Meghalaya Tourism – An Ultimate Travel Guide
Meghalaya, famously termed as ‘Abode of Clouds’ is one of the most beautiful places in North East India. Meghalaya Tourism has been boosted due to the lush greenery all around the Sylvan Hills, the beautiful mountains and spectacular waterfalls. The foggy hills, clean lakes, rivers and all the amazing things of nature in Meghalaya will definitely leave its visitors with an unforgettable experience.
Meghalaya shares its boundary with Assam and also with Bangladesh.The capital of Meghalaya is Shillong, which is also famous for being termed as the ‘Scotland of the East’. Meghalaya Tourism has become popular among tourists when it comes to travelling in India.
The state is home to two wettest places on earth, Cherrapunji and Mawsynram. The reason for Meghalaya housing the wettest places is due to its geographical location. The clouds floating from the Indian Ocean have no barrier and easily pass through Bangladesh planes and hit directly the mountains of Meghalaya causing much rain.
The regular rains in Cherrapunji creates fog in the mountains and the lush greenery makes the place mesmerising. Meghalaya is home to the most unique and beautiful waterfalls in the region. Some of the major tourism destinations that have boosted Meghalaya Tourism are the beautiful waterfalls like Krang Suri Falls, Nohkalikai Falls, Seven Sisters Falls and the Wei Sawdong Falls. Apart from the waterfalls, it houses most amazing and wonderful caves like the Arwah and the Mawsmai Caves.
Different tribes live in Meghalaya and they have their own unique cultures. It will be a great opportunity for people visiting Meghalaya to witness these tribal cultures. Meghalaya Tour Guide can be available on request which will guide you to explore different places of Meghalaya. Clean lakes and rivers add beauty to this state. Travellers are amazed when they visit Meghalaya and witness the natural beauty of the state. This blog will guide you about everything you need to know about undertaking Meghalaya Tourism.
Best Selling Meghalaya Tourism Packages
What Makes Meghalaya So Famous?
Meghalaya is blessed with a large number of picturesque beauty, dense forests that remain green throughout the year and pleasant weather conditions that are suitable for visiting in any season and at any time. Meghalaya has a great number of stunning waterfalls in its lap. During the monsoon, these waterfalls show their real beauty when they fall from a great height. Meghalaya also serves some of the tallest waterfalls of the world in its lap. Witnessing these waterfalls from a distance seems like nature is pouring milk from its top to beneath.
Meghalaya is home to many rare species like elephants, Golden Cats, Binturongs, Slow Loris, Monkeys and birds like Hornbills. Apart from all these, one can see a large number of migratory birds in Meghalaya. Meghalaya has a lush green environment for its visitors throughout the year which is almost impossible to find in any other state of India. Meghalaya is also famous because of its enormous orchids and varieties of fruits, spices and vegetables. Some of the mysterious caves and glassy river water makes Meghalaya a must visit place. The beauty of high green elevations of Meghalaya will give you a sense of wonder. The term Meghalaya means ‘Abode of Clouds’ and it derives its name from Sanskrit language. It is one of the most beautiful states from the group of seven sister states.
Honeymoon Packages for Meghalaya
When to Visit Meghalaya for Tourism
Meghalaya can be visited all-round the year but during the monsoons the weather is pleasant and the waterfalls, parks and greenery of the mountains have their best views.
However, if you are looking for some adventure activities and boating in the clean Dawki River you can visit Meghalaya during winter.
During the winters, river water is clean and most of the adventure activities are done during that time.
Different things can be done at different times of the year which makes Meghalaya an ideal tourism destination.
Meghalaya Tourism One Day Tour
Things To Do In Meghalaya
- Trek to astounding Living Root Bridges: Go for a trekking in the amazing trek of Double Decker Living Root Bridge which is situated in the dense forests of Meghalaya. Visiting here is indeed the most interesting part of Meghalaya Tourism. This bridge is termed as a nature icon because it is made of two tree roots. Indeed it is an extremely awe-inspiring idea to trek in the region. As you reach beneath after trekking you can find a natural swimming pool in which you can relax your tired body.
- Explore caves: Explore one of the longest and deepest caves of Meghalaya like Mawsmai cave, Arwah cave and many more. Mawsmai cave is considered as a rough limestone cave with a faint light on its entrance. It also has low overhangs and often a stony secure grip with feets.
- Walking along the David Scott trail: David Scott Trail is one of the oldest trails of Meghalaya. Trekking here is an adventure-filled ride for the adventure enthusiasts.
