About this North East Tour
Village life and Meghalaya's clearest water
This trip zooms in on Meghalaya's most charming corner. Spend time in Mawlynnong - Asia's cleanest village - with its flower-lined lanes, bamboo skywalk and the nearby Riwai living root bridge, plus a serene boat on the crystal-clear Umngot river at Dawki and the sights of Shillong.
A gentler, village-focused alternative to the classic circuit, with an overnight near the villages for a slower, local feel.
Trip Highlights
A clean village, a root bridge and a clear river
Asia's cleanest village Mawlynnong
The Riwai living root bridge
Mawlynnong's bamboo skywalk
Boating the crystal Umngot river
A village homestay experience
Shillong Peak & Elephant Falls
Trip Gallery
A taste of the trip
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Five days around Mawlynnong and Dawki
- Arrive at Guwahati; drive to Shillong via Umiam Lake.
- Evening at Police Bazaar.
- Shillong Peak, Elephant Falls and Ward's Lake.
- Don Bosco Museum and the Cathedral.
- Explore Mawlynnong's spotless lanes and bamboo skywalk.
- The Riwai living root bridge; overnight in a village homestay.
- Boating on the crystal-clear Umngot river at Dawki.
- Optional Shnongpdeng riverside activities; return to Shillong.
- Drive to Guwahati for your onward flight.
- Optional Kamakhya temple stop.
What's Included
Transparent pricing — no hidden surprises
- All arrival & departure transfers (Guwahati/Shillong)
- 4 nights hotel/homestay stay (Meghalaya)
- Daily Breakfast & Dinner
- All sightseeing & transfers by private vehicle
- Driver allowance, fuel, tolls & parking
- 24x7 on-trip support
- Air/train fare to Guwahati
- Lunches & personal expenses
- Boat rides, entry tickets & activity charges
- Camera fees & optional experiences
- GST as applicable
- Anything not listed under inclusions
Things to Carry
Rain-forest holiday essentials
Important Notes
Please read before booking
Best Time: October–May is ideal, with clear skies and pleasant weather. June–September is the monsoon — Cherrapunji and Mawsynram are the wettest places on earth — when waterfalls are at their fullest but rain is heavy.
How to Reach: Fly into Guwahati (Assam), the gateway to the North East; Shillong is about a 3-hour scenic drive. Shillong also has a small airport at Umroi. We handle all transfers.
Weather: Carry rain protection year-round — showers can pop up even outside the monsoon. Mornings are best for boating and waterfalls before clouds build.
Money & Network: ATMs are reliable in Shillong and Guwahati; carry cash for villages, boats and entry fees. Mobile network is patchy in remote valleys.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before you book
Mawlynnong earned the title thanks to its community-led cleanliness - spotless bamboo-lined lanes, cane dustbins everywhere, composting and a strong local ethic. It is a genuinely charming, well-kept Khasi village.
Yes - this itinerary includes a night in a Mawlynnong village homestay, giving you a real feel for local life once the day-trippers leave. Homestays are simple, clean and welcoming.
Near Mawlynnong, the Riwai root bridge is a living bridge grown over decades from the roots of rubber fig trees across a stream. It is an easy short walk - a great way to see a root bridge without the strenuous Nongriat trek.
In the dry season the Umngot is so clear that boats appear suspended above the riverbed. It is one of India's most photographed rivers, best experienced by boat in the calm early morning.
Yes - it focuses on villages and the river rather than a packed sightseeing circuit, with a homestay night for an authentic, unhurried feel. It suits travellers who like to slow down and go local.
Shnongpdeng is a quieter village upstream of Dawki on the same Umngot river, known for camping, kayaking, snorkelling and zip-lining. It is a great add-on for a more active riverside day.
Late autumn to spring (roughly November to April) gives the clearest water, especially in the early morning. During and just after the monsoon the river runs higher and less transparent.
No permit is needed, just a valid photo ID, which you should carry as Dawki sits on the India-Bangladesh border. We brief you on the simple formalities.
