In India, there are a lot of places to visit and see, right? Come, let’s make an exciting trip to this destination in Meghalaya. Welcome to the mystical land of Meghalaya, where nature’s beautiful landscapes, waterfalls, and lush greenery. When is the best time to visit Meghalaya? Let us guide you through this northeastern gem’s seasons, events, and climate to help you plan the perfect itinerary.

How do I reach Meghalaya?

Meghalaya starts in Guwahati. the largest city of Assam Guwahati has excellent connectivity to all over India. That is why perhaps this city is also called Gateway to the Northeast. 

By Train: There is no railway station in Meghalaya, so to come to Meghalaya by train, you will have to come to the Guwahati railway station in Assam and take some local transport to reach Meghalaya. 

By Flight: Here you will get two options: 

  • Silang Airport is located in the capital Silang of Meghalaya, and 
  • Guwahati Airport is in Assam.

By road: we can be connected by many different roads. You can drive or take a bus from nearby cities like Guwahati, Shillong, or Siliguri in West Bengal.

By Bus: Bus services connect Meghalaya with neighboring states like Assam and West Bengal. 

Where can I find hotels?

  • For accommodations in Guwahati, consider Paltan Bazaar upon your arrival. There, you’ll discover numerous comfortable hotels offering reasonable rates.
  • In Shillong, the Police Bazaar area hosts several hotels. This location not only provides convenient lodging options but also grants easy access to local attractions.

The Best Time to Visit Meghalaya

Visiting Meghalaya is the most beautiful places in India in the winter from October to February. Meghalaya experiences a hot and humid season from March to May. Some of the places to visit are:

  1. Kamakhya temple
  2. Shillong: The Scotland of the East
  3. Cherrapunji: The Land of Living Root Bridges

Kamakhya temple:

Kamkha Temple is built on the Nilgiri mountain of Guwahati, and you will also see the entire city on the right side. After reaching the temple, quickly get in line for darshan without any delay because there is a lot of crowd in this temple for darshan, 2 to 3 hours in normal time and 7 to 10 hours during any festival time. 

Some other places to visit Guwahati are the Guwahati Ropeway, Guwahati Zoo, Guwahati Museum, Guwahati War Memorial, and ISKCON Temple.

Shillong: The Scotland of the East

The distance from Guwahati to Shillong is around 90 km, and on this way, Shillong View Point is located on the outskirts of Shillong City, by road from the city center. visit during the early morning or late afternoon. You will also find famous sites in the place:

  • Umiam Lake. 
  • Eleven Falls
  • Cathedral Catholic Church
  • Ward’s Lake
  • Lailtum Canyon
  • Krang Suri Falls
  • Phe Phe  Waterfalls

Umiam Lake

Umiam Lake is located near the town of Shillong in Meghalaya. During the dry season, from November to March, while coming to Silang from Guwahati, Umium Lake is 15 to 20 km before Shillong. Umiam Lake is a very peaceful and serene lake. The small hills that are also visible around it are East Khasi Hill, where some boats are visible in front. So maybe there would be a water sports activity too.

Umiam Lake has a total of three names; one is Umiam Lake. One is Orchid Lake, and the third is Baira Pani Lake; the main name is Barapani Lake. After visiting this, go to Eleven Falls.

Food: for lunch The name of this place is You and I Arts Cafe Here we will get the traditional food of khasi Its setup has been done in traditional style.

Best time to visit Meghalaya

Eleven Falls

Eleven Falls is also located in Sohra town (Cherrapunji) in Meghalaya, easily accessible by road from nearby towns and cities. Visit during the monsoon season, from June to September, when the waterfall is most spectacular. 

Cathedral Catholic Church

This church is made of Gothic architecture. A major attraction of Shillong City, It is also considered one of the oldest churches in northeast India.

Ward’s Lake

Ward’s Lake is located in the heart of Shillong City, easily accessible by road from the city center. The best time to visit Ward’s Lake is during the daytime. 

Lailtum canyon

Lailtum Canyon is a place completely foggy from where you can reach far and wide. A never-ending mountain is visible. Laitlum is located near the village of Smit in the East Khasi Hills district, approximately 25 kilometers from Shillong. The best time to visit Laitlum is during the dry season, from November to March.

Karang Suri Falls:

Karang Suri Falls, which is around 90 km from Lailtum, Going to Karang Suri Falls and going straight down all around looks so beautiful. Karang Suri Falls is also located in Meghalaya’s West Jaintia Hills district, approximately 13 kilometers from the Jowai. To visit Karang Suri Falls, visit during the monsoon season, from June to September.

Phe Phe Waterfalls

Phe Phe Waterfalls is located in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district, approximately 7 kilometers from Jowai town. To visit Phe Phe Waterfalls, visit during the monsoon season, from June to September.

Cherrapunji: The Land of Living Root Bridges

The distance from Silang to Cherrapunji is 54 km, and within this 54 km, you will find all the sites and sun points one after the other.

  1. MawkDok Dympep Valley
  2. Wei Sawdong Falls
  3. Dainthlen Falls
  4. ARWAH CAVE
  5. NOHKALIKAI FALLS
  6. Mawsmai caves
  7. Seven sister waterfall
  8. Single-decker Living Bridge
  9. Double-decker Living Bridge
  10. Blue Lagoon Lake
  11. Rainbow Waterfalls
  12. Mawlynnong
  13. Dawki

MawkDok Dympep Valley: Best time to visit Meghalaya

MawkDok View Point is located in the scenic landscapes of Meghalaya, easily accessible by road. Visit during the dry season, from November to March, when the weather is pleasant to explore. And next, go to Wei Sawdong Falls. We can go for an adventure zipline sport.

