Khasi Hills Mountains

The Khasi Hills are an upland range in the Indian state of Meghalaya in northeastern India, forming part of the broader Shillong Plateau and highlands. The area is characterised by steep slopes, deep river valleys and high rainfall, with a mix of tropical montane forests and agricultural terraces.

Important population centres and visitor bases in the hills include Shillong, the state capital, and the well-known high-rainfall town of Cherrapunji (Sohra). The landscape is noted for waterfalls, viewpoints and traditional Khasi communities who maintain distinctive cultural practices such as living root bridges crafted from tree roots.

The hills rise steeply from surrounding lowlands and contain elevated forests and grasslands that influence local climate and hydrology; many popular viewpoints and waterfalls are accessed by road from Shillong and nearby towns.

• Climate and ecology: The region includes some of the wettest places on Earth and supports tropical montane forests and biodiverse grasslands at higher elevations.
• When to visit: Best travel seasons are the drier months outside the monsoon when hill roads and viewpoints are most accessible.

What to See#

• Shillong: Shillong, the state capital, located on the Shillong Plateau within the Khasi Hills and serving as the main urban and transport hub for the region.
• Cherrapunji and living root bridges: Cherrapunji (Sohra) and neighbouring areas known for exceptionally high annual rainfall and for traditional living root bridges engineered in local villages.

The Khasi Hills are the highland area around Shillong in Meghalaya. The usual approach is by road from Guwahati (Assam) to Shillong-approximately 100 km and commonly a 3‑hour drive by intercity bus or shared taxi; from Shillong you can reach viewpoints and hill villages by local taxis or hired vehicles. Much travel in the hills is by road; allow extra time for narrow, winding mountain roads.

• Avoid the monsoon season (roughly June-September) when roads are frequently landslide-prone and many viewpoints can be clouded out; the main visiting season is October-May for clearer skies.
• Hire a local driver or guide familiar with narrow mountain routes and timing between villages-public transport is limited and local knowledge will save time and reduce risk on wet or foggy days.
• Start early for major viewpoints (for example near Cherrapunji/Sohra) and for treks to living root bridges such as Nongriat: those trails are best done before mid-day when footfall and humidity rise.