The natural beauty of Meghalaya, comprising the Garo, Khasi, and Jaintia hills, makes the state unparalleled to the other hill stations you might visit. As a state, Meghalaya houses some of the most unique tourist places in India. As Meghalaya is located in the far east of our country, you must learn a bit about how to get to Meghalaya before learning about the various tourist places it offers.
So, here is a simple travel guide for you on how to reach Meghalaya.
By air: Meghalaya does not have an airport. The closest airport you can avail of is in Assam, the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport. As an international airport, you can get there from foreign countries and almost all parts of India easily. The airport is located 159 km away from Meghalaya. Once you reach the airport, which is in Assam, you can easily use public transport like cabs and buses, which will get you to Meghalaya.
By road: Meghalaya is well-connected to nearby states with a network of highways. You can easily get to Meghalaya from different parts of the country thanks to the well-connected network of roads. You can find buses from different parts of the country that reach directly to Meghalaya. Even if you do not take direct buses, you can come to Meghalaya and get local government buses to help you navigate throughout the state.
By train: Meghalaya is not connected directly by railways as of yet. The closest train station you can avail of for coming to Meghalaya is in Guwahati, Assam. The Guwahati railway station is located around 180 km away from Meghalaya. You must take a bus or cab from outside the station to reach Meghalaya. The Guwahati railway station is well-connected to other parts of the country, especially the northern states. You can get direct trains from there to Guwahati.
10 places that you must visit in Meghalaya
Given that the state is located in the far east of the country, many people are unaware of the best places to visit in Meghalaya. So, to help you learn more about Meghalaya tourist places, here are some of the best ones you can visit today.
Mawsynram
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Mawsynram is a village in Meghalaya that has been acknowledged to be the wettest place in the world, with the highest amount of rainfall received in a single place. Apart from being the wettest place, Mawsynram is also an exceptionally beautiful village amidst the mountains, and you can spend quality time there away from your daily life. Mawsynram is best for a weekend getaway.
If you are visiting Meghalaya, there is no better place to start your trip than Mawsynram. The city of Mawsynram is located at a distance of around 60 km away from Shillong, which is the capital of Meghalaya. You can get to Mawsynram using cabs or state-run buses. The buses and cabs are both available easily and regularly from Shillong and other cities in Meghalaya.
Cherrapunji
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Cherrapunji is the second wettest place in the world. It was, however, known as the wettest place for quite some time before being taken over by Mawsynram. This village is also a premier tourist attraction in Meghalaya that attracts thousands of visitors annually from different parts of the world. The flora and fauna of the city are truly spectacular, and it can be an excellent place for you to spend your weekends.
You can plan a long weekend trip to Cherrapunji and Mawsynram and enjoy the two wettest places on earth. Just make sure you carry your umbrella. Cherrapunji is also located quite close to Mawsynram at a distance of only 54 km from Shillong. You can use the same buses and cabs to reach Cherrapunji that you would use to reach Mawsynram. They are available easily from the capital city of Shillong.
Double Decker Root Bridge
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Located in Cherrapunji, the double-decker root bridge is an exceptional natural phenomenon. The bridge is made completely naturally out of the roots of the trees in the region. The double-decker root bridge is something unique to Cherrapunji, and it is located in a beautiful spot inside a jungle, which gives an exciting sense of adventure.
The bridge, although not climbable by human beings, is one of the coolest natural things you can see in Meghalaya, so make sure you visit this among other Meghalaya places to visit on your next trip. If you start your journey from Shillong, it will take you around two to three hours to reach this tourist spot which is located roughly 70 km away from Shillong. You can find buses and cabs to reach this destination and also to get back to Shillong.
Nohkalikai Waterfalls
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Located close to Cherrapunji, the Nohkalikai waterfalls are the fourth-highest waterfalls in the world. With a drop of over 300 metres from atop a cliff, these waterfalls are incredibly beautiful. They are also the second-highest waterfall in India. As a prime example of one of the top tourist places in Meghalaya, the Nohkalikai waterfalls should be on your must-visit list on your next trip to Meghalaya. The Nohkalikai falls are located quite close to Cherrapunji at a distance of 54 km from Shillong. You can easily get to these waterfalls using the well-connected public transport system of Meghalaya, comprising cabs and buses.
Shillong
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Shillong is the picturesque capital of Meghalaya that boasts incredible scenery, pine trees, and pleasant weather that will make you want to stay there forever. The name Shillong comes from a deity that is worshipped at the peak of Shillong. Shillong is located at a height of over one km above sea level. You can find various trekking adventures and other activities around the capital of Meghalaya that can help you make your trip exciting and eventful.
