Root bridges & rhinos

North East: Meghalaya & Kaziranga

The best of the North East in a week: Guwahati's Kamakhya Temple, Shillong and the crystal-clear Umngot river at Dawki, Cherrapunji's waterfalls and living root bridges, and a rhino safari in Kaziranga.

Trip at a glance

Duration7 days / 6 nights
Starts inGuwahati
RouteGuwahati · Shillong · Cherrapunji (Sohra) ·…
Places4 destinations
StateMeghalaya, India
Ideal forAdventure holidays, Wildlife safaris
Trip stylePrivate cab from Guwahati
Package codeNX-TOP-22

Best time to visit: October to April

Request a quote See the day-by-day plan

Cherrapunji (Sohra), Meghalaya

Trip overview

You start in Guwahati with the Kamakhya Temple and a Brahmaputra sunset, then climb to Shillong, the 'Scotland of the East', via Umiam Lake. A day trip takes you to Dawki's glass-clear river and Mawlynnong, called Asia's cleanest village, and a night in Cherrapunji (Sohra) gives you Nohkalikai Falls and the caves. The trip ends with two nights at Kaziranga National Park for jeep safaris among one-horned rhinos and elephants.

Highlights

Kamakhya Temple
Dawki's clear river
Living root bridges
Kaziranga rhino safari

Kamakhya TempleUmananda IslandBrahmaputra sunset cruiseUmiam LakeElephant FallsShillong PeakDouble-decker root bridge, NongriatNohkalikai FallsSeven Sisters FallsCentral (Kohora) range

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1Arrive in Guwahati

Arrive at Guwahati airport or railway station
Kamakhya Temple
Sunset cruise on the Brahmaputra (at your own cost)

Day 2Guwahati to Shillong

Umiam Lake on the way up
Don Bosco Museum of Indigenous Cultures
Ward's Lake and Police Bazaar in the evening

Day 3Dawki and Mawlynnong day trip

Boat ride on the clear Umngot river at Dawki
Mawlynnong village and the Riwai living root bridge
Return to Shillong

Day 4Shillong to Cherrapunji

Elephant Falls and Shillong Peak
Drive to Cherrapunji (Sohra): Nohkalikai Falls, Mawsmai Cave and Seven Sisters Falls
Eco Park viewpoint

Day 5Cherrapunji to Kaziranga

Optional early trek to the double-decker root bridge at Nongriat (about 3,500 steps each way)
Long drive to Kaziranga National Park (about 7 to 8 hours)

Day 6Kaziranga safaris

Morning jeep safari in the Central or Western range
Tea garden walk and the Kaziranga orchid park
Optional afternoon jeep safari

Day 7Depart from Guwahati

Breakfast and check-out
Drive to Guwahati airport (about 5 hours)

Photo gallery

Umiam Lake – Shillong — **Umiam Lake**Shillong

Elephant Falls – Shillong — **Elephant Falls**Shillong

Double-decker root bridge, Nongriat – Cherrapunji (Sohra) — **Double-decker root bridge, Nongriat**Cherrapunji (Sohra)

Nohkalikai Falls – Cherrapunji (Sohra) — **Nohkalikai Falls**Cherrapunji (Sohra)

Hotels, sightseeing order and the final price are confirmed in your written quote. Timings may change with opening days, weather and local conditions.

Good to know

Guwahati: Use Guwahati as a one-night stop between Shillong and Kaziranga.
Shillong: Allow extra time for traffic in Shillong town; plan sightseeing outside peak hours.
Cherrapunji (Sohra): Stay overnight at Nongriat if you want the root bridge without the day crowds.
Kaziranga National Park: Book the earliest jeep safari; mist rising off the grasslands at dawn is the best time for rhinos.

FAQs

Questions about this trip

Can I change this itinerary?

Yes. This is a private, customisable itinerary. We can add or remove nights, change hotels, swap sightseeing and adjust the pace before you book.

When is the best time for this trip?

Guwahati: October to April. Shillong: October to April. Cherrapunji (Sohra): October to April. Kaziranga National Park: November to April.

How do I start the trip from Chennai?

The trip begins in Guwahati (Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (GAU)). We can add flights or train tickets from Chennai or any other city to your quote.

How much does this package cost?

We quote each trip individually because the price depends on travel dates, hotel category, room sharing and group size. Request a quote and we send a price on WhatsApp.

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Destinations on this trip