Meghalaya is heaven on earth with its lush green valleys, pristine waterfalls and otherworldly scenery in the monsoons. Whether it’s the comfortable warm days of summer or the beautiful cherry blossom trees in their prime in the fall, the decision of when to go is yours.
The weather plays an extremely important role in deciding when to visit your chosen holiday destination. We, at Thomas Cook, will help you reach an informed decision by letting you know what’s in store for you each season. The ideal time to travel can only be determined when you weigh all the pros and cons of each season. We have also listed the precautionary measures that you should take before venturing out; Be it summer, monsoon, autumn or winter.
Peak Season – The temperature in the peak season ranges between 16°C and 31°C. This is between the months of April and June. Favorable weather allows you to go outside and explore the village. Summer in Meghalaya lets you enjoy the best of both worlds. Whether it’s relaxing indoors with your family or heading out on an adventure.
Meghalaya during summer (April to June)
The best season to visit Meghalaya is between April and June, during these months the temperature ranges between 20°C during the day and 11°C at night. While many pockets of the country suffer from scorching heat, Meghalaya welcomes you to pleasant summers with cool breezes. The weather in Meghalaya during summer is cloudy during the day and can be humid in the afternoon.
It gives you the luxury to explore and try all kinds of adventure activities, from swinging through living root bridges to trekking through the dense tropical forest, to cooling down under waterfalls like the majestic Elephant Waterfall in Shillong or the waterfalls in Cherrapunji.
You can go to Asia’s cleanest village, Mawlangong, to Dawki, the cleanest river 35 km from Mawlangong, but the Umangot River steals the show. Umiam Lake, Tura, Kulang Rock Laitlam Canyon, and Mawsinram with their pristine waterfalls and misty weather, are other major attractions. Peak season is the best tourist time to visit Meghalaya.
This is the best time to visit Meghalaya to know the place, know its people and get to know the people, get to know their culture, and hence, enjoy its rich heritage. April-June is full of vibrant colors, dance, symbolic rituals as people celebrate Shad Shu Mainsim.
It is one of the most important 3-day community events, which translates as Peaceful Heart Dance. It marks the spirit of the Khasi tribe, giving thanks to nature and hoping for a good harvest in the coming year. Dressed in their traditional attire, they dance to the beat of drums and pipes called the Tangamuri, queen of musical instruments.
Meghalaya during Monsoon (July to September)
One of the wettest places on Earth is heavily drenched by wet season rains. This weather is perfect for staying in bed with a cup of hot drink, as exploring is not recommended during this weather. The weather is usually dominated by foggy mornings and humid and lush grasslands. The temperature ranges from 24°C to 33°C. July is the wettest season in Shillong.
During this season, the beauty and mystical element of Meghalaya blossoms as the state revels in its natural component. It will offer you peace in its majestic hills, and since the crowd is less, it opens up a selection of affordable hotels. The scenic beauty of the Seven Sisters Falls, and the Nohkalikai Falls comes to its full terms. Elephant Falls is the main attraction in monsoon. It is the best time to visit the waterfalls of Meghalaya.
In terms of culture, you can witness the Behdinkhlam festival, which also translates to banish the demon of cholera. It is celebrated among the Pnars in the month of July, which is the sowing season. It is an important dance festival of Jaintia tribes. Through this festival, local people invoke the Lord and seek his blessings for a bountiful harvest. The event starts with dance, music, food and sports.
Meghalaya during winter (October to February)
The rains come to an end in October, and the cooler weather begins from November. Temperatures can drop as low as 2°, and the average daytime temperature is 15°C, mostly pleasant weather. December is not as cold as January and February. During winter the weather is more or less clear. It is the season of foggy mornings and fair weather.
Winters become the best time to visit Meghalaya as the barrier of rains is over, and the scorching heat is relieved. You can do anything, be it hiking, adventuring, trekking or just curling up in your blanket. Whether you come with family, or alone, as a couple or as a bachelor, Meghalaya has an endless list of things to explore and experience.
Meghalaya is the best time to visit Shillong, and not only Tura, Nongpoh, Jowai, Cherrapunji and East Garo etc. The magnetic points of these places are Balapakram National Park, Baghmara- home to exotic wildlife, Umian Lake, Lalong Park, Laitlam Canyon and Williamnagar – a beautiful town with rich flora and fauna.
From October, Shillong hosts various events like music festivals, wine and food festivals, flower shows, beauty pageants, fishing contests, kite flying competitions, making it the best time to visit Shillong. The Nongkrem Festival is also held in October or November. It is a 5-day festival celebrated among the Khasis by dancing and wearing expensive silk and gold.
December is the month to visit as it sees the start of Christmas and New Year celebrations. But with the end of the year, the festivities don’t end as February brings with it the Strawberry Festival on the eve of Valentine’s Day. It is not only a memorable evening to eat sweet strawberries with loved ones but also to contribute to the development of local farmers.
Ranikore is another festival held in the same month, and tourists come across borders to participate in the activities. The festival showcases rich cultural diversity and is filled with adventure sports like music, dance, volleyball, beach soccer, archery competition, boat rides and is complemented with ethnic cuisines.
A philosopher named Lao Tzu once said, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step,” and with your one step in Meghalaya, you will feel the journey of miles. In that one step, you will experience rain, crystal clear water, cleanest village, hills, forests, uneven terrains and diversity. Meghalaya is a place that should be in every tourist’s bucket list.
Rains at this time of the year layer the village with mystery and other worldly charm. Hence, the highlight of this season is Behdinkhalam, which is widely celebrated in the north-eastern state of Meghalaya. Translated as Chasing the Demon of Cholera, Behdinkhlam marks the victory of good over evil. As the village waits for the rains, locals gather every July to cook and enjoy delicious food, dance, music and participate in games.