As the capital city, you do not need a map to get here; most of the journeys to Meghalaya would start at Shillong because the transport often leads to the capital city when you are getting to Meghalaya from other parts of the country. As the capital city, Shillong is the primary tourist location of Meghalaya, which faces the most tourists year-round.
Elephant Falls
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The Elephant Falls are named so because of the elephant-shaped rock present at the bottom of the waterfall. It is one of the most beautiful and popular waterfalls in North-East India. You can visit these falls easily from Shillong as they are located close to the capital. The best part about these waterfalls is that they have three layers, which can be viewed from different vantage points. You can trek to these various vantage points adding thrill and excitement to your trip and experience. The Elephant falls are located very close to Shillong at a distance of just 12 km from the capital. You can easily get to and from these waterfalls in a matter of hours, making it a great trip for your off days or for a day trip.
Jowai
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If you want to experience the best of Meghalaya in terms of scenic beauty, you must visit the district of Jowai. With beautiful waterfalls, tall mountains, and lush greenery all around you, this place is a perfect spot for mountain lovers. With pleasant weather, adequate accommodation options, and breathtaking views all around, Jowai is one of the best places for you to stay in Meghalaya. So, if you have the time, please be sure to stop and stay at Jowai during your trip to experience the best of Meghalaya.
Jowai is located at a distance of over 60 km away from Shillong; you can easily get to Jowai using public transport such as cabs and buses. However, you should note that the distance between these two spots is considerable, which would contribute to a considerable journey time as well. So, please keep that in mind before setting out, especially if you are planning a quick or day trip.
Dawki
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Dawki is one of the most beautiful, picturesque, and unique tourist spots in Meghalaya. Located at the border of India and Bangladesh, Dawki is a river whose water is absolutely crystal clear. Tourists flock to Dawki to experience the clean river and boat in it. As a small town, it has become incredibly popular over the years to become one of the premier tourist destinations of Meghalaya.
With the unique beauty of the river combined with the picturesque surroundings, a trip to Dawki is the perfect way to end your Meghalaya vacation. As one of the most popular tourist spots in Meghalaya, you can easily get to Dawki using public transport such as cabs and buses. The distance from Dawki to Shillong is around 80 km. The journey may take a while, but the trip would be absolutely worth it, as Dawki is truly a sight to behold and a unique experience that can’t be matched otherwise.
Umiam Lake
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Very few artificial lakes around the world share the beauty and serenity of Umiam lake, which is located north of Shillong. This artificial lake was created by the formation of a dam to generate hydroelectricity. Today, this beautiful lake is surrounded by lush greenery and pleasant weather.
Whether you are interested in spending a day of leisure close to the lake or want to organise a small picnic of your own, you can do so on your trip to Umiam lake. The Umiam lake is located just 16 km away from the capital of Meghalaya. You can easily get there using cabs and buses that are easily available from Shillong.
Balpakram National Park
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When you are visiting a state like Meghalaya, which is well-known for its flora and fauna, you must visit the Balpakram National Park to complete your trip. You can see the full extent of the diversity in terms of the flora and fauna of the state in this national park. You can also see rare and endangered wildlife in this park, such as the Himalayan Red Panda. This national park is located at a height of over 3,000 metres above sea level, making it one of the highest national parks in the country.
The Balpakram national park is the farthest tourist spot mentioned in this list from Shillong, as it is located at a distance of over 100 km from the capital city. So, if you want to travel to this national park, you would have to plan out a separate small tour to spend proper time at the national park. You can easily cover the distance using public transport like buses and cabs. However, you must keep in mind the travel time between these two locations.
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FAQs
What is the best time to visit Meghalaya?
You can visit Meghalaya at any time of the year as it's always spectacularly beautiful. However, since Meghalaya is home to both Cherrapunji and Mawsynram, Meghalaya is especially popular among tourists during monsoons. They come to experience the endless rains of Meghalaya and enjoy the monsoon here. It’s one of the most unique travel experiences you can find in India.
What is the ideal trip length for Meghalaya?
The ideal trip length needed to properly cover the state and all the amazing tourist destinations in the state is seven to ten days. Given that the state is huge and the tourist destinations are often located quite far from one another, you need time to travel from one place to another. So, keeping all these aspects in mind, a period of seven to ten days would be ideal to properly stay and experience Meghalaya at its best.
Is Meghalaya safe for travelling solo?
Yes, Meghalaya is absolutely safe for solo travelling for people of all ages and genders.
