First, 4 nights in Shillong
Ri Kynjai – Serenity by the Lake
A luxury resort of Khasi boat-roof cottages on a pine ridge above Umiam Lake, 18 km from Shillong — a herbal spa, lake views, and complete quiet.
Shillong · Resort · Luxury★★★★★
Luxury Accommodation7 NightsLuxuryAdventure
Jaintia Hills & the Waterfalls — Luxury
About This Journey
Jaintia Hills & the Waterfalls — Luxury
Most Meghalaya trips stay within the Khasi Hills around Shillong and Cherrapunji. This seven-night route goes further, adding a dedicated day in the Jaintia Hills around Jowai — a region with its own waterfalls, its own pace, and far fewer visitors than the routes closer to Shillong.
From Shillong, the route takes in Elephant Falls and Mawphlang's sacred forest before the Jaintia Hills detour, then crosses the Mawkdok Canyon to Cherrapunji for its waterfalls and caves, the Nongriat root bridge trek, and a closing day at Mawlynnong and Dawki. Seven nights lets all of it fit without compressing any single stop.
- 01
A dedicated day in the Jaintia Hills
Jowai and Krang Suri Falls give you a genuinely different corner of Meghalaya — the Jaintia Hills see a fraction of the traffic that Cherrapunji does, and Krang Suri's turquoise pool is one of the state's least-photographed waterfalls relative to how striking it is.
- 02
Mawphlang's sacred forest
A stop at Mawphlang's sacred grove, protected for generations under Khasi custom, adds a quieter, older layer to the trip before you continue toward Cherrapunji.
- 03
The full root bridge and Dawki circuit
With seven nights to work with, this route also fits in the Double-Decker Root Bridge trek at Nongriat and a day at Mawlynnong and Dawki — the complete Khasi and Jaintia Hills story in one trip.
- 04
A full week across two hill regions
Ri Kynjai – Serenity by the Lake in Shillong and Polo Orchid Resort in Cherrapunji anchor the trip (Vivanta Meghalaya and Jiva Resort at the premium tier), with the Jaintia Hills day added as a excursion from Shillong.
Chapter Two — Where You'll Stay
2 Real Stays, In Order
Handpicked along your own route — not a hotel chain repeated city to city.
Finally, 3 nights in Cherrapunji
Polo Orchid Resort, Cherrapunji
A canyon-edge resort near Nohkalikai Falls on the Sohra plateau — gorge-view rooms, an edge-of-the-cliff restaurant, and the closest good base for the falls.
Cherrapunji · Resort · Luxury★★★★
Chapter Three — Day by Day
Real Meghalaya Attractions in This Itinerary
6 of your 8days — the full itinerary follows below. Scroll to travel the route.
Day 2 · Shillong
Shillong — the City, the Peak and Elephant Falls
A full day around the capital. Elephant Falls first, a short walk down through the trees to a three-tier cascade. Then Shillong Peak, the highest point, for the view over the whole city and the hills. The Don Bosco museum lays out the cultures of all seven Northeast states across seven floors, and ends on a rooftop walkway. The afternoon is for Ward's Lake, the cathedral, and the lanes of Police Bazar and Laitumkhrah, where the city's coffee culture lives.
Day 3 · Shillong
The Jaintia Hills — Jowai and Krang Suri Falls
East of Shillong the land opens into the Jaintia Hills, less visited than the Khasi side. Krang Suri Falls is the reason to come: a wide fall into a bright blue pool, with a managed path down and a roped area to swim. The day can add the Nartiang monoliths, a field of standing stones some over five metres tall, and the Syntai Ksiar or Thadlaskein lake. It is a long day out and back, on quiet roads, and it works for travellers who want to get past the main circuit.
Day 4 · Shillong
Mawphlang — the Sacred Forest and the David Scott Trail
A day in the grassland south of Shillong. The sacred forest at Mawphlang is first, walked with a Khasi guide who explains why nothing may be taken from it, among huge moss-hung trees and old stone monoliths. Then a stretch of the David Scott Trail, the colonial bridle path that crosses the open hills toward Lad Mawphlang. Walk as much or as little of it as you like. It is gentle, green and quiet, and a complete change from the town.
