Meghalaya is a magical land dotted with many natural wonders. During monsoon, it becomes lively with numerous full volume waterfalls and mist covered the land like a white blanket. The scenic windy roads lead the way through hilly gorges present you an unforgettable road trip in Meghalaya. You can feel the changing weather from cloudy to misty to sunny within hours in Meghalaya. So why to wait? Just plan your must awaited road trip to Meghalaya.
Since Meghalaya is a diverse state with lots of things to see and activity to do so plan at least a week-long holiday and choose the best activity and attraction that suits you. This post is all about the details of how you can plan your road trip in Meghalaya.
After reading this post I assure that you get enough inspiration to start your trip in adobe of clouds Meghalaya by road.
Picturesque landscape of Meghalaya
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Our 6 days Meghalaya road trip itinerary
Here’s our suggested 1 week itinerary for a road trip in Meghalaya.
Day 1: Drive to Shillong from Guwahati
Kick off the first day of your road trip with a refreshing drive to Shillong from Guwahati. To start with roads inside Meghalaya are very smooth. Though small most roads in Meghalya are made of concrete. Our first day trip from Guwahati to Meghalaya is very realaxing and away from city traffic once you enter Meghalaya.
If you start in the morning then today you can visit some popular places in Shillong on your road trip.
In the evening you can go for shopping in the police Bazar market or taste some awesome local food and other continental foods in numerous eateries available in Shillong city. Some of the best eateries are Jiva Sizzlers, Qzine Restaurant, Jadoh, Dylan’s Café, The Wok etc. One of the must-try dishes in Meghalaya is Jadoh a popular Khasi delicacy. Apart from this, you can try sizzler, Hot Momos etc. Café Shillong is one of the oldest and our favourite coffee shop in Shillong. Check our blog A Foodie’s Guide to Eating in Shillong to know more where to eat in Shillong.
Where to Stay:
A slew of hotels and homestays are available in Shillong city which suite everyone’s budget. We stayed at Silver Brook homestay which is one of the top homestays in Shillong. Located in Shillong Cherrapunji highway at Mawiong Mylliem it is the best homestay with a super friendly and helpful owner. It is the best place to keep away from the crowd. It was a comfortable and cosy stay with delicious local food.
Day 2: Explore Scotland of east Shillong and drive to Laitlum Canyon
Shillong was the bygone capital of Assam during British rule it preserved some age-old colonial charm in the form of Churches and ancient buildings, which were built in the 18th century. Shillong also has many beautiful gardens and amazing museum which is worth a visit.
Following are few best tourist points in Shillong which you can include in your Meghalaya travel plan.
- Wards Lake
- Lady Hydari Park
- Don Bosco Museum
- Elephant Falls
- Shillong Peak
- Ever Living Museum
- Mawphlang Sacred Forest
- Khasi Heritage Village
- Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians
If you want to be more adventurous then Laitlum Grand Canyon is right for you. Located 30 km from Shillong city it is one of the most loved destinations by trekking lovers and everyone. There are more than 3000 steps which lead to the Rasong village located in the bottom. You can sit and relax or go for trekking downstairs and enjoy the birds-eye view of the valley.
Smit village: It is another charming place located on the way of Latilum. Stop over there for a few minutes and visit the bamboo house of King of the Khyrim tribes which is the example of excellent craftsmanship skills by native tribes.
Day 3: Exploring Cherrapunji
Cherrapunji looks out of the world in monsoon. It is a scenic paradise close to nature. Rain is very unpredictable here. Once you step out from your room in the morning warm weather with a ray of pleasant sunshine greet you, however soon it changes to gloomy and rain started pouring. Most of the time mist covered the land like a white blanket, which is a heavenly experience for the spectator.
Cherrapunji is dotted with many places to visit like waterfalls, natural caves and living root bridges which are difficult to cover in a single day, so plan according to your interest.
Here are some of our favourite places to visit in Cherrapunji.
- Maswami cave: Let this be the first thing to see in the area. This is the shortest and most well-maintained caves in Meghalaya centrally located near the city centre. Some top street food joints are also available here which serve delicious Maggi, Momo, Egg, Tea etc.
- Seven sisters fall: Before reaching the Maswami cave you can see the wonderful seven sister fall or Mawsmai falls from one side of the road. You can stop here for a family photo taking the amazing falls in the backdrop.
- Thangkharang Park: It is one of the most wonderful and well-maintained parks of Cherrapunji. You can catch a glimpse of Khoh Ramhah rock and plain of Bangladesh from this park. One of the tallest falls in Cherrapunji, Kynrem falls can be seen from the park.
- Eco Park: This is one of the scenic park located in the centre of Cherrapunji. You can stroll around the park and amused by the pleasant weather and scenery of the park. Different rides for children’s are also available in one the corner.
- Awrah Cave: It is a wonderful cave where you can see some prehistoric fossil on its wall. A pleasant walkway leads to the cave, taking 30 minutes to cover. The stunning walkway passes through an enchanting forest of amazing surrounding which offers thrilling and fulfilling experience. This a huge network of caves only a portion of it is open to the public.
- Dainthlen falls: This is one of the biggest falls in Cherrapunji which is formed by a hilly river flowing down from the top of a cliff. Rainy season is the best time to spot Dainthlen falls which become magnificent with a large volume of water.
- Wei Sawdong falls: It is the most beautiful 3 tire falls located around 30 minutes walking distance from Dainthalen falls. You have to walk down by following a rough jungle trail of bamboo made stairs and stones. It’s better to go for this trek if you are physically fit.
- Nohkalikai Falls: This one of the tallest waterfalls in entire India plunged down from a height of 1115 feet. Your trip is not complete if you did not take some amazing photos of this fall. You can also get down to the base of the fall from where a trekking route start. But don’t try it along without a local guide.
- Double Decker living root bridge
- Kynrem falls
- Garden of caves
Check Cherrapunji travel guide to know about all amazing places to visit or read reviews of Charrapunji in Tripadvisor.
Where to Eat
There are many food joints available for lunch and breakfast in Cherrapunji. We like to recommend Orange roots which offer best multi cousin vegetarian foods. Their menu contains both south Indian and North Indian foods. For non-vegetarian I would like to suggest the name of Jiva Grill which offers the best nonvegetarians options like Kebabs, Fish and Paneer Grill etc. It offers great ambience with excellent service. I swear that you will love the attractive Jiva Resort at first glance.
Where to Stay
Now a day’s every corner of Cherrapunji is brimmed with many hotels, homestay and resorts to match everyone’s budget. Some best resorts in Cherrapunji are Jiva Resort, Polo Orchid, Pala resort, Kutmadan Resort etc. It’s necessary to book accommodation at least 3 months advance in Cherrapunji, especially if you’re travelling during your summer vacations months. You can also search for the best accommodation in AirBnB to match your style and budget.
We choose to stay in Four Season Eco Resort during our stay. It is a budget resort located in a pristine location near Eco Park. The resort offers the best view of the nearby hills and standard accommodation that suits its price range. Contact us to book your stay at Four Season Eco Resort.
Day 4: Drive to Dawki and Mawlynnong
We would suggest visiting Dawki and Mawlynnong village on your road trip, they are worth it.
Your road trip to Mawlynnong will take you through hilly gorges and scenic highway. You can be amazed at the stunning view of plain of Bangladesh far away on your road as you approach the border town Dawki.
Mawlynnong village: Known as Gods own garden and acclaimed as the cleanest village in Asia. It is a scenic and clean village located 75 km away from Shillong. It is a place where friendly locals greet you as you enter the village. Few Sky walks, simple but delicious local food, a balancing rock and pure Khasi lifestyle are the things which Mawlynnong village offers. Don’t miss the opportunity to wow at the one of the oldest root bridge in Meghalaya which is just a few steps away from the Mawlynnong village. Check out Journey to the ancient living root bridge and Mawlynnong village.
Dawki: Dawki is our next stop on the same rote. After driving down through a circle of winding roads you can see the plain of Bangladesh and the border town Dawki. Resist yourself to stop at this place if you are not planning to spend the night in Dawki. Instead, drive for 30 minutes more until you reach Shnongpdeng village or Darrang village where more adventure waiting for you.
Shnongpdeng village: Shnongpdeng village is the bustling hub 8 km from Dawki mainly focuses on water-based adventure sports. Monsoon is a bit lifeless here. Still, we spot many tourists enjoying this place during rainy season. You can notice fish jumping around your boat and fisherman catching fish in the river.
Lots of activities like boating and fishing are available during monsoon as well. You can stay in a camp here if the area is not covered with flood water during heavy rain.
Check our Dawki travel guide to know more about top attractions and best season for you to visit Dawki so that you can take the best instagrammable photographs.
Where to Stay
Dawki and Mawlynnong are quite remote places tucked in the west corner of Meghalaya. Except for basic homestays, no other options are available to stay in both places. In Dawki you can stay in a camp near the river bank or opt to stay in a homestay. In Mawlynnong village Hala tong Homestay, Hala Tyngkong Homestay and steam side guest house are few best homestays. We stayed in the Steam side guest house in Mawlynnong to experience the rural lifestyle of Meghalaya. It is one of the best homestays which offers all the basic amenities and decent food. It is located in a convenient location near the main road that leads to Mawlynnong village.
Day 5: Drive to Jowai
Mark the end of your road trip by heading to stunning hamlet Jowai on the last day which is just a few kilometres away from Dawki. Jowai offers you different beauty altogether. The scenic Jayantia hills, green valley formed by the Mrtendu river and amazing paddy fields all melt to make a perfect frame. The pleasing drive through Shillong- Jowai highway should be the best drive in your Meghalaya trip.
Following are the best point to visit in Jowai in your trip.
- Ilong Park: Located on the outskirts of Jowai, this a gorgeous place which offer a great view of the valley and the hills. This is a favourite place for angling and strolling around the park and breath fresh air. Travellers nests are also available in the park for night stay.
- Nartiang Monoliths: This is a prehistoric monoliths park filled with different size monoliths. It was erected in A.D. 1500, by U Mar Phalyngki, a deputy to the Jaintia king. Many legends are associated with this place.
- Krang Suri Waterfalls: It is one of the most discussed waterfalls in Meghalaya which looks heavenly during monsoon. The giant fall plugging down from the top to a turquoise colour natural pool is one of the best instograamable photos of Meghalaya. You need to walk down for around 20 minutes to reach the pool driven by the falls. A cave is also formed in the back of the fall. Which is particular to this falls only. Though it’s a bit tricky to approach the base of it, however, the thrill and excitement it offers from close were unimaginable.
- Tyrshi Falls: Located 5 km from the main highway, it’s a wonderful waterfall sited before reaching Jowai town. One needs to walk downhill to reach the fall. The valley below looks enchanting from the viewpoint of Tyrshi Falls.
- Thadlaskein Lake: It is a stunning artificial lake on the way Jowai. Stop over in this lake and feel some fresh air and stroll around the lake to freshen up after a full day of adventure.
- Wahkhen village: If you are looking for more hardcore adventure and trekking then you must visit Wahkhen village on the next day. A great Bamboo trail takes you to the top of a giant rock mountain. This place is also known as Mawryngkhang Trek. Go for this trek if you are strong and brave enough to climb stairways made of bamboo to reach the top of a giant rock.
Where to Stay
The small town of Jowai has very few options for stay. So we stayed in an offbeat place amidst scenic surrounding. Ri Kanaan Guest House is one such place located near Shillong airport is a best in class with a pleasing beauty and clean interior. A small waterfall and river flowing nearby offer a priceless view.
Day 6: Return journey to Guwahati
Today we bid adieu to the wonderful land Meghalaya. Start the last day in a relax mode if enough time is available for you to reach the airport.
If you have not visited the mesmerizing Borapani Lake then you can stop here today and test delicious smoked corn with a cup of tea and enjoy the pristine view of the lake. One top-notch sports complex is also located nearby and engage in various water spots or sit and gaze at the stunning lake.
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Transportation:
Next point after finalizing your itinerary is how to visit. There may be many questions busting on your mind while planning your Meghalaya road trip. If you really want to explore each and every bit of that place, its better you hire a car for your entire tour from Guwahati. Click here to hire a car for your road trip in Meghalaya.
Cost of Vehicle
A sedan car from Guwahati will cost you around Rs 3500 – Rs 4000 per day and an SUV will cost you Rs 5000 – RS 5500 per day. This is the new rate list applicable from 2022.
Can I hire a taxi from Shillong?
You can rent a taxi from Shillong which cost around Rs 2500 – Rs 4000 per day for different places. It will depend on your bargaining skill and sometimes the driver becomes notorious and will not take you to all the places.
Can I board a Govt run bus (MTDC bus) for Meghalaya tour?
MTDC organize tour package for Cherrapunji and Mawsynram covering major tourist points.
Shared Taxi Service in Meghalaya
Sumos are available from Police Bazar to Mawlynnong, Dawki and Cherrapunji from time to time. Shared taxis are also available to travel around in the Shillong city.
Hope you are ready to start your road trip in Meghalaya soon. If you have any questions about your trip to Meghalaya please write to us or message us in the comment section.
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