Discover Meghalaya on a 7-day living root bridge and photography tour covering Shillong, Cherrapunji, Nongriat, Dawki and Mawlynnong. Explore waterfalls, caves, sacred forests, the Double Decker Living Root Bridge, Umngot River and scenic Himalayan landscapes with comfortable stays and private transfers.
Day-by-Day Travel Plan
Route: Guwahati → Shillong → Mawphlang → Cherrapunji → Nongriat → Dawki → Mawlynnong → Guwahati
Meghalaya isn't the kind of place you rush through. Between the mist-covered hills, the waterfalls that seem to appear out of nowhere, and those extraordinary bridges grown from living tree roots, this is a destination that rewards slow travel and a good camera. This Meghalaya Living Root Bridge Tour Package is built for exactly that, blending photography stops, gentle treks, and cultural detours across seven unhurried days.
Day 1: Guwahati Arrival – Umiam Lake – Shillong Distance: 100 km | Drive: 3 Hours
Your driver will be waiting at Guwahati Airport or Railway Station, ready to take you toward Shillong, often called the Scotland of the East. Along the way, expect a stop at Umiam Lake, one of those spots where the water and sky seem to blend into each other, perfect for early photographs.
Sightseeing en route:
- Umiam Lake (Barapani)
- Panoramic photography stop
- Ward's Lake
- Police Bazaar
- Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians
- Shillong Golf Course
- Lady Hydari Park
- Don Bosco Museum (optional)
Overnight stay: Shillong
Day 2: Shillong – Mawphlang Sacred Forest – Laitlum Canyon – Cherrapunji Distance: 65 km | Drive: 2.5 Hours
Day two takes you deeper into Meghalaya's wild side. Mawphlang Sacred Forest has an almost otherworldly quality to it, locals still consider it protected ground, and it's easy to see why once you're walking beneath the canopy. Laitlum Canyon, meanwhile, opens up into one of the most dramatic viewpoints in the state.
Sightseeing:
- Mawphlang Sacred Forest
- Khasi Heritage Village
- Laitlum Canyon
- Elephant Falls
- Shillong Peak
- Wei Sawdong Viewpoint
Overnight stay: Cherrapunji
Day 3: Cherrapunji Waterfalls and Caves Photography Tour
This entire day is dedicated to Cherrapunji's natural drama, one of the wettest places on earth, and it shows. Nohkalikai Falls and Seven Sisters Falls are the headline acts, but the caves here deserve just as much attention.
Sightseeing:
- Nohkalikai Falls
- Seven Sisters Falls
- Mawsmai Cave
- Arwah Cave
- Eco Park
- Dainthlen Falls
- Thangkharang Park
- Khoh Ramhah (Giant Rock)
- Garden of Caves
- Wah-Kaba Falls
Sunset photography rounds off the day.
Overnight stay: Cherrapunji
Day 4: Double Decker Living Root Bridge Trek – Rainbow Falls Distance: Trek 6–7 km (one way)
This is what most travellers come for. The trek down to the Double Decker Living Root Bridge involves over 3,500 steps, and yes, your legs will feel it, but the reward is worth every one of them. This is genuinely one of the highlights of any Meghalaya Root Bridge Tour, and photographers in particular tend to lose track of time here.
Highlights:
- Tyrna Village
- 3,500+ steps trek
- Single Living Root Bridge
- Double Decker Living Root Bridge
- Natural swimming pools
- Rainbow Falls (optional trek)
- Crystal-clear streams
- Forest photography
Return to Cherrapunji for the night.
Overnight stay: Cherrapunji
Day 5: Cherrapunji – Dawki – Umngot River – Mawlynnong Distance: 95 km | Drive: 3 Hours
The Umngot River at Dawki is famous for a reason: the water is so clear that boats appear to float mid-air. From there, the journey continues to Mawlynnong, frequently referred to as Asia's cleanest village, where community-driven conservation has kept the surroundings remarkably pristine.
Sightseeing:
- Dawki
- Umngot River boat ride
- India–Bangladesh border
- Shnongpdeng
- Adventure activities (optional)
- Borhill Falls
- Mawlynnong Village
- Living Root Bridge (Riwai)
- Sky View Tower
- Village walk
Overnight stay: Mawlynnong
Day 6: Mawlynnong – Krang Suri Falls – Guwahati Distance: 190 km | Drive: 5–6 Hours
The return journey includes one last waterfall stop at Krang Suri, whose turquoise pool often surprises even seasoned travellers. Small villages and roadside fruit markets break up the long drive nicely.
Sightseeing:
- Krang Suri Falls
- Scenic Meghalaya villages
- Local fruit markets
- Umiam Lake sunset stop
Arrival in Guwahati for the night.
Overnight stay: Guwahati
Day 7: Guwahati Sightseeing and Departure
Depending on your flight or train timing, there's room for a final round of sightseeing before departure.
Sightseeing:
- Kamakhya Temple
- Umananda Temple
- Brahmaputra River cruise (optional)
- Assam State Museum
- Fancy Bazaar shopping
Transfer to Guwahati Airport or Railway Station, and the tour wraps up here.
Package Inclusions
- 6 nights accommodation
- Daily breakfast
- Private AC vehicle for the entire tour
- Airport/railway station pickup and drop
- Professional driver
- Parking charges
- Toll taxes
- Driver allowance
- Fuel charges
- All sightseeing as per itinerary
- Meghalaya entry permits (if applicable)
- 24x7 travel assistance
Package Exclusions
- Airfare/train tickets
- Lunch and dinner
- Entry tickets to monuments, waterfalls, caves and parks
- Dawki boat ride charges
- Trekking guide charges (where mandatory)
- Camera and drone fees
- Adventure activities (zipline, kayaking, cliff jumping, etc.)
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance
- Tips and porter charges
- Anything not specifically mentioned under inclusions
Cost depends on the number of travellers in the group.
For anyone weighing up whether Meghalaya deserves a spot on their travel list, this itinerary answers that pretty clearly. Between the living root bridges, the waterfalls, and villages that feel untouched by time, few states in India offer this much variety in just seven days. If you're comparing options for a Meghalaya Living Root Bridge Tour Package, Garhwal Himalayan Expedition offers routes like this one, balancing adventure with comfort so you're not spending the whole trip exhausted. Reach out anytime to customise the pace or add extra days around Dawki and Mawlynnong.