Rolling plateau, living root bridges, and India's cleanest village
Shillong sits at roughly 1,500 metres on a breezy plateau ringed by pine-covered Khasi hills, earning it the nickname “Scotland of the East.” Over four unhurried days you’ll row across Umiam Lake, chase waterfalls and limestone caves around Cherrapunjee one of the wettest places on Earth walk a living root bridge into Mawlynnong, dubbed Asia’s cleanest village, and drift over the impossibly clear Umngot River at Dawki, right up to the Indo-Bangladesh border. Every transfer, hotel night, and breakfast is handled, with a traditional Assamese welcome to start things off so your only job is to take it all in.
6 reasons travellers pick this trip
Umiam Lake ("Barapani") Meghalaya's largest reservoir, framed by Khasi pines, with row-boats, cruise boats and speedboats on the water.
A full day at Cherrapunjee among the wettest places on Earth taking in Elephant Falls, Mawkdok Dympep Valley, Nohkalikai and Seven Sisters Falls, plus the Mawsmai and Arwah limestone caves.
Mawlynnong village, dubbed India's cleanest village, with its famous living root bridge, spotless paved lanes, and views clear across to the Bangladesh plains.
A boat-ready day on the Umngot River at Dawki crystal-clear water at the Indo-Bangladesh border with an optional boat ride on direct payment.
A traditional Assamese welcome with a bihuwan on arrival, plus a daily bottle of water included throughout.
Every transfer and sightseeing stop handled point-to-point in a private vehicle, with daily breakfast included no logistics to plan.
Follow the route
D1 · ARRIVE GUWAHATI – SHILLONG 150 KM / 2 -3 Hrs ▼
Meet and greet upon arrival by our Driver and then transfer to Shillong. The ‘Scotland of East’ lies in the centre of a plateau surrounded by Khasi hills. Enroute visit Umium Lake/Park – “Barapani”, Popular among the locals for its adventure water sports. In the evening you can visit the Police Bazaar.
Overnight accommodation will be in Shillong.
TERRAIN: Initially Plain Than Hills
Umain Lake popularly known as Barapani, this is the biggest artificial lake in the State. Surrounded by sylvan hills and wrapped in the beauty of an assortment of green Khasi-pines and the azure blue skies. Developed upon the reservoir of the Umiam Hydro Electric Project, the Water Sports Complex provides a choice of row-boats, paddle-boats, cruise boats, sailing boats, water scooters and speed boats. This is a very popular place for picnic, fishing and watersports. M.T.D.C. had started operating water-sports in the area.
D2 · SHILLONG – CHERRAPUNJEE – SHILLONG (~150 KMS ▼
After Breakfast, excursion to Cherrapunjee.Thesightseeing points: Elephant Falls, MawkdokDympep Valley View, Garden of Caves, Nohsngithiang Falls, Nohkalikai Waterfalls, Mawsmai Cave and Arwah Cave. Later return back to Shillong Hotel.
Cherrapunjee is framed as the wettest place on Earth is 60 kms from Shillong. The journey from Shillong to Cherrapunjee offers a pleasant drive as one witness numerous waterfalls & gorges. Longer stay gives opportunity to the visitor to explore limestone caves & waterfalls, the amazing living root bridges and galore of water & adventure activities. While the must visit places are the gorgeous Seven Sisters falls and the Mawsmai cave is in your tour plan.
D3 · SHILLONG – MAWLYNNONG – DAWKI –SHILLONG (~205 KMS) ▼
After breakfast, excursion to Dawki (Tamabil – Indo Bangladesh Border and Umngot River), En-route visit Mawlynnong. Later return back to Shillong.
Sightseeing points includes: Umngot River, Indo-Bangladesh Friendship Border, Balancing Rock, Riwai Root Bridge & Mawlynnong Village.
Optional: Boat ride in Dawki – Umgnot River. (ON DIRECT PAYMENT BASIS)
Mawlynnong village, situated 90 kms ahead of Shillong, on the Shillong-Dawki Road, 30 kms from Pynursla, is a village of 75 households with a population of 400. An idyllic location, this village epitomizes a standard, which all other villages need to aspire to be. Dubbed the cleanest village in India by Discover India Magazine, the primary Village School till class V boasts of its no dropout record and the village of 90 % literacy. Paved walkways and beautiful flowerbed all along mark the village, with waterfalls, a living root bridge, hilly rivulets, acacia plantation and an excellent view of the faraway plains of Bangladesh all contribute to the ambience of this village. Farming of betel nut & leaves, broomsticks and pepper along with bee rearing are the primary economic activity of thevillage.
D4 · SHILLONG – GUWAHATI DEPARTURE 95 km · 3 hrs ▼
After Breakfast, road to Guwahati and if time available visit MaaKamakhaya temple and later transfer to airport for your onwards journey.
What your price covers
✓ Included
- ✓ 03 nights of accommodation in mentioned or similar hotel.(Rooms in base category unless specified.)
- ✓ Daily breakfast except on the day of arrival.(Meals as per Hotel’s set menu and policy)
- ✓ All transfers and sightseeing by using above mentioned vehicle on point to point basis.
- ✓ All transfers and sightseeing by using above mentioned vehicle on point to point basis.
- ✓ Traditional Welcome on arrival with Assamese Bihuwan
- ✓ 500ml Water bottle per day each
- ✓ Driver's Allowance, Fuel Charges, Toll Taxes, Parking Charges.
- ✓ Rates valid for Indian Nationals Only.
✕ Not included
- ✕ Any GST
- ✕ Any Airfare/Train fare
- ✕ Any Safari other than mentioned
- ✕ Meals other than mentioned above.
- ✕ Entry to the monuments.
- ✕ Any optional sightseeing or Activity.
- ✕ Telephone bill, Laundry, personal expenses.
- ✕ Anything not mentioned in "Inclusion"
Pack smart, travel easy
- Hill roads mean travel between points takes longer than distance alone suggests; allow extra time during monsoon (June–September) for possible delays.
- Sunset in Shillong is early, around 4:30 pm — sightseeing is planned to wrap up before then.
- Hotel standards vary across properties in the Northeast, and not all hotels have twin beds — let us know your bed preference at the time of booking.
- Weather can occasionally affect sightseeing plans; every effort is made to cover all mentioned places, though changes are sometimes unavoidable.
- Use only bottled or packaged drinking water throughout the trip — tap water isn't recommended in this region.
- Purely vegetarian hotels are rare in the Northeast — let your tour leader know your meal preference in advance.
Frequently asked
Is the living root bridge visit included? +
When is the best time to visit Shillong? +
How physically demanding is this trip? +
What ID documents do I need to carry? +
What type of vehicle is used for transfers? +
Can the sightseeing order be changed? +
What guests say
Everything was seamless — from the airport pickup to the checkout. Tiger Hill sunrise was absolutely breathtaking, and the Toy Train ride was a childhood dream come true. Will definitely book another trip with this team.
Took my wife for our anniversary and it was perfect. The hotel was lovely, the driver was very professional, and Mirik was a surprise highlight we hadn't expected. Highly recommended for couples.