Living Root Bridges, Sacred Forests and Magical Waterfalls
India
Meghalaya
Duration
11 days
Tribal Tour,
Nature Tour & Mountain Tour
Leisurely/Moderate
INTRO TO THE LIVING ROOT BRIDGES, FORESTS AND WATERFALLS OF MEGHALAYA TOUR
HIGHLIGHTS
- The former British hill station of Shillong and its colourful markets
- The ancient monoliths of Nartiang
- Visit the 600-year old Hindu Durga Temple
- Step right up to the Bangladeshi border at Tamabil
- Make a choice of outdoor recreational activities at Dawki
- Explore beautiful Mawlynnong, reputedly “the cleanest village in India”
- An abundance of spectacular waterfalls, including Rainbow Waterfall, Noh Ka Like, Krang Suri and Elephant Falls
- Experience Sohra (Cherrapunji), “the wettest place on earth”
- Stroll across the incredible living root bridges including the unique “Double Decker” root bridge
- Visit “The Whistling Village” to hear the unique calling practised here by the Khasi tribe
- Head underground and into the caves of Mawsmai and Arwah Lumshyna
- The beautiful David Scott Trail
- Explore Mawphlang Sacred Forest
PLACES TO BE VISITED
- Guwahati – Shillong – Nartiang – Dawki – Tamabil – Bangladesh border – Mawlynnong – waterfalls of Noh Ka Like and Krang Sure – Sohra (Cherrapunji) – Double Decker Living Route Bridge – Rainbow Waterfall – The Whistling Village – Mawsmai and Arwah Lumshyna caves – the David Scott Trail – Mawphlang Sacred Forest – Elephant Falls – Guwahati
KEY INFORMATION
- We have set departure dates for this tour. Please see ‘Dates’ section for more information
- This tour can be organised as a bespoke tour at other times of the year
- Similarly, if this itinerary is not exactly what you have in mind, please do contact us for a discussion as all itineraries can be adapted according to your wishes
- In exceptional circumstances, local conditions may require the route to be altered in your interests at short notice
WHAT’S INCLUDED
- Reception: airport or station reception and transfer upon your arrival in North-East India & final drop-off at the end of your trek or tour as per the standard itinerary. (For clients arriving earlier and or departing later, special arrangements can be made for accommodation and/or airport transfers if required or requested – additional charges will be calculated for this.)
- Full escort: our treks and tours are fully escorted by an official, local, English-speaking guide
- Accommodation: all accommodation (10 nights)
- Meals: all meals (11 days)
- Transport: all transport throughout your tour in a comfortable, modern vehicle equipped with air-conditioning and seat belts, with a professional driver
- Permits: all restricted area permits as required
- Entrance fees: all entrance fees to sites & parks
- Activity fees: all fees for activities included in your itinerary
- Documentation: provided documents include a personalised itinerary for your tour, a full risk assessment of your route, a bespoke equipment list and facts about the country.
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Visas
- Tips
- Soft drinks & items of a personal nature
- Camera fees
DATES
Forthcoming set group tour dates (maximum 8 pax):
– Sun 1st February – Wed 11th February 2026
– Sat 24th October – Tue 3rd November 2026
– Mon 1st February – Thurs 11th February 2027
– Sun 24th October – Wed 3rd November 2027
Bespoke, private tours:
Please talk with us if you would prefer a private, bespoke, tailor made tour for dates of your own choosing.
PRICES
PRICE PER PERSON
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT*
£1870
from £300
*THE SINGLE SUPPLEMENT CHARGE IS ONLY REQUIRED FOR SOLO TRAVELLERS WHO CHOOSE NOT TO SHARE A ROOM WITH ANOTHER SUITABLE TRAVELLER. IF WILLING TO SHARE, THE SUPPLEMENT WILL NOT BE CHARGED.
If this itinerary is not exactly what you have in mind, please do contact us for a discussion as all itineraries can be adapted according to your wishes
Other tours you might be interested in:
If you have opted to take your Meghalaya tour in February, why not follow up by joining our Nagaland Tribal Villages Tour from 13th to 27th February?
