Complete Travel Guide
Meghalaya Travel Tips
Everything you need to know — packing lists, best seasons, local customs, and insider advice from Bah Markos
Currency
Indian Rupee (INR)
Cash preferred in remote areas
Time Zone
IST (UTC +5:30)
No daylight saving time
Emergency
112 (All India)
Police: 100 · Ambulance: 108
Internet
Good in Shillong city
Patchy in remote areas
Languages
Khasi, English, Hindi
English widely spoken
Power
230V / 50Hz
Type D & C plugs
Medical
Civil Hospital Shillong
Good facilities in city
Transport
Shared taxis & private cabs
No Uber/Ola in remote areas
Plan Your Visit
Best Time to Visit Meghalaya
Meghalaya is beautiful year-round, but each season offers a completely different experience. Here's Markos's honest breakdown.
Summer
March – May · 15°C – 24°C
The absolute sweet spot. Skies are clear, waterfalls are flowing from pre-monsoon showers, and the temperature is perfect for sightseeing. Dawki's water is crystal clear and ideal for boating.
What's Great
- Clear skies & great visibility
- Dawki river at its most transparent
- Comfortable temperatures
- Less crowded than peak season
- All roads accessible
Watch Out For
- Occasional afternoon showers
- Book accommodation early
Markos's Tip for Summer
Book Dawki boating early in the morning — the water is clearest before 10am and the light is magical for photos.
Don't Forget
Complete Packing List
Curated by Markos after hosting 200+ guests. These are the things people most often wish they'd brought.
Light layers (T-shirts + fleece)
All seasons
Waterproof jacket / raincoat
Essential year-round
Warm sweater or hoodie
Evenings get cold
Comfortable walking shoes
Waterproof preferred
Flip-flops / sandals
For homestay & casual
Thermal innerwear
Winter only (Dec–Feb)
Modest clothing
For village & sacred sites
Quick-dry pants / trekking trousers
For outdoor days
Need a personalised packing list for your specific trip dates?
Ask Markos for a Custom Packing ListRespect & Connect
Local Customs & Cultural Etiquette
The Khasi people are warm and welcoming. A little cultural awareness goes a long way in making your trip more meaningful.
Greetings & Respect
- ✓Greet elders with "Khublei" (pronounced Khu-blay) — it means hello, thank you, and goodbye in Khasi
- ✓Address older men as "Bah" and older women as "Kong" — it's a sign of deep respect
- ✓Accept food or drinks offered by hosts with both hands or right hand only
- ✗Don't point at people or sacred sites with your index finger — use your whole hand instead
- ✗Don't raise your voice or show anger publicly — Khasi culture values calm and dignity
5 tips — click to expand
Sacred Sites & Forests
- ✓Remove shoes before entering homes, churches, and some sacred sites
- ✓Ask permission before photographing people, especially elders and during ceremonies
- ✓Stay on marked trails in sacred forests like Mawphlang — these are protected by Khasi law
- ✗Never pick plants, flowers, or stones from sacred groves (Law Kyntang) — it's considered deeply disrespectful and illegal
- ✗Don't enter sacred forests without a local guide — Markos can arrange this
5 tips — click to expand
Matrilineal Society
- ✓Understand that Meghalaya has a matrilineal society — property and family name pass through the mother's line
- ✓Women hold significant social and economic power — treat them with equal respect and authority
- ✓Feel free to engage with local women in markets and shops — they are often the primary traders
- ✗Don't make assumptions about gender roles — Khasi society is quite progressive and egalitarian
4 tips — click to expand
Food & Dining
- ✓Try local Khasi dishes — Jadoh (rice with pork), Dohneiiong (pork with black sesame), and Tungrymbai (fermented soybean)
- ✓Inform your host in advance if you're vegetarian — Khasi cuisine is heavily meat-based but alternatives can be arranged
- ✓Drink only bottled or filtered water — tap water is not safe for tourists
- ✗Don't waste food when eating at a local home — it's considered disrespectful to the host's hospitality
- ✗Don't expect spicy food by default — Khasi food is milder than other Indian cuisines
5 tips — click to expand
Photography Etiquette
- ✓Always ask before photographing individuals, especially in traditional attire or during festivals
- ✓Photography is generally welcome at most tourist sites — just be respectful
- ✓Drone photography requires prior permission from local authorities in many areas
- ✗Don't photograph military installations, border areas near Bangladesh, or restricted zones
- ✗Don't post photos of locals without their consent on social media
5 tips — click to expand
Environment & Sustainability
- ✓Carry a reusable bag — plastic bags are banned in Meghalaya
- ✓Use dustbins provided at tourist sites — Mawlynnong is Asia's cleanest village for a reason
- ✓Support local businesses, guides, and homestays over large hotel chains
- ✗Don't litter anywhere — fines are enforced at many tourist spots
- ✗Don't disturb wildlife or feed animals in forest areas
5 tips — click to expand
Plan Your Spend
Meghalaya Budget Guide
Realistic daily budgets based on Markos's experience hosting guests from across India and the world.
Budget
₹1,500 – ₹2,500
per person per day
- Shared dorm or budget guesthouse
- Local dhabas & street food
- Shared taxis between towns
- Self-guided sightseeing
Mid-Range
₹3,500 – ₹6,000
per person per day
- Homestay like Wiba (includes meals)
- Mix of local & restaurant dining
- Private taxi with Markos
- Guided tours & entry fees
Luxury
₹8,000 – ₹15,000+
per person per day
- Boutique hotels & resorts
- Fine dining & curated experiences
- Dedicated private vehicle
- Premium guided tours & photography
ATMs in Shillong
Multiple ATMs in Police Bazar & Laitumkhrah. Carry cash for remote areas — ATMs are scarce outside the city.
UPI Payments
PhonePe and Google Pay are widely accepted in Shillong markets, restaurants, and shops.
Bargaining
Gentle bargaining is acceptable at local markets. Fixed prices at restaurants and tourist sites.
Tipping Culture
Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory. ₹100–200 for guides, 10% at restaurants is generous.
From the Local Expert
Markos's Insider Travel Tips
Things you won't find in any guidebook — straight from someone who's lived here his whole life.
Start early, always
Most viewpoints and waterfalls are best before 9am. The light is golden, the crowds are thin, and the mist is magical. I always take guests out by 6:30am.
Roads are winding — plan time
Distances look short on maps but mountain roads are slow. Cherrapunji is only 55km from Shillong but takes 2 hours. Never rush.
Get a local SIM card
Airtel and BSNL have the best coverage in Meghalaya. Buy at Guwahati airport or Shillong city. Jio can be patchy in remote areas.
Eat where locals eat
The best Jadoh and Dohneiiong are at small local eateries near Police Bazar, not tourist restaurants. I'll take you to my favourites.
Book a private taxi
Shared taxis are cheap but inflexible. A private taxi with me means we stop wherever you want, whenever you want. Worth every rupee.
Weather changes fast
Meghalaya weather can shift from sunny to heavy rain in 20 minutes. Always carry a light rain jacket, even on clear mornings.
Shop at Lewduh Market
Lewduh (Bara Bazar) is Asia's oldest market. Buy local honey, dried fish, bamboo crafts, and Khasi shawls at fair prices.
Learn a few Khasi words
"Khublei" (thank you/hello) and "Kumno?" (how are you?) will make locals light up. It shows genuine respect for the culture.
Golden hour at Laitlum
Laitlum Canyon at sunset is one of the most spectacular views in northeast India. Plan to be there by 4:30pm and stay until dark.
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