December is the best time to be in Meghalaya and enjoy Christmas & New Year. The rain is gone, the sky is clear and the hills are still green. This 5 Nights 6 Days group trip takes you through Shillong, Cherrapunji, the living root bridges, Dawki and Mawlynnong, and ends with a night in a camp by the river.
You start and end in Guwahati. Stay, tempo traveller, sightseeing, meals and a Trip Captain are all part of the trip, so you only need to bring yourself and warm layers.
Guwahati
Backpacking Trip
5 Nights 6 Days
Tempo Traveller
Not Included
18–40 Years
Most people pick snow or a beach for New Year. Meghalaya is different. There is no crowd pushing you at the gate and no queue for a photo. You spend your days on winding hill roads, waterfalls, caves and small villages, and your nights in quiet hotels and a camp by the river.
The first day is easy. You land in Guwahati, meet the group and drive up to Shillong. You stop at Umiam Lake on the way, and by evening you are walking around Shillong with people you met a few hours ago.
Day 2 and Day 3 are Cherrapunji. You see Nohkalikai Falls, Seven Sisters Falls and Mawsmai Cave, and on the third day you walk down thousands of steps through forest and villages to the Double Decker Living Root Bridge. Your legs will be tired by evening, but this is the day most people talk about after the trip.
Then you go to Dawki, where the Umngot River is so clear that the boats look like they are floating in the air. You stop at Mawlynnong, spend the night in a camp at Shnongpdeng, sit around a fire and wake up next to the river. The last day has Krang Suri Waterfall and Laitlum Canyon before you head back to Guwahati.
Solo, with friends or as a couple, you celebrate Christmas or New Year with a group and see Meghalaya at its best time of the year.
This trip suits you if you like walking, waterfalls and being outdoors, and you would rather spend New Year's with a small group than in a crowded party. It is a good fit for:
It is not the right trip if you do not like walking. Day 3 has a long trek with a lot of steps.
Pick a batch and book. We handle the stay, the vehicle and the route.
Shillong, Cherrapunji, Dawki and Mawlynnong are all covered in six days, without rushing from one place to the next.
Your captain is with the group the whole time, tells you what to expect each day and helps if anything goes wrong.
Many people in our groups come alone. By Day 2, most of the group is chatting like old friends.
Meals, stay and what you pay extra for are listed on this page, so there are no surprises.
| Destination | Key Experience | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Guwahati to Shillong | Gateway to Meghalaya | Arrival in Guwahati, group meetup, drive to Shillong, and Umiam Lake stopover. |
| Cherrapunji (Sohra) | Waterfalls & Caves | Nohkalikai Falls, Seven Sisters Falls, Elephant Falls, and Mawsmai Cave exploration. |
| Nongriat Trek | Living Root Bridges | Full-day rainforest trek to the famous Double Decker Living Root Bridge. |
| Mawlynnong & Dawki | Cleanest Village & Crystal Waters | Walk through Mawlynnong, explore the crystal-clear Umngot River in Dawki. |
| Shnongpdeng | Riverside Camping | Overnight stay in riverside tents, bonfire, water activities, and evening stargazing. |
| Jaintia Hills & Return | Canyons & Cascades | Visit Krang Suri Waterfall, enjoy panoramic views at Laitlum Canyon, return to Guwahati. |
5 Nights / 6 Days plan for Shillong, Cherrapunji, Dawki, Mawlynnong and Laitlum from Guwahati.
Approx. Distance: 100 km
Travel Time: 3-4 hours
Stay: Hotel in Shillong
Meals: Dinner included
You reach Guwahati airport or railway station, and your Trip Captain meets you there. After everyone has arrived, the group starts the drive to Shillong. The road climbs slowly and the air gets cooler. A stop at Umiam Lake gives you the first proper view of the hills. In Shillong, check in, rest a little and walk around Police Bazaar if you have energy left.
Important: Reach Guwahati before 11:00 AM. Carry a valid government photo ID.
Approx. Distance: 60 km
Travel Time: 2-3 hours
Stay: Hotel in Cherrapunji
Meals: Breakfast and dinner included
After breakfast, you drive to Cherrapunji, one of the wettest places on earth. The day is full of stops: Elephant Falls, Shillong Peak viewpoint, Nohkalikai Falls, Seven Sisters Falls, Mawsmai Cave and Eco Park. In winter the falls are smaller than in monsoon, but the valley views are clear. By evening you reach your hotel.
