Ask ten operators what a Meghalaya trip costs and you will get ten numbers, most of them missing something. Here is the honest breakdown for five days and four nights, per person on twin sharing.

Transport — the biggest line item

Meghalaya has no usable public transport for tourists. A private cab for five days costs roughly 15,000-22,000 rupees for the whole vehicle depending on size, which is 4,000-6,000 per head for a group of four. Fuel, tolls, parking and driver allowance should all be inside that number — if a quote looks unusually cheap, check whether they are.

Accommodation

  • Homestays and budget rooms: 1,500-2,500 per night
  • Good mid-range hotels: 2,500-4,500 per night
  • Premium hotels and resorts: 5,000-9,000 per night

Sohra is generally cheaper than Shillong outside peak season. Rates roughly double around Christmas, New Year and the October to November peak.

Food

Budget 600-1,000 rupees per person per day if you eat local, more if you stick to hotel restaurants. A jadoh plate costs 80-150 rupees; a cafe meal in Laitumkhrah costs 300-500.

Entry fees and activities

  • Waterfall and viewpoint entries: 20-50 rupees each
  • Mawsmai Cave: around 30 rupees plus camera charges
  • Krang Suri: around 50 rupees plus life jacket
  • Dawki boating: 800-1,200 rupees per boat, not per person
  • Nongriat guide: 800-1,500 rupees per group

The realistic total

For five days and four nights, per person on twin sharing, excluding flights:

  • Budget: 12,000-16,000
  • Comfortable mid-range: 20,000-28,000
  • Premium: 35,000-50,000

Our 5D/4N Highlights package sits at 24,999 including hotels, private cab, breakfast, dinner and all transfers, which puts it in the middle band with the transport and food guesswork removed.

What people forget to budget

Camera fees at individual sites, tips for the trek guide, warm clothing if you are coming from a warm state in December, and a buffer day in monsoon. Add 10 percent to whatever you have calculated.