Adventure Travel in Meghalaya
Travel to the Khasi Hills of Meghalaya, an enchanting land of hills, waterfalls and streams, perfect for leisurely adventures and hikes.
A nine-day adventure designed that takes the offbeat travel enthusiasts to the Khasi Hills of Meghalaya; to a myriad of natural wonders. These hills are not only renowned for being the wettest region on the planet but is also well known for its serene landscape and pristine nature. Enjoy moderate treks through the hills, valleys and crossing beautiful rivers that remain abundant with lush green forests, waterfalls, living root bridges and remote villages. One of the highlights of this trip will be your visit to the living root bridges that are found across the hills and are known for their sustainable architecture. Made from the roots of the Ficus Elastica tree, the Khasis of Meghalaya long ago saw this tree’s powerful roots as an opportunity to easily cross the area’s numerous streams. They started connecting the aerial roots of these trees with the help of bamboos and these grew into strong natural bridges over decades. It’s like, whenever and wherever the need arises, the Khasis simply grow their bridges.
The root bridges, some of which are over a hundred feet long, take ten to fifteen years to become fully functional and are almost centuries old are extraordinarily strong – strong enough that some of them can support the weight of fifty or more people at a time. Because the trees are alive and still growing, the bridges actually gain strength over time. Some of the ancient root bridges used daily by the people of the remote villages around Cherrapunji may be well over five hundred years old. In this trip you will get a chance to trek to these bridges and meet the local tribesmen who have built these incredible structures. Adding to the charm is Cherrapunji, which is credited as being the rainiest place on earth. Enjoy the scenic beauty of Cherrapunjee which boasts of numerous waterfalls and spectacular caves.
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. The last stop is Mawlyngbna, a village run on community tourism, for the split rock, the lake and a trek up the river.
Surely a way out from all that hectic and artificial that bothers us so much, this delightful nine-day adventure in the hills and plateaus of Meghalaya remains a silent call of charming climate, culture and nature. Escape to pristine places off the beaten track and discover a world that seems as fantasy pages of a Tolkien novel.
At a Glance
Leisurely Adventures
The rolling hills of Meghalaya are perfect for slow-paced adventure travel and hiking.
Living Root Bridges
Enter a tribal land where bridges are made out of weaving living roots of the Fig tree.
Tribal Cultures
Get to interact with the charming Khasi tribespeople who are native to these hills.
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.
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), 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. You stay in a village homestay.
Nongriat - Cherrapunji
Spend the morning 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. Hike back 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 - 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 - Guwahati
After breakfast, transfer to Guwahati Airport (4-5 hours) for departure as per your schedule. Tour ends.
Your Retreats
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 customizable, and you can always choose a different property depending on budget and style.
Haven’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.”
Sa-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.”
Serene 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.”
Mawlyngbna 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, curated from our own personal travel experiences, from choosing the best logistically correct routes to the most interesting stay options.
Native Guides
Our tour guides are native to the region, and bring you an insider view into the life and culture of Northeast India, sharing with you authentic local experiences and fostering friendships.
Experts in Tours
When traveling with Greener Pastures, you can be assured that you are in the hands of experts who are knowledgeable and passionate about the region. Expect hassle-free, easy-going, and insightful travel.
“By choosing us, we share together a pledge towards responsible tourism, and share a belief that travel has the power to positively transform local livelihoods, cultures and environment.”
— The Greener Pastures Promise
Read the travel guide to Meghalaya for the seasons, the festivals and what else is worth the detour.
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Stories from the field, our upcoming experiences, and other travel related news from Northeast India.