Cabs
Shillong sightseeing by cab

Shillong in 1 day: what to see, in what order

Start at Shillong Peak when it opens at 09:00, then Elephant Falls and Ward's Lake. See the Don Bosco Museum from about 12:20, then lunch, the cathedral and Umiam Lake in the afternoon. It is about 67 km by cab, back in central Shillong by about 16:30. Do it on any day but Sunday, when the museum is closed.

6 places67 km by cabtimed against opening hours
Day 1

Shillong Peak, Elephant Falls, the museum and Umiam

Shillong Peak when it opens at 09:00, while the view is clearest, then Elephant Falls and Ward's Lake in the middle of town. The Don Bosco Museum from about 12:20, then lunch. In the afternoon, the Catholic cathedral in Laitumkhrah and Umiam Lake at about 15:30, on the Guwahati road. About 67 km by cab, back by about 16:30. Not on a Sunday, when the museum is closed; one listing also says Shillong Peak closes on Wednesdays.

08:30 to 16:236 places67 km by cab
  1. 1Shillong Peak
  2. 2Elephant Falls
  3. 3Ward's Lake
  4. 4Don Bosco Museum
  5. Lunch
  6. 5Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians
  7. 6Umiam Lake
  8. Back
  1. Leave central Shillong
  2. 1

    Shillong Peak

    45 min here
    Shillong Peak
    Photo: Aadri, CC BY-SA 3.0

    The highest point around Shillong, at about 1,960 m, with a view over the whole city and the hills beyond. It sits inside an Air Force radar station, so there is a gate, a ticket and a short walk to the viewing deck.

    Peaks & viewpointsAbout 09:00 to 15:30 (one listing says 17:00). One listing says closed on Wednesdays. Small ticket; carry photo ID?

    Tip: Carry a photo ID for the gate, and expect cameras to be held there. Some visitors are asked to switch to a local taxi at the gate for the last stretch. Foreign visitors may not be let in.

  3. 2

    Elephant Falls

    1 h here
    Elephant Falls
    Photo: Ishita Singh 015, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Three waterfalls one below the other in a fern-covered gorge, about 10 km from Police Bazar. The Khasi name means "three steps falls"; the British named it after a rock shaped like an elephant, which an earthquake broke in 1897.

    Falls, lakes & parksAbout 09:00 to 17:00, every day (one listing says 10:00 to 18:00). Small ticket?

    Tip: Steps go down past all three falls and are slippery when wet. The bottom fall is the best, so leave enough time and breath for the climb back.

  4. 3

    Ward's Lake

    45 min here
    Ward's Lake
    Photo: ANKAN, CC BY-SA 4.0

    A small horseshoe-shaped lake in the middle of town, made in the 1890s, with a wooden bridge, gardens and paddle boats. It is a few minutes from Police Bazar.

    Falls, lakes & parksOpen 08:30 to 17:30 from November to February, to 19:00 from March to October. One source says closed on Tuesdays, another lists no closed day. Small ticket

    Tip: Some sources say it is closed on Tuesdays. On a Tuesday, spend the time at Lady Hydari Park instead (not on a Monday).

  5. 4

    Don Bosco Museum

    1 h 15 min here
    Closed on Sundays
    Don Bosco Museum
    Photo: Chinnu24, CC BY-SA 4.0

    A seven-floor museum about the peoples of the Northeast: their clothes, tools, weapons, music and homes, gallery by gallery. On the roof, a skywalk looks out over Shillong.

    Museums & churchesOpen 09:30 to 16:30 from December to mid-February (last entry 15:30), to 17:30 the rest of the year. Closed on Sundays and some church holidays

    Tip: Closed on Sundays. Leave time for the skywalk at the top; it keeps the museum's hours.

  6. Lunch, about 1 h. Your driver will know a place nearby. The times after this include it.
  7. 5

    Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians

    25 min here
    Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians
    Photo: Javed Rahman, CC BY 2.0

    Shillong's Catholic cathedral, a tall church in Laitumkhrah rebuilt in the 1940s after a fire, with stained-glass windows along both sides.

