Shillong
The Scotland of the East
Overview
Shillong is the capital of Meghalaya in Northeast India, a hill station set among the pine-clad Khasi Hills at around 1,500 metres, long nicknamed the 'Scotland of the East' for its rolling green landscape and cool climate. Once the capital of undivided Assam, it is known for Umiam Lake, waterfalls such as Elephant Falls, the matrilineal Khasi culture, and a celebrated western-music scene. It is also the base for the exceptionally wet country around Cherrapunji and the living root bridges. MyTripMyTravel runs Shillong as a relaxed hill-country leg staged up from Guwahati by chauffeured fleet.
Shillong is the graceful hill capital of the Northeast, a town of pine ridges, misty lakes, and tumbling waterfalls in the heart of the Khasi Hills. The British made it a summer retreat and the capital of undivided Assam, and something of that cool, green, faintly European air still hangs over it, the reason it has long been called the Scotland of the East.
Its landscape is the draw. The broad blue expanse of Umiam Lake greets travellers arriving from the plains; Elephant Falls tumbles in tiers through the forest; and viewpoints like Shillong Peak and the dramatic Laitlum Canyons open over folds of green hills. This is the homeland of the Khasi people, one of the world's few matrilineal societies, whose culture is beautifully presented at the Don Bosco Museum, while Police Bazaar and the lanes around it pulse with the music for which Shillong is famous across India. The town is also the springboard for the astonishing country to the south around Sohra (Cherrapunji) and Mawsynram, among the wettest places on earth, and the living root bridges of the Khasi villages.
MyTripMyTravel runs Shillong as an unhurried hill-country retreat. Guests are staged comfortably up from Guwahati, taken to the lakes, falls, and canyon viewpoints with an informed escort, introduced to Khasi culture and cuisine, and offered day journeys to the waterfalls and root bridges of Cherrapunji, with restful stays that match the pace of the hills.
At a glance
Shillong in brief
When to visit
October to May
The best months are the drier ones from October to May, when the hills are clear, the days pleasant, and the waterfalls still handsome, ideal for touring Shillong and the Cherrapunji country. The monsoon from June to September is extraordinarily heavy here, the region around Sohra and Mawsynram is among the wettest on earth, and while the waterfalls are at their most powerful, sightseeing is often washed out. For reliable views and comfortable travel, the October to May window is best.
Things to do
Experiences in Shillong
Umiam Lake
The vast reservoir amid pine-clad hills that welcomes travellers from Guwahati, fine for boating and views.
Elephant Falls & Shillong Peak
A tiered forest waterfall and the region's highest viewpoint over the town and surrounding hills.
Laitlum Canyons
A dramatic sweep of deep green gorges and ridgelines, one of the Khasi Hills' most striking vistas.
Don Bosco Museum
A superb museum of the indigenous cultures of Northeast India, with a rooftop skywalk over the town.
Cherrapunji & root bridges
A day journey south to the waterfalls of Sohra and the Khasi living root bridges of the wet valleys.
Police Bazaar & music scene
The lively market heart of Shillong and the cafes and venues behind its celebrated western-music culture.
Getting there
How to reach Shillong
Shillong's Umroi Airport (SHL) is about 30 km away with limited flights; Guwahati (GAU), roughly 100 km, is the main gateway. We manage the handover.
The standard approach is a scenic chauffeured drive up from Guwahati past Umiam Lake, about three hours.
Guwahati is the nearest major railhead; from there the journey to Shillong is completed by road, which we handle.
Our fleet runs the Guwahati to Shillong ascent, hill touring, and the Cherrapunji day journeys with a chauffeur and GPS tracking.
Where to stay
Colonial-era and character hotels in the old town retaining Shillong's Raj-era hill-station charm.
Resorts around Umiam Lake with water views and landscaped grounds a short drive from the centre.
Design stays and boutique hotels well placed for the markets, cafes, and music scene.
Where to eat
The signature Khasi dish of red rice cooked with meat, warmly spiced, the heart of the local table.
Khasi-style smoked and fresh pork with hill vegetables and bamboo shoot, the region's everyday fare.
Shillong's noted cafes serving coffee, continental plates, and fresh bakes alongside live music.
Ready to book
Itineraries featuring Shillong
Private, chauffeured, day-by-day journeys that feature Shillong or explore the wider East India, each fully customisable, or built around your dates.
All tour itineraries
Good to know
Shillong, your questions
Do I need an Inner Line Permit for Shillong?
No. Meghalaya, including Shillong, does not require an Inner Line Permit for Indian or foreign visitors. Some accommodations and areas ask tourists to register on arrival, which our team handles. Neighbouring states such as Arunachal and Nagaland do require permits.
Why is Shillong called the Scotland of the East?
The nickname comes from its rolling green hills, pine forests, lakes, and cool, misty climate, which reminded the British of the Scottish highlands. It was their summer retreat and the capital of undivided Assam.
How do I reach Shillong?
The usual route is a scenic chauffeured drive of about three hours up from Guwahati, the main gateway, past Umiam Lake. Shillong's own Umroi Airport, about 30 km away, has limited flights. We manage the handover and ascent.
What is there to do around Shillong?
Umiam Lake, Elephant Falls, Shillong Peak, and Laitlum Canyons are close by, while the famous waterfalls and living root bridges around Cherrapunji make a rewarding day journey to the south, all arranged by our fleet.
When should I avoid visiting?
The monsoon from June to September is exceptionally heavy, this is among the wettest regions on earth, and sightseeing is often washed out despite the powerful falls. For clear views and comfortable travel, October to May is best.
How many nights should I spend?
Two to three nights allow time for Shillong itself and a full day journey to Cherrapunji and the root-bridge country, with a buffer for the hill weather. It pairs naturally with Guwahati and Kaziranga.
Continue exploring
Pairs well with Shillong
Plan with us
Design a private journey through Shillong.
Tell us your dates and what you love. Our travel desk builds a private, chauffeured itinerary around Shillong and the wider East India, with handpicked hotels and a transparent quote, usually within a few hours.
Plan your trip
Plan your Shillong trip
Free, no obligation quote. Your details stay private.