Homestays in Meghalaya: Living Like a Local

“What if your vacation could feel like home?”

Imagine waking up to the melody of chirping birds, with mist rolling over green hills outside your window.

You sip a warm cup of local tea, wrapped in a blanket, while your host, now more like family, prepares a traditional breakfast just the way their grandmother used to.

This isn’t a luxury resort. This is a homestay in Meghalaya, and it’s where true travel stories begin.

Nestled in the eastern Himalayas, Meghalaya is one of India’s most magical destinations. With emerald-green forests, cascading waterfalls, mysterious caves, and living root bridges, this northeastern state is blessed with nature’s best.

But Meghalaya is not just about beautiful landscapes it’s about warm people, rich tribal cultures, and timeless traditions.

Welcome to Meghalaya, the Abode of Clouds

If you want to experience Meghalaya not just as a tourist, but as someone who becomes part of it, homestays are the way to go.

Why Choose a Homestay?

“Hotels show you the place, but homestays make you feel it.”

In a homestay, you stay with a local family who opens up their home to you.

It’s personal, cozy, and intimate.

Unlike commercial hotels, where everything feels distant, homestays let you live like a local eating their food, sharing their stories, and seeing the land through their eyes.

Here’s what makes homestays in Meghalaya special:

1. Authentic Cultural Immersion

Meghalaya is home to unique tribal communities like the Khasis, Garos, and Jaintias.

Each has its own language, customs, and festivals.

When you stay with a Khasi family in Shillong or a Garo household near Tura, you don’t just read about their culture you live it.

You might get to wear traditional attire, join in the preparation of local delicacies like jadoh (a rice and meat dish), or attend a local festival like Shad Suk Mynsiem or Wangala.

2. Homemade Traditional Meals

Let’s be honest: local food is often the best part of travel.

In a homestay, your host might serve you hot pukhlein (fried rice cakes), tangy bamboo shoot curries, and wild mushroom stews made from forest finds.

They might even take you to the local market or let you help in the kitchen. It’s not just a meal it’s a memory being made.

3. Stories by the Fire

Evenings in Meghalaya can be chilly, especially in the hills.

But they’re also magical.

Hosts often light a fire or make a pot of tea, and everyone gathers around.

Here, you’ll hear folktales of forest spirits, love stories, and heroic legends, passed down through generations.

These quiet moments, filled with laughter and storytelling, are what truly make a trip unforgettable.

Top Homestay Destinations in Meghalaya

“Every village in Meghalaya has a story. And every homestay is a chapter.”

Here are some of the best places in Meghalaya to experience living like a local:

1. Shillong: The Scotland of the East

Shillong is Meghalaya’s charming capital, with colonial cottages, pine trees, and a cool climate.

Stay in a Khasi homestay in areas like Laitumkhrah or Mawroh, where you’ll be just a walk away from churches, cafes, and markets.

Highlights:

• Khasi music and local jam sessions
• Street food tours in Police Bazaar
• Visit to Don Bosco Museum with your host as a guide

2. Mawlynnong: Asia’s Cