The ten places we would put on any first-time Meghalaya itinerary — chosen by a local team in Shillong.
If you only have a week, these are the 10 best places to visit in Meghalaya — the ones we would put on any first-time itinerary. The list balances the famous sights with a few that are easy to miss, and every place is reachable from Shillong or Cherrapunji.
For each place you will find why it is worth visiting, how far it is, the best months to go and one practical tip from our drivers and guides.
| # | Place | From Shillong | Best time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sohra — Cherrapunji | 54 km · 2 h | Jun – Mar |
| 2 | Double Decker Living Root Bridge | 70 km · 2 h 30 min | Oct – Apr |
| 3 | Dawki & Umngot River | 82 km · 3 h | Nov – Apr |
| 4 | Shillong | In Shillong | Mar – May, Sep – Nov |
| 5 | Nokhalikha Falls | 58 km · 2 h | Jun – Dec |
| 6 | Mawlynnong Village | 78 km · 2 h 30 min | Oct – Apr |
| 7 | Krang Suri Falls | 95 km · 3 h | Oct – Apr |
| 8 | Laitlum Canyons | 23 km · 1 h | Oct – Apr |
| 9 | Seven Sister Falls | 57 km · 2 h | Jun – Oct |
| 10 | Umiam Lake | 17 km · 30 min | Oct – May |
1
The town on the edge of the plateau — waterfalls, caves, canyons and the clouds that made it famous as the wettest place on earth.
Why visit: Nokhalikha, Seven Sister and Kynrem falls, two walkable caves and the Nongriat trek all sit within a short drive, so one base covers more than any other town in the state.
2
A two-tier bridge grown from living fig roots over the Umshiang river, reached by a 3,500-step rainforest descent.
Why visit: Nothing else in Meghalaya matches it: architecture that is alive, still growing stronger each year, maintained by the village that planted it.
3
The river so clear that boats seem to float on air — Meghalaya's most photographed sight, on the India–Bangladesh border.
Why visit: For the surreal floating-boat view, the single image most people associate with Meghalaya.
4
Meghalaya's hill-station capital — cafés, cathedrals, lakes and live music, and the base for almost every trip in the state.
Why visit: It is the gateway to the whole state and a destination in its own right: cool weather, colonial-era architecture, good food and the liveliest music scene in the North East.
5
India's tallest plunge waterfall — a single 340-metre drop into a blue-green pool at the base of the Cherrapunji gorge.
Why visit: India's tallest plunge waterfall, dropping around 340 metres in a single fall into a jade-green pool.
6
Often called Asia's cleanest village — bamboo dustbins, flower-lined paths and a living root bridge nearby at Riwai.
Why visit: A rare look at village life organised around community care, with an easy living root bridge next door.
7
A wide curtain of water falling into an unreal blue-green pool — the best natural swimming spot in Meghalaya.
Why visit: Meghalaya's best waterfall for a swim, with a startling turquoise pool and life jackets on hand.
8
A grassy ridge that ends in a sheer drop over deep green gorges — one of the most dramatic viewpoints near Shillong.
Why visit: Big-canyon scenery without a big journey — it is the closest dramatic viewpoint to Shillong.
9
Seven parallel streams pouring 315 metres off the Sohra cliff face — best seen in monsoon, best photographed in the afternoon light.
Why visit: Seven streams pouring off a single cliff, with views stretching to the Bangladesh plains.
10
A vast reservoir ringed by pine hills on the Guwahati–Shillong road — boating, water sports and sunset views.
Why visit: The easiest scenic stop in Meghalaya: beautiful, right on the way, and good for water activities.
Yes — comfortably in six to seven days. A typical route: Shillong and Umiam Lake first, Laitlum on a morning trip, two nights in Cherrapunji for the waterfalls and the root bridge trek, a day for Dawki and Mawlynnong, and a Jaintia Hills day for Krang Suri. Our Meghalaya itineraries lay this out day by day, and our travel packages include hotels, a private cab and a local driver.
Want more ideas? See the full list of Meghalaya tourist places.
Still unsure? Our Shillong team answers on WhatsApp, usually within minutes.
Ask a questionOur top picks are 1. Sohra — Cherrapunji, 2. Double Decker Living Root Bridge, 3. Dawki & Umngot River, 4. Shillong, 5. Nokhalikha Falls, 6. Mawlynnong Village, 7. Krang Suri Falls, 8. Laitlum Canyons, 9. Seven Sister Falls, 10. Umiam Lake. Each is covered in detail on this page with its distance from Shillong, best months and entry fee.
They suit different things. Shillong is the base, with city sights, cafés and easy day trips. Cherrapunji is where the big waterfalls, caves and root bridges are. Most travellers spend one or two nights in each.
Cherrapunji's plateau-edge stays, early-morning boating at Dawki, riverside camping at Shnongpdeng and sunrise at Laitlum Canyons are favourites with couples.
Umiam Lake, Elephant Falls, the Nokhalikha and Seven Sister Falls viewpoints, Mawsmai Cave, Mawlynnong and the short walk to the Riwai root bridge all have easy access. Skip the Nongriat trek and the Weisadong ladders.
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