Day 5 · Shillong → Cherrapunji
Shillong to Cherrapunji via the Mawkdok Canyon
The road south to Sohra runs across a high, open plateau that gets barer and windier as you go. The Mawkdok Dympep viewpoint, about halfway, looks down a deep V-shaped gorge and has a zipline for anyone who wants it. You reach Cherrapunji by early afternoon. Nohkalikai Falls, India's tallest plunge waterfall, is the first stop: a short walk to a viewpoint over a three-hundred-and-forty-metre drop into a blue-green pool. Check in on the canyon rim for the evening.
Day 6 · Cherrapunji
The Double-Decker Root Bridge Trek at Nongriat
The big walk of the trip, and a hard one. From Tyrna village a stone staircase of about three thousand five hundred steps drops into the gorge, over two long steel footbridges, to the hamlet of Nongriat and its double-decker living root bridge, two woven spans stacked over the same stream. Strong walkers carry on to Rainbow Falls and its blue pool. The climb back out is the real effort. Start at first light, carry water, take a guide, and keep the rest of the day clear.
Day 7 · Cherrapunji
Mawlynnong, the Riwai Root Bridge and the River at Dawki
A long, rewarding loop from Cherrapunji toward the border. Riwai first, where a single-span root bridge crosses a clear stream a short walk from the road. Then Mawlynnong, the village called the cleanest in Asia, for a slow walk through swept lanes and flower gardens and a climb up the bamboo sky-view tower. Dawki is last: a wooden-boat ride on the Umngot, so clear in the dry season that the boat seems to float on air. Back to the plateau by evening.
Chapter Four — The Full Itinerary
8 Days, In Full
Every day, start to finish — including the transfers the day-by-day chapter above skipped.
Shillong
Arrive in Shillong via Umiam Lake
The drive up from Guwahati airport takes about three hours, climbing out of the Assam plains into pine hills. The road runs along Umiam Lake, and there is a viewpoint to stop at for the first real look at Meghalaya. You reach Shillong in the afternoon. The rest of the day is easy: Ward's Lake, the cafes around Police Bazar, or just a rest after the flight. The evenings here are cool all year.
Shillong
Shillong — the City, the Peak and Elephant Falls
A full day around the capital. Elephant Falls first, a short walk down through the trees to a three-tier cascade. Then Shillong Peak, the highest point, for the view over the whole city and the hills. The Don Bosco museum lays out the cultures of all seven Northeast states across seven floors, and ends on a rooftop walkway. The afternoon is for Ward's Lake, the cathedral, and the lanes of Police Bazar and Laitumkhrah, where the city's coffee culture lives.
Shillong
The Jaintia Hills — Jowai and Krang Suri Falls
East of Shillong the land opens into the Jaintia Hills, less visited than the Khasi side. Krang Suri Falls is the reason to come: a wide fall into a bright blue pool, with a managed path down and a roped area to swim. The day can add the Nartiang monoliths, a field of standing stones some over five metres tall, and the Syntai Ksiar or Thadlaskein lake. It is a long day out and back, on quiet roads, and it works for travellers who want to get past the main circuit.
Shillong
Mawphlang — the Sacred Forest and the David Scott Trail
A day in the grassland south of Shillong. The sacred forest at Mawphlang is first, walked with a Khasi guide who explains why nothing may be taken from it, among huge moss-hung trees and old stone monoliths. Then a stretch of the David Scott Trail, the colonial bridle path that crosses the open hills toward Lad Mawphlang. Walk as much or as little of it as you like. It is gentle, green and quiet, and a complete change from the town.
Shillong → Cherrapunji
Shillong to Cherrapunji via the Mawkdok Canyon
The road south to Sohra runs across a high, open plateau that gets barer and windier as you go. The Mawkdok Dympep viewpoint, about halfway, looks down a deep V-shaped gorge and has a zipline for anyone who wants it. You reach Cherrapunji by early afternoon. Nohkalikai Falls, India's tallest plunge waterfall, is the first stop: a short walk to a viewpoint over a three-hundred-and-forty-metre drop into a blue-green pool. Check in on the canyon rim for the evening.
