12 Unreal Things to Do in Meghalaya That Aren't on Most Travel Lists
I spent three years hearing people say "you have to go to Meghalaya" before I actually went. Three years of scrolling past those Dawki River photos — the ones where the boat looks like it's floating on air — and thinking, that has to be edited.
It's not edited. The river really is that clear. And the river isn't even the best part.
Here are 12 things that make Meghalaya one of the most extraordinary places I've been to in India. Or anywhere, frankly.
1. Descend 3,500 Steps to the Double Decker Living Root Bridge
This is the one. The reason most people come to Meghalaya. And it earns every bit of hype.
The Khasi people have been training the roots of Ficus elastica trees to grow into bridges for over 200 years. The double decker in Nongriat village has two levels — both alive, both growing, both carrying foot traffic daily.
Getting there requires descending approximately 3,500 stone steps from Tyrna village. That's 2-3 hours down. And 3-4 hours back up. My legs were useless for two days afterward.
Pro tip: Stay overnight in Nongriat. Homestays cost 300-800 INR/night, and it means you can see the bridge at sunrise without the crowds. The morning mist weaving through the roots is genuinely dreamlike.
2. Float on the Invisible River at Dawki
The Umngot River near Dawki is India's clearest river. During November to March, the riverbed is visible through meters of transparent water. Boats look suspended in mid-air.
A 30-minute boat ride costs 500-800 INR per boat (fits 2-3 people). Arrive before 10AM for the best light and fewer crowds. The river sits 95km from Shillong, near the Bangladesh border.
The photos don't lie. If anything, they undersell it.
3. Stand Where the Rain Never Stops — Cherrapunji
Cherrapunji (officially Sohra) is one of the wettest places on Earth. Annual rainfall: 11,000mm. That's eleven meters of rain per year. Let that sink in.
What all that water creates is staggering. Nohkalikai Falls — India's tallest plunge waterfall at 340 meters — drops into a jade-green pool so far below that the mist rises back up. Entry: 20 INR. The Eco Park viewpoint (30 INR) shows Seven Sisters Falls and the Bangladesh plains stretching to the horizon.
Cherrapunji is 54km from Shillong. Give it a full day.
4. Crawl Through Mawsmai Cave
A 150-meter lit limestone cave with stalactites and stalagmites that takes 15-20 minutes to walk through. Entry: 20 INR. Some sections require crouching — if you're claustrophobic, skip it.
But here's the thing: Mawsmai is the tourist cave. For serious cavers, Meghalaya has Krem Mawmluh — India's 4th longest cave — which requires guided exploration and proper gear. The state sits on a vast limestone karst system that's barely been mapped.
5. Walk to the Edge of the Earth at Laitlum Canyons
Twenty-three kilometers from Shillong, Laitlum Canyons drops thousands of feet into misty valleys. The name means "end of hills" in Khasi, and standing at the edge, you understand why.
No fencing. No railings. No safety nets. Just you and a canyon that disappears into cloud. The stone steps leading down are a 1-2 hour round trip. Early morning brings the best cloud effects. Almost no tourists on weekdays.
Free entry. And worth ten times what any paid attraction charges.
6. Visit Asia's Cleanest Village
Mawlynnong, 90km from Shillong, was declared Asia's cleanest village — and it's not a marketing gimmick. Every path is swept. Bamboo dustbins sit at every corner. Flower gardens line every house.
The Sky Walk (bamboo platform, 20 INR) gives treetop views. A short walk from the village leads to a single-decker living root bridge. Homestays cost 500-1,000 INR/night.
Combine it with Dawki — they're 30km apart.
7. Explore Shillong's Live Music Scene
Shillong isn't just a base for Meghalaya's nature — it's got one of India's best live music scenes. Dylan's Cafe and Cafe Shillong host bands most evenings. The city has been called the "Rock Capital of India" and it's not exaggerating.
Don Bosco Museum (100 INR) has excellent ethnography on northeast India's tribal cultures — allow a full morning. Ward's Lake (30 INR) is a pleasant stroll. Police Bazaar is the commercial heart — chaotic, loud, and somehow charming.
8. Chase the Rainbow Falls
Not the official name, but the falls near Cherrapunji that catch the afternoon sun and throw rainbows into the mist have earned the nickname among backpackers. Multiple waterfall viewpoints along the Cherrapunji-Tyrna road offer different perspectives.
The best waterfall for swimming is the lesser-known Wei Sawdong — a three-tiered fall reached by a steep trail. Not signposted. Ask locals in Sohra for directions.
9. Cross More Root Bridges
The double decker gets all the fame, but Meghalaya has dozens of living root bridges in various stages of growth. Some are single-span, some are barely footwide, and some are still being trained by Khasi villagers.
The single-decker bridge near Mawlynnong is easily accessible. The root bridge at Riwai is less visited and takes 20 minutes of walking from the road. Each one is different. Each one is alive.
10. Eat Jadoh and Tungrymbai
Meghalaya's food is unlike anything else in India. Jadoh is a red rice dish cooked with pork and local spices. Tungrymbai is fermented soybean chutney that sounds odd and tastes incredible. Doh Khleh is a raw pork and onion salad that separates the adventurous eaters from everyone else.
Small restaurants in Shillong serve these for 80-200 INR. Ask for the eateries around Lewduh (Bara Bazaar) for the most authentic versions.
11. Camp at Shnongpdeng
Near Dawki, the village of Shnongpdeng offers cliff jumping, kayaking, and camping along the crystal-clear Umngot River. Tents and basic facilities cost 500-1,500 INR/night. The cliff jump is about 30 feet — only attempt it if you're confident in the water.
This is where Indian backpackers come to disconnect. The mobile signal is patchy, the nights are quiet, and the river glows green under morning light.
12. Drive the Shillong-Dawki Road
The road itself is an attraction. Winding through dense subtropical forest, crossing bridges over rivers that cut through limestone gorges, passing villages with thatched-roof houses and children waving from roadside stalls.
Hire a car with driver from Shillong (2,500-3,500 INR/day) and do the Cherrapunji-Mawlynnong-Dawki loop over 2-3 days. It's the best road trip in northeast India.
Rain gear is non-negotiable. Even in the "dry" season, sudden showers hit without warning. Pack a quality rain jacket and waterproof bag covers.
Cash is king. ATMs exist in Shillong and Cherrapunji but are scarce elsewhere. Withdraw in Shillong before heading out.
Fly to Guwahati (GAU), not Shillong. Guwahati has far more flights. Shared taxis from Guwahati to Shillong take 2.5-3 hours (300-400 INR per seat). For a similar off-grid experience on India's coast, consider Andaman Islands.
Respect sacred forests. The Khasi people maintain sacred groves (law kyntang). Don't enter without permission or photograph rituals.
Betel nut offered as a greeting is a sign of respect. Accept it — even if you don't chew it, the gesture matters.
