What to do and see in Meghalaya, India: The Best Budget-friendly Things to do

December 18, 2021 Dorsey Hagwood

Meghalaya (UK: /meɪˈɡɑːləjə/, US: /ˌmeɪɡəˈleɪə/) is a state in Northeast India. The name means "the abode of clouds" in Sanskrit. The population of Meghalaya as of 2016 is estimated to be 3,211,474. Meghalaya covers an area of approximately 22,430 square kilometers, with a length to breadth ratio of about 3:1.
Restaurants in Meghalaya

1. Double Decker Living Root Bridge

Nongriat Village, Sohra India
Excellent
84%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 794 reviews

Double Decker Living Root Bridge

Reviewed By ugenb

Need to be fit to reach here and go back kn the same day. If you have any doubt on your fitness, then please stay back at Nongriat. 1. Location - In Nongriat, Cherrapunjee Meghalaya is where the famous double decker root bridge resides. 2. How to get there - From Cherrapunjee (aka Sohra) get down to a village called Tyrna. That's where the trek starts. 3700 steps/2 hours take you to Nongriat village, where the famous double decker living root bridges are. 3. Entry fees - 20 bucks for double decker. 4. Other attractions - Serenity pool (30 minutes before rainbow falls) and Rainbow falls (50 minutes) after crossing the roit bridges. 2.5 hours further uphill from Rainbow falls will take you to the famous "Nohkalikai water falls." This is an information that I collected from a group that had travelled from Cherrapunjee and they later confirmed me that they had reached. As per them, the trek is tough because the path is rough and not well laid out like rainbow falls. 5. Food - Plenty of options are available till double decker bridge but there isn't even 1 shop till the rainbow falls. 6. Overnight options - Homestays with options of rooms and dorm are there at Nongriat (double decker ). 7. What to do there - Photography, dipping legs in the natural pool and hike to Serenity pool and Rainbow falls. Also, you can roam around the village. 8. Temperature - Since you are coming downhill from Cherrapunjee, the altitude drops and you are at river level. So it gets very hot and humid during summers and pleasant during winters. I travelled in Nov but still I sweated a lot. 9. Communication - Till Tyrna, a reseved Alto/800 will take you 400 to 500 bucks from Sohra. For any further details, let me know. 10. The trek path - well laid out roads. You will cross 3 hanging bridges that are over clear rivers. A 5 minute detour will take you to a single root bridge. This diversion comes after 30 minutes. For any more information please let me know.

2. Krang Suri Falls

Amlarem Civil Sub Division, Jowai India http://megtourism.gov.in/dest-jaintia.html
Excellent
88%
Good
9%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 96 reviews

Krang Suri Falls

Reviewed By mandar25 - Mumbai, India

It's a majestic place. A definite visit for Meghalaya. There are options to stay at a camp near the falls. Clear blue waters

3. Umiam Lake

Shillong India
Excellent
50%
Good
39%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
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4.5 based on 968 reviews

Umiam Lake

Reviewed By supriyog2018 - Kanpur, India

A very beautiful lake, a few kms from Shillong on the way to Guwahati, Stopped there for sometime to view the scenic beauty.

4. Mawsmai Cave

Shella Road, Sohra India
Excellent
46%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
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4.5 based on 764 reviews

Mawsmai Cave

Reviewed By 18manishm - India, null

There are two caves here. One is recently found and one is old. Both of them worth a visit. They are in almost their natural state and still well lit. It was an adventure for children and they enjoyed it very much. One caution though: people who have spine, knee or hip problem or are physically unfit should not go through it.

5. Nohkalikai Falls

Sohra India
Excellent
58%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
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4.5 based on 583 reviews

Nohkalikai Falls

Reviewed By Kunal_Bhowmick - Kolkata (Calcutta), India

One of the largest waterfall in Cherrapunji region...however, it can be best viewed during monsoon season...as it is a natural spring...

