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Private Journey · Meghalaya
Meghalaya: Beyond the Usual
8 Days / 7 Nights
Go beyond Meghalaya's familiar routes and into the landscapes and communities that lie further east.
About the journey
Go beyond Meghalaya's familiar routes and into the landscapes and communities that lie further east.
This eight-day journey brings together the defining experiences of Shillong, Sohra, Nongriat, Mawlynnong and Shnongpdeng, then continues into Jaintia Hills, a region of waterfalls, ancient monoliths, forested landscapes and Jaintia culture that many travellers leave unexplored. This is Meghalaya beyond the usual circuit.
The journey
Guwahati · Shillong · Umiam Lake · Laitlum Canyon · Cherrapunji (Sohra) · Arwah Cave · Nohkalikai Falls · Nongriat · Double Decker Living Root Bridge · Mawlynnong · Riwai · Shnongpdeng · Umngot River · Nartiang · Jowai · Krang Shuri · Jaintia Hills
Day 1Guwahati to ShillongUmiam Lake & Shillong
- Umiam Lake
- Shillong evening
Leave Guwahati behind and begin the climb into Meghalaya.
Your first encounter with the hills comes at Umiam Lake, where a vast reservoir stretches through the forested Khasi Highlands.
Continue to Shillong, Meghalaya's hill capital, and spend the evening settling into the city.
Explore a local market, find a café or simply take a relaxed walk through Shillong's streets.
Day 2Shillong to CherrapunjiLaitlum Canyon, Arwah Cave & Nohkalikai Falls
- Laitlum Canyon
- Arwah Cave
- Nohkalikai Falls
Today takes you deeper into the Khasi Hills.
Begin at Laitlum Canyon, where steep green valleys open beneath the surrounding hills.
Continue through Mawkdok Dympep Valley before heading underground at Arwah Cave, exploring the limestone landscape that lies beneath Sohra's forests.
End the day at Nohkalikai Falls, one of Meghalaya's most dramatic waterfalls.
Day 3Cherrapunji to NongriatDouble Decker Living Root Bridge Trek
- Nongriat trek
- Single Living Root Bridge
- Double Decker Living Root Bridge
- Natural pools
Today is the journey's signature adventure.
From Tyrna, descend into the forest towards Nongriat, following hundreds of steps through dense tropical vegetation and across small streams.
Along the way, discover Meghalaya's extraordinary living root bridges, created by guiding the roots of living trees into natural crossing points over generations.
Continue deeper into the valley to reach the Double Decker Living Root Bridge.
Take time to explore the surrounding forest and natural pools before beginning the trek back towards Tyrna.
Trek: Moderate to challenging · Full day
Day 4Cherrapunji to Mawlynnong to ShnongpdengMawsmai Cave, Mawlynnong & Riwai Living Root Bridge
- Mawsmai Cave
- Mawlynnong
- Riwai Living Root Bridge
Leave Sohra and continue towards Meghalaya's eastern hills.
Explore Mawsmai Cave, one of the region's best-known limestone caves, before continuing towards Mawlynnong.
From there, continue to Riwai, where another remarkable living root bridge connects the surrounding forest with the village landscape.
Continue onwards to Shnongpdeng, your riverside base for the next two nights.
Day 5ShnongpdengUmngot River Experience
- Umngot River
- Boating
- Kayaking
- Snorkelling / swimming where conditions permit
Today belongs to the river.
Spend the day around the Umngot River, exploring its waters and the surrounding hills.
Take a traditional boat ride or choose a more active experience with kayaking. Depending on the season, weather and river conditions, snorkelling or swimming may also be possible in designated areas.
The rest of the day is intentionally unhurried.
Stay by the river, explore the surrounding landscape or simply enjoy the slower rhythm of Shnongpdeng.
Day 6Shnongpdeng to JowaiNartiang Monoliths & Jaintia Hills
- Nartiang Monoliths
- Jaintia heritage
- Scenic Jaintia Hills drive
Today the journey moves beyond Meghalaya's familiar western circuit and into Jaintia Hills.
