Flights to Shillong

  About Shillong

The capital of Meghalaya, Shillong, is also called Scotland of the East. Shillong also means The Abode of Clouds and the city complements Nestled between pine trees, the hill station is also home to a lot of waterfalls. Not just waterfalls but you also get a picturesque view of the mountains and lakes in the city. The climate is pleasant throughout the year, which makes any time of the year suitable for you to plan your trip to Shillong. The warm hospitality, the scenic view and the weather will leave you impressed and in awe of them. The city is also popular for hosting a lot of music festivals and giving the country a lot of talented musicians. Shillong is one of the places in the North-East that you must visit. It is one of those hill stations which you can visit throughout the year. The summer is not too hot, but the winter is chilly and perfect. You wouldn't have to worry about your plans as they won't be affected during this season. Not just summers and winters but even monsoons paint a beautiful picture and only makes the hill station look more attractive.

Best Time to Visit

Even though the weather is quite pleasant throughout the year, September to May is considered to be the ideal time to plan a vacation to Shillong. It does rain slightly, but it doesn't necessarily have to put a damper on your outdoor plans. March to June is summer in Shillong, but the climate is pleasant. It doesn't get too hot, but it does get slightly cold at night. You can book a hotel in Shillong that has a view of the hills and the beautiful sky. You can also opt for a quaint homestay, which is a popular option that people choose when they visit Shillong. Getting around the city is not that difficult, too. The people are quite friendly and will help you with whatever you need.

October to March is when Shillong experiences winter. The hill station also begins its celebration of The Autumn Festival and the Nongrem Dance Festival. It is the ideal time to visit Shillong. You can either take a flight to Shillong or take a train. Since it is also considered to be a peak season, you might get good flight deals with hotel accommodation combos. You can join the celebrations of the locals during their festivals or be a spectator.

Monsoon is from July through September, and it is during these months that the hill station sees heavy rainfall. But the torrential downpour does not really ruin your vacation. Since it is off-season, there are chances you might get cheap flight tickets. In fact, even booking a hotel in Shillong might be less expensive than it is during other seasons. This is also the best season for backpackers and nature lovers to visit. A lot of them take off to Shillong during this time to enjoy the picturesque view of the hill station.

Place to Visit

Shillong is a hill station that has a lot of waterfalls amidst the lush green trees. The Elephant Falls is a popular tourist location in Shillong. There is a stone that resembles an elephant at the foot of this waterfall, which is one of the primary reasons why it has been bestowed the said name. The Shillong Peak is 1965 m above sea level and is the highest point in Shillong. The view of the entire city from atop is breathtakingly beautiful. You can even opt for a trek up the hill to capture the best views.

The David Scott Trail is a popular trekking route in Meghalaya. The path was laid by British officer David Scott in the 1800s. Mawlynnong, a village which is 90 km away from Shillong, was declared as the cleanest village in Asia in 2003. It is a very famous tourist site and is also called God's own Garden. This is also one of the best places to take pictures. Jaintia Hills is another place you must visit when you travel to Shillong. You'll find the Krang Suri Falls and the Nartiang Monoliths here. The lovely expanse and scenic beauty of the place will leave you in awe. While you're here, you must also visit the Mawjymbuin Cave in the Mawjymbuin village in Cherrapunji. The cave is like paradise for all geologists or everyone interested in geology. Since it also has religious significance, it attracts pilgrims, too.

Things to do

If you are a water baby, visiting all of the famous waterfalls in Shillong is a must. The Spread Eagle Falls, on the outskirts of the city, is a top-rated tourist spot. Nohkalikai Falls of the Sweet Falls, about 8 km from Shillong, is another destination that you must visit. The place looks far more beautiful when it is raining. Shillong's Lewduh Bara Bazaar is a popular place for you to go on a shopping spree. Clothes, shoes, accessories, you'll get everything you need. Don't forget to buy tea that has dried orange peels in it. You can also buy souvenirs that you can take back home from your trip. If you are planning to spend more time in the city, try and learn the language to communicate better with the locals.

You can go boating in the magnificent lakes of Shillong to soak in all the beauty of this hill station. Visit the Butterfly Museum if you have a keen interest in zoology. The museum has a massive collection of different types of butterflies, and some of them are rare species, too. Go on a food crawl and try out the local cuisine of the hill station. Learn more about their lifestyle and cuisine. You will definitely not regret it. All you adventure and nature lovers can opt for several trekking options that are available here. You can either go alone or join a group. You'll find something worth trying even if you decide to go trekking at the last moment.

You can opt for nature camping or even take a trekking tour. You will find a lot of camping and trekking packages, too, in Shillong. You can either book them online or find a local tour guide who can help you with your camping trip. Visit a wildlife sanctuary or go to a Museum to get to know the hill station better. If you are visiting the scintillating hill station during a festival, make sure you try to blend in and celebrate it with the locals. If meeting new people and learning more about the culture is your motive for the trip,

Foods and Restaurant

Shillong is known for its seafood cuisines, its variety of Momos, Tarumbai and Tungtab. You must also try Kyat, a beverage that is prepared from rice. You will also find restaurants that have Chinese, Tibetan and Indian food in their menu. Cafe Shillong is one of the most popular cafes in Shillong. The delicious shakes and vegetarian momos are the highlights of this place. Ginger is yet another place you will love. It is one of the trendiest restaurants and quite affordable, too.

Head over to Delhi Mishtan Bhandar for some lip-smacking desserts. The lassis, halwas, jalebis and other snacks will leave you satiated. Don't hesitate to try the local street food here. Shillong is also one of the only cities in India where you get alcoholic beverages for the cheapest price. Don't forget to stop by the City Hut Family Dhaba and La Galerie for some delicious Indian and Continental cuisines. You can stop by any one of these restaurants or even try all of them depending on the duration of your stay.

How to reach Shillong (Transportation)

By Air

The Shillong Airport or Umroi Airport, as it is called, is approximately 30 km away from Shillong. It is also the nearest domestic airport. The flight connectivity to and from Shillong is quite limited. The next nearest airport is the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, popularly referred to as Guwahati International Airport. Though it is 120 km away from Shillong, it connects all domestic flights to Shillong and all international flights from Shillong, too. The domestic routes from Shillong are connected to cities such as Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi, Bangalore, Imphal, Singapore and so on. You will come across great flight deals and cheap flight tickets to Shillong, provided you book at the right time.

By Rail

Guwahati Railway station is the closest and best way to reach Shillong. You will have to take a taxi or a bus to Shillong from the station. From the station, you can hire taxi cabs or private rentals that will reach you to Shillong. In fact, there are state-run buses that take the domestic routes to Shillong from Guwahati. Guwahati railway station is well-connected with major cities through Gorakhpur and Kolkata. Besides, you can also get down at the Bagdogra railway station and opt to travel via road.

By Road

Government-run and private buses to Shillong are quite frequent. The NH40 highway connects Shillong to other major cities in the country. Though flights do seem like the most convenient option to reach Shillong, trains and buses are no less. Road and Rail are also great options to get to Shillong. The panoramic view of the lush green valleys and mountains will rejuvenate you.