On the other hand, if you have opted to take your Meghalaya tour in October & November, why not either start your visit to North-East India by joining our Nagaland Tribal Villages Tour from 7th to 21st October or follow up your Meghalaya tour by joining our Temples, Chortens and Gompas Tour from 5th to 18th November?
Our tours have been designed to fit together like a hand in a glove.
DAY 1
Arrive in Guwahati and drive to Shillong
Arrive in Guwahati, to be met by your driver and guide. Time permitting, visit Kamakhya temple, Kalakshetra museum, plus the state emporium. Otherwise, we drive from Guwahati to Shillong, breaking the journey to stroll through fresh pine trees down to the edge of the waters of Umiam (Bara Pani) Lake. We reach Shillong, a former British hill station, chosen as their headquarters for the Khasi administration and nicknamed the “Scotland of the East” on account of the green mountain scenery surrounding it. In the evening, we begin to explore the city. Overnight at Shillong.
3 hours’ driving.
DAY 2
A full day in Shillong
Today we have a full day of sightseeing in and around Shillong, beginning with the Dan Bosco Centre for Indigenous Cultures. We also visit the Catholic Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians and the traditional Bara Market. Overnight at Shillong.
Drive from Shillong to Dawki via Nartiang
We drive to the Nartiang monoliths and visit the nearby 600-year old Durga Temple, before heading to Dawki, pausing at the beautiful Krang Suri Waterfalls. Overnight at Dawki.
5 to 6 hours’ driving.
A day of activities around Dawki
A full day of recreational activities to suit you, including swimming, diving, canoeing, kayaking and hiking, or just exploring the neighbourhood on foot. Overnight at Dawki.
Drive from Dawki to Mawlynnong via the Bangladesh border
We drive to Tamabil to visit the border crossing between Meghalaya and Bangladesh before driving to Mawlynnong, known as “the cleanest village in India”. We cross its single decker living root bridge and enjoy stunning views over into Bangladesh. Finally, we visit the natural Balancing Stone. Overnight at Mawlynnong.
2 hours’ driving.
Drive from Mawlynnong to Sohra (Cherrapunji)
Once more, we drive through stunning mountain scenery, pausing at the spectacular Noh Ka Likai Falls, the sacred Hindu site of Kah Ramrah, afterwards taking a stroll through the gardens of Thangkharang Park. Finally, we arrive at Sohra, still often known by the colonial name of Cherrapunji, claimed to be the wettest place on earth. Overnight at Sohra.
3 hours’ driving.
Trek to The Double Decker Living Route Bridge and Rainbow Waterfall
We trek along a trail that descends to the unique double decker living root bridge, created by the local War Khasi tribe. If we have enough energy, we venture further along the trail to the spectacular Rainbow Waterfall. Overnight at Sohra in a hotel or homestay.
2 hours’ driving round trip.
Excursion from Sohra to Konthong, the Whistling Village, and local caves
We take a beautiful drive to Konthong, the “Whistling Village”, where traditionally at birth all children are given by their mothers a unique whistled melody rather than a spoken name. We also visit Mawsmai Cave and Arwah Lumshyna Cave. Overnight at Sohra.
4 hours’ driving round trip.
Trek the David Scott Trail
Today we drive to Ladmawphlang, the starting point for the delightful 16 km David Scott Trail. We finish our walk at Mawphlang Sacred Forest, still revered today by Khasi tribes people, containing much unique flora and fauna. Overnight at Mawphlang.
1 hour’s driving.
DAY 10
Drive from Sohra to Guwahati via Elephant Falls
Today we drive from Sohra back to Guwahati, breaking our journey at the popular Elephant Falls, continuing to our final destination via Shillong. Overnight at Guwahati.
5 hours’ driving.
DAY 11
Transfer to Guwahati airport and depart
Transfer to the airport in good time for your departure.
30 minutes’ driving.
