Meghalaya Classic Circuit: Shillong, Cherrapunji and Dawki
Duration
6 Days 5 Nights
Pickup
Guwahati Airport (GAU) or Guwahati Railway Station
Drop
Guwahati Airport (GAU) or Guwahati Railway Station
Type
Short-haul
Overview & Highlights
The Classic Circuit is the most popular way to see Meghalaya, with two nights in Shillong, one in Cherrapunji, one near Dawki and a final night in Shillong. You travel by private car, with time for Elephant Falls, Laitlum Canyons, Mawsmai Cave, Nohkalikai Falls and Seven Sisters Falls. You also walk through Mawlynnong village and take a boat ride on the Umngot river at Dawki. The Nongriat root bridge trek and a Kaziranga extension can be added on request.
- Elephant Falls, Ward's Lake and Shillong Peak
- Laitlum Canyons
- Nohkalikai Falls, Mawsmai Cave and Seven Sisters Falls
- Mawlynnong village and its living root bridge
- Boat ride on the Umngot river at Dawki
- Private car throughout, with the Nongriat trek or a Kaziranga extension on request
Itinerary
1Day 1: Arrival in Guwahati | Drive to Shillong
- Arrive at Guwahati, where your driver is waiting.
- Drive to Shillong, around three hours, with a stop at Umiam Lake.
- Check in and relax at your hotel.
- Overnight stay in Shillong.
2Day 2: Shillong Sightseeing | Laitlum Canyons
- After breakfast, visit Elephant Falls and Shillong Peak.
- Continue to Laitlum Canyons for views over the gorges.
- Return to Shillong for Ward's Lake and the Police Bazaar.
- Overnight stay in Shillong.
3Day 3: Cherrapunji | Waterfalls and Cave
- After breakfast, drive to Cherrapunji (Sohra), around two hours from Shillong.
- Visit Nohkalikai Falls, Seven Sisters Falls and Mawsmai Cave.
- Check in and spend the evening at leisure.
- Overnight stay in Cherrapunji.
4Day 4: Mawlynnong | Dawki and the Umngot River
- After breakfast, drive towards Mawlynnong, around three hours from Cherrapunji.
- Walk through the village and to the nearby living root bridge.
- Continue to Dawki for a boat ride on the Umngot river, subject to water conditions.
- Overnight stay in Dawki or nearby.
5Day 5: Return to Shillong
- After breakfast, enjoy a relaxed morning by the river.
- Drive back to Shillong, around three hours.
- Spend the evening at leisure.
- Overnight stay in Shillong.
6Day 6: Departure from Guwahati
- After breakfast, check out and drive to Guwahati, around three hours.
- Plan departures from the evening onwards to allow for road delays.
Weather, road conditions and safety may require changes to the itinerary.
Inclusions
- 3 nights hotel accommodation in Shillong on twin sharing
- 1 night accommodation in Cherrapunji on twin sharing
- 1 night accommodation in the Dawki area on twin sharing
- Daily breakfast
- Private AC vehicle for transfers and sightseeing as per itinerary
- Boat ride on the Umngot river at Dawki
- Assistance from our travel experts
Exclusions
- Flights or trains to and from Guwahati
- Lunches and dinners not mentioned in the itinerary
- Personal expenses, laundry, tips and porterage
- Camera fees and optional activities such as kayaking, snorkelling or camping
- Anything not listed under inclusions
- GST as applicable
Other Info
Must carry
- Valid government photo ID (Aadhaar, passport, voter ID or driving licence)
- Train or flight tickets to and from Guwahati
- Rain jacket or poncho and a small umbrella
- Shoes with good grip for wet steps and viewpoints
- Light woollens or a jacket for Shillong evenings
- Cash in small notes
- Personal medicines, insect repellent and sunscreen
- Power bank and a torch
Notes
- Carry a valid government photo ID such as an Aadhaar card, passport, voter ID or driving licence. Standard hotel check-in is around 2 pm and check-out around 12 noon.
- The order of the itinerary may change due to weather, road or operational conditions, without reducing the sights covered.
- Rates and availability are confirmed at the time of booking. Cancellation and refund are as per our Terms & Conditions.
- Hill roads are winding. Guwahati to Shillong is about 100 km and takes around 3 hours, often longer in traffic or rain.
- Meghalaya's monsoon runs from June to September with extremely heavy rain, landslides and road delays; treks, boating and viewpoints may be restricted or closed for safety.
- Accommodation around Cherrapunji, Mawlynnong and Dawki is simpler than in Shillong, and hot water, power and mobile networks can be limited. Carry cash, as ATMs, cards and UPI may not work there.
- The Nongriat trek has thousands of steps and takes most of a day; it can be added on request for fit travellers.
- Kaziranga can be added as a 2-night extension; the park is usually open from about November to April.
See our Terms & Conditions for payment and cancellation rules.