Leave Shnongpdeng and travel towards Nartiang, an important cultural and historical site in the Jaintia region.
Explore the Nartiang Monoliths, a remarkable collection of stone monuments associated with the former Jaintia kingdom, before continuing towards Jowai.
Jowai becomes your base for exploring the wider Jaintia Hills — rather than simply another sightseeing stop.
Arrive and settle into the town, with the evening kept relaxed.
Day 7Jowai & Jaintia HillsKrang Shuri Waterfall & Jaintia Culture
- Krang Shuri Waterfall
- Jaintia villages
- Local food
- Community experience
Today is dedicated to the landscapes and culture of Jaintia Hills.
Begin with Krang Shuri Waterfall, one of the region's striking natural landscapes, surrounded by forest and blue-green waters.
Continue beyond the waterfall into the quieter side of Jaintia Hills.
Rather than filling the day with a long list of attractions, this is where Trailverse can introduce you to a more local side of Meghalaya — through Jaintia village life, local food and community-led experiences, depending on seasonal availability and local hosts.
The afternoon is deliberately slower, giving you time to experience the landscape rather than simply move through it.
Return to Jowai in the evening.
Day 8Jowai to GuwahatiJaintia Hills to Guwahati
- Jaintia Hills morning
- Scenic Meghalaya drive
Wake up in Jowai and enjoy a final morning in the Jaintia Hills.
After breakfast, begin the journey back towards Guwahati, travelling through Meghalaya's changing landscapes as the hills gradually give way to the plains of Assam.
Keep the morning flexible for a relaxed breakfast, a short walk or one final look at the surrounding hills.
Where you'll stay
Every stay below is checked by our team.
Stay in Shillong
Boutique hotel / homestay
Stay in Cherrapunji
Resort / homestay
Stay in Shnongpdeng
Riverside stay
Stay in Jowai
Hotel / homestayInclusions
- Private vehicle with driver, Guwahati to Guwahati (sedan, SUV or Tempo Traveller by group size)
- 7 nights' stay on double sharing: Shillong, Cherrapunji, Shnongpdeng and Jowai
- Breakfast every day (veg options)
- Sightseeing as per itinerary
- Airport or station pickup and drop at your timing
- Local guide for the Nongriat trek
- Boating on the Umngot; kayaking and snorkelling where conditions permit
- Community experience in Jaintia Hills
- Entry fees for sightseeing as per itinerary
- All required permits
- Driver night charges, tolls and parking
- Your trail designer on call 24x7
- First aid support
Exclusions
- Flights or trains to and from Guwahati
- Lunches and snacks, unless mentioned
- Optional activities and additions you choose
- Any other services not listed in inclusions
- Additional costs due to flight cancellations, landslides, road closures and other natural events
- Personal expenses and travel insurance
Make it yours
This is a private journey, so it can grow with you. Some additions may need an extra day to fit comfortably, and we always plan to reach your stay before dark.
Make it slower
For couples and slow travellers
Wake up at the root bridges, and fall asleep by the river.
- A night in Nongriat
- Riverside camping at Shnongpdeng
Make it wilder
For fit, adventurous travellers
More waterfalls, more trail and an hour of adrenaline on the Umngot.
- Wei Sawdong Falls
- Rainbow Falls, beyond Nongriat
- Cliff jumping and ziplining
Easier for parents
For families with parents or young kids
We swap the Nongriat trek for an easy village day, and add gentle stops instead.
- Elephant Falls
- Mawlynnong Sky View
Or pick single additions inside each day of the journey. Prices are shared with your plan.
Is this journey right for you?
Couples, friends and curious travellers who want more than the usual circuit. Parents can enjoy most of it; Day 3 can be swapped for an easy village day.
Good to know- Day 3 is a full-day trek with hundreds of steps down and back up.
