
East of Shillong, the Jaintia Hills are quieter and greener. Krang Suri is about 90 km (2.5–3 hours) from Shillong via Jowai, and it fits in one day with a stop at the Jowai market.
- Krang Suri Waterfall: a blue plunge pool near Amlarem, about ₹50 entry; life jackets and boating extra.
- Tyrshi Falls (5–8 km from Jowai) and Phe Phe Falls (on the Jowai–Dawki road): two more waterfalls in the same hills if you have time.
Offbeat places if you have more time
These need a longer drive or a spare day, but they are far emptier than the main circuit.
- Rapleng Canyon Waterfall: a quiet gorge about 23 km from Shillong, a few kilometres from Laitlum.
- Kongthong: the "whistling village", where every person has a tune for a name, 52–60 km from Shillong (2.5–3 hours on narrow roads).
- Mawjymbuin Cave near Mawsynram: a cave with a large stalagmite, 55–65 km from Shillong. Mawsynram itself is one of the wettest places on earth.
- Siju Caves in the Garo Hills: one of the longest caves in India, but about 300 km from Shillong, so plan a separate trip.
How to see these places in 3, 5 or 7 days
In 3 days, do Shillong, one Sohra day and one Dawki day. In 5 days, add Jowai and a second Sohra day for the root bridge trek. In 7 days, add a night at Shnongpdeng or in Sohra and an offbeat stop. Public transport between these places is thin, so most visitors keep one car and driver for the whole trip.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Which is the most beautiful place in Meghalaya?
Most visitors pick Laitlum Canyons near Shillong, Nohkalikai Falls in Cherrapunji, or the Umngot River at Dawki. Which is best depends on the season: waterfalls peak in the monsoon, while canyon views and river water are best from October to April.
How many days are enough to see Meghalaya?
Five days covers Shillong, Cherrapunji, Dawki with Mawlynnong, and Jowai without rushing. Three days is the minimum for Shillong, one Sohra day and one Dawki day.
What are the places to visit in Meghalaya in 3 days?
Day 1: Shillong, Umiam Lake and Laitlum. Day 2: Cherrapunji (Nohkalikai, Seven Sisters Falls, Mawsmai Cave). Day 3: Dawki, Mawlynnong and the Riwai root bridge.
Do I need a permit to visit Meghalaya?
No. Meghalaya does not need an Inner Line Permit (ILP) for Indian citizens; carry a government photo ID. Foreign nationals need no ILP either, but register at the Foreigners' Registration Office on arrival.
Is it better to stay in Shillong or Cherrapunji?
Shillong has the most hotels and is the hub for every day trip. One night in Sohra helps if you are doing the Double Decker root bridge trek or want the waterfalls in the morning light.
Up nextHow Many Days Do You Need in Meghalaya?How many days for Meghalaya? 5 days minimum for Shillong, Cherrapunji & Dawki; 6–7 ideal; 10–14 for offbeat Garo Hills. Realistic day-by-day breakdown from a local operator.Read next (6 min) Keep reading
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Plan & book your trip
Tour Meghalaya runs private cabs and tour packages across Meghalaya. Book directly with a local operator.