Meghalaya Tour Packages

Meghalaya travel guide

Meghalaya needs no permit for Indian citizens. Carry a government ID, fly into Guwahati, and drive 100 km to Shillong in about 3 hours. Visit November to February for clear Dawki water, or June to September for full waterfalls. Plan 3 to 7 days. Packages start at Rs 10,999.

Do you need a permit for Meghalaya

No. Indian citizens need no Inner Line Permit, no Protected Area Permit, and no registration to enter Meghalaya. Carry a standard government photo ID such as Aadhaar, passport, driving licence, or voter ID.

Meghalaya and Assam are open-access states. This sets them apart from neighbours like Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, and Mizoram, which require an ILP for Indian travellers. If you plan to add Arunachal to your trip, read our Arunachal Pradesh Inner Line Permit guide before you go.

Best time to visit Meghalaya by month

The right month depends on what you want to see. Clear water and waterfalls peak in opposite seasons.

Period	Weather	What you get
Nov to Feb	Cool, 10 to 20°C, dry	Clearest Dawki water, best for trekking and all outdoor sites
Mar to May	Warm, pre-monsoon	River still clear, wildflowers, Dawki boat race in Mar to Apr
Jun to Sep	Monsoon, heavy rain	Waterfalls at peak volume, slippery trek trails, murky Dawki water
Oct	Post-monsoon	Strong waterfalls, drying trails, good all-round window

If you want crystal water at Dawki and a comfortable Nongriat trek, come November to February. If you want Nohkalikai and the other falls at full force, come during the monsoon and accept the rain.

How to reach Meghalaya

Fly to Guwahati. Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (GAU) is the standard entry point for the whole region. Shillong Airport at Umroi has limited domestic connectivity, so most travellers route through Guwahati.

From Guwahati airport to Shillong:

• Distance: about 100 km via NH6 through Nongpoh and Umiam Lake
• Drive time: 2.5 to 3 hours in normal traffic, 3.5 to 4 hours on holidays, long weekends, or during monsoon disruptions
• Shared sumo from Police Bazaar area: Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,500
• Private cab: Rs 2,500 to Rs 3,500

We drive this corridor often. The main road stays well maintained, but long weekends choke the route, so allow extra buffer if you land on a Friday or a public holiday.

From Shillong you reach every major site by private cab or local taxi. We recommend a private vehicle for the day trips because the sites sit far apart and public transport is thin. See our car rental rates.

Shillong as your base

Shillong sits at the centre of the state and works as the base for day trips and overnight runs. Driving distances from Shillong:

• Cherrapunji (Sohra): about 54 km via NH-51, 1.5 to 2 hours
• Dawki: about 80 to 82 km via NH206, 2.5 to 3 hours
• Mawlynnong: about 78 km via NH206, 2.5 hours
• Tyrna trailhead for Nongriat: about 90 km total

Mid-range hotels in Shillong run Rs 2,000 to Rs 4,000 per night. Budget rooms sit at Rs 800 to Rs 1,500.

Cherrapunji (Sohra) and Nohkalikai Falls

Cherrapunji, known locally as Sohra, ranks among the wettest places on Earth with an annual average of about 11,777 mm of rainfall. It holds Guinness records for 26,471 mm in one year (1860 to 1861) and 9,300 mm in a single month (July 1861). Recent years have brought lighter monsoons, but the rain stays heavy.

Nohkalikai Falls is India's tallest plunge waterfall at about 340 metres, around 8 km from Cherrapunji town. The plunge pool holds a blue-green colour through the year.

• Viewpoint hours: roughly 8 AM to 5 PM
• Best time: June to October for maximum flow. In winter the fall thins to a stream.
• Some visitors report a small parking fee near Rs 50. Confirm on arrival.

Mawsmai Cave

Mawsmai Cave sits about 6 km from Cherrapunji town. The cave is lit inside, with a few narrow passages, and takes 20 to 30 minutes to walk through.

• Entry: Rs 20 per adult, Rs 10 per child
• Camera fee: Rs 20
• Hours: 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM
• Note: some reports mention a Sunday closure. Confirm locally before you plan a Sunday visit.

Living root bridges and the Nongriat trek

The double-decker living root bridge at Nongriat is the headline trek of Meghalaya. India submitted the living root bridges for UNESCO World Heritage status, with the nomination pending as of early 2026.

The trek starts at Tyrna village, about 12 km from Cherrapunji, a 20 to 30 minute taxi ride. From there you descend into the gorge.

• Trail: about 3 km one way, the widely cited figure is around 3,500 stone and concrete steps
• Difficulty: moderate to difficult, needs above-average fitness
• Descent: 1.5 to 2 hours. The climb back is harder.
• Full round trip: 5 to 7.5 hours including time at the bridges
• You pass a single-decker bridge on the way. The double-decker is the main site at Nongriat.

Fees on the ground stay small and informal. A village maintenance contribution of roughly Rs 20 to Rs 50 per person is collected near the trailhead. Reports vary and no fixed formal gate fee is confirmed for 2026. A guide costs about Rs 500 and we recommend one if you extend to Rainbow Falls.

Practical advice from our trips:

• Start before 8 AM from Tyrna. The trail has no lighting after dark.
• Split the trek over two days with a Nongriat homestay such as Serene Homestay or Nongriat Guest House. Homestays with meals run Rs 800 to Rs 1,500 per night.
• Add Rainbow Falls, 1 to 1.5 km past Nongriat, 45 to 60 minutes more each way. It is worth the extra climb.
• Swim in the natural pool on the Umshiang River at Nongriat.

