Meghalaya sits in India’s northeast and offers something genuinely different for travellers. This hill state has weather that won’t make you sweat through your clothes. The people are friendly but won’t hassle you to buy things every five minutes. You get proper space to take photos without dodging crowds. Getting there requires a bit more planning than some other destinations. A Meghalaya Tour Package can help with bookings and transport if you prefer someone else to handle the details. The whole place looks nothing like what most people expect from India – lots of green hills, constant mist, and waterfalls around every corner. These ten reasons explain why Meghalaya might be exactly what you’re looking for on your next trip.
Top 10 Reasons to Visit Meghalaya
Not many people talk about Meghalaya when planning trips to India. Most go to Rajasthan or Kerala instead. But this small state in the northeast has some pretty amazing stuff that you just can’t see anywhere else. The locals call it the “abode of clouds” and when you get there, you’ll see why. Here’s what makes this place worth the journey.
1. Waterfalls everywhere
Seriously, there are waterfalls all over the place here. Big ones, small ones, some that only show up during the rainy season. Nohkalikai Falls is the tallest – it drops about 340 metres straight down. You don’t need to pay entrance fees or deal with crowds at most of them. Just park your car and walk over. Some of the smaller ones are good for a quick swim if you don’t mind freezing cold water. During monsoon, new waterfalls pop up overnight on cliff faces where there was nothing the day before.
2. Bridges grown from trees
This sounds made up but it’s real. The Khasi people have been growing bridges from tree roots for hundreds of years. They take rubber tree roots and guide them across streams and rivers. After 15-20 years, these roots get thick and strong enough to walk on. The famous double-decker one near Cherrapunji takes about 3 hours of hiking to reach. It’s all downhill going there, which means it’s all uphill coming back. Your legs will be sore the next day. Many people combine this with Assam trips, and you can book a Kaziranga Meghalaya Tour Package to see both Kaziranga’s rhinos and these tree bridges in one go.
3. Massive cave systems
The whole state sits on limestone, which means caves everywhere. Mawsmai Cave has proper lighting and paths, so even kids can go through it safely. But there are hundreds of other caves if you want something more adventurous. Some have rivers running through them underground. Others have huge chambers that could fit a church inside. The temperature stays cool in summer, which is nice. Local guides know which caves are safe without special equipment and which ones you should avoid.
4. Really clean villages
Mawlynnong village gets called Asia’s cleanest village. Sounds like tourism marketing, but it’s actually true. There’s literally no trash anywhere. People sweep the streets every morning. They banned plastic bags years ago. Everyone sorts their garbage properly. It works because the whole community does it together, not because of government rules. Walking through it feels weird if you’re used to Indian cities. Other villages here are pretty clean too, just not as famous.
5. Weather stays comfortable year-round
The altitude keeps temperatures reasonable all year. You might need a light sweater at night even in summer. Monsoon season brings crazy amounts of rain but everything turns bright green. Winter is dry with clear skies. Spring and autumn are perfect for hiking. Unlike most of India where you have to visit at exactly the right time or suffer, Meghalaya works different ways depending on the season. Each time of year has its good points.
6. Food that’s nothing like normal Indian food
People here eat lots of pork and beef, which is different from most Indian states. The main dish is jadoh – rice cooked with pork and spices. They use fermented soybeans in many recipes. Markets sell bamboo shoots, black rice, and other stuff you won’t find elsewhere in India. Small local restaurants serve authentic tribal food, but you have to ask around to find the real places. Tourist restaurants usually serve the same old Indian-Chinese stuff you get everywhere.
7. Actual good local music
Shillong calls itself India’s rock capital. Sounds like hype, but the music scene here is genuinely good. Local bands have been playing rock and blues for decades. Small clubs have live music most nights. Many big Indian rock bands started here. The whole thing grew naturally instead of being forced. You can tell the difference when you hear local bands play – they’re doing it because they love it, not because tourists expect it.
8. Markets where real people shop
Bara Bazaar in Shillong isn’t designed for tourists at all. Local families come here every week to buy their vegetables, fish, and rice. You’ll see women selling traditional Khasi clothes from wooden stalls that look like they’ve been there for decades. Old ladies sit weaving bamboo baskets while customers browse around them. Everything costs what local people can actually afford, not tourist prices. Police Bazaar focuses more on woollen items and handmade crafts. Walking through these places gives you a real look at daily life without any of the polished tourist market experience.
9. Driving through different landscapes
The landscape keeps shifting as you drive through Meghalaya. You’ll be going through thick forest one minute, then the trees clear and you’re looking at open grassland. Rocky areas with steep drops appear without warning. The majority of the roads in this state are safe with normal cars. There are some potholes that appear, however the roads are fine. Between the trees are small villages and when a child hears a car they run to the door. The place is not wilderness, yet it is peaceful. The entire state appears to be in a comfortable place between the two extremes.
10. Women make the important decisions
Khasi society is matrilineal, which means women inherit property and make family decisions. The youngest daughter gets the family house. Men usually move to their wives’ homes after marriage. Women own the land and make the big decisions. This isn’t some old tradition that’s disappearing – it’s how things work today. Seeing it in action is pretty interesting. It shows you that societies can work in completely different ways from what you’re used to.
Meghalaya has things you won’t see anywhere else. The waterfalls alone make the trip worth it. Tree bridges sound weird until you actually walk across one. Cave systems here go deeper than you’d think. Villages stay clean without anyone forcing them to. Weather works for visitors most of the year. Food tastes different but good once you try it. Music scene surprises people who aren’t expecting much. Markets sell stuff you’ve never heard of before. Driving around shows you new scenery every hour. Women running society gives you a different perspective on how things can work. Plan at least a week if you want to see the main attractions properly.
I’m a wanderer who loves venturing on to unknown and unseen places. I explore freely to various fun and adventurous places, whether it be spiritual temple tours, captivating landscapes, and more. I wonder around in search of hidden gems and tourist attractions, temples, and other places.