- Trip to Mawphanlur Village: It is a village with only five to six families inhabited. It is considered as a small hamlet of Meghalaya which shocks its visitors because of its picturesque beauty. In Mawphanlur village region, you can see gorgeous valleys, magnificent forests and smooth hills as far as your eyes could see.
- Dawki: Visit Dawki, one of the magnificent places of Meghalaya with lots of sightseeing sites and adventure activities. The Dawki river is extremely clean and provides a scenic view as it passes through the lush green peaks.
- Visit Cherrapunji and Mawsynram: Two of the wettest places on earth, Cherrapunji lies at a distance of 54 km and Mawsynram lies at a distance of 60 km from the capital city of Meghalaya. Visiting these sites will allow you to witness some of the best views of your life.
- Indulge in Shopping: Go shopping in Police Bazar, one of the regular gatherings of people for the purchasing and selling of provisions in Meghalaya. Police Bazar is considered as the main market of Shillong, Meghalaya as here you can find all types of shops for shopping, restaurants to sit and eat, cinema halls, etc.
- Mawlynnong Village: Explore one of the cleanest villages of Asia. Mawlynnong is a village in the East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya in North East India. This village falls under Pynursla community development and the best of this village is the moment you enter this extraordinary place you can witness someone or the other one is busy in cleaning/brooming/shaping bushes.
- Mountain Biking: Engage in mountain biking activity at Sohliya Village. It is located approximately 5.6 km from Shillong. Within the village of Sohilya, in the Ri Bhoi district of Meghalaya, there is an astonishing location where mountain biking activity is available.
- Boat Ride:You can go boating in the glassy river of India. Many people from different parts of the world fly to Shillong city to enjoy this boat ride in the Umngot river. During the winter season the river water of the Umngot river reveals its beauty and hence this is the peak time to visit this gorgeous site.
- Kayaking: Boost your adrenaline with an adventurous activity like kayaking at Shnongpdeng. Kayaking through the crystal clear river water is really outstanding as it provides a feeling of riding a kayak on the lower layer of atmosphere. Kayaking at Shnongpdeng River will be an adventurous experience for the tourists who love adventure.
- Snorkelling and swimming: You can engage in snorkelling and swimming activities under the guidance of experts inside the chilly and crystal clear river. Dawki, which supplies glassy water for its visitors, makes it a perfect site for freshwater snorkelling and swimming for beginners and professionals.
Meghalaya Tourism Adventure Activities
Itineraries for Meghalaya Tour
You can choose your ideal Meghalaya Tour plan from our list of Meghalaya Tour Packages.
How Do We Reach Meghalaya?
You can reach Meghalaya by road, railway, or flight.If you want to reach Meghalaya by road you can drive through the National Highway and reach Guwahati from where the road is well-connected till Shillong. It takes roughly two and half hours from Guwahati to reach Shillong by road. You can book a private taxi or a shared taxi as well.
Guwahati Railway Station is the nearest train station to Meghalaya. Shillong City is almost 100km from Guwahati Railway Station. Guwahati Railway Station connects the junctions of Bangalore, Jammu and Kashmir, New Delhi, and Amritsar. It is around 2 & ½ hours of journey from Guwahati Railway Station to Shillong. To go to your destination in Meghalaya, you can take a bus or a taxi from the station.
You can take a flight to Shillong Airport, which is also known as Umroi Airport, if you want to reach Meghalaya by flight. The airport is about 30.3 kilometres from Shillong City. It is a small airport and is connected with a few cities at the moment like Delhi and Kolkata.
Travellers also prefer to take a flight up to the Guwahati Airport, also known as Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, from where they hire cabs to reach Meghalaya. The airport lies at a distance of 119.6 kilometres from Shillong City.
Both options are available and are preferred by tourists visiting Meghalaya.
The major local languages of Meghalaya are Khasi, Jaintia, and Garo. Local people can communicate in English well. Apart from these major local languages, there are tribes who have their own languages.
In Meghalaya people also speak Hindi, Bengali, Nepali, and other languages of India. Tourists do not have any difficulty in communicating with the local people of Meghalaya.
In the capital city of Shillong, you can find people from different places of India who speak their own languages.
Meghalaya was carved out from Assam and it became a state officially on 21st January 1972. Earlier it was a part of Assam. After Meghalaya achieved its full statehood, Shillong was made the capital of Meghalaya.
