Meghalaya in 6 days: Shillong, Sohra, the root bridges and Dawki
By Ganesh ·
A 6-day Meghalaya trip from Guwahati: two nights in Shillong, two in Sohra (Cherrapunji) with the double-decker root bridge trek, a day at Mawlynnong and the clear river at Dawki. Best months, transport and rough costs.
Most Meghalaya trips start in Guwahati, because that's where the flights and trains are. From there it's about three hours by road to Shillong. Six days lets you see Shillong, the cliffs and waterfalls around Sohra (Cherrapunji), the double-decker living root bridge at Nongriat, Mawlynnong village and the river at Dawki without rushing. Hire a car with a local driver; roads are good but winding, and public transport between these places is thin.
The plan
| Day | Where | Night |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Guwahati to Shillong, Umiam Lake on the way | Shillong |
| 2 | Laitlum canyons, Don Bosco Museum, Police Bazar | Shillong |
| 3 | To Sohra: Nohkalikai falls, Mawsmai cave, Seven Sisters falls | Sohra |
| 4 | Nongriat trek to the double-decker root bridge | Sohra |
| 5 | Mawlynnong and Dawki | Shillong or Shnongpdeng |
| 6 | Back to Guwahati | Home |
Day by day
Day 1, to Shillong
Leave Guwahati by late morning to avoid the city traffic. Stop at Umiam Lake for tea. Shillong is cool all year, so pack a jacket even in April. In the evening, walk around Police Bazar and eat at one of the small Khasi places: jadoh (rice cooked with meat) is the local staple. Vegetarians will find north Indian food easily here.
Day 2, around Shillong
Drive out to Laitlum in the morning for the view over deep green canyons. Back in town, the Don Bosco Museum has seven floors on the cultures of the north-east and a rooftop view. Elephant Falls and Shillong Peak are quick stops (the peak is inside an air force area, so carry ID).
Day 3, Sohra
Sohra is about 1.5 hours away. See Nohkalikai, one of India's tallest plunge waterfalls, then Mawsmai cave (short, lit, and a bit of a squeeze), and the Seven Sisters falls, which are only full in and just after the monsoon. Stay in Sohra or near Tyrna village, where the trek starts.
Day 4, the double-decker root bridge
From Tyrna it's roughly 3,000 steps down to Nongriat village, where two root bridges grow one above the other. Allow a full day: about two hours down and longer coming back up. Swim in the blue pools beyond the bridge if the water is low. Wear shoes with grip, carry water and start by 8 am. Knees take a beating, so walking poles help.
Day 5, Mawlynnong and Dawki
Mawlynnong is a tidy village with a small single root bridge nearby and a bamboo skywalk. Then drive to Dawki on the Bangladesh border, where the Umngot river is so clear in winter that boats seem to float on air. Boat rides start at the riverbank. You can sleep in a riverside camp at Shnongpdeng or drive back to Shillong (about three hours).
Day 6, back to Guwahati
Leave Shillong early on the day you fly. The road into Guwahati can be slow, and landslides sometimes close stretches after heavy rain.
Rough cost per person
| Item | Budget (₹, approx.) | Mid-range (₹, approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Return flight to Guwahati | 7,000-12,000 | 10,000-16,000 |
| Car and driver, 6 days (split by two) | 10,000-14,000 | 12,000-16,000 |
| Stays, sharing a room, 5 nights | 6,000-10,000 | 14,000-25,000 |
| Entry fees, guide, boat at Dawki | 1,500-2,500 | 2,500-4,000 |
| Food | 3,000-5,000 | 5,000-8,000 |
| Total | 27,500-43,500 | 43,500-69,000 |
When to go
October to April is the easiest time. The Umngot at Dawki is clearest from November to April. June to September is the monsoon. Sohra is one of the wettest places on earth, the waterfalls are spectacular and the hills are green, but views vanish in cloud, treks get slippery and the Dawki river turns muddy.
Things to know
- Most villages charge a small entry or parking fee. Keep cash in small notes; network and card machines are patchy outside Shillong.
- Ask before photographing people, and dress modestly in villages. Most Khasi families are Christian, so many places are quiet on Sunday mornings.
- Shillong has a few traffic restrictions on some days, and taxis from other states may need local drivers for some sightseeing. A Shillong-based driver avoids both issues.
Questions people ask
Can I add Kaziranga?
Yes, but add two days. Kaziranga is about 4.5 hours east of Guwahati, and the park is open roughly from November to April.
Is the root bridge trek hard?
It's steep rather than technical. Fit adults manage it fine; people with knee trouble should pick the single root bridge near Mawlynnong instead.
Is it safe for families and solo women?
Meghalaya is generally considered safe and friendly for visitors. Use the same care you would anywhere: avoid lonely roads after dark and keep your driver's number handy.
Photo: Living root bridges of Nongriat village in East Khasi Hills district, Meghalaya JEG7387 by PJeganathan, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Read in: মেঘালয় ৬ দিনে: শিলং, সোহরা, জীবন্ত শিকড়ের সেতু আর ডাউকি · मेघालय 6 दिन में: शिलांग, सोहरा, लिविंग रूट ब्रिज और डावकी