A 6-day Meghalaya tour package from Kolkata typically costs Rs 18,000 to Rs 32,000 per person (twin sharing) and starts with a 1.5-hour flight or overnight train to Guwahati, from where a private cab drives you up to Shillong, Cherrapunji and the famous double-decker living root bridge at Nongriat. The trip packs in Asia’s cleanest village, the crystal-clear Umngot river at Dawki, India’s wettest hills and dozens of waterfalls into one well-paced loop.
At Safar Kolkata we arrange the Guwahati-end transport, hotels and the full sightseeing circuit so all you book separately is your Kolkata-Guwahati flight or train. Below is the exact itinerary, what is included, the price range and the best season to go.
Why visit Meghalaya from Kolkata
Meghalaya, the “abode of clouds”, is the easiest Northeast state to reach from Kolkata. Guwahati (Assam) is the gateway airport, and from there Shillong is only about 100 km away on the NH6 expressway — roughly a 3 to 3.5 hour drive through pine forests. For Bengali and Kolkata-based travellers it is a short hop that delivers a completely different landscape: limestone caves, plunging waterfalls, root bridges hand-grown by Khasi villagers, and the bluest river water you will see in India.
- Quick access: Kolkata to Guwahati is a 1 hr 15 min flight, or an overnight train (Saraighat / Kamrup Express) of 17-22 hours.
- Compact circuit: Shillong, Cherrapunji and Dawki are all within a 2-3 hour drive of each other.
- Year-round appeal: waterfalls roar in monsoon, skies clear in winter, and the root bridges stay lush throughout.
6-Day Meghalaya itinerary at a glance
This itinerary assumes you fly Kolkata to Guwahati on Day 1 and fly back on Day 6. All road distances are from the Guwahati airport / Shillong base.
| Day | Route & distance | Highlights | Night stay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Guwahati to Shillong (~100 km, 3.5 hrs) | Umiam Lake (Barapani) viewpoint, evening at Police Bazar | Shillong |
| Day 2 | Shillong to Cherrapunji (~55 km, 2 hrs) | Mawkdok Valley, Nohkalikai Falls, Seven Sisters Falls, Mawsmai Cave, Arwah Cave | Cherrapunji |
| Day 3 | Tyrna to Nongriat trek (round trip) | Double-decker living root bridge, Rainbow Falls, natural pools (3,500+ steps) | Cherrapunji |
| Day 4 | Cherrapunji to Dawki & Mawlynnong (~80 km) | Umngot crystal river boating, Asia’s cleanest village, single-decker root bridge, India-Bangladesh border view | Shillong / Cherrapunji |
| Day 5 | Local Shillong (~40 km) | Elephant Falls, Shillong Peak, Don Bosco Museum, Ward’s Lake, Laitlum Canyons | Shillong |
| Day 6 | Shillong to Guwahati airport (~100 km, 3.5 hrs) | Drop for return flight to Kolkata | — |
Day-by-day details
Day 1 — Arrive Guwahati, drive to Shillong
Land at Guwahati’s LGBI airport by late morning and meet your driver. The drive to Shillong climbs gradually through the Khasi hills; the big stop is Umiam Lake, a sprawling reservoir 15 km before Shillong with kayaking and a great photo viewpoint. Check in by evening and stroll the buzzing Police Bazar for Khasi food, momos and the famous Shillong pork dishes.
Day 2 — Shillong to Cherrapunji (Sohra)
The 2-hour drive south is the scenic heart of the trip. Stop at the Mawkdok Dympep Valley viewpoint (zipline available), then Nohkalikai Falls — India’s tallest plunge waterfall at about 340 m, thundering into a green pool. Cap the day with the Seven Sisters Falls (Nohsngithiang), the limestone Mawsmai Cave and Arwah Cave with its fossils.
Day 3 — The living root bridges of Nongriat
This is the day people remember. Drive 12 km to Tyrna village, then descend roughly 3,500 stone steps into the valley to reach Nongriat and the iconic double-decker living root bridge — a 200-year-old structure the Khasi people grew by training the aerial roots of rubber-fig trees across the river. Strong walkers continue to Rainbow Falls and swim in the turquoise pools. It is a demanding round-trip trek (4-6 hours); carry water and good shoes.
If a full trek sounds too much, the single-decker root bridge at Mawlynnong / Riwai (Day 4) is an easy 10-minute walk and a gentler alternative.
Ready to lock in your dates? You can book your Meghalaya package now and we will confirm the Guwahati pickup and hotels within the day.
Day 4 — Dawki, Umngot river and Mawlynnong
Head to Dawki near the Bangladesh border, where the Umngot river runs so clear that boats appear to float on air over the riverbed — best seen October to April. Then visit Mawlynnong, awarded “Asia’s cleanest village”, with its bamboo skywalk, root bridge and tidy Khasi homes.
