Spending 7 Days in Meghalaya
Want to make the most of your visit to Meghalaya? From stunning waterfalls to magnificent sunrise spots to the craziest treks, do it all during our 7-day comprehensive itinerary of the northeastern state.
Shillong (Day One)
The first two days of your trip can be spent exploring the Shillong city and nearby destinations. Within Shillong, there are quite a few interesting places like Ward’s Lake, Bara Bazaar, Don Bosco museum, etc. But to experience the true culture of the place you first experience Police Bazaar. Visiting Police Bazaar will get you closer to the local people, their lifestyle, and their cuisine. It’s a melting pot of locals and tourists – a place that seems to be the heart and soul of the city. From being an amazing shopping destination to serving the best street food, there are numerous experiences to be had in Police Bazaar.
Shillong Peak, Ward’s Lake and Elephant Falls (Day 2)
If you like enjoying brilliant sunrises, then the Shillong peak is the place to see. The highest point in Shillong presents panoramic vistas of the entire city and is a short drive from the city center. And on your way back, don’t forget to visit the Elephant Falls. The 3-step waterfalls once resembled an Elephant but the rock was destroyed due to an earthquake in 1987. Once you are back in the city, spend time walking around Ward’s Lake, a beautiful garden with an artificial lake centered in it.
Drive to Smit and Laitlum Canyon (Day 3)
Just 15 kilometers from Shillong, is Smit village that is known for its misty hills, undisturbed locales, and gorgeous views. The pollution-free village revels in its simplicity and that’s what is attracting travelers. If you are looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of Shillong, then the serenity of Smit will take your breath away.
Close to Smit, is another unique destination, Laitlum Canyons. Often dubbed as the Grand Canyons of India, the Laitlum Canyons are a sight to behold. Located just 8 kilometers from Smit, you can drive to the top of the canyon from where you get scintillating views of the surrounding landscapes. And if you want something dreamy, go there during sunrise or sunsets!
Cherrapunji and Mawsmai caves (Day 4)
Once the wettest place on earth, Cherrapunji is blessed with some of the most beautiful waterfalls you will ever see. Spend a day there exploring Dainthlen falls, Kynrem Falls, NohKalikai Falls, and Wah Kaba Falls. Once you are done with these you can drive down to Mawsmai home to underground limestone caves. The caves are full of stalactites and stalagmites and can be explored in about half an hour.
Mawryngkhang Bamboo Trek (Day 5)
Considered to be one of the most adventurous treks in Meghalaya, the Mawryngkhang Bamboo Trek takes place in the East Khasi Hills. The trek trail goes through a series of bamboo bridges that were constructed by the tribals over gushing rivers, scary mountain ridges, and farmlands. The starting point of the trek is located at Wahkhen Village which is 40 kilometers from Shillong. From Wahkhen, you need to trek down a mountain to get to Mawryngkhang. The trek isn’t for the faint-hearted as the bamboo trail on the mountain ridge can get a little challenging for ones who have vertigo.
Visit Mawlynnong (Day 6)
Dubbed as the cleanest village in Asia, Mawlynnong village shot to fame with that title in 2003. A source of pride for the 700-odd families that stay there, the village is now seeing a surge of tourism. The title hasn’t come easy. Every single resident contributes towards the cleanliness of the village, doing their part every single day. But this isn’t the reason why you should go there. Mawlynnong is also an idyllic destination dotted with greenery, waterfalls, rivulets, and flowers in almost every house. And unknown to a lot of tourists, there are numerous living root bridges close to the village in the dense jungles around it.
Boating at Dawki River and Krang Suri Falls (Day 7)
Images of a boat floating over crystal clear waters have made Dawki river an immensely popular tourist spot and it is a must-visit spot for those visiting the Shillong region. Located right next to the Bangladesh border, the river is blessed with emerald green waters and is a true gem of Meghalaya. Whether you are a solo traveler, on a romantic getaway, or going with a group, Dawki makes for the perfect setting for a lovely destination to explore.
Heading back to Shillong from Dawki will take you through a lovely stretch of narrow road surrounded by hills and strewn with numerous waterfalls. And one of the most scintillating ones is the Krang Shuri waterfalls. The gently flowing water drops from a short height forming a stunning, jaded green pool of water below that acts as a natural swimming pool. It’s a great spot to take pictures and on a hot day, the water feels like heaven. This is the ideal destination before you head back home!
