Planning a Meghalaya trip: a few honest notes
Most visitors underestimate driving times here. Cherrapunji is 54 km from Shillong
but takes around two hours each way once you factor in the climb and the viewpoints
you will inevitably stop at. Dawki and Mawlynnong together make a long single day,
and many guests prefer to split them across two days or stay a night near Dawki.
When to come
October to April gives you the clearest views and the most comfortable driving.
The monsoon, from June to September, is when Cherrapunji and Mawsynram earn their
reputation, and the waterfalls are at their most dramatic, but expect rain, mist
and slower roads. Tawang and the high passes are best between April and October,
as Sela Pass can close with snow in mid-winter.
Permits
Indian nationals do not need a permit for Meghalaya. Arunachal Pradesh requires an
Inner Line Permit, and foreign nationals need a Protected Area Permit for some
areas. Bhutan requires an entry permit arranged at Phuentsholing. We will tell you
exactly what applies to your route and help with the paperwork.
Building your own route
The packages listed above are the routes we run most often, not a fixed menu. If you
have six days and want to combine Shillong, Cherrapunji and Kaziranga, or ten days
to cross into Arunachal, call us and we will draft something realistic for the time
you have.