6. Mawphlang Sacred Forest

Mawphlang Nongrum, Shillong 793121 India
Excellent
62%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
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4.5 based on 305 reviews

Mawphlang Sacred Forest

Reviewed By ComfortYatri - Ahmedabad, India

This is a must visit tourist attraction in Meghalaya. Journey is bit long but not strenuous. When we reached there, in our front was a vast stretch of open land and on its one end was vast tall green canvas as if someone has drawn it to the scale in straight line. It was sacred forest. Our special guide for the place had to lead us to its entrance which otherwise is most likely to be missed. And inside that lay a unique very vast jungle. Tall tress, road wet all along, chirping of birds all through, orange size lemon trees, different species of mushrooms, spectacular variety of trees, no ray of sun, pin drop silence, big hanging branches of trees, places where local heads occasionally visit to pray and make offerings to jungle God. We were warned not to take out even the smallest of leaf from said jungle. Legend has it that whosoever dared break said rule, soon was condemned to some unknown illness and ultimately paid with his/her life. So we did enjoy lemon juice of freshly plucked lemons inside jungle but the party had to be over then and there. one has to be there to believe and enjoy what really said Sacred Forest has to offer. After visiting said place, we met with visitors at Kaziranga who were part of tour group arranged by one reputed tour operator. We asked whether the said place was on their itinerary and... you guessed right. IT WAS NOT. After returning home, we checked with some other colleagues and friends who have recently visited Meghalaya about their experience of this awesome place. To our surprise they did not know about this place and one of them was one who is an avid traveller and explorer of the places. So my suggestion to the readers is - do include Mawphlang sacred forest in your itinerary when you visit Meghalaya. Good luck.

7. Roots Bridges

Mawlynnong India http://nexplore.org/destinations/Meghalaya/Mawlynnong.php
Excellent
69%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 248 reviews

Roots Bridges

Reviewed By nishitapatwardhan - Mumbai, India

Although we would have loved to have done the double decker root bridge - we were short on both time and stamina so this one was a much easier one to get to - it took us a painless 10 minute walk down steps and a little more painful 15 minute walk up after ! We went in Feb - not really the best time to visit but this natural marvel was still breath taking with just a stream under verses a gushing river ! A visit to the neighbouring Mawlynnong Village known to be the cleanest in India can be done easily from here - if short of time skip the village but definitely do the bridge !!!

8. Don Bosco Centre for Indigenous Cultures

Mawlai, Shillong 793008 India +91 364 255 0260 [email protected] http://www.dbcic.org/
Excellent
63%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 686 reviews

Don Bosco Centre for Indigenous Cultures

Acclaimed as one the finest museum in Asia on the promotion of indigenous and tribal cultures, Don Bosco Centre for Indigenous Cultures (DBCIC) or Don Bosco Museum as it is popularly known is a major tourists' attraction that provides a glimpse of the rich and multi-cultural lifestyles, history and traditions of the indigenous peoples of North East India. The museum, showcasing many galleries, gives an insight into the beautiful and diverse cultural richness of the eight States of India's North East under one roof. The Museum, run by the Salesian of Don Bosco of the Catholic Church, houses and documents the various indigenous cultures, arts and crafts of North East India.

Reviewed By LailaFreddy - Pune, India

A real mix of cultural heritage, history, tribal customs, beautiful displays, and a spectacular rooftop view.

9. Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians

Lachumiere, Shillong 793003 India
Excellent
43%
Good
44%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
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4.5 based on 158 reviews

Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians

Reviewed By IvorVaz - Mumbai, India

It isn't hard to figure why The Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians (popularly referred to as Cathedral Church here) is one of the major tourist attractions in Shillong. Perched on a hill, the Cathedral is one of the most beautiful churches. It has high arches and stained glass windows which add to its grandeur. Directly below, carved out of the hill is the Grotto Church (which gets all decked up and strung in lights for Christmas - the best time to visit the city). It has been accorded status of a pilgrimage centre, with services every Wednesday the year round. It's got a huge campus that houses a school among other institutions. Give it an hour to stroll around and explore - you won't be disappointed.

10. All Saints Church

Near Barik Point, Shillong 793001 India
Excellent
42%
Good
44%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
2%
Terrible
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4.5 based on 102 reviews

All Saints Church

Reviewed By SatyendraGarg - Port Blair, India

This time I enjoyed the beauty of the church from inside. Definitely it is old British church which has been done very elegantly. There is display of excellent woodwork. There is description of its history. Glasswork done inside is wonderful.

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