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5-Day Shillong and Cherrapunji Family Trip

The two towns and nothing strenuous — Shillong for the lake and the museums, Cherrapunji for the falls and the easy caves. No 3,500-step descents anywhere in the itinerary.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Guwahati to Shillong
Pick up, Umiam Lake on the way, evening at Police Bazaar.
Meals
Dinner
Stay
Shillong
Day 2: Shillong
Elephant Falls, Shillong Peak, Ward's Lake and the Don Bosco Museum.
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner
Stay
Shillong
Day 3: Cherrapunji
Mawkdok viewpoint, Nohkalikai, Mawsmai Cave and Seven Sisters Falls.
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner
Stay
Cherrapunji
Day 4: Cherrapunji to Shillong
Wei Sawdong and Arwah Cave, then Laitlum Canyon at sunset.
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner
Stay
Shillong
Day 5: Departure
Drive back to Guwahati.
Meals
Breakfast

Trip Highlights

Nohkalikai, Seven Sisters and Wei Sawdong falls
Mawsmai and Arwah caves — both short and lit
Umiam Lake and Shillong Peak
Don Bosco Museum, seven floors on the North East
No steep treks — walkable for all ages

What's included

Accommodation as per the itinerary, on twin sharing
Daily breakfast and dinner
All transfers and sightseeing by private vehicle with a local driver
Local guide for the Nongriat and cave sections
Driver allowance, fuel, tolls and parking

What's not included

Airfare or train fare to Guwahati
Lunch throughout
Boating at Dawki and Umiam, entry tickets at caves and falls
Zip-lining, kayaking and any optional activity
Porter charges on the Nongriat descent

Pickup point

Guwahati Airport or Guwahati railway station

Cancellation policy

Cancel 30 days or more before departure — full refund minus a ₹2,000 processing fee.

Cancel 15 to 29 days before departure — 50% of the trip cost is refunded.

Cancel 7 to 14 days before departure — 25% of the trip cost is refunded.

Cancel within 7 days of departure — no refund.

Dawki boating stops when the Umngot runs high, and the Nongriat steps are closed after heavy rain. Where weather shuts something down we refund that service — the wettest place on earth keeps its own schedule.

Frequently asked questions

How hard is the walk to the Double Decker root bridge?

About 3,500 steps down to Nongriat and the same back up, roughly three hours each way at a normal pace. It is not technical, but it is relentless on the knees. If stairs are a problem, do the single-decker bridge at Mawlynnong instead — that one is a five-minute walk.

Is one night at Nongriat worth it?

Yes, if you can spare it. Day-trippers arrive sweating at noon and turn straight back. Staying overnight gets you Rainbow Falls the next morning with nobody else there. The guesthouses are basic — shared bathrooms, no hot water, patchy power.

When is the best time to visit Meghalaya?

October to April for clear skies and easy walking. June to September is the monsoon, when the falls are at full roar and Cherrapunji looks like the photographs — but the views vanish into cloud and the Nongriat steps get dangerous.

Is the Umngot river at Dawki really that clear?

In the dry months, yes — November to March the boats look like they are floating on air. In and just after the monsoon the river runs brown with silt, and boating usually stops altogether. Book for winter if that photograph is the point of the trip.

Do I need a permit for Meghalaya?

No permit for Indian nationals anywhere in the state. Foreign nationals need no permit either but must register at Shillong. Carry photo ID — the Dawki border area has checkposts.

Ready to book Shillong and Cherrapunji Family Trip?

Tell us your dates and group size and our team will confirm availability, hold the rooms and send you the invoice and vouchers.

Book This Tour

₹18,499₹22,000

Save ₹3,501

+ tax as applicable

Runs on any date you choose — tell us when and we will confirm availability.

Tour Option

Twin Sharing₹18,499

Meghalaya

Living root bridges and the cleanest village in Asia.

Know Before You Go

How hard is the walk to the Double Decker root bridge?About 3,500 steps down to Nongriat and the same back up, roughly three hours each way at a normal pace. It is not technical, but it is relentless on the knees. If stairs are a problem, do the single-decker bridge at Mawlynnong instead — that one is a five-minute walk.
Is one night at Nongriat worth it?Yes, if you can spare it. Day-trippers arrive sweating at noon and turn straight back. Staying overnight gets you Rainbow Falls the next morning with nobody else there. The guesthouses are basic — shared bathrooms, no hot water, patchy power.
When is the best time to visit Meghalaya?October to April for clear skies and easy walking. June to September is the monsoon, when the falls are at full roar and Cherrapunji looks like the photographs — but the views vanish into cloud and the Nongriat steps get dangerous.

All questions →