Wei Sawdong Falls

Wei Sawdong Falls is located in the scenic hills of Meghalaya, accessible by road from nearby towns and cities. To visit during the dry season, from November to March, the weather is pleasant to explore.  And next, go to Dainthlen Falls.

Dainthlen Falls

Dainthlen Falls is located near the town of Sohra (Cherrapunji) in Meghalaya, easily accessible by road. Visit during the monsoon season, from July to September. At this time, due to the heavy rainfall, the weather will be good but not exciting.  And also next, go to Arwah Cave.

Arwah Cave

Arwah Cave is located near the town of Sohra (Cherrapunji) in Meghalaya, easily accessible by road. Visit during the dry season, from November to March, when the weather is pleasant to explore. And next, go to Nohkalikai Falls.

Nohkalikai Falls

Nohkalikai Falls is located near the village of Cherrapunji in Meghalaya, This is India’s tallest plunge waterfall The height of the waterfall will be around 1100 feet. Easily accessible by road from nearby towns and cities. Visit during the monsoon season, from June to September, when the waterfall is most spectacular. And next, go to Mawsmai Caves.

Mawsmai caves

Mawsmai Caves are located near the town of Sohra (Cherrapunji) in Meghalaya, easily accessible by road. Visit during the dry season, from November to March, when the weather is pleasant to explore. And next, go to Seven Sister Waterfall.

Seven sister waterfall

Seven Sister Waterfall is located near the town of Sohra (Cherrapunji) in Meghalaya, easily accessible by road.  Visit during the monsoon season, from June to September, when the waterfall is most spectacular. Next, go to the single-decker living bridge.

Single-decker Living Bridge: Best time to visit Meghalaya

The single-decker living bridge is located in the remote villages of Meghalaya, accessible by foot or vehicle from nearby towns and cities. The dry season, which runs from November to March, is the ideal time to visit because of the nice weather. Next, also, go to the double-decker living bridge.

Double-decker Living Bridge

The Double-decker Living Bridge is located in a remote Tyrna village across Meghalaya, accessible by foot or vehicle from nearby towns and cities. An adventure journey is going to happen at 3500 Staircase. Visit in the dry season, from November to March, when the weather is pleasant. And also next, go to Blue Lagoon Lake.

Blue Lagoon Lake

Blue Lagoon Lake is located in the scenic hills of Meghalaya, easily accessible by road from nearby towns and cities. The best time to visit is during the dry season, from November to March when the weather is pleasant. And next, go to Rainbow Waterfalls.

Rainbow Waterfalls: 

Rainbow Waterfalls is located near Sohra town (Cherrapunji) in Meghalaya, easily accessible by road from nearby towns and cities. To visit during the monsoon season, from June to September, when the waterfall is most spectacular.

Mawlynnong village

Mawlynnong village, located in the East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya, India, is renowned as the “Cleanest Village in Asia. During the dry season, from November to March,.

Dawki

The name of this river is Umngot, the cleanest river in Asia. This is East Khasi Hills This river also divides between the East Khasi and West Jaintia Hills. That way, in Bangladesh, we are off to take the famous Dawki boat ride. There is also the India-Bangladesh border.

Festivals Celebrated Along Seasons: 

Here are some of the festivals that are celebrated, along with their seasons and locations:

Wangala Festival

The Wangala Festival, also known as the “100 Drums Festival,” is celebrated in November; the season is winter. Location: Garo Hills region, in Tura and surrounding villages.

Durga Puja

Durga Puja is a Hindu festival celebrating the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura. In October, the season is winter. It is celebrated across various towns and cities in Meghalaya, Shillong, and also Tura.

Nongkrem Dance Festival

The Nongkrem Dance Festival is a significant traditional festival of the Khasi tribe. November is the season of winter.  Celebrates in Smit village, near Shillong, in the Khasi Hills region.

Christmas

Christmas is celebrated with great joy by the Christian community in Meghalaya in December. The season is winter, with celebrations in Shillong and other Christian-majority areas.

Shad Suk Mynsiem

Shad Suk Mynsiem, also known as the “Dance of the Joyful Hearts,” is a grand harvest festival of the Khasi tribe. To visit in the April, or spring, season. It is celebrated in the Khasi Hills region.

Behdeinkhlam Festival

The Pnar tribe celebrates the Behdeinkhlam Festival to drive away evil spirits. In July, the spring season. Also, Jowai town is in the Jaintia Hills region.

Finally, the weather is cool and comfortable, and there are plenty of things to do and see in the area. Meghalaya’s natural beauty and richness in culture make it a must-visit destination. Now add Meghalaya to the list of best places to visit in India.

Conclusion: 

In conclusion, Meghalaya is not just a destination; it’s a symphony of nature’s finest melodies, a canvas painted with the vibrant hues of cultural diversity, and a sanctuary where warmth and hospitality. So, let your spirit wander amidst the mist-laden hills and dance to the rhythm of cascading waterfalls in Meghalaya. The journey transcends mere sightseeing; it’s also a journey of self-discovery, where every moment is infused with magic and every corner whispers tales of wonder. Thanks for reading. Visit again here at Journey Index.