Day 5 — Shillong sightseeing
A relaxed local day: the three-tiered Elephant Falls, panoramic Shillong Peak (highest point at 1,965 m), the well-curated Don Bosco Museum of indigenous cultures, and the dramatic Laitlum Canyons if time allows. Evening free for shopping at Bara Bazar.
Day 6 — Return to Guwahati and fly home
An early start for the 3.5-hour drive back to Guwahati airport, timed for an afternoon flight to Kolkata.
Indicative price range
Prices depend on hotel category, group size and season. Smaller groups pay more per head because the cab cost is shared among fewer people. The figures below are 2026 indicative ranges and exclude your Kolkata-Guwahati airfare.
| Package category | Per person (twin sharing) | Per cab (whole vehicle, land only) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard (3-star, sedan) | Rs 18,000 – Rs 22,000 | Rs 28,000 – Rs 34,000 |
| Deluxe (premium hotels, SUV) | Rs 23,000 – Rs 28,000 | Rs 36,000 – Rs 44,000 |
| Premium (boutique stays, SUV) | Rs 28,000 – Rs 32,000+ | Rs 45,000 – Rs 55,000 |
Note: fares and package prices are indicative and vary with season, fuel, traffic, group size and car type (sedan/SUV). Peak season (Oct-Dec) rates run higher.
Inclusions
- Private air-conditioned cab from Guwahati airport for the full 6-day circuit (sedan for 3-4 pax, SUV for larger groups)
- 5 nights accommodation in Shillong and Cherrapunji as per category
- Daily breakfast (MAP/CP as per hotel)
- All sightseeing, transfers and tolls per the itinerary
- Experienced local driver familiar with hill routes
- Inner-line / forest entry coordination where required
Exclusions
- Kolkata-Guwahati flight or train fare
- Lunch, dinner and personal expenses
- Monument, cave, boating, zipline and root-bridge trek entry fees
- Guide charges at Nongriat and porter fees if hired
- Anything not listed under inclusions; GST where applicable
Best season to visit Meghalaya
- October to April (best overall): clear skies, the Umngot river at its bluest, comfortable trekking weather. Winter mornings can drop to 5-8 C in Shillong, so pack warm layers.
- June to September (monsoon): Cherrapunji and Mawsynram are the wettest places on earth and the waterfalls are spectacular, but trekking trails get slippery and Dawki boating may pause during heavy flow.
- March-May: pleasant, green and less crowded — a good shoulder-season choice.
Local tips for the trip
- Carry cash; ATMs are scarce in Cherrapunji, Dawki and Nongriat.
- For the double-decker bridge, start the Tyrna descent by 8-9 am to finish the climb back before dark.
- Network coverage is patchy beyond Shillong; download offline maps.
- Respect village rules in Mawlynnong and Nongriat — no littering, and pay the small community entry fees that maintain the bridges.
- Pair this with an outstation cab from Kolkata if you prefer driving to Guwahati, or browse our other Kolkata tour packages for shorter getaways.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Meghalaya tour package from Kolkata cost?
A 6-day land package costs roughly Rs 18,000 to Rs 32,000 per person on twin sharing, depending on hotel category and group size. This excludes your Kolkata-Guwahati flight or train fare. Smaller groups pay more per head as the cab cost is split among fewer travellers.
How do I reach Meghalaya from Kolkata?
Fly Kolkata to Guwahati (about 1 hr 15 min) or take an overnight train such as the Saraighat or Kamrup Express. From Guwahati airport, Shillong is about 100 km, a 3 to 3.5 hour drive by private cab, which we arrange as part of the package.
Are the living root bridges hard to reach?
The famous double-decker bridge at Nongriat needs a steep round-trip trek of about 3,500 steps (4-6 hours), so it suits reasonably fit travellers. If that is too strenuous, the single-decker root bridge at Riwai near Mawlynnong is just a short, easy walk.
What is the best time to visit Shillong and Cherrapunji?
October to April is best for clear skies, blue river water at Dawki and comfortable trekking. The June to September monsoon brings the most dramatic waterfalls but slippery trails and possible boating pauses.
Is the Dawki river boating worth it?
Yes. From roughly October to April the Umngot river at Dawki is so transparent that boats look like they are floating on air. It is one of Meghalaya’s most photographed experiences and is included as a stop in this itinerary.
Ready to book your Meghalaya trip
Tell us your travel dates and group size and we will tailor the hotels, car type and Guwahati pickup time to your Kolkata flight. Book your 6-day Meghalaya tour now and let Safar Kolkata handle the entire ground arrangement so you just enjoy the clouds.
