4-Day Autumn Itinerary: Shillong, Cherrapunji, & Dawki

4-Day Autumn Itinerary: Shillong, Cherrapunji, & Dawki

October brings crisp autumn weather, clear skies, and full post-monsoon waterfalls across Meghalaya, making it an ideal time for an Autumn getaway.

Day 1: Guwahati Arrival to Shillong (The Scotland of the East)

Arrive at Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (Guwahati) or Guwahati Railway Station in the morning. Rent a private cab for your Meghalaya circuit and drive up to Shillong via National Highway 6. Stop along the way at , a massive water reservoir framed by pine-covered hills.

Check into your hotel in Shillong by afternoon. Spend your evening exploring the bustling lanes of .

• Must-Do: Take a speedboat ride or go kayaking at Umiam Lake.
  
  
• Food Highlights: Try local Khasi delicacies such as Jadoh (rice cooked with meat) and Dohneiiong (pork with black sesame seeds) at Trattoria or Dylan's Café.
  
  
• Travel Tip: Start early from Guwahati to beat the highway traffic at the Jorabat junction.
  
  

Day 2: Shillong Sightseeing & Scenic Drive to Cherrapunji (Sohra)

Begin your morning with a visit to , a three-tiered waterfall nestled inside a lush ravine. Next, head towards Shillong Peak for panoramic views of the city valley before driving south towards Cherrapunji.

Reach Cherrapunji by early afternoon. Visit , India's tallest plunge waterfall, where the autumn sunshine frequently creates vivid rainbows over the plunge pool. Conclude the afternoon exploring the illuminated limestone passages of .

• Key Highlights: Seven Sisters Falls, Nohkalikai viewpoint, and limestone cave trails.
  
  
• Overnight: Stay at a cliffside resort or boutique homestay in Sohra.
  
  

Day 3: Cherrapunji to Dawki & Mawlynnong Village

Depart early from Sohra towards , located near the Indo-Bangladesh border. October marks the start of the crystal-clear water season on the Umngot River, where wooden boats appear to float in mid-air over the emerald riverbed.

On your return loop, stop at , recognized as one of the cleanest villages in Asia. Take a short walk to the neighboring Riwai village to cross the famous Living Root Bridge.

• Must-Do: Country boat ride on the Umngot River at Dawki.
  
  
• Travel Tip: Reach Dawki by 9:30 AM to avoid crowds and catch the best morning light on the river.
  
  
• Overnight: Drive back to Shillong for an evening stay.
  
  

Day 4: Shillong Cafés & Departure to Guwahati

Spend your final morning visiting Ward's Lake for a quiet lakeside walk or visiting the Don Bosco Museum of Indigenous Cultures to learn about Northeast India's rich tribal heritage. Grab lunch at a local café before starting your return drive back to Guwahati Airport or Railway Station for your evening departure.

Would you like recommendation details on hotel options or vehicle rentals for this Meghalaya road trip? Let me know for next blog post.