Best Time to Visit Meghalaya: Season-by-Season Guide

Quick answer

The best time to visit Meghalaya is October to April, when roads are dry, trails to the living root bridges are safer and the Umngot river at Dawki runs clear. October and November also keep the waterfalls flowing. June to September is the monsoon: the falls are spectacular, but expect landslides, slippery steps and boating closures at Dawki.

Month-by-month at a glance

Jan16°Good
Feb18°Good
Mar22°Good
Apr24°Good
May24°Fair
Jun24°Fair
Jul24°Fair
Aug24°Fair
Sep24°Good
Oct22°Best
Nov19°Best
Dec17°Best

BestGoodFairAvoidTemperatures are average daily highs (°C).

Meghalaya weather, crowds and what to expect

Monthly weather, crowds and our verdict
Month	High / Low	Rain	Crowds	What to expect
JanuaryGood	16° / 4°	15 mm	low	Cold nights, dry trails, clear Umngot water; waterfalls thin.
FebruaryGood	18° / 6°	25 mm	low	Dry and pleasant; good trekking weather.
MarchGood	22° / 10°	60 mm	medium	Warmer; first spring showers; some haze.
AprilGood	24° / 13°	140 mm	medium	Shad Suk Mynsiem in Shillong; rain picks up late in the month.
MayFair	24° / 15°	300 mm	medium	Pre-monsoon storms; waterfalls begin to fill.
JuneFair	24° / 17°	450 mm	medium	Monsoon arrives; falls at full power; Dawki boating often suspended.
JulyFair	24° / 18°	400 mm	low	Heaviest rain in Sohra; landslides; views often in cloud. Behdienkhlam in Jowai.
AugustFair	24° / 17°	330 mm	low	Very green and wet; for flexible travellers who like rain.
SeptemberGood	24° / 16°	290 mm	low	Rain eases; waterfalls still full; fewer tourists.
OctoberBest	22° / 13°	180 mm	medium	Clear skies return while the falls still flow; Puja holidays are busy.
NovemberBest	19° / 9°	35 mm	high	Cherry Blossom Festival in Shillong; Wangala in the Garo Hills; dry trails.
DecemberBest	17° / 5°	10 mm	high	Christmas in Shillong; cold and dry; the Umngot is at its clearest.

Long-term monthly averages. Individual years vary — check a forecast in the week before you travel.

Festivals and events in Meghalaya

April
Shad Suk Mynsiem
Khasi thanksgiving dance at the Weiking ground in Shillong.
July
Behdienkhlam
Pnar festival in Jowai to drive away plague, with towering decorated structures.
October–November
Nongkrem Dance
Five-day Khasi harvest festival at Smit, about 15 km from Shillong.
November
Wangala
Garo harvest festival, known for its 100-drum dance in the Garo Hills.
20–21 November 2026
Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival
Music festival at the New Shillong Highland Grounds when the cherry trees flower.

When is the best time to visit Meghalaya?

For most trips, October to April. The monthly figures here are for Shillong at about 1,500 m. Sohra (Cherrapunji) is a little cooler and gets five to six times more rain: it averages over 11,000 mm a year.

Dry season or monsoon?

Factor	October–April	June–September
Waterfalls	Full in Oct–Nov, thin by Feb	At full power
Root bridge trek	Dry steps, safer	Slippery, slow
Dawki river	Clear, boating on	Muddy, boating often stopped
Views from Sohra	Mostly clear	Often lost in cloud
Road delays	Few	Landslides common

October and November give you the best of both: the falls are still running from the monsoon, the skies have cleared and the steps down to Nongriat have dried out. December to February is best for the clear green water at Dawki and Shnongpdeng, though the waterfalls thin out.

Is Meghalaya worth visiting in the monsoon?

If you want to see Nohkalikai and Seven Sisters at full force, yes, but plan for it. Rain can last all day, landslides close roads around Sohra, boating on the Umngot is often suspended, and the 3,000-plus steps down to the double-decker root bridge are slippery. Keep a spare day and wear shoes with real grip.

Festivals worth timing a trip around

Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival: 20–21 November 2026, when the cherry trees flower around Shillong.
Wangala: November, in the Garo Hills.
Christmas: Shillong is largely Christian, and churches and Police Bazaar light up through December.

Puja week in October and Christmas–New Year are the busiest periods. Book Sohra homestays early, as good ones are few.

Plan with the 6-day Meghalaya itinerary, things to do in Meghalaya, the Meghalaya trip cost guide and what to eat in Meghalaya. To combine it with Assam or Sikkim, see our India tour packages.

Frequently asked questions

Which month is best for Dawki's clear water?

December to March is when the Umngot river is clearest and the boats appear to float on glass. Late October and November are also good. In the monsoon the river turns muddy and boating is often suspended. In some recent seasons, road works upstream have also affected water clarity.

Is it safe to trek to the double-decker root bridge in the monsoon?

It can be done, but it is harder. The 3,000-plus stone steps between Tyrna and Nongriat get slippery, and streams rise quickly after heavy rain. Start early, wear shoes with good grip, hire a local guide and turn back if a crossing looks unsafe. October to April is easier.

When is the Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival?

The 2026 festival is on 20–21 November at the New Shillong Highland Grounds. It combines the flowering of Shillong's cherry trees with a music line-up. Hotels in Shillong fill quickly that weekend, so book rooms as soon as you fix your dates.

How cold does Shillong get in winter?

December and January days are around 16–17°C and nights fall to 4–5°C, colder in Sohra on windy evenings. Carry a warm jacket, a cap and layers. Most homestays have no heating, so ask for extra blankets.

How we checked this page

Last reviewed 28 October 2026

Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.