Meghalaya

Meghalaya, also known as Cloud Home, is divided into seven major districts – East Garo Hills, East Khasi Hills, Jaintia Hills, Ri-Bhoi, South Garo Hills, West Garo Hills, and the West Khasi Hills. If you are planning to visit Meghalaya, then you should know that this is a peaceful state and is not commercialised. Why? Well, for most of history, it has remained cut off from India due to ethnic problems. But what entices travellers to come and see here is the mass of green found everywhere where you set your eyes. It is known to be the world’s wettest region and is also the home to the famous Living Root Bridges. This travel guide will help you plan your trip to Meghalaya in the most accommodating way, especially if you’re on a Meghalaya solo trip or planning a Meghalaya budget trip. I travelled solo here, and if you are fretting over how safe the place is, rest assured, there is nothing to worry about. This state will make you feel at home, and you would wish that only if you could stay here forever. For those considering a solo female trip to Meghalaya, the locals are helpful, crime rates are low, and homestays are often family-run, adding a layer of warmth and safety to your journey. How to Reach? Now you can take a direct flight to Shillong (the capital of Meghalaya). But the flights are way expensive if compared to the Guwahati ones. To cut costs, I would suggest you reach Guwahati first and then drive to Shillong. More on it below. Reach Guwahati first Flights Shillong has a small airport at Umroi, but there are few direct flights to Shillong. You will also notice that the flights are quite costly due to the low frequency. So, instead of checking for Shillong flights, you should check for the Guwahati flights, as it will be more economical for you. Trains The nearest railway station to Meghalaya is Guwahati Railway Station. You can check the train timings and cost for trains on www.irctc.co.in with respect to the state you are coming from. Reach Shillong It takes about 2-3 hours to reach Shillong from Guwahati Airport. Below, I will talk about both public services and scooter options for your trip. Scooty The distance between Guwahati and Shillong is about 100 KMs, so you can easily rent a bike (which I did) and drive to Shillong. The highway is breathtakingly gorgeous, so trust me, you won’t regret it. You can rent bikes from Guwahati as well as from Shillong at an economical price. There are many websites and stores that cater for this business. Bus Below, I am giving information on both the routes to Shillong’s main bazaar – police bazaar, from Shillong airport and Guwahati airport. From Guwahati Airport Shared cabs are available right outside the airport, connecting to Shillong. It costs about INR 300 per passenger from Guwahati Airport to Shillong’s Police Bazaar, from where you can get a ride to almost any part of Shillong. Airport transfer services cost about INR 250 and leave the airport at 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM. Tickets are available at the Tourist Information Centre, Police Bazaar and Meghalaya Tourism Information Centre, Guwahati Airport. Note: From Shillong to Guwahati airport, the bus leaves at 6.30 AM and the other one at 9.00 AM From Guwahati Railway Station If you are travelling by train, you can get a taxi from Kamakhya Railway Station itself or go to Paltan Bazaar instead. The cost from Paltan Bazaar is INR 170. Taxis run frequently from here, and you can book a seat for yourself right there. From Umroi or Shillong Airport Umroi airport is 35 kms from Shillong. There are regular services of buses and shared cabs from the Umroi airport. You can also find the MTC bus service, which is a 28-seater bus which costs about INR 100 and runs on every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. You do not have to worry about the timings of these buses. They depart from Umroi after every arrival of the flight from Kolkata. Note: From Shillong, the bus leaves at 11 AM for the Umroi airport. What’s New in 2025? In 2025, a few improvements have made travelling to Meghalaya more convenient: Things to See and Itinerary Day 1 – Explore Shillong After reaching Shillong, the best option is to find accommodation in Police Bazar. This is the main market area of the hill station and is well-connected to all parts of the city. You’ll find a range of hotels, eateries, and shops here. While the area can get crowded, it is convenient, especially for those on a Meghalaya solo trip. Street food is easily available, and you can get a simple roti with vegetables for just INR 20 (YES!). Accommodation If you’re travelling on a budget, stay at the Isabella Travellers Hostel in Shillong. It costs around INR 360 per night for a bed and offers free Wi-Fi. There are also newer, solo-travel-friendly hostels such as Quinton Enclave and Aerodene Cottage, both known for their social atmosphere and safety, perfect for a solo female trip to Meghalaya. Places to See in Shillong Umiam LakeLocated en route from Guwahati to Shillong, this scenic lake is a must-visit. If your luggage isn’t too heavy, you can stop here before entering the city. Alternatively, you can come back later from Police Bazar, it’s not far. Originally constructed as part of a hydroelectric power project, Umiam Lake is now a prominent tourist destination. The reflection of the sky on the water during sunrise and sunset is mesmerising. Activities like boating, kayaking, and zip-lining are available here. Plus, you’ll find food stalls, washrooms, and seating areas, making it ideal even for those on a Meghalaya budget trip. Shillong View Point (Laitkor Peak)Located about 10 km from Shillong, this is the highest point in Meghalaya. You’ll enjoy sweeping panoramic views of the city, waterfalls, and surrounding hills. The entry fee is INR 50, and

