A historically significant place, the monolith park at Nartiang village holds the remnants of the summer Palace of the Jaintia kings. A large number of monoliths in Meghalaya, small and big, from centuries back, are kept here. This Shillong Cherrapunjee Nartiang Monoliths (Jowai) trip takes you to what was at a time, the summer kingdom of the Jaintia kings – Jaintiapur. This trip also takes you to other beautiful parts of Meghalaya such as Cherrapunjee, Mawsynram, Dawki, Shnongpedeng, and Malwynnong to name a few.
9 Days Meghalaya Tour Itinerary – Shillong, Cherrapunjee, Nartiang, Mawsynram
One of the best ways to spend 9 – 10 days in Meghalaya. A great mix of offbeat places in Meghalaya and the best places to see in Meghalaya.
- Day 1 – Guwahati To Shillong
- Day 2 – Shillong Local
- Day 3 – Shillong – Nartiang – Laitlum – Shillong
- Day 4 – Shillong – Sacred Grove – Heritage Village – Shillong
- Day 5 – Shillong – Cherrapunjee
- Day 6 – Cherrapunjee – Living Root Bridge (Nongriat) – Cherrapunjee
- Day 7 – Cherrapunjee – Mawsynram – Cherrapunjee
- Day 8 – Cherrapunjee – Mawlynnong
- Day 9 – Mawlynnong – Guwahati
Shillong, Nartiang, Laitlum Trip Itinerary
Day 1 – Guwahati To Shillong
Get picked up by a North East Explorers representative from the airport. On your way to Shillong, also known as the Scotland of the East, stop by the gorgeous Umiam lake and soak in its grandeur. With Umiam done, head to your wonderfully located Khasi homestay in Shillong and relax before heading out again. In the evening, head to the main market area to get an idea of the town’s nightlife.
Day 2 – Shillong Local
Start your day at leisure. Today you will start exploring Shillong, Scotland of the East. There are wonderful places like the Khasi Heritage Museum, the Don Bosco Cathedral, Ward’s Lake, Lady Hydari Park, and Police Bazar – the heart of Shillong to explore the entire day. Take it easy, have a Khasi lunch, and enjoy Shillong at your own pace.
Day 3 – Shillong – Nartiang – Laitlum – Shillong
Today, after a relaxed start from your homestay, you head to two interesting places, a close to a thousand-year-old monoliths of the Jaintia kingdom, all collected in a non-descriptive ‘park’ in the village of Nartiang. After that, you head to the Grand Canyon of North East India, aka, the Laitlum Canyon. Watch the gorgeousness all around and spend as much time as you want here, until sunset.
Day 4 – Shillong – Sacred Grove – Heritage Village – Shillong
Today you will get a glimpse of one of the most sacred places of the local Khasi tribe, the Mawphlang sacred grove. Take a guided walk in the forest and listen to the stories of the past kings and queens of the Khasi people and their way of life. After coming out from the immersive walk, take a walk around the Khasi heritage village nearby which will give you a peek into the actual Khasi style of villages of yesteryear.
Day 5 – Shillong – Cherrapunjee
Today you will step your foot to the rainiest place on the planet, Cherrapunjee. While Cherrapunjee itself is famous for its heavenly weather and breathtaking views, the waterfalls and valleys en route are no less. Some of which you will be seeing today. The probable list is as follows:
- Shillong Peak
- Elephant falls
- Mawkdok Viewpoint
- Wah Kaba falls
- Arwah Caves
- Dainthlen Falls
- Nonkalikhai Falls
- Mawsmai Caves
Check in to your simple but very welcoming homestay in Cherrapunjee.
Day 6 – Cherrapunjee – Living Root Bridge – Cherrapunjee
Today will be the day when you see the bio-engineering marvel, the Living Root Bridges of Nongriat. Start from Cherrapunjee and head to the tiny village of Tyrna. Your trek to the Double Decker Living Root Bridge starts from here. It’s going to be a long day so, don’t forget your munchies and toffees. By the time you come back, the daylight would have almost given way to dusk. From there, drive to your Khasi homestay in Cherrapunjee for the night.
Day 7 – Cherrapunjee – Mawsynram – Cherrapunjee
Go on a day trip to Mawsynram, a neighboring region of Cherrapunjee known for its gorgeous vistas and high rainfall. A perfect trip if you are planning to do nothing – wonderful for landscape photographers.
Day 8 – Cherrapunjee – Mawlynnong
Start for what is known as Asia’s cleanest village, Mawlynnong. The drive is a beautiful one so, sit back and relax but don’t get too relaxed to not take a break or two on the way, just to soak in the beauty around. But before heading to the Mawlynnong village, we will take a detour towards another interesting place to see in Meghalaya, the international border between India and Bangladesh at Dawki!
Boating on the transparent rivers (in the dry season) of the Umngkot River is a great experience when you are at Dawki. You can go to the Ziro point, where India and Bangladesh meet and you can also buy a snack or two, from the other side, using Indian money. From there, you will drive to the India-Bangladesh border gate that separates the twin towns of Tamabil and Dawki on both sides of the border.
Coming back to Mawlynnong, perched atop a bunch of hills, the village sits right at the frontier between India and Bangladesh. Walk up the sky bridge to have a look at the Bangladesh plains below. Check in to a very simple but nice village home for the night and have your dinner there. No option of eating out today. Also, on your way, stop by at the village of Riwai and visit the Living Root Bridge there.
Day 9 – Mawlynnong – Guwahati
Wake – up early and take a stroll around the village. Explore its hundred-year-old church, and the narrow lanes of the village, and learn about how the village is kept spotlessly clean by watching the villagers, kids to oldies, playing their part in keeping the village clean. Post breakfast, head back to Guwahati.
** Oct-end through April is generally considered dry season in the region so, the waterfalls are not at their best in this period. However, the Umngkot River is at its transparent best. Click here to read more about the best time to visit North East India.
The Inclusions and Exclusions for this trip to Shillong, Cherrapunjee, Nartiang, and Mawlynnong tour are as follows:
Inclusions
- A dedicated vehicle with a driver cum guide for the entire stay.
- Accommodation for all nights on twin sharing basis in local homestays/nice local guesthouses/hotel.
- Breakfast starting day 2 till last day.
- Local guide wherever required.
- All toll charges as required.
Exclusions
- Any personal/sanitary/medical expenses.
- Any extension in the number of days stay.
- Food and snacks.
- Parking & entry fee anywhere.
- Anything that is not mentioned in the ‘Inclusions’ section.
- 5% GST.
