Adventure Travel in Meghalaya
Nine days of easygoing adventure in the Jaintia and Khasi Hills — waterfall swims and zip-lining near Jowai, the root-bridge village of Nongriat, and river treks around Mawlyngbna.
The hills of Meghalaya are a land of waterfalls, rivers and caves, made for easygoing adventure. They are known as the wettest place on the planet, and just as much for their quiet, unspoiled landscape. The trip starts in the Jaintia Hills near Jowai, with the hike to Phe Phe Falls and a swim and zip line at Krang Suri. Then on to Cherrapunji and the long descent to Nongriat, where the Khasi have trained the aerial roots of fig trees across the streams with bamboo until they grew into bridges strong enough for fifty people. Back in Cherrapunji there is a day for waterfalls, both the famous and the hidden, natural pools and the Garden of Caves. The last stop is Mawlyngbna, a village run on community tourism, for the split rock, the lake and a trek up the river.
Traveling with Greener Pastures means hassle-free, insightful journeys in the hands of passionate experts. All our naturalist guides are from the region and have deep knowledge of the local wildlife, terrain, and communities. Every tour can be tailored to your interests and fitness level.
At a Glance
Waterfalls and Swims
Phe Phe, Krang Suri and the hidden falls of Cherrapunji, with natural pools to swim in.
Living Root Bridges
A land where bridges are grown by training the living roots of fig trees.
River Treks
Split rock, a lake and a river walk around the village of Mawlyngbna.
Day by Day
Guwahati - Jowai
Arrive at Guwahati airport and drive to Jowai (4 hours), the main town of the Jaintia Hills, past Shillong and through pine forest and open uplands. You stay at a quiet retreat in the countryside outside town.
Guwahati - Jowai
Arrive at Guwahati airport and drive to Jowai (4 hours), the main town of the Jaintia Hills, past Shillong and through pine forest and open uplands. You stay at a quiet retreat in the countryside outside town.
Jowai
A short hike from Shkentalang village to Phe Phe Falls, a two-step fall into a blue pool. Then on to Krang Suri, a 20-minute walk through forest to a tall waterfall above clear turquoise water, for a swim and a ride on the zip line. Back to Jowai for the evening.
Jowai
A short hike from Shkentalang village to Phe Phe Falls, a two-step fall into a blue pool. Then on to Krang Suri, a 20-minute walk through forest to a tall waterfall above clear turquoise water, for a swim and a ride on the zip line. Back to Jowai for the evening.
Jowai - Cherrapunji
Drive across the hills to Cherrapunji (3-4 hours), one of the wettest places on earth, known historically as Sohra, the land of oranges, and once the British capital of the region. You stay in Khasi-style cottages.
Jowai - Cherrapunji
Drive across the hills to Cherrapunji (3-4 hours), one of the wettest places on earth, known historically as Sohra, the land of oranges, and once the British capital of the region. You stay in Khasi-style cottages.
Cherrapunji - Nongriat
Drive to Tyrna and take the long guided descent (about 3 hours) to Nongriat, home to the finest root bridge of all, past streams, hanging bridges and waterfalls. Swim in the clear pools in the afternoon. You stay in a village homestay.
Cherrapunji - Nongriat
Drive to Tyrna and take the long guided descent (about 3 hours) to Nongriat, home to the finest root bridge of all, past streams, hanging bridges and waterfalls. Swim in the clear pools in the afternoon. You stay in a village homestay.
Nongriat - Cherrapunji
A morning with the village and its blue natural pools, then the climb back up the stairs to Tyrna and the short drive to Cherrapunji.
Nongriat - Cherrapunji
A morning with the village and its blue natural pools, then the climb back up the stairs to Tyrna and the short drive to Cherrapunji.
Cherrapunji
A full day for the waterfalls of Cherrapunji — the well-known viewpoints and the quieter falls off the beaten track — with swims in natural pools, wide views over the gorges, and the Garden of Caves at Laitmawsiang, a patch of forest full of caves and small falls.
Cherrapunji
A full day for the waterfalls of Cherrapunji — the well-known viewpoints and the quieter falls off the beaten track — with swims in natural pools, wide views over the gorges, and the Garden of Caves at Laitmawsiang, a patch of forest full of caves and small falls.
Cherrapunji - Mawlyngbna
Drive across the plateau to Mawlyngbna (2-3 hours), a small Khasi village near Mawsynram where the community runs its own guesthouse and guides. Afternoon walk around the village. You stay at the community guesthouse.
Cherrapunji - Mawlyngbna
Drive across the plateau to Mawlyngbna (2-3 hours), a small Khasi village near Mawsynram where the community runs its own guesthouse and guides. Afternoon walk around the village. You stay at the community guesthouse.
Mawlyngbna
A day out with local guides — the split rock, the Umkhakoi lake for a swim or a paddle, and a trek up the river over boulders and through pools. Evening back at the guesthouse.
Mawlyngbna
A day out with local guides — the split rock, the Umkhakoi lake for a swim or a paddle, and a trek up the river over boulders and through pools. Evening back at the guesthouse.
Mawlyngbna - Guwahati
Drive to Guwahati airport (4-5 hours) for a late afternoon or evening flight. End of tour.
Mawlyngbna - Guwahati
Drive to Guwahati airport (4-5 hours) for a late afternoon or evening flight. End of tour.
Your Retreats
01Haven’s Cove
A quiet retreat at Syntu Ksiar, about 5 km outside Jowai, beside a stream in open farmland. You leave the car at the road and walk the last 15 minutes while the staff carry your bags. Rooms are clean and comfortable, the meals are home-cooked, and there are nature trails, fishing spots and a bonfire in the evening. There is no phone network at the property.
“The car stays behind, and the last stretch is a walk across the paddy fields.”
02Sa-I-Mika Park
Sixty-nine acres of hillside at Wahshari, Khliehshnong, on the Sohra plateau. Most of its twenty-two rooms are individual cottages built in local Khasi style, with a restaurant and a bonfire most nights.
“Dinner by the bonfire, and the highest star density in the region overhead.”
03Serene Homestay
A family-run homestay in the Nongriat valley, reached on foot down the long stairway from Tyrna. Rooms are simple and clean, several with balconies over the gorge, and meals are cooked by the family.
“The valley drops away from the balcony, and the only sound is water.”
04Mawlyngbna Traveller’s Nest
Set up by the Mawlyngbna Multipurpose Cooperative Society to give the village’s young people a living from tourism. Seven rooms in cottages at the end of the road, each with its own bathroom, and a restaurant. The cooperative arranges the guides for the split rock, the lake and the river trek.
“Run by the village, with the guides for the next day’s trek next door.”
Why Travel With Greener Pastures?
Curated Experiences
Our itineraries are one of a kind, carefully detailed from our own personal travel experiences — from choosing the best logistically correct routes to the most interesting stay options.
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With guides native to the region, you get an insider view of local life and culture.
Experts in the Region
You are in the hands of a team who know and are passionate about Northeast India.
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— The Greener Pastures Promise
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