Meghalaya is one of the seven sisters of Northeast India with enchanting beauty and many hidden, offbeat trails. Even a good 21 days in the state felt like a short stay and was not enough to explore the state as much as I wanted to. I travelled through Meghalaya for three weeks with the company, Our Guest, and discovered quite a few unknown and unexplored places in Meghalaya, hidden away from the tourist sights. The best part? Since most of these places are relatively unknown to the average tourist, you will have these places all to yourself to explore. If you are planning to visit Meghalaya, this is the best time to do so, before you lose out on the window of visiting the roads not taken.                So, which are these places in Meghalaya? Where should you go, and who will help you to visit such hidden gems which are difficult to reach? Read on and you shall know all the unexplored and offbeat places in Meghalaya you should not miss. Ten Hidden Gems of Meghalaya That No One Talks About Mawryngkhang Village For me, this place will always be the best offbeat destination in Meghalaya. This is one of the best places to visit near Shillong if you are looking for an offbeat trek and crave adventure. Considered one of the scariest treks, Mawryngkhang won’t just give you a unique experience, but also offers breathtaking views. How to Reach Mawryngkhang? Reaching Mawryngkhang is tricky. You need to reach Wahkhen first to start the trek to Mawryngkhang. The availability of public transport to Wahkhen is close to none, and therefore, your best bet would be to hire a private cab or vehicle from Shillong or opt to travel with a private tour agency. What is Special About This Place? Mawryngkhang is a bamboo trail built by the locals on the Umrew River, which depicts the cultural expertise of the Khasi community. You will be walking on the bamboo trail to reach the end of the trek, taking you to the ridge of the mountain. It feels as if you are walking mid-air if you look downwards. People who are cremnophobic should avoid this trek. The trek is not just thrilling but worth it since the trail will lead you to one of the most breathtaking views of Meghalaya, with deep valleys and high, green hills. The view of the gorge from Mawryngkhang Peak is absolutely stunning. Folklore Behind this Place: The place is famous for its tale – the tale of two stones who fell in love with a girl from another kingdom. Due to this, a battle emerged between the two stones, where Mawryngkhang succeeded in beheading Mawpator. His head fell into the river gorge, which can be seen from the viewpoint. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Radhika Nomllers (@radhika_nomllers) Kongthong Village Being 56 km away from Shillong, Kongthong Village is another great place to visit near Shillong. Interestingly, located in the East Khasi Hills district, it is known as the Whistling or Singing Village. Folklore Behind This Place But why exactly is it called a Whistling Village? In this village, a tradition follows where the mother composes music or a tune for her children known as jingrwai ïawbei in the local language, or ‘the mother’s love song’. This tune forms a unique ID for each villager. Thus, the villagers here have two names: one is their regular name and the other is their unique tune. The village has around 650 people, which means there are 650 unique jingrwai ïawbei or tunes. The place is so unique, and every individual tries to safeguard this Intangible Cultural Heritage. This practice is also one of the reasons that attracts so many tourists. After all, it is not everywhere that you can see people singing to each other as a method of communication. Mawlyngbna and Mawsynram If you are looking for fun activities and adventures, you must visit Mawlyngbna. The Mawlyngbna Traveller’s Nest remains one of the most picturesque and unexplored places in Meghalaya. Over here, you can go kayaking, visit the hidden holes of Meghalaya, enjoy Kshaid Umdingkain Falls and walk amidst a giant split rock on Earth. This is your cue to satisfy the adventure-thirsty soul in you. The village is located on a hilltop. From atop the hill, one witnesses the dramatic sequence of the rolling Khasi hills merging into the Bangladeshi plains. You can also find the land where animal folklore is still alive – Ka Iew Luri-Lura, a market believed to have been run by animals. You can find impressions of animal footprints on the rocks. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Radhika Nomllers (@radhika_nomllers) Ialong Park, Jowai Many people often visit Jowai for the scenic Krang Suri Falls. However, there is a particular region in Jowai which is still untouched – Ialong Park, overlooking the Myntdu River. Just a few kilometres away from the town of Jowai, the park gives you quite a scenic view of the entire valley of Pynthorwah. The river cuts through the valley, which makes the sight even more enchanting. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Radhika Nomllers (@radhika_nomllers) The government is currently trying to make Ialong Park a major tourism hub and build infrastructure in the district. Being the site of a sacred grove, the park is an example of the symbiotic relationship between man and nature. Tyrshi Falls, Jowai Another region you must explore as a part of your offbeat places to visit in Meghalaya, near Jowai, would be the Tyrshi Falls. Located in the Jaintia Hills district of the state, the Tyrshi Falls offers stunning views of rugged terrain with a serene atmosphere. How to reach Tyrshi Falls? Located at about 70 km from the city of Shillong and 5 km from the town of Jowai, it lies right off NH 6. First, you have to cross an expanse of green paddy fields, followed by a pretty