We found no new online registration or permit system for Nongriat in 2026. Both Nongriat and Dawki sit under visitor pressure, so check Meghalaya Tourism before you travel in case rules change. Browse our trekking expeditions if you want a guided run.

Mawlynnong, the cleanest village in Asia

Discover India magazine named Mawlynnong the cleanest village in Asia in 2003, and the community keeps the title alive. A plastic ban runs throughout the village, with bamboo dustbins set at 50-metre intervals.

• Village entry: Rs 100 per person plus parking, confirmed for 2026
• Sky Walk, an 85-foot bamboo tower: Rs 10 to Rs 30 per person
• Balancing Rock: Rs 10 to Rs 20
• Riwai living root bridge, 1 km away: Rs 30, paid to Riwai villagers
• Hours: 7 AM to 6 PM

Important rule for 2026. The village council closed Mawlynnong to day-trippers on Sundays, starting January 2026. The village of about 900 people receives 800 to 1,500 weekend visitors, and the council reserves Sundays for church, rest, and family. On Sundays shops shut and taxis from Shillong get turned back. Guests with a confirmed overnight homestay booking are exempt.

Plan your visit Tuesday to Thursday. Avoid Saturday and Sunday for a day trip. Enforcement of the Sunday rule began this year, so confirm the current position before you set the date.

Dawki and the Umngot River

The Umngot River, called Wah Umngot locally, runs clear in the dry season. Boats appear to float on glass.

• Boating: from Rs 300 per boat, though operators quote Rs 500 to Rs 800 depending on season and demand. A boat holds about 4 people.
• Visiting the riverbank is free. No fixed government tariff is published, so rates vary and bargaining helps.
• Boating hours: around 7 AM to 5 PM, with some operators citing 8 AM to 6 PM. Confirm on arrival.
• Best clarity: November to February at peak, March to May still good. Monsoon turns the water murky.

Carry cash. Digital payments stay unreliable in the area. A Bangladesh border checkpoint sits nearby, and cross-border movement needs documentation. The river hosts an annual boat race in March to April, drawing large crowds.

Krang Suri Falls

Krang Suri Falls sits 29 km from Jowai in the West Jaintia Hills, roughly 65 to 70 km from Shillong in the Jowai direction. Confirm the exact distance locally. The falls drop about 40 feet into a turquoise pool where swimming is allowed.

• Entry: Rs 40 per person
• Life jacket: Rs 100, mandatory for swimming
• Parking: Rs 30 to Rs 50
• Hours: 7 AM to 6 PM
• Trek from parking: about 30 minutes
• Amenities: coffee shop, bamboo benches, changing rooms for both genders
• Best season: October to May for clear water. Accessible in monsoon but the rocks turn slippery.

How many days do you need in Meghalaya

• 3 days, 2 nights minimum: Shillong city, a Cherrapunji day trip with Nohkalikai and Mawsmai Cave, plus Dawki or Mawlynnong
• 5 days, 4 nights recommended: adds the full Nongriat trek day, more time at Dawki, and Krang Suri Falls
• 7 days, 6 nights comfortable: covers all sites without rushing, including Krang Suri, Laitlum Canyon, Elephant Falls, and an optional Jowai run

Typical Meghalaya costs in 2026

Type	Cost
Budget solo, 5 days	Rs 7,000 to Rs 12,000
Mid-range package, per person	From Rs 10,999 for 3 days, 2 nights
Budget guesthouse	Rs 500 to Rs 1,500 per night
Mid-range Shillong hotel	Rs 2,000 to Rs 4,000 per night
Nongriat homestay with meals	Rs 800 to Rs 1,500 per night
Local meal	Rs 200 to Rs 400

Private car hire per day with us: hatchback Rs 2,100, sedan Rs 2,500, compact SUV Rs 3,000, 4x4 premium Rs 4,500. Our Meghalaya package starts at Rs 10,999 for 3 days, 2 nights.

Frequently asked questions

Do Indian tourists need a permit for Meghalaya

No. Meghalaya needs no ILP, no PAP, and no registration for Indian citizens. Carry a government photo ID. Only neighbouring states like Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland require an ILP.

When is Dawki water at its clearest

November to February. The dry months bring peak clarity to the Umngot River. March to May stays good. The monsoon from June to September turns the water murky.

How hard is the double-decker root bridge trek

Moderate to difficult. You descend about 3,500 steps over roughly 3 km one way, then climb back. The round trip takes 5 to 7.5 hours. Start before 8 AM and split it over two days with a Nongriat homestay if you want an easier pace.

Is Mawlynnong open on Sundays

No, not for day-trippers. Since January 2026 the village closes to single-day visitors on Sundays. Only guests with a confirmed overnight homestay booking get in. Plan your visit Tuesday to Thursday.

How many days should I spend in Meghalaya

Three days as a minimum, five days to cover the Nongriat trek and Dawki without rushing, and seven days to add Krang Suri, Laitlum Canyon, and Jowai.

How do I reach Meghalaya

Fly to Guwahati airport, then drive about 100 km to Shillong in 2.5 to 3 hours via NH6. A shared sumo costs Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,500, a private cab Rs 2,500 to Rs 3,500.

Message us on WhatsApp at +91 6900882384 to plan your Meghalaya trip.