- Hill roads are winding, and Days 6 and 8 have longer drives.
- Community experiences in Jaintia Hills depend on seasonal availability and local hosts.
- Every day is planned to reach your stay before dark.
Make this journey yours
Your dates. Your pace. Your Meghalaya.
Travelling with parents, kids or friends? Tell us who is coming and we'll shape the days, the drives and the stays around them.
Included in this journey
Places along the trail
In the order you'll see them. Tap any place for steps, walking, fair prices and food.
1Day 2Laitlum Canyon
A high ridge above deep green valleys, one of Meghalaya's most striking viewpoints.
2Day 2Nohkalikai Falls
One of India's tallest plunge waterfalls, falling into a green pool near Cherrapunji.
3Day 3Double Decker Root Bridge
Two bridges, one above the other, grown from living tree roots by the Khasi people over generations.
4Day 4Mawsmai Cave
A lit limestone cave near Cherrapunji, easy enough for a first cave walk.
5Day 4Mawlynnong
A Khasi village known for its clean lanes, bamboo walkways and the Riwai living root bridge nearby.
6Day 5Dawki
A border town on the Umngot river, famous for water so clear the boats look like they float in the air.
7Day 6Nartiang Monoliths
A remarkable collection of stone monuments associated with the former Jaintia kingdom.
8Day 7Krang Shuri Waterfall
A waterfall surrounded by forest and blue-green pools in the Jaintia Hills.
FAQ
Planning this private journey
What should I pack?
A week before the trip we send a packing list for your trip and its weather.
Can we bring kids or parents?
Yes. Check the level on the trip page. Easy trips are comfortable for kids and parents.
What if I need to cancel?
Add your cancellation and refund policy here.
How many days do we need for the North East?
For one state like Meghalaya, 5 to 6 days is comfortable. For two states, plan 8 days or more. Hill roads are slow, so fewer places is better.
When is the water clearest at Dawki?
From November to April. In the monsoon the river turns muddy.
Can my parents do the Double Decker Root Bridge trek?
For most parents over 60, no. It is about 3,000+ steps down and back up. On our trips this is an optional day, and parents can enjoy an easy village walk instead.
Is the North East safe for families?
Yes, the places we go are visited by families every season. We use trusted drivers and stays, and your trail designer is on WhatsApp throughout the trip.
Will we get vegetarian or Jain food in the North East?
Vegetarian food is available in towns like Shillong, Gangtok and Guwahati. In villages it is simpler. Tell us about Jain food when you book, and we plan meals and snacks around it.
Something else on your mind? Ask on WhatsApp
More about this journey
The experiences that define this journey
Vast valleys and dramatic landscapes across the Khasi Hills.
A trek into Nongriat to experience one of Meghalaya's most extraordinary examples of living architecture.
Living-root traditions woven into the landscape and village life of the Khasi Hills.
A slower chapter beside the river at Shnongpdeng.
A glimpse into the history and heritage of the Jaintia region.
One of Jaintia Hills' most distinctive natural landscapes.
A deeper journey into the region's villages, food, landscapes and local culture.
Why go beyond the usual?
The first six days introduce you to the Meghalaya most travellers come looking for. The final two take you somewhere different. From living root bridges and waterfalls to Jaintia heritage, villages and forests, the journey gradually moves away from the familiar circuit and into a quieter side of the state. Not more places for the sake of more places. A wider experience of Meghalaya.
When to go
Meghalaya changes dramatically with the seasons. The monsoon brings mist, intense greenery and powerful waterfalls, while the months after the rains generally offer clearer landscapes and more favourable conditions for trekking and outdoor experiences. Your exact experience can be adjusted around weather, seasonal access, river conditions and local availability. Tell us when you're travelling. We'll shape the journey around the Meghalaya you'll actually experience.
Ready to explore Meghalaya: Beyond the Usual?
8 Days / 7 Nights · Private Journey
Plan this private journey