East Khasi Hills · Meghalaya
Shillong
A hill capital of pine ridges, cafes, live music and colonial-era lanes.
Shillong is an easy hill destination in East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya, reaching 1,965 m. The best time to go is October to April. Plan 2 to 3 days on the ground from Guwahati and about ₹3,000 per person per day.
What to do in Shillong
The one thing not to miss
Laitlum canyons
A wide green gorge south-east of the city.
- 2Elephant FallsA three-tier waterfall on the edge of town.
- 3Don Bosco MuseumThe cultures of the Northeast, on seven floors.
- 4Ward's Lake and Police BazarThe centre of town.
A sample plan: 3 days
Day 1
Guwahati to Shillong
About 3 hours on the road. Check in and take a short walk to get your bearings.
Day 2
Laitlum canyons · Elephant Falls · Don Bosco Museum
Details for each are under What to do, above.
Day 3
Shillong to Guwahati
Leave after breakfast; hill roads are slower than the map suggests.
A starting point built from the things to do above. Move days around to suit your pace.
When to go
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Why go
The easiest base for Meghalaya, three hours from Guwahati.
Why not
Traffic jams in town; the best of Meghalaya is outside it.
Before you go
- Permits
- None.
- Guide
- Not needed.
- Safety
- Book taxis through hotels; shared cabs fill fast.
- Phone & internet
- Good.
Permits, food and festivals in Meghalaya →
These details haven't been field-verified yet. Confirm permits, road status and weather locally before you travel.
If something goes wrong
Nearest help: Police control room, Shillong, Shillong; Civil Hospital, Shillong.
All emergency contacts for Meghalaya →What to pack for Shillong
Worked out from its season, altitude and terrain. Tick things off as you pack; tap a name to find it in a shop.
Clothing
4 items
- Fleece or light sweater Evenings turn cold in the hills even in summer.
- Sun cap or hat Hours in open sun, with little shade above the tree line.
- Compact umbrella Showers are frequent in the rainy months.
- Rain jacket or poncho The season here overlaps the rains.
Footwear
1 item
- Comfortable walking shoes with grip Hill towns mean slopes, steps and wet stone.
For day outings
2 items
- Day pack, 20–30 litres For day outings: water, a layer, a camera.
- Water bottles, 2 litres in total Refill rather than buying plastic bottles.
Health and sun
4 items
- Sunscreen, SPF 50 The sun burns faster in the hills than in the plains.
- Small first-aid kit and your own medicines The nearest chemist may be hours away.
- Motion-sickness bands or tablets The approach roads are long and winding.
- Insect repellent Mosquitoes and midges at lower altitudes and in the wet months.
Documents and money
3 items
- Government photo ID and two photocopiesAsked for at hotels, check posts and permit counters.
- Enough cash for the whole tripATMs are scarce and often empty beyond the gateway town.
- Permits and registrationsNone.
Phone and power
2 items
- Power bank Charging is limited, and cold drains batteries fast.
- A SIM that works thereGood.
Read before you go
1 item
- A guidebook for Meghalaya Worth reading before you go, and it works without a signal.
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Homestays in Meghalaya
No homestays listed here yet. Run one? List it.
Getting there
The nearest gateway is Guwahati.
Directions open in Google Maps with today's road time. In the mountains, add a third to whatever it says.
- Normal car?
- Yes, any car can make it. Traffic inside Shillong is slow at most hours.
By road
From
Guwahati
- Distance
- about 100 km
- Drive time
- about 3 hours
- Guwahati
- Jorabat
- Nongpoh
- Umiam
- Shillong
From
Guwahati airport
- Distance
- about 120 km
- Drive time
- about 3.5 hours
- Airport
- Jorabat
- Nongpoh
- Shillong
Buses and shared taxis. Fly or take a train to Guwahati; shared taxis and buses to Shillong leave from the airport and from Paltan Bazaar.
Pickups & drivers
From Guwahati. Call or WhatsApp the driver directly.
No drivers listed for Shillong yet. Drive this route? List your cab.
Shillong: questions people ask
What is the best time to visit Shillong?
The best months for Shillong are October to April. May and June and September are possible but not ideal. Snow is rare here.
How difficult is Shillong?
Shillong is rated easy. No trekking is needed, starting at 1,525 m and reaching 1,965 m.
How many days do you need for Shillong?
Plan 2 to 3 days on the ground, counted from Guwahati. Add travel days to reach the gateway from your city.
How much does a trip to Shillong cost?
Expect about ₹3,000 per person per day for a mid-range trip (stay, food and local transport). That is roughly ₹9,000 for 3 days, before the cost of getting to Guwahati.
How do you reach Shillong?
By road: from Guwahati it is about 100 km, about 3 hours (Guwahati → Jorabat → Nongpoh → Umiam → Shillong); from Guwahati airport it is about 120 km, about 3.5 hours (Airport → Jorabat → Nongpoh → Shillong). Fly or take a train to Guwahati; shared taxis and buses to Shillong leave from the airport and from Paltan Bazaar. The nearest gateway is Guwahati.
Do you need a permit or a guide for Shillong?
Permits: None. Guide: Not needed.
Is Shillong suitable for children and senior citizens?
With children it is great; with seniors it is great. It is busy in season. Book taxis through hotels; shared cabs fill fast.
What should you pack for Shillong?
Pack fleece or light sweater, sun cap or hat, compact umbrella, rain jacket or poncho, comfortable walking shoes with grip, day pack, 20–30 litres, water bottles, 2 litres in total, sunscreen, spf 50, small first-aid kit and your own medicines. Also carry a government photo ID, enough cash and any permits. The full list is on this page.
Is there mobile network and internet at Shillong?
Good.
Who should not go to Shillong?
Shillong suits most travellers, including children and senior citizens. The one drawback to know about: Traffic jams in town; the best of Meghalaya is outside it.
Close to Shillong
Within about 35 km in a straight line. Hill roads are a good deal longer, so check the drive before you combine two.
- Laitlum Canyonsabout 13 km