Cherrapunji
The Double-Decker Root Bridge Trek at Nongriat
The big walk of the trip, and a hard one. From Tyrna village a stone staircase of about three thousand five hundred steps drops into the gorge, over two long steel footbridges, to the hamlet of Nongriat and its double-decker living root bridge, two woven spans stacked over the same stream. Strong walkers carry on to Rainbow Falls and its blue pool. The climb back out is the real effort. Start at first light, carry water, take a guide, and keep the rest of the day clear.
Cherrapunji
Mawlynnong, the Riwai Root Bridge and the River at Dawki
A long, rewarding loop from Cherrapunji toward the border. Riwai first, where a single-span root bridge crosses a clear stream a short walk from the road. Then Mawlynnong, the village called the cleanest in Asia, for a slow walk through swept lanes and flower gardens and a climb up the bamboo sky-view tower. Dawki is last: a wooden-boat ride on the Umngot, so clear in the dry season that the boat seems to float on air. Back to the plateau by evening.
Shillong
Depart Shillong for Guwahati
A last morning in the hills before the drive down to Guwahati airport, about three hours. If the flight is later, there is time for a final stop at Umiam Lake, a coffee in Laitumkhrah, or the shops of Police Bazar for Khasi weave and orange-blossom honey. The road loses height quickly, and the air warms as the plains come back into view.
Guest Stories
What Our Travelers Say
Real words from real journeys — rated 5.0 across 310 Google reviews.
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An absolutely flawless experience. We felt like royalty from the moment we landed in Delhi until our departure.
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Truly exceptional — Brijesh, our tour planner, was incredibly attentive, professional, and meticulous in organizing a flawless itinerary.
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Nothing short of magical. Brijesh crafted a seamless itinerary that balanced sightseeing, culture, and relaxation, making our journey truly special.
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Mentions guide Brijesh
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Everything went beyond our expectations. Our driver Rajesh kept us comfortable in every city, and Vicky was endlessly knowledgeable.
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From the moment we landed until we left, our driver Manish made us feel so taken care of — he made the trip even more memorable.
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Brijesh is a super good man! A comfortable journey through six cities, exactly to our desires and limits.
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Mentions guide Brijesh & Manish
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Excellent hotels and tour guides. Our driver Manish was superb in every way — reliable, and full of local knowledge.
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Australia
Mentions guide Manish
Chapter Five — Terms & Conditions
Straightforward, In Writing
Cancellation windows, refund timing, and rescheduling terms for this journey follow our one sitewide policy — nothing package-specific to dig through.
Read the Return & Refund PolicyFrequently Asked
Before You Book
What does the Jaintia Hills day add that the shorter routes don't have?
A region most Meghalaya itineraries skip entirely. Jowai and Krang Suri Falls sit east of Shillong, away from the busier Cherrapunji road, and add real breadth to the trip.
Does this route still include the root bridges and Dawki?
Yes — with seven nights, this is our most complete Meghalaya route, covering the Jaintia Hills, Mawphlang's sacred forest, the Nongriat root bridge trek and Dawki's river all in one trip.
Is this trip physically demanding?
It includes one root bridge trek with a long stepped descent, but the rest of the route is sightseeing by road. The pace across seven nights is unhurried overall.
Chapter Six — Similar Journeys
More of Meghalaya, Privately
Before you go
Planning Meghalaya
Travel Tips
Private Tour or Group Tour in India? An Honest Comparison
First-Time IndiaPlanning GuideTravel Tips
Travel Tips
Getting Around India: Trains, Flights or a Private Car?
First-Time IndiaPlanning GuideTravel Tips
Travel Tips
Eating Well in India Without Getting Ill: A Practical Guide
First-Time IndiaFood & CulturePlanning Guide
Why Choose Us
The Same Trust, Sized to This Trip
01
Planning, Built Around You
This route was shaped around Meghalaya's real places, not lifted from a fixed template.
13 years — Brijesh Sharma, Bespoke Itinerary Specialist
02
Handpicked Hotels
Every stay on this trip was chosen in person, not off a ratings page.
2 real stays, 4–5★
03
A Private Fleet, Always Yours
One driver, air-conditioned, for the whole route — no shared shuttle.
Premium sedans & SUVs · One driver, the whole trip
Kashmir to Kanyakumari
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