Important: Wear shoes with a good grip. The cave floor and viewpoints can be wet. Keep a light jacket with you.
Approx. Distance: 25 km + trek
Travel Time: Full day
Stay: Hotel in Cherrapunji
Meals: Breakfast and dinner included
This is the big day. You start early and walk down through forest and small villages to the Double Decker Living Root Bridge, a bridge grown by the roots of a tree over many years. There are natural pools near the trail where you can rest. The walk back up is the hard part. Take your time, drink water and walk at your own pace.
Important: The trek has several thousand steps. Carry water and snacks, and wear trekking shoes.
Approx. Distance: 95 km
Travel Time: 3-4 hours
Stay: Camps in Shnongpdeng (Dawki)
Meals: Breakfast and dinner included
You drive to Dawki to see the Umngot River. In winter the water is calm and so clear that you can see the riverbed from the boat. Boating is optional. After that, you visit Mawlynnong, a village known for being very clean, with neat paths and flower gardens. In the evening, you reach the camp at Shnongpdeng, right by the river, and sit around a bonfire with your group (weather permitting).
Important: Boating and other activities are optional and paid separately. Evenings at the camp get cool, so carry a light woollen.
Approx. Distance: 140 km
Travel Time: 5-6 hours
Stay: Hotel in Shillong
Meals: Breakfast and dinner included
Wake up to the sound of the river. If you want, you can try kayaking, boating or cliff jumping (optional, paid separately). Later, visit Krang Suri Waterfall, where the water looks bright turquoise. After that, it is a long drive back to Shillong for your last night.
Important: Keep an extra pair of clothes handy for the waterfall.
Approx. Distance: 130 km
Travel Time: 4-5 hours
Meals: Breakfast included
After breakfast, check out and visit Laitlum Canyon, a wide open viewpoint with deep valleys on all sides. Then drive to Guwahati airport or railway station for your onward travel.
Important: Book your return flight or train after 6:00 PM. Check that you have all your belongings before you leave.
Timings can change because of weather, traffic and road conditions.
A good choice for a group trip on a budget.
Good for couples and friends who want a twin-sharing stay.
Please do not litter at waterfalls, villages or trails, and avoid single-use plastic where you can.
Please read our cancellation terms carefully before confirming your booking.
90% refund will be provided for cancellations made at least 15 days before the trip departure date.
50% cancellation charges will be applicable for cancellations made between 7 to 14 days before departure.
No refund will be provided for cancellations made within 7 days of departure.
No refund will be provided for no-shows, incomplete trips, or any unused services during the journey.
In case of weather issues, roadblocks, landslides, snowfall, or natural calamities, the trip may be rescheduled depending on operational feasibility and safety conditions.
GST, processing fees, and transaction charges are non-refundable under all circumstances.
Quick answers to common questions before booking your Meghalaya Christmas & New Year trip.
You need to reach Guwahati by flight or train. Your Trip Captain meets the group there before the drive to Shillong starts.
Shillong, Umiam Lake, Cherrapunji, Nohkalikai Falls, Mawsmai Cave, Double Decker Living Root Bridge, Dawki, Shnongpdeng, Mawlynnong, Krang Suri Waterfall and Laitlum Canyon.
Stay, tempo traveller, breakfast and dinner as per the itinerary, sightseeing, a Trip Captain, and driver allowances, toll and parking.
Message us on WhatsApp for the latest dates and seat availability.
Yes. Many people join our groups alone. Your Trip Captain helps everyone get to know each other from the first day.
Yes. October to April is the best time. December is dry and cool, which is good for walking, boating and sightseeing.
No. Flight or train tickets to and from Guwahati are not included. Please book them yourself.
No. Boating at Dawki, kayaking, cliff jumping and other activities are optional and paid separately.
It is a moderate trek. The way down is easy, and the way up is tiring because of the steps. If you walk regularly, you can do it. Go slow and carry water.
18 to 40 years for group departures. For other age groups, we can plan a customized trip.
Memories from travelers who explored incredible destinations with Trip Guru Go.
Everything was well planned from start to finish. Special thanks to the Trip Captain.
It was my second trip with Trip Guru Go and I joined as a solo traveler in a weekend group trip, it was a great experience
My trekking experience was amazing under the guidance of Trip Captain Suraj. It was an adventurous
We planned a private trip with Trip Guru Go and everything was arranged perfectly and the captain was awesome
