8D/7N
nov-mar
Cherrapunji - Nongriat - Shnongpdeng - Shillong - Mawphlang
Trip Overview
The rolling hills of Meghalaya as perfect for slow paced adventure travel and hiking.
Enter a tribal land where bridges are made out of weaving living roots of the Fig tree.
Get to interact with the charming Khasi tribespeople who are native to these hills.
guwahati - cherrapunji
After arriving at Guwahati airport, proceed to Cherrapunji (5 hours), renowned as one of the wettest places in the world. Cherrapunji is located in the Khasi hills of Meghalaya and is well known for its serene landscape. It was historically known as Sohra, the land of oranges in native Khasi dialect and was once the capital of the region during the British era. Your stay will be in a hillside lodge with small cottages offering standard amenities.
cherrapunji - nongriat
Spend the morning exploring Cherrapunji, perhaps swim in a waterfall. Later in the midday, drive to Tyrna village, the last motorable point. Then, go on a long guided downhill trek (approx 3 hours) to Nongriat village where the most brilliant of all the living bridges is found. The living root bridges are constructed by the native tribespeople using natural resources available in their surroundings. They guide the roots of large trees with the help of bamboos and intertwine them over the years to form into strong bridges. The hike passes through numerous streams, hanging bridges, remote villages, lush green forests and cascading waterfalls. Afternoon can be spent relaxing amidst the greenery of the forest or refresh by swimming in the awesome clear natural pools. Your stay will be in a basic rest house run by the local village community.
nongriat
Spend the day interacting with the locals of the village, observing their simple and sustainable lifestyle, swim the many ocean-blue natural waters or go on short hikes to nearby secret waterfall, root-bridges and caves. Evening at leisure.
nongriat - mawlynnong
Hike back to Cherrapunji and drive through the spectacular landscape of Pynursla to Mawlynnong (2-3 hours), considered to be Asia’s cleanest village. Mawlynnong is a little hamlet which became famous as the ‘Clean Village’ due to the collective efforts of its local community. The villagers have beautifully maintained their village, which attracts numerous visitors and is also known as the 'Garden of God'. Later, leisurely explore the village and interact with the Khasi villagers, one can also experience their Khasi cuisine in the little food stalls. Also, if interested visit the 'balancing rock' of Mawlynnong and the root bridge at Riwai village nearby. Enjoy the panoramic view of the Bangladesh plains below from the Skywalk viewpoint. Evening at leisure. Your stay will be in a family run guest house with basic amenities.
mawlynnong - shnongpdeng
Travel to the beautiful picnic spot of Dawki (1 hour) near the border. Drive past some beautiful waterfalls on the way. Enjoy a ride in country boats in the clear turquoise waters of the Umgnot River which is surrounded by steep gorges. Short hikes are also possible along the river. Nearby in Shnongpdeng village, feel your adrenaline rush as you experience nature and adventures such as scuba diving, rappelling, rock climbing, cliff jumping and zip-lining. Camp by the riverside and spend the night by a campfire under a starlit sky. Overnight in tents.
shnongpdeng - shillong
After breakfast, drive to Shillong (3-4 hours), the charming capital of Meghalaya. It is a historic hill station established during the British era and is also referred to as ‘Scotland of the east’. On the way, visit Shillong Peak, the highest point on the Khasi hills which offers a panoramic view of the hills. Also visit the majestic Elephant Falls nearby where the cascade formations resemble like large elephants. Later in the day, explore the charming town. Visit places such as Lady Hydari Park, Ward’s Lake and old churches. Evening can be spent leisurely exploring the upbeat markets where one can also buy handicrafts and souvenirs from the handloom emporiums. Your stay will be in a boutique colonial style bungalow or at a luxurious heritage property.
shillong - mawphlang - shillong
Go on a day trip to Mawphlang (1 hour) where you will be hiking the David Scott Trail. It is a heritage trail named after David Scott, one of the earliest British explorers of the region who tried to find a route from Bangladesh to Assam through the Khasi hills. The 14km long hike is suitable for travelers of all age groups and the trail skirts through some lovely nature, waterfalls, rivers and hills. One can also explore the sacred forest which is protected by the villagers and has many myths associated with Khasi culture. The age old forest also has many historic monoliths which mark important events in local history. On Sundays, visitors can see Siat Khnam archery in the Khasi Heritage Village, a traditional form of gambling which is enjoyed by the locals in the afternoon. Return to Shillong by evening.
shillong - guwahati
After breakfast, transfer to Guwahati Airport (3-4 hours) for departure as per your schedule. Tour ends.
Where you will stay?
When you travel with us, we make sure that you stay in the best available accommodations in the places you visit, especially since many areas in Northeast India are remote and do not have many options to stay.
These properties are highly reviewed by our team of experts and are aesthetic in nature when possible.
Our itineraries are flexible, highly customisable, and you can always choose a different property depending on budget and style.
holiday resort, cherrapunji
RATING: standard
STYLE: guesthouse
Blissfully located in the high plateaus of Cherrapunji with grand vistas of the Bangladesh plains and run by an enthusiastic hospitable family, Cherrapunjee Holiday Resort is a nature based guesthouse more than a resort where visitors can stay in fairly modern rooms and comfort.
village guesthouse, nongriat
RATING: basic
STYLE: guesthouse
The community run village guesthouse is where visitors can stay in Nongriat. Situated close to a giant living root bridge, it has very simple basic rooms which are clean. Food is cooked homely by a village lady or can be had at charming Byron’s diner located next door.
homestay, mawlynnong
RATING: standard
STYLE: homestay
Homestays are part of the responsible tourism process practiced in Mawlynnong, Asia's prettiest village. For visitors, it means close interactions with host Khasi families and lifelong bonds with new friends. Rooms are cozy, fairly standard, providing basic comforts suitable for the village life.
cafe B&B, shillong
RATING: standard
STYLE: Bed & Breakfast
Cafe Shillong Bed & Breakfast is a standard boutique property housed in a typical old British India bungalow, offering a charming stay to visitors who come to the ‘Scotland of the east’. Belonging once to the Kharpuri family, the place has colorful character and rooms and facilities are updated to the comforts of modern hospitality. There’s a front-yard garden, a quiet spot for a morning tea or an evening drink.
The tours listed in this website are our own well-researched itineraries that come with a great degree of flexibility and customization. Each tour is therefore individually costed around your requirements and budget. This provides you with a sense of choice and reliability, and also helps us meet customer expectations much more closely, making your travel experience all the more memorable.
Please fill out the form below to tell us more about the tour you are interested in and a response with costs and information will be sent to you.
