Exploring Shillong in 48 Hours: The Perfect Weekend Schedule
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Whether you are an adventurer at heart or just a nature lover, Shillong has something magical for every traveler. Popularly known as the Scotland of the East, Shillong is popular for its lush alpine landscapes, colonial structures, as well as its popular cafe culture and hidden waterfalls. 

Making your way only to the popular tourist spots can never do justice to experiencing the rustic essence of Meghalaya.  By booking your trip with a travel agency in Shillong, Meghalaya, you can experience the best of nature, food, and local life. If you are making a short trip to the rolling hills of Shillong, here is a 48-hour itinerary to ease your travels.

Day 1: Arrival and Immersion

10:00 AM – Breakfast at Café Shillong

As you arrive in Shillong, you can start your day with a hearty breakfast at Café Shillong.  Here you can have the perfect English breakfast, including sausages, smoked meat sandwiches, as well as local cuisines like Khasi Putharo.

11:00 AM – Shillong Peak and Elephant Falls

After breakfast, you can head to the Shillong peak, which offers a bird's-eye view of Shillong. The Elephant Falls lie near the peak and offer the visitors some of the best alpine vistas.

1:30 PM – Lunch at Trattoria

For Lunch, you can head to the Trattoria restaurant, which is in the Police Bazar region. This restaurant offers some of the most authentic dishes of Meghalaya, such as Jadoh (a rice and meat dish), Tungrymbai (fermented soybean), and bamboo shoot curry. 

3:00 PM – Don Bosco Museum

Next, you can make your way to the Don Bosco Centre for Indigenous Cultures. Here you can learn more about the traditional history and the lifestyle of the tribes living in Meghalaya.

6:00 PM – Ward’s Lake Stroll

To end your day, you can make your way to the Ward Lake region with the best travel agency in Shillong, Meghalaya, and walk around the manicured gardens. The wooden bridge and the paddle boats are perfect for unwinding and relaxing. Later, you can have a comforting dinner at Dylan’s cafe and enjoy the live music.

Day 2: Culture, Craft, and Scenic Beauty

7:00 AM – Morning Drive to Laitlum Canyons

After fueling up with breakfast, on your second day, you can make your way to Laitlum Canyons, which lies just 1 hour away from the main city. This region is known for its stunning landscapes, along with the surreal deep gorges, which remain uncrowded.

10:00 AM – Visit Mawphlang Sacred Forest

The sacred Mawphlan forest is known for its rich biodiversity and folklore that surrounds it.  You can experience a guided walk through this forest and get insight regarding the spiritual and ecological aspects of the Khasi kingdom with local insight.

1:00 PM – Lunch at Café Heritage

After a day of exploration, you can visit the Café Heritage and have a hearty lunch, which is located at the Tripura Castle Hotel. This regal restaurant offers colonial elegance with lip-smacking Indian, Continental, as well as local dishes.

4:00 PM – Shillong Golf Course and Cathedral

Before wrapping up your trip, visit the lush Shillong Golf Course, which is one of the oldest golf courses in India. Nearby is the beautiful Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians, which offers a tranquil place to collect your thoughts before leaving.

6:00 PM – Coffee Break and Departure

End your trip with pastries and coffee at MLO5 Café, which is a biker-themed park in Laithumkhrah. With free Wi-Fi and great coffee, it’s the perfect place to reflect on your whirlwind trip before heading back.

Conclusion

Shillong has a timeless appeal, where every lane, every smile, and every misty morning tells a story. Two days might seem short, but with smart planning, or by partnering with a trusted travel agency in Shillong, Meghalaya, you can experience its essence without feeling rushed. Whether it’s the rhythm of local life or the scent of pine in the air, Shillong leaves an imprint that lasts well beyond a weekend.