Nature3 days
Cherrapunji and root bridges
Waterfalls, living root bridges and caves around the plateau.
- Shillong
- Cherrapunji
- Nongriat
State · North East
Meghalaya
Abode of clouds: living root bridges, caves and waterfalls
Meghalaya packs thundering waterfalls, living root bridges, deep limestone caves and crystal rivers into a compact hill state, with matrilineal Khasi, Jaintia and Garo cultures at its heart.
- Best time
- October to May (monsoon makes waterfalls roar but roads slippery)
- Allow
- 4–7 days
- Getting there
- Guwahati (GAU) airport is the main entry (3 to 4 hours by road); Shillong (Umroi) has limited flights; Tura airstrip
- Permits
- No ILP for tourists as per current norms; non-resident visitors may be asked to register under the state's resident-safety rules. Check Meghalaya Tourism before you travel.
- Capital
- Shillong
- At a glance
- 12 districts · 33 places · 20 off the beaten track
Must-see
The unmissable Meghalaya
01
Double-decker living root bridge, Nongriat
Famous two-tiered living bridge reached via thousands of steps.
02
Dawki and Umngot River
Boats appear to float on glass-clear water near the Bangladesh border.
03
Mawlynnong
Spotless Khasi village, often called Asia's cleanest.
04
Cherrapunji
Plateau of waterfalls and caves at the edge of the Khasi Hills.
05
Shillong
Hill capital with Don Bosco museum, Ward's Lake and live-music culture.
06
Krem Mawmluh and Krem Liat Prah
Among India's longest limestone cave networks near Cherrapunji.
07
Nohkalikai Falls
India's tallest plunge waterfall, near Cherrapunji.
08
Nokrek Biosphere Reserve
Garo Hills forest where the citrus relative Citrus indica grows.
Tourist circuits
Ready-made routes
Join the dots: each circuit links places that make sense together.
Nature2 days
Dawki-Mawlynnong river trail
Clean villages, living bridges and the clear Umngot River.
- Shillong
- Mawlynnong
- Dawki
Adventure3 days
Jaintia Hills caves and culture
Caves, waterfalls and monoliths in the Jaintia highlands.
- Jowai
- Krang Suri
- Syndai caves
Wildlife4 days
Garo Hills wilderness
Remote hills, elephant forests and the Balpakram plateau.
- Tura
- Nokrek
- Balpakram
Culture2 days
Shillong city and Umiam
Cafes, museums, lake views and the sacred forest at Mawphlang.
- Shillong
- Umiam Lake
- Mawphlang
District by district
Every district, place by place
12 districts. Open any to see what's worth your time — gold tags mark lesser-known places.
East Khasi HillsHQ Shillong · 5 places
Capital district, colonial hill town and Khasi heartland.
- Must-seeWard's LakeLandscaped lake in central Shillong.
- CultureDon Bosco MuseumSeven-storey museum of North East cultures.
- NatureElephant FallsThree-tier waterfall on Shillong outskirts.
- NatureMawphlang Sacred ForestProtected Khasi sacred grove with guided walks.
- AdventureUmiam LakeBig reservoir for boating and sunsets.
West Khasi HillsHQ Nongstoin · 2 places · 2 offbeat
Remote plateau district with little tourism.
- OffbeatNongstoinOffbeatQuiet hill town and waterfalls.
- NatureWeiking WaterfallOffbeatLocal cascade with village access.
South West Khasi HillsHQ Mawkyrwat · 2 places · 2 offbeat
Quiet hill district bordering Bangladesh.
- OffbeatMawkyrwatOffbeatLittle-visited hill town.
- NatureNongpoh river areaOffbeatForest and stream landscapes.
Eastern West Khasi HillsHQ Mairang · 2 places · 2 offbeat
Newer district near Shillong.
- OffbeatMairangOffbeatPlateau town on the road to Nongstoin.
- NatureRangad areaOffbeatForest, stream and village scenery.
Ri BhoiHQ Nongpoh · 3 places · 2 offbeat
Gateway district between Guwahati and Shillong.
- NatureUmiam Lake northern shoreQuieter shoreline and homestays.
- CultureNongpohOffbeatTransit town with weaving shops.
- CultureRi Bhoi villagesOffbeatBhoi community crafts and festivals.
East Jaintia HillsHQ Khliehriat · 2 places · 2 offbeat
Coal-and-forest district in the east.
- OffbeatKhliehriatOffbeatHill town gateway to caves.
- AdventureLad Rymbai cavesOffbeatLimestone caves for adventurous visitors.
West Jaintia HillsHQ Jowai · 4 places · 2 offbeat
Jaintia heartland with caves and monoliths.
- NatureKrang Suri FallsTurquoise pool waterfall.
- NatureThadlaskein LakeOffbeatLegendary man-made lake.
- HeritageNartiang MonolithsIndia's tallest collection of megaliths.
- AdventureSyndai CavesOffbeatSpooky limestone caverns.
East Garo HillsHQ Williamnagar · 2 places · 1 offbeat
Garo hill district with rivers and rubber.
- NatureSimsang RiverOffbeatWide river near Williamnagar.
- WildlifeNokrek Peak areaBiosphere edge and orange orchards.
West Garo HillsHQ Tura · 4 places · 1 offbeat
Main Garo hub with hills and lakes.
- hillsTura PeakRidge viewpoint above Tura.
- AdventureSiju CaveBat cave and bird sanctuary beside a river.
- hillsChitmang HillOffbeatHilltop landscape and local festivals.
- WildlifeNokrek Biosphere ReserveElephant forest and unique citrus plants.
South Garo HillsHQ Baghmara · 3 places · 2 offbeat
Remote plateau district with tropical forest.
- WildlifeBalpakram National ParkCanyon-like plateau with elephants and legends.
- WildlifeSiju Bird SanctuaryOffbeatForest around the cave river.
- OffbeatBaghmaraOffbeatQuiet border town.
North Garo HillsHQ Resubelpara · 2 places · 2 offbeat
Newer district bordering Assam with rural life.
- OffbeatResubelparaOffbeatGateway to Garo village trails.
- CultureGaro village trailsOffbeatCane, bamboo and forest walks.
South West Garo HillsHQ Ampati · 2 places · 2 offbeat
Border district on the Bangladesh frontier.
- OffbeatAmpatiOffbeatBorder market town on the Garo plains.
- NatureRongramOffbeatRural forest landscapes.
Nothing matches — try a different word.
Eat
Signature flavours
- Jadoh (rice with pork)
- Dohneiiong
- Tungrymbai (fermented soya)
- Pumaloi
- Nakham bitchi (dry fish soup)
Riverside homestays, treehouse stays near Nongriat, plus heritage-style hotels in Shillong.
Festivals
When to time your visit
- Nongkrem Dance — November
- Wangala Festival — November
- Behdienkhlam — July
- Shad Suk Mynsiem — April
Insider tip
Start root bridge treks early morning and carry shoes with a grip; roads and stairs get slick after rain.
Our detailed guides
Related journeys
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Start planning Free trip plannerCompiled from public tourism information and our own knowledge; permits, entry rules, district boundaries, timings and prices change — approximate, verify before travelling. Last reviewed 2026-11-09.