Meghalaya

Meghalaya, the ‘abode of clouds’, is considered ‘the gateway of the northeast.’ A beautiful state with unmatched beauty in all forms of nature, Meghalaya is a different world with numerous tourist spots to explore. The state contains countless waterfalls, caves, pristine lakes and rivers from north to south and east to west. Our bestseller Tour Packages for Meghalaya covers all major destinations of the state. So with our fully customizable Meghalaya Tour packages available online, make your vacation full of enjoyment and fun.

How to reach Meghalaya:

Meghalaya is a gorgeous hill station that peace lovers, vacationers and naturalists visit. Various transportation options permit travellers to get to Meghalaya from other cities in India and take in the natural beauty of Meghalaya. Travelling from any point in India is not an issue as it is close to cities and towns by railway, air and even road. So here’s a short overview of how to get to Meghalaya using various modes of transportation. Tripoventure also offers a wide range of Meghalaya Tour packages from different Indian Cities.

Meghalaya by Air: 

The closest airport to Meghalaya is Umroi Airport near Barapani, about 35 kilometres from Shillong. Umroi Airport is located near Barapani. Umroi Domestic Airport is not well connected to major cities in India. Therefore, the closest airport in Meghalaya is Gopinath Bordoloi Airport, Guwahati, just 128 km from Shillong. Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya, has an international airport (which is managed through the Indian Air Force). However, most travellers arrive in Guwahati and then travel via road to Shillong, where most of their journeys begin (most major Indian airlines operate from Guwahati, making it an accessible airport to connect to).

Meghalaya by Rail:

The Guwahati Train Station (Approx 100 kilometres away distance from Shillong) is the nearest major station from which you can hire shared jeeps or private taxis (at Paltan or Khanapara Bazaar). The Guwahati train station is well connected with all major Indian cities.

Meghalaya by Road:

Regular buses that travel to Shillong are available directly from ASTC Bus Stand (just outside the railway station) or the ISBT Beltola Station. Buses are a cost-effective option, but a vehicle journey (shared and private) is faster and more comfortable.

Meghalaya by Helicopter Service:

You can also book an air-conditioned helicopter at the Guwahati Airport up to Shillong. The flight time is around 20 minutes. The service is available every day except Sunday.

Best time to visit Meghalaya:

Shillong is a pleasant place to visit throughout the year and is accessible anytime. Here’s a breakdown of seasonal changes throughout the months to help plan your Meghalaya trip more effectively:

March through June:

March and April are the beginning of summer. However, the weather remains pretty enjoyable. The summers are generally mild and are a good time to visit Shillong, with temperatures ranging between a maximum of 24deg C to a minimum of 15 deg C. This is the ideal moment to plan your sightseeing or adventurous activities.

June through September: 

Monsoon months have moderate to heavy rains in Shillong. It’s an excellent opportunity to visit the waterfalls and admire the beautiful views that are washed by the area’s rain. July is the moistest month in Shillong. It’s not the most popular tourist season since most tourists prefer to avoid travelling during monsoons. However, it is an ideal time to find affordable hotels. If you are fond of the Monsoon season you can book our well crafted Meghalaya Tour Packages.

October through February: 

October is when rainfall ceases, and the weather starts to cool. The winter season begins in November. The weather can get freezing also, with the lowest temperature dropping to 2°C. The town’s beauty is evident during winter, the perfect time to enjoy outdoor activities. Be sure to bring plenty of woollen for winter, particularly during the evenings, which can be extremely cold.

Famous food of Meghalaya that you must try:

No trip is incomplete without an exceptional culinary experience. Meghalaya is divided into three parts: Khasi, Jaintia and Garo Hills, which means that you can expect three different styles of food preparation. Generally, the basis of Meghalayan meals is meat, veggies (stewed), curries, rice and more.

So the most delicious local dishes to try include:

• Pudoh: Meghalaya has a particular kind of rice known as Pudoh. Pudoh is cooked in a bowl, along with pork, on special occasions such as weddings and Meghalayan celebrations.
• Nakham Bitchi: Fish, vegetables, chillies, and hot peppers are combined to create Nakham Bitchi.
• Doh-Khlieh: Doh-khlieh refers to a traditional Meghalayan Pork salad. It is prepared with the brain and head of a pig traditionally.
• Jadoh: The Khasi tribe’s traditional food in Meghalaya is called Jadoh. Ja refers to rice, and doh refers to animal meats in the Khasi language.
• Tungrymbai: The Khasi and Jaintia people make Tungrymbai, also known in the form of Tung Rymbai as “Tungtoh,” a fermented soybeans dish.
• Ki Kupu: Traditional jaggery, rice flour, and baking soda snacks.
• Pumaloi: The Pumaloi dish is steaming rice ground to powder. This rice dish is made in a distinctive container called the Khiew Ranei.
• Sakin Gata: Steamed rice cakes called “Sakin” or “Sakin gata” are a popular dessert in Garo festivities, such as the Wangala.
• Pukhlein: Pukhlein bread is famous rice flour bread that originated within Meghalaya and is well-known worldwide for its delightful flavours.
• Kyat (fermented rice Beer): A drink made from rice is required at every local celebration. You can also taste it in any bar in Meghalaya.

Places to visit in Meghalaya:

Here’s a list of top Meghalaya tourist places that you should not miss on your next Meghalaya trip: