Meghalaya, aka the Abode of Clouds in Northeast India is one for all bucket lists, blessed with natural settings of caves, waterfalls, and root bridges, plus charming villages. We’ve listed some of our top tips on places to see and things to do in this vast Indian state.

Best Places to Visit

Nongkhnum River Island

On a trip to Meghalaya we definitely recommend a visit to the Nongkhnum River Island which is Asia’s second largest river island and a hidden gem of India, located in the West Khasi Hills. Escape here from the bustle of city life and relax on its picturesque sandy beach, and you can also enjoy a range of adventures such as fishing, boating, and camping. The island is a nature lover’s paradise with beautiful forests, grasslands, and lakes.

Cherrapunji

Visit Cherrapunji, one of the world’s wettest destinations situated above misty rivers and valleys in the East Khasi Hills within the clouds, around 50km from Shillong. This excess rain throughout the year means that Cherrapunji is always blessed with gorgeous verdant landscapes. Look forward to admiring some natural phenomenons like waterfalls, limestone caves, eco parks, and lush gardens, to name a few.

Balpakram National Park

Situated in the Garo Hills, the Balpakram National Park is an off-the-beaten-path attraction of Meghalaya that one must experience, filled with lush biodiversity. The park protects fascinating wildlife species such as elephants, tigers, wild buffalos, and the rare red panda. The Balpakram National Park is also connected with the Siju Bird Sanctuary, home to rare bird species.

Shillong

The capital of Meghalaya, Shillong, is nicknamed the Scotland of the East, and is considered as one of the finest hill stations in India, located at an elevation of 4990ft. In Shillong you can admire glistening waterfalls and lakes, explore hidden caves, go hiking at the forested hills to Shillong Peak, and enjoy sightseeing at the Don Bosco museum, to name just a few!

Best Foods to Sample in Meghalaya

Meghalaya offers a vast range of delicious Northeast Indian dishes which are an important part of its rich culture, from fine food to street snacks and delicious desserts. Must tries include:

Doh Khlieh – a salad dish prepared with minced pork curry, chillies, onions, and Indian bread.

Jadoh – a popular dish that originates in Meghalaya’s Khasi community, made with pork/chicken meat, red rice, spices, and chutney.

Tungrymbai – an ethnic dish created with fermented soya beans, meat, ginger, onion, and black sesame fried together.

Dohneiiong – traditional Khasti style fried pork with thick gravy, chilies, onions, black sesame, and spices.

Minil Songa – a popular dish of Meghalaya’s Garo tribes, made with steamed sticky rice.

Sakin Gata - a delicious and sweet rice cake snack with roasted sesame seeds.

Best Things to Do in Meghalaya

Make sure you tick the following activities off your Meghalaya bucket list:

-Take a hike to Mawsmai Cave – a network of underground caves with beautiful stalactites and stalagmites.
-Enjoy a round of golf at the Shillong Golf Course – one of the world’s largest and oldest golf courses surrounded by verdant landscapes.
-Shop for souvenirs at the Bara Bazar – this open air market is filled with narrow alleys lined with stalls and stores selling local textiles, artwork, handicrafts, etc.
-Immerse yourself in culture at the Don Bosco Centre for Indigenous Cultures – a popular museum close to Shillong.
-Go mountain biking around the village of Sohliya– the perfect place to admire forested settings with thrilling rural bike trails.

Our Top Packing Essentials for a Meghalaya Vacation

-Masks
-Sanitising gel and wipes
-Power adapter and portable charger
-Lightweight backpack
-Camera
-Layers of clothing if travelling in the winter
-Umbrella and waterproof layers
-Extra socks if hiking
-Comfortable shoes for long walks and treks
-Mosquito repellent spray