Quick take: Five days is the sweet spot for Meghalaya with family: Shillong as your base, one day each for Cherrapunji and for Dawki and Mawlynnong, and nobody spending the whole holiday in the car. A 7-seater fits everyone and the bags. Drive our Suzuki Ertiga 7-seater yourself at ₹2,799/day, or let a local driver take the wheel from ₹4,350/day.
Self-drive or with a driver?
| Self-drive 7-seater | 7-seater with a driver | |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 7, including the driver (that's you) | Up to 6 passengers, plus the driver |
| 5 days costs | ₹13,995 in rent, plus fuel | From ₹21,400 (Meghalaya with a driver) |
| Pick it if | One of you enjoys hill driving | You'd all rather look out of the window |
The hill roads in Meghalaya are good, but they wind, and fog can roll in on the upper sections from mid-afternoon. If whoever's driving hasn't done hill roads before, the first day to Shillong is a gentle introduction. If the idea of driving Dawki's long, winding day puts you off, take a driver for the whole trip, or ask us about a mix.
Day 1: Guwahati to Shillong
About 100 km, 3–4 hours. Leave Guwahati by 8 or 9 AM. Traffic is slowest at Jorabat and Byrnihat, then the road clears. Nongpoh, about 60 km in, is the natural breakfast stop; the climb through pine forest starts after it. Stop at the Umiam Lake viewpoints just before Shillong for the classic family photo.
Check in, then spend a slow evening at Ward's Lake and Police Bazaar. Parking near Police Bazaar is tight, so leave the car at your stay and walk.
Day 2: Shillong and Laitlum
Keep the second day light so everyone settles in. Morning at Shillong Peak and Elephant Falls, both easy stops with short walks. In the afternoon, head to Laitlum Canyons for the huge views over the valleys. Go on a clear day: when the clouds come in, the canyon disappears.
Day 3: Cherrapunji (Sohra)
About 55 km each way from Shillong. Leave by 8 AM. The ridge road to Sohra is one of the best drives of the trip, with the Mawkdok valley viewpoint early on. Then:
- Mawsmai Cave: an easy, lit limestone cave walk that children love.
- Nohkalikai Falls: India's tallest plunge waterfall, a short walk from its viewpoint.
- Seven Sisters Falls: seen from a roadside viewpoint, no walking needed.
Skip the Nongriat double-decker root bridge with small children or older parents: it's about 3,500 steep steps each way. Sleep in Sohra if you've booked a stay there, or drive back to Shillong before dusk. The full route is in our Cherrapunji route guide.
Day 4: Mawlynnong and Dawki
The longest day: start early and keep the evening free. From Shillong, the road goes via Pynursla to Mawlynnong, the village known for being spotlessly clean, with a living root bridge nearby. Then on to Dawki, where the Umngot river is so clear that the boats look like they're floating. A boat ride is the highlight for most kids.
Head back to Shillong in good time; the roads are winding and you don't want the last hour in fog. The Dawki and Mawlynnong guide has the route.
Day 5: Back to Guwahati
A slow breakfast, then down the hill. Aim to be off the hill section before dusk. If you have a flight or train, leave plenty of buffer for Jorabat traffic.
The 7-seater
Family tips for the hills
- Motion sickness: the hairpins after Nongpoh and on the Sohra and Dawki roads are long. Seat anyone who gets carsick in front or by a window, and stop often.
- Rain gear, every season: Sohra's weather changes fast. Keep umbrellas and a change of clothes in the car.
- Shoes with grip for the caves and viewpoints, which can be slippery.
- Fuel: the car comes with a full tank. Fill up in Shillong before the Sohra and Dawki days, as pumps are fewer beyond town.
- Permits: Indian nationals don't need one for Meghalaya.
FAQs
Is 5 days enough for Meghalaya with family? Yes, for Shillong, Cherrapunji, Dawki and Mawlynnong at a family pace. With three days, drop Dawki; with a week, add a night in Sohra and a slower Dawki day.
How many people fit in the 7-seater? Our self-drive Suzuki Ertiga 7-seater seats 7 including the driver. With a driver, the 7-seater takes up to 6 passengers.
Can I pick up the car the night before? Yes. Collect it the evening before an early start at no extra cost; the rental starts the next day.
When is the best time for a family trip to Meghalaya? October to November for clear skies with the waterfalls still flowing, or March to May. The monsoon (June to September) has the biggest waterfalls but wet roads and fog.
Contact / Book
Tell us your dates and how many of you are going on WhatsApp, and whether you want to drive yourself or have a driver. We'll confirm the car.
