Meghalaya
Living root bridges, waterfalls and the wettest places on earth. 8 places, grouped into circuits you can combine in one trip.
Shillong
Plan this circuitThe capital and the Laitlum canyons.
Laitlum Canyons
A grassy rim above huge green gorges, with steps down to the hidden village of Rasong.
Shillong
A hill capital of pine ridges, cafes, live music and colonial-era lanes.
Sohra (Cherrapunji)
Plan this circuitWaterfalls, caves, Mawsynram and the double-decker root bridge.
Mawsynram & Mawjymbuin Cave
Often called the wettest place on earth, with a limestone cave and a natural Shiva-linga stalagmite.
Nongriat Double-Decker Root Bridge
A steep stair-trek into a jungle valley to living bridges grown from rubber-tree roots, and the Rainbow Falls.
Sohra (Cherrapunji)
Plunging waterfalls like Nohkalikai, limestone caves and gorge views over Bangladesh.
Border villages & rivers
Plan this circuitDawki, Mawlynnong and Krang Suri.
Dawki & Shnongpdeng
The glass-clear Umngot river on the Bangladesh border — boating, riverside camping and kayaking.
Krang Suri Falls
A turquoise-pool waterfall in the Jaintia hills where you can swim (with life jackets).
Mawlynnong
A spotless Khasi village with a living root bridge and a bamboo sky-view tower over Bangladesh.
Before you go
Meghalaya: good to know
Getting in
Fly or take a train to Guwahati, then drive about three hours to Shillong.
Permits and paperwork
Indian and foreign visitors need no permit. Many villages and waterfalls charge a small community entry fee and a camera fee, in cash.
Permit rules change. Treat this as a starting point and confirm before you travel.
Worth knowing
Much of the Khasi hills closes on Sunday: shops, some viewpoints and most public transport. Carry rain gear in any month.
What to eat
- Jadoh
- Rice cooked with pork; the Khasi everyday meal.
- Dohneiiong
- Pork in a black sesame gravy.
- Tungrymbai
- Fermented soybean, strong and savoury.
- Pumaloi
- Steamed powdered rice, eaten with curries.
- Lakadong turmeric
- A strong local turmeric, sold in the markets.
Festivals and seasons
- Shad Suk MynsiemApril
- The Khasi thanksgiving dance, in Shillong.
- BehdienkhlamJuly
- The Jaintia festival at Jowai.
- Nongkrem danceOctober or November
- At Smit, near Shillong.
- WangalaNovember
- The Garo harvest festival of a hundred drums.
- Cherry blossom festivalNovember
- In Shillong, when the trees flower.
Many of these follow the lunar calendar, so the dates move each year.
Meghalaya: questions people ask
What are the best places to visit in Meghalaya?
This guide covers 8 places in Meghalaya, grouped into 3 circuits: Shillong, Sohra (Cherrapunji) and Border villages & rivers. Each page says who the place suits and who it does not.
What is the best time to visit Meghalaya?
October to April are the best time for most places in Meghalaya. Seasons differ by altitude, so check each place.
Which places in Meghalaya are easy for families and first-timers?
Dawki & Shnongpdeng, Krang Suri Falls, Laitlum Canyons, Mawlynnong, Mawsynram & Mawjymbuin Cave and Shillong are rated easy and good with children.
Which are the main treks in Meghalaya?
Nongriat Double-Decker Root Bridge.
What is the highest place in Meghalaya in this guide?
Shillong, at 1,965 m.
Do you need a permit to visit Meghalaya?
Indian and foreign visitors need no permit. Many villages and waterfalls charge a small community entry fee and a camera fee, in cash.
How do you get to Meghalaya?
Fly or take a train to Guwahati, then drive about three hours to Shillong.
What food should you try in Meghalaya?
Jadoh: rice cooked with pork; the khasi everyday meal; Dohneiiong: pork in a black sesame gravy; Tungrymbai: fermented soybean, strong and savoury; Pumaloi: steamed powdered rice, eaten with curries; Lakadong turmeric: a strong local turmeric, sold in the markets.
What are the main festivals in Meghalaya?
Shad Suk Mynsiem (april), Behdienkhlam (july), Nongkrem dance (october or november), Wangala (november), Cherry blossom festival (november).