The state has different districts like the East Khasi Hills District, Jaintia Hills District, and Garo Hills District which are named after different tribes of Meghalaya. In the past, Meghalaya has given birth to heroes and legends. U Tirot Singh and U Kiang Nangbah are the leaders who fought with the British for independence.
There are different tribes who live in Meghalaya. The major tribes of Meghalaya are the Khasis and the Garos. Tribal people of Khasi Hills speak the Khasi language and the people in Garo Hills speak Garo language. Jaintia, Garo, Khasi and English are the official languages of Meghalaya.
Other people in the state speak Hindi, Bengali, Nepali, Assamese and Boro. Majority of people in Meghalaya profess Christianity followed by Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, etc.
The basic occupation of the people in Meghalaya is agriculture. They harvest rice, potato, sweet potato, ginger, etc. People in Meghalaya love to eat betel nuts and the most famous among the betel nuts is ‘Kwai’ which people are fond of eating. Oranges, Ginger, Turmeric, Broom and Limestone of Meghalaya are highly demanded products and are transported outside the state as well as exported to other countries.
Local people celebrate different tribal festivals like the Behdienkhalm, Seng Kut Snem and the Wangala Festival. Tourism in Meghalaya is thriving because of its natural beauty, different cultures and welcoming people.
Top Tourist Attractions in Meghalaya
Shillong is a small and beautiful hill station and is the capital of Meghalaya. Because of its beauty and cleanliness, it is also known as the ‘Scotland of the East.’ The city is surrounded by hilly mountains and huge pine trees. There are many beautiful places in and around Shillong which you can visit during your Meghalaya Tour.
You can visit the following places in Shillong:
Shillong Golf Course
Ward’s Lake
Elephant Falls
Shillong Peak
Cherrapunji can be termed as a pearl for Meghalaya Tourism. It is one of the wettest places on earth and one of the most travelled destinations for people visiting Meghalaya. Cherrapunji has beautiful mountains and lush greenery. The clouds floating over the mountains give an amazing look. During the monsoons, it houses unique and beautiful waterfalls which include Nohkalikai Waterfall and Seven Sisters Waterfall. The real beauty of the waterfalls can be admired during the monsoons. Apart from waterfalls, you can visit Caves and Parks as well.
You can visit the following places while you are in Cherrapunji:
Nohkalikai Falls
Wei Sawdong Falls
Seven Sisters Falls
Mawsmai Cave
Mawsynram is one of the reasons behind the enhancement of Meghalaya Tourism. This place is globally famous for being one of the wettest places on earth. During the monsoons, the clouds floating over the mountains and the wettest landscapes create a wonderful environment in the region and give a breathtaking view. There are different places to visit in Mawsynram like the famous Jakrem Hot Spring, where naturally the water is warm. You can also visit the Mawjymbuin Cave in Mawsynram.
You can visit the following places in Mawsynram:
Mawjymbuin Cave
Jakrem Hot Water Spring
Mawlynnong is a beautiful village located near Dawki. It is famous for being the ’Cleanest Village in Asia’ and has been awarded so by Discover India in 2003. The village has become a famous tourist place and is a must visit during Meghalaya Tourism. You can visit this place to admire the cleanliness of the village. While at Mawlynnong, you can visit the Living Root Bridge at Riwai. You can also visit the Balancing Rock, which is a small rock balancing a giant rock. If you want to experience rural life, then you can book a homestay for a night at Mawlynnong Village.
Following places can be visited during your tour to Mawlynnong Village:
Living Root Bridge (Riwai Village)
Balancing Rock
Dawki is a small town located in the West Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya. It is famous for its crystal clear river known as Umngot River or Dawki River. The river is so clean that while boating you can literally see the river bed from the surface. In the winter season, the water is much cleaner as there is no rainfall. Meghalaya Tourism is incomplete without visiting Dawki. Adventure activities like Kayaking, Snorkelling can be done here, alongside riverside camping in Shnongpdeng Village, around 7 km from Dawki Town. If you are a nature and adventure lover, Dawki is a must visit destination for you.
You can visit the following places in Dawki:
Dawki River
Indo-Bangladesh Border
More Places in Meghalaya
Weather of Meghalaya
Meghalaya has one of the most pleasant weather in Northeast India. Since Meghalaya is a hilly region and receives good amounts of rainfall, it has comfortable weather even in summer with an average of 24-25°C.
During the monsoons, there is enough rainfall which makes the waterfalls, lakes, rivers and the greenery look beautiful. Due to the pleasant weather of Meghalaya during the monsoon, the fog over the mountains makes the entire place mesmerising.
