Things to Do in Meghalaya: Root Bridges, Falls and Rivers

Quick answer

The best things to do in Meghalaya are the trek down to the double-decker living root bridge at Nongriat, the waterfalls and caves around Sohra (Cherrapunji), Laitlum canyons, boating on the clear Umngot river at Dawki, Mawlynnong village and Krang Suri falls. In Shillong, see the Don Bosco Museum and Police Bazaar. Plan five to six days.

14 things worth your time in Meghalaya

01
Double-decker root bridge, Nongriat
Nature
Two living bridges grown from rubber-tree roots, one above the other, at the bottom of a steep valley below Tyrna village.
5–7 hours returnEntry about ₹10–20; guide optional
It is more than 3,000 steps each way. Start by 7 am, carry water, and stay overnight in Nongriat if your knees are not up to the return the same day.
02
Rainbow Falls
Nature
A further hour of trail beyond Nongriat leads to a waterfall over a blue pool where rainbows form on sunny mornings.
Add 2–3 hoursSmall fee
03
Nohkalikai Falls
Nature
Water drops about 340 m into a green pool near Sohra, one of the tallest plunge waterfalls in India.
1 hourAbout ₹20
Clouds often hide the falls. Wait 15–20 minutes before giving up.
04
Seven Sisters Falls and Mawsmai Cave
Nature
A wide set of falls that run only after rain, and a short lit limestone cave with some tight squeezes.
1.5 hoursCave about ₹20–30
05
Arwah Cave
Nature
A longer, quieter cave near Sohra with fossils in the rock and a scenic walkway to the entrance.
1.5 hoursAbout ₹30–50
06
Laitlum Canyons
Nature
Grassy ridges dropping into a deep gorge about 25 km from Shillong. Steps lead down to Rasong village for the energetic.
2–3 hoursSmall entry fee
Go early in the morning, before the mist rises.
07
Umiam Lake
Experience
A large reservoir about 15 km before Shillong, with boating and viewpoints. An easy first stop on the drive from Guwahati.
1–2 hoursWater sports about ₹200–1,000
08
Don Bosco Museum, Shillong
Landmark
Seven floors on the cultures of the North-East, with a rooftop skywalk. The best introduction to the region.
2 hoursAbout ₹100–150
09
Police Bazaar and Ward's Lake
Experience
Shillong's busy shopping hub, with street food and Khasi shawls, and a colonial-era lake with a garden nearby.
2 hoursFree; small lake entry fee
10
Mawlynnong and the Riwai root bridge
Day trip
A tidy Khasi village with bamboo dustbins and flower-lined paths, and a single living root bridge at nearby Riwai.
Half daySmall village entry and parking fees
Village rules can change. Recent reports suggest Sunday day visits may be restricted, so check before you go.
11
Dawki and Shnongpdeng (Umngot river)
Experience
In the dry months the water is clear enough that boats seem to float in air. Shnongpdeng, upstream, has riverside camps, kayaking and snorkelling.
Half day or overnightBoat about ₹600–1,500 per boat
Best December to March. The river turns muddy in the monsoon and boating is often stopped.
12
Krang Suri Falls
Nature
A blue pool below a waterfall in the Jaintia Hills, where you can swim with a life jacket in the dry season.
2–3 hoursAbout ₹50
13
Mawphlang Sacred Grove
Nature
An old-growth forest protected for centuries by Khasi tradition. Nothing, not even a leaf, may be taken out.
1.5–2 hoursAbout ₹50 plus a mandatory local guide
14
Mawryngkhang bamboo trail
Experience
A bamboo walkway clinging to cliffs around a giant boulder at Wahkhen village. For those with a head for heights.
3–4 hoursSmall entry fee

How to plan a Meghalaya trip

Most trips use two or three bases.

Shillong: Don Bosco Museum, Police Bazaar, Laitlum, Umiam Lake, Mawphlang.
Sohra (Cherrapunji): Nohkalikai, Seven Sisters, Mawsmai and Arwah caves, and the Nongriat root bridge trek.
Dawki–Shnongpdeng: the Umngot river, with Mawlynnong and Krang Suri as stops on the way in or out.

Guwahati airport to Shillong is about 100 km and three hours. Sohra is another 55 km.

How hard is the double-decker root bridge trek?

It is the trip highlight and the hardest part. The path from Tyrna to Nongriat is more than 3,000 stone steps, steep and humid, with two wire suspension bridges. Most fit adults take 1.5–2 hours down and 2–3 hours back up. Senior citizens and young children should skip it. The Riwai root bridge near Mawlynnong is a short, easy alternative.

Practical tips

Many sites charge small entry, parking and camera fees in cash. Carry ₹10–100 notes.
Mobile data is patchy beyond Shillong. Download offline maps.
Respect village rules: some places ban plastic, swimming or entry after dark.
Hire a car with a local driver. Roads are narrow and visibility drops quickly in cloud.
ATMs in Sohra and Dawki are unreliable. Draw cash in Shillong before you leave.
Pack a rain jacket and spare socks in any season; showers arrive without warning.

The Umngot is clearest from December to March. In the monsoon, swap Dawki for an extra waterfall day around Sohra.

Plan with our 6-day Meghalaya itinerary, the Meghalaya trip cost guide, what to eat in Meghalaya and the best time to visit Meghalaya.

Frequently asked questions

How many steps are there to the double-decker root bridge?

More than 3,000 stone steps lead from Tyrna village down to Nongriat, and you climb them all on the way back. Fit adults take about 1.5–2 hours down and 2–3 hours up. Start early, carry water and wear shoes with good grip.

Is Dawki's river always clear?

No. The Umngot is clearest from December to March, when boats appear to float above the riverbed. In the monsoon it turns muddy and boating is often suspended. In some recent seasons, road works upstream have also clouded the water, so check recent photos before you go.

How many days do I need for Meghalaya?

Five to six days covers Shillong, two nights around Sohra for the root bridge trek, and Dawki with Mawlynnong. With four days, cut Krang Suri and Laitlum. Add a day in the monsoon, when landslides and rain can slow you down.

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.