Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya, sits on a high plateau in the northeastern hills, cool and green year-round. The city is built on colonial lines with a small, walkable centre around downtown and a quieter Old Shillong neighbourhood overlooking the valleys. Most visitors use it as a base to explore the state's waterfalls, sacred groves and the famous living root bridges of Cherrapunji, roughly an hour and a half away by road.
The city itself rewards a 1–2 day stay before heading out. Ward's Lake for a quiet morning walk, the Government Museum for Khasi heritage, and a few neighbourhood temples give a sense of local life without rushing. The monsoons (June–August) are intense, making the landscape dramatically green but the roads wet and the weather unpredictable. Winter (October–March) is the best time: clear mornings, dry days, and cherry blossoms in November.
For older travellers, Shillong has the advantage of being cooler and less crowded than plains cities, with a slower pace and fewer crowds at major sights. The terrain is hilly with some uneven walking, but the main attractions are accessible without long treks. A car and driver, a good hotel with lifts, and a flexible itinerary that allows midday rests make Shillong and Cherrapunji very comfortable for seniors.
Before you plan
Know Shillong at a glance
- Best months
- October to March; November has cherry blossoms and the most comfortable weather. June to August is monsoon season with heavy rains and lush green landscapes.
- Ideal trip length
- 2 days in Shillong; 3–4 days if adding Cherrapunji, Mawlynnong or other day trips
- Airport
- Shillong Airport (SHL) at Umroi, roughly 30–40 km away; about 1–1.5 hours by road depending on traffic
- Railway station
- No major station in Shillong; nearest major stations are Guwahati (about 4 hours by road) or Silchar (about 3–4 hours)
- Getting around
- Hire a car and driver for day trips and sightseeing; autos and local cabs work for moving around the city. Roads to waterfalls and hill destinations require a driver.
- Daily budget
- Roughly ₹1,500–₹3,500 per person per day excluding hotel, for food, local transport and entry fees; depends on restaurant and transport choices
- Senior comfort
- Good: cool climate, slower pace, and main sights accessible without long treks. Terrain is hilly with uneven paths in some places; stairs at some temples and viewpoints.
- Language
- Khasi and English locally; Hindi is less common than in other parts of India, but English and local guides are widely available in hotels and at sights
Prices, opening hours and weather change. Recheck live details before booking.
How many days do you have?
A Shillong itinerary that leaves room for Shillong
01 1 day in Shillong
- Day 1: City walk and lake. Start at Ward's Lake in the cool morning for a walk around the artificial lake and gardens. Visit the nearby Don Bosco Centre for views over the city and lower Shillong. Walk around the downtown area and visit the Government Museum if time permits, then head to Old Shillong neighbourhood to see the Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians and browse local shops. Stop at a café for local snacks like khyndai kordoi (sticky rice cakes). End with a visit to Shillong Peak on the edge of the city for sunset views over the valleys, if the weather permits.
02 2 days in Shillong
- Day 1: Shillong town and lake. Begin with Ward's Lake and the surrounding gardens in the early morning. Visit Don Bosco Centre for local knowledge and views of the city and lower neighbourhoods. Spend the mid-morning at the Government Museum of Shillong to understand Khasi heritage, then have lunch at a local café or restaurant in downtown. In the late afternoon, visit Shillong Peak or walk around Old Shillong, seeing the Cathedral and browsing the local markets. End the day at a viewpoint or with a quiet evening at the lake.
- Day 2: Cherrapunji and living root bridges. Leave early (around 7–8 am) by car for the 1.5-hour drive to Cherrapunji. Visit Nohkalikai Falls, the tallest single-drop waterfall in India, followed by Nohkrek Village and the living root bridges, a Khasi engineering marvel. See the double-decker root bridge at Nongriat if time and energy allow (about a 1-hour trek down and 45 minutes back up). Stop at Mawkdok Dympep Valley View Point for panoramic views. Return to Shillong by late afternoon or early evening.
03 3 days in Shillong
- Day 1: Shillong lakes and heritage. Start at Ward's Lake early and walk the perimeter, then visit the Government Museum to learn about Khasi culture and history. Have lunch at a local spot, then visit the Government Aquarium in the afternoon if interested in seeing regional freshwater species. Spend the late afternoon exploring Old Shillong, seeing the Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians and browsing local craft shops. End with sunset views from Shillong Peak.
- Day 2: Cherrapunji and falls. Full-day trip to Cherrapunji and nearby waterfalls. Drive out early to Nohkalikai Falls, then see Arwai Falls and Seisiey Falls if weather permits. Visit Mawkdok Dympep Valley View Point for views and walk the Nongriat path if energy and knees allow. See the sacred grove at Mawphlang or another valley viewpoint before returning to Shillong in the evening.
- Day 3: Mawlynnong and beyond. Drive to the cleanest village in India, Mawlynnong, roughly 1 hour away. Visit the artificial waterfall created by locals, see the living root bridges at Riwai (or a similar nearby example), and explore the limestone caves if interested. Return via Dawki, a riverside town on the Indo-Bangladesh border, and see the Dawki River. If time allows, visit Arwai River valley or stop at a local café before returning to Shillong.