Winter season is dry in Meghalaya and has pleasant weather which is about 12-16 °C but falls below 10°C after evening. But an amazing thing about the winters of Meghalaya is that there is no fog and from early sunrise you can enjoy the warmth of the sun.
| Season | Temperature |
|---|---|
| Summer (March-June) | 15°C-25 °C |
| Monsoon(July-September) | 24°C-33°C |
| Winter (October-February) | 4°C-16°C |
Travel Advice on Meghalaya Tourism
Meghalaya is a hilly region, so during your tour you may have to trek a little, so wear good quality shoes. Also carry important things like first aid, charger and warm clothes.
If you are visiting Meghalaya during the monsoon season or any other season other than winter, carry an umbrella or a raincoat so that you can comfortably enjoy visiting different places in Meghalaya.
Since Meghalaya Tourism is growing day by day, it has seen a high footfall of tourists. It is advisable to book your hotels early as good hotels are mostly booked in advance.
You can even book your transportation in advance as the rates may increase as your travel dates come near. If you are coming with toddlers or senior citizens , you should avoid long trekking like the trek of the Double Decker Living Root Bridge as it involves around 3 hours of trekking time.
For shopping you can visit Police Bazar, which is the famous market in Shillong, Meghalaya.
The customs and culture of the people should be respected. Respecting their personal space is another thoughtful gesture. For instance, get their permission before taking a picture of them or something that has significant importance for them.
If you want to appreciate and see the area thoroughly, your trip should last at least five days. If you plan early, however, you can cut your trip down to three or four days.
Meghalaya Tourism Travel Guides
Best Places to Stay in Meghalaya
| Name | Price (Tentative) |
|---|---|
| Tripura Castle | Starts from Rs.6,272/- per night. |
| Hotel Centre Point | Starts from Rs.6,438/- per night. |
| Hotel Holiday Hills | Starts from Rs.5,040/- per night. |
| Hotel Sapphire | Starts from Rs.3000/-per night. |
| Hotel Monsoon | Starts from Rs.2,581/- per night. |
| Name | Price (Tentative) |
|---|---|
| Polo Orchid Resort | Starts from INR 14,684/- night |
| Smoky Falls Mae Fi Resort | Starts from INR 5,074/- per night |
| Abode of Clouds Resort | Starts from Rs.1,345/- per night |
| Jiva Resort | Starts from Rs.14,551/- per night |
Meghalaya Tourism Reviews
Shekhar Sharma
Professional service since the beginning. Right from building the itinerary to executing the same, along with altering as per the situation to make the trip better and more memorable. Our driver Sandeep was ever smiling and
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Karandeep Singh
I traveled two days with Irshad from Travenjo Tours. They are professional, trustworthy, and friendly people. I just booked on phone, and Irshad was standing right on time outside my hotel. The travel was very smooth,
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Bijan Pradhan
Extremely easy to pre-book online. Very low advance booking amount. Superb connectivity thorugh whatsapp and e-mail in case of any issues. We made a great friend in Raj bhai our driver for the trip. He was our driver
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Manu R
Iam very happy with the overall experience with Travenjo Tours! Mr. Tarique Anwar, owner of Travenjo was very helpful in suggesting best itinerary for our Meghalaya trip for 8 days, he made sure we were comfortable
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Shreya Patawari
We had a good and smooth experience with Travenjo. Our Driver Rahul was polite and made every possible effort to make us view/explore sites in Shillong. I highly recommend both Travenjo and the driver.
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Navjot Maini
It’s was awesome experience… I booked cab from 1st December to 6th December 2019…Without any hassle my trip went smooth, Pick up from Guwahati Airport to Meghalaya and back to Airport… There was no hassle, Our Driver
View ReviewFrequently Asked Questions about Meghalaya Tourism
Yes, Meghalaya is indeed open for tourists after the pandemic.
Yes, Meghalaya is one of the safest places for tourists in India. Women are empowered in Meghalaya, both culturally and economically. Solo female travelers also visit Meghalaya. . Police force and people of Meghalaya in general is helpful towards the tourists. However you should always take general precaution and keep your valuable belongings with you where ever you visit.
Meghalaya has many famous and unique places. Some of them are the wonderous Double Decker Living Root Bridge, giant and spectacular Krang Suri Falls, Nongkhnum River Island and Kongthong Village.
