Meghalaya in Winter: What December to February Really Looks Like

Winter is Meghalaya's dry season, and it is a good one. Shillong has days of about 16°C to 19°C and nights of about 6°C to 9°C from December to February, with very little rain. Views are clear and trails and caves are open. What you give up is the water: waterfalls carry far less than in the monsoon, and the hills are not as lush as in the monsoon clips you may have seen online.

December is the month for clear views, cold mornings and festivals. January is the coldest. February is a little warmer and still dry. In March the rain starts to build.

The short version

What the weather is like

Shillong sits at about 1,470 metres. Monthly rain in winter is small: about 8 to 15 mm in December, about 13 mm in January and about 17 to 25 mm in February, depending on the dataset. Cherrapunji's averages are close, with lows of about 7°C to 9°C, so pack for cold mornings and evenings in both places.

What winter takes away

The waterfalls. A visitor who posted on r/Meghalaya in October said it plainly: waterfalls will have less volume and will not be lush green like the monsoon, but you get clear views, treks and good sunrises. If your picture of Meghalaya is a torrent over a cliff, you will see a trickle or nothing at some falls. Winter is the season for views, caves, treks and festivals instead.

Dawki and the Umngot river

Dawki is about 82 km from Shillong. Most guides put the clearest water between October and April. One report says that since late 2025 parts of the Umngot have turned muddy because of soil and debris from the Shillong to Dawki road widening, so clarity depends on the day and the stretch of river. One guide lists a shared boat at about ₹500 per boat, up to eight people, for one to two hours. Prices may have changed, so ask before you board.

The root bridge trek at Nongriat

The walk starts at Tyrna village, 30 to 45 minutes by taxi from Sohra (Cherrapunji). Most guides give about 3,500 steps down over about 3 km to the double decker bridge at Nongriat, with one itinerary saying about 3,000. The walk down takes around 90 minutes and the climb back takes longer. In winter the steps are dry, which is the main reason to do this trek between November and March: from June to September they are slippery.

A 2026 guide says registered guides became mandatory in East Khasi Hills in mid-2025, which covers Tyrna and Nongriat. We found no official notice, so confirm it locally. Entry fees are reported anywhere from ₹20 to ₹100 a person and guides at ₹500 to ₹1,000 for a day trip. Carry cash.

Festivals and Christmas in Shillong

The Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival runs on 20 and 21 November 2026 at Highland Ground, Mawkhanu, New Shillong, with timings starting at 2:00 pm (Meghalaya Tourism). Winter Tales, a craft, food and music festival at Ward's Lake in Shillong, runs from 17 to 19 December 2026 (Meghalaya Tourism). The city goes up in lights for Christmas, with a tree at Police Bazaar.

Getting around and cab fares

Guwahati is the usual gateway, and Shillong is about three hours by road on NH6. Cab fares are the part visitors ask about most. They are not fixed, and local taxi associations have asked the state to regulate out-of-state tourist vehicles, so agree the fare before you get in and ask your hotel what is normal for your route.

Permits

Indian visitors need no permit for Meghalaya. A visitor registration scheme was proposed in July 2026 and is not in force, so check the latest news before you travel.

What to pack

Warm layers and a windproof jacket, shoes with grip for the root bridge steps, cash for guides and boats, and a power bank.

Who winter suits

It suits travellers who want clear views, trekking and festivals and do not need big waterfalls. If thundering falls and deep green hills are the point, plan for June to September instead.

Plan it with us

Our Christmas in Shillong group trip runs from 22 to 27 December 2026, and bookings close on 14 December. The price and what is included are on the trip page. For other dates or a private trip, message us on WhatsApp at +91 90360 21836.