    Museums & churchesOpen every day, about 09:00 to 17:00 (listings differ, from 07:00 to 18:30). Quiet during Mass?

    Tip: Dress modestly and keep quiet inside, as it is a working church.

  8. 6

    Umiam Lake

    45 min here
    Umiam Lake
    Photo: "User:RMehra", CC BY-SA 3.0

    A huge lake made by a dam in the 1960s, about 15 km north of Shillong on the Guwahati road, ringed by pine-covered hills. Locals call it Barapani, "big water".

    Falls, lakes & parksThe roadside viewpoint is open in daylight. Boats and water sports at the lake about 09:00 to 17:00?

    Tip: If you drive up from Guwahati, you pass it on the way in, so you can stop then. Boating and water sports are at the water sports complex by the lake, about 1.5 km on.

  9. Back at central Shillong

Drive times come from road routing without traffic. Shillong's roads are narrow, steep and often jammed from about 09:00 to 11:00 and 16:00 to 19:00, and the Sohra and Dawki roads are winding hill roads that slow down in rain and fog. Allow an hour or two more than the map shows on the Sohra and Dawki days. Opening hours marked ? are not yet confirmed, so check them before you go.

Book a cab for this day

Call or message a local Shillong operator with this plan. Tell them your hotel and dates, and they send a price for the car and driver.

1 × full day, 8 h / 80 kmSedan, SUV or InnovaPrice from the operator

We are still listing Shillong operators. Write to [email protected] and we will put you in touch.

Opening times for this plan

The hours we planned around. Check before you go on a public holiday.

PlaceOpenBest timeVisit
Shillong PeakAbout 09:00 to 15:30 (one listing says 17:00). One listing says closed on Wednesdays. Small ticket; carry photo ID?First thing in the morning, before clouds roll in.45 min
Elephant FallsAbout 09:00 to 17:00, every day (one listing says 10:00 to 18:00). Small ticket?Any time of day; the falls are fullest from June to October.1 h
Ward's Lake08:30 to 17:30 from November to February, to 19:00 from March to October. One source says closed on Tuesdays, another lists no closed day. Small ticketLate morning, when the boats are out.45 min
Don Bosco Museum09:30 to 16:30 from December to mid-February (last entry 15:30), to 17:30 the rest of the year. Closed on Sundays and some church holidaysLate morning, with an hour or more to spare.1 h 15 min
Cathedral of Mary Help of ChristiansOpen every day, about 09:00 to 17:00 (listings differ, from 07:00 to 18:30). Quiet during Mass?Any time outside Mass; Sunday mornings are busy.25 min
Umiam LakeThe roadside viewpoint is open in daylight. Boats and water sports at the lake about 09:00 to 17:00?Late afternoon, when the light is soft on the water.45 min

More or less time in Shillong?

1234561234567© OpenStreetMap contributors

Shillong in 2 days

Shillong Peak, Elephant Falls, the museum and Umiam · Cherrapunji: falls, caves and viewpoints

See the 2-day plan →
1234561234567123© OpenStreetMap contributors

Shillong in 3 days

Shillong Peak, Elephant Falls, the museum and Umiam · Cherrapunji: falls, caves and viewpoints · Mawlynnong, the root bridge and Dawki

See the 3-day plan →

All 22 places in Shillong

Every sight with what to see, opening times and how long to stay.

See all places →

Questions people ask

Can you see Shillong in one day?

You can see the town: Shillong Peak, Elephant Falls, Ward's Lake, the Don Bosco Museum and Umiam Lake. Cherrapunji and Dawki are 55 to 80 km away and each needs a day of its own.

Should I do Shillong town or Cherrapunji with one day?

If waterfalls and caves are what you came for, choose Cherrapunji; it is the bigger sight. The town plan is easier, with shorter drives, and suits a day you arrive or leave.

Why go to Shillong Peak first?

The view over the city is clearest in the morning, before clouds build up. It opens at about 09:00 and closes at about 15:30, so it does not fit late in the day.

I am coming from Guwahati. Do I still need the Umiam stop?

No. The Guwahati road passes right above Umiam Lake, so stop at the viewpoint on the way in and you will be back in town about 45 minutes earlier.