Meghalaya has a pleasant weather all round the year except few days in winters which are dry but still the weather is pleasant during the daytime. For nature lovers the best time to visit Meghalaya will be monsoons when the views of the waterfalls, lakes and greeneries are at its best. During winters you can visit Meghalaya if you are into adventure. Adventure sports are mostly done during winters.
You can buy the unique local handicrafts and bamboo products from Meghalaya. You can also buy local honey and turmeric which are of good quality in Meghalaya. There are souvenir shops in police bazar. You can buy one for yourself as a memory of Meghalaya Tour.
Fruits like Oranges and Pineapple of Meghalaya are famous and are of good quality.
The climate of Meghalaya is generally moderate and pleasant. In summer it ranges from 15°C to 30°C, whereas in monsoon it is generally about 17°C to 25°C. In winter the temperature of Meghalaya is colder and it ranges from 3°C to 15°C.
You can plan a trip for Meghalaya for atleast five days. Here is an ideal plan for your Meghalaya trip:
Day-1: Reach Shillong and take a tour of Shillong City and outskirts.
Day-2: Visit Cherrapunji’s waterfalls, park and caves.
Day-3: Explore Mawlynnong Village and Dawki.
Day-4: Visit Krang Suri Falls and Laitlum Canyons.
Day-5: Shillong to Guwahati.
If you want to book a ready made tour package, you can book our best selling package: Best of Meghalaya Tour Package.
The cost of a Meghalaya Tour may vary according to your choices. For a 5 days Meghalaya Tour, the budget would be around Rs.17,500/- per person. You can book our 4 Nights and 5 Days Trip to Meghalaya which covers tourist places in Meghalaya and outskirts. You can book our Best of Meghalaya Tour which is of 5 days and covers the major tourist attractions of Meghalaya. Our Meghalaya Tour Packages include stay, transportation and sightseeing too.
If you want a budget-friendly trip, you can reserve our 3 Days and 2 Nights packages, according to your desired destinations. You can book our Hidden Meghalaya Trip for 3 Days and 2 Nights which cost around 9,250 /- per person and is ideal for budget travellers.
Meghalaya is one of the most visited tourist destination in the Northeast because of its natural beauty and its warm and humble people. There are lush green and beautiful mountains all around. During monsoons the clouds float over the mountains creating a spectacular view. Cherrapunji is also most visited destination in Meghalaya and is famous for being a wettest place. It has beautiful waterfalls and caves. Apart from it there are many other places which gives tourists a reason to visit Meghalaya.
Yes, an e-invite is required for Meghalaya Tourism. Government of Meghalaya has opened the tourist places. As a traveller visiting Meghalaya you need to obtain an e-invite to enter Meghalaya. This e-invite can be obtained from Meghalaya Tourism App. The app can be downloaded from Play Store.
You can reach Meghalaya by by flight, train, bus and car as well. Meghalaya is well connected with major cities of India.
You can opt for the following options to reach Meghalaya:
By Flight: You can take a flight from your city to Shillong Airport.
By Train: The nearest railway station is Guwahati Railway Station from where you can hire a cab for Meghalaya.
By Bus: Meghalaya has regular bus services. You can catch a bus for Meghalaya from Guwahati and other major palces of Northeast and also West Bengal.
By Car: Cab services are easily available from railway station and airport for Meghalaya. You can also book your cab for Meghalaya online.
Explore the beauty of Meghalaya by booking 4 Nights 5 Days Trip To Meghalaya.
Meghalaya is blessed with numerous beautiful places. These are the following places to visit in Meghalaya:
Shillong
Cherrapunji
Mawsynram
Nongpoh
Umiam
Dawki
Mawlynnong
Nongkhnum River Island
Kongthong Village
Umden Village
Tura
Yes, you can do the following adventure activities in Meghalaya:
Scuba Diving
Cliff Jumping
Kayaking
Snorkeling
Zip Lining
Camping
Adventure activities are mostly performed in Shnongpdeng and Dawki
Resorts in Meghalaya are in the most ideal locations and offer a good view of the surrounding mountains and greenery.
Some of the best resorts in Meghalaya are:
Ri Kynjai – Umiam Lake
Smoky Resort – Cherrapunji
Cherrapunji Holiday Resort
Jeeva Resort, Cherrapunji
Polo Orchid, Cherrapunji
Betelnut Resort, Shnongpdeng, Dawki
In the markets of Meghalaya you can find different fashionable clothes, handicrafts, artifacts, and many other interesting items. You can do shopping in Police Bazar, Iewduh (Barabazar), Laitumkhrah, Tura, Jowai Bazar, Sohra Bazar etc.