A 7-day North East plan: rhino safaris in Kaziranga, then Shillong, Dawki's crystal-clear river, Mawlynnong and Cherrapunji's waterfalls, with best time and tips.
Meghalaya and Assam make one of India's most rewarding week-long holidays. In seven days you can watch one-horned rhinos in Kaziranga, stand above the clouds in Shillong, float on Dawki's glass-clear river, walk through Asia's famous clean village and see Cherrapunji's giant waterfalls. Here's a simple 7-day itinerary from Mumbai, with the best time to go, safari tips and what to pack.
How to reach Meghalaya from Mumbai
- Fly to Guwahati: there are nonstop flights from Mumbai to Guwahati, taking about 3.5 hours. Guwahati is the gateway to both Kaziranga and Meghalaya.
- Guwahati to Shillong: about 100 km, or around 3 hours by road. There's no railway to Shillong, so road is the way to go.
- Guwahati to Kaziranga: about 200 km, or around 5 hours by road.
- Getting around: a private car with a driver is the easiest option. Hill roads are narrow and winding, so drives take longer than the distances suggest.
Do you need a permit for Meghalaya?
- Indian tourists don't need an Inner Line Permit for Meghalaya or Assam.
- Meghalaya has discussed a visitor registration system for tourists, so check the latest rules before you travel. Your hotel or travel agent can confirm.
- Local guides are expected for some treks, such as the walk to the living root bridges, so plan to hire one there.
- Carry a government photo ID, as hotels and some checkpoints ask for it.
Best time to visit Meghalaya and Kaziranga
- October to April: the best time for most visitors. Skies are clearer, roads are easier, and the Umngot River at Dawki is at its clearest for boating, especially from November.
- Kaziranga season: the park reopened for the 2026–27 season on 3 October 2026, and usually stays open until about May. It closes in the monsoon, when much of it floods.
- December to February: cool to cold in Shillong and Cherrapunji, so pack warm layers. A great time for clear views and wildlife.
- June to September: the monsoon brings huge waterfalls and green hills, but heavy rain, landslides and closed safaris. Best avoided for a first visit.
7-day Meghalaya and Kaziranga itinerary
- 1
Day 1 — Fly to Guwahati, drive to Kaziranga
Take a morning flight to Guwahati and drive about 5 hours to Kaziranga, past tea gardens and the Brahmaputra plains. Check in at a jungle resort and rest for an early start.
- 2
Day 2 — Kaziranga safaris
Go on an early-morning safari, by elephant if seats are available or by jeep, to see the famous one-horned rhinos, wild buffalo, deer and many birds. Take a second jeep safari in another range in the afternoon. You can also visit a tea estate or the orchid park.
- 3
Day 3 — Kaziranga to Shillong
Drive to Shillong, about 6 hours, and stop at Umiam Lake on the way. In the evening, walk around Police Bazaar, the city's lively shopping area, and try local Khasi food.
- 4
Day 4 — Shillong and Laitlum
Visit Elephant Falls and Ward's Lake, then drive out to Laitlum Canyons for sweeping views over the valleys. Keep some time for cafes; Shillong has a lively music and cafe scene.
- 5
Day 5 — Dawki and Mawlynnong
Drive to Dawki, about 82 km from Shillong, and take a boat on the Umngot River, so clear in season that boats seem to float in the air. Quieter Shnongpdeng nearby is good for boating too. Visit Mawlynnong, often called Asia's cleanest village, and its nearby living root bridge. Continue to Cherrapunji for the night.
- 6
Day 6 — Cherrapunji
See Nohkalikai Falls, one of India's tallest waterfalls, the Seven Sisters Falls and the Mawsmai Cave. Fit travellers can instead trek to the double-decker living root bridge at Nongriat: a steep walk of about 3,000 steps from Tyrna village, taking most of the day.
- 7
Day 7 — Back to Guwahati and fly home
Drive back to Guwahati, about 4 hours. If your flight time allows, visit the Kamakhya Temple, one of India's most important Shakti Peeths, before your flight to Mumbai.
Kaziranga safari tips
- Jeep safaris run in the Kohora, Bagori, Agaratoli and Burapahar ranges. Kohora, the central range, is the most popular for rhinos.
- Elephant safaris run only in the Kohora and Bagori ranges, early in the morning, and seats are limited. Book as early as you can.
- Safaris run in fixed morning and afternoon slots, so plan your arrival and departure around them.
- Wear muted colours, carry binoculars and a jacket for cold winter mornings, and keep noise low in the park.
Food, money and packing
- Food: Khasi and Assamese food is often meat-heavy, but vegetarian Indian meals are easy to find in Guwahati, Kaziranga resorts and Shillong. Options are fewer in villages, so carry snacks on long drives.
- Money: carry cash. Cards and UPI work in towns and hotels, but village stalls, boat rides and entry points may need cash, and mobile signal can be weak.
- Clothing: layers, a warm jacket for winter, a rain jacket at any time of year, and shoes with good grip for wet steps and trails.
- Health: carry motion-sickness tablets for the winding hill roads, and any regular medicines you need.
- Respect local rules: many villages charge a small entry or parking fee, and some ask visitors not to litter or to keep to paths. Follow local signs.
Frequently asked questions
How many days are enough for Meghalaya?
Four to five days covers Shillong, Dawki, Mawlynnong and Cherrapunji. Add two days for Kaziranga in Assam, making a 7-day trip, or more if you want the Nongriat root bridge trek.
Which is the best month to visit Meghalaya?
October to April is best, with clearer views and easier roads. November to March is ideal for Dawki, when the Umngot River is at its clearest, and it fits with the Kaziranga safari season.
Is an Inner Line Permit needed for Meghalaya?
No, Indian tourists don't need an Inner Line Permit for Meghalaya. A visitor registration system has been discussed, so check the latest rules before you travel.
When is Kaziranga National Park open?
Kaziranga reopened for the 2026–27 season on 3 October 2026 and usually stays open until about May. It closes during the monsoon. Elephant safari seats are limited, so book early.
Is Meghalaya good for senior citizens?
Yes, with a relaxed pace and a private car. Skip the Nongriat trek and see the living root bridge at Mawlynnong instead. Most viewpoints and waterfalls need only short walks.
Is Meghalaya good for vegetarians?
Yes. Guwahati, Shillong and most hotels serve vegetarian Indian food. Village options are limited, so tell your hotel in advance and carry snacks. Our group tours offer pure veg and Jain meals.
Prefer to travel with a group? Our 9-day Assam and Meghalaya group tour includes flights, Kaziranga safaris, Shillong, Dawki, Mawlynnong and Cherrapunji, with veg or Jain meals and a tour manager. Or tell us your dates and group size, and we'll plan a private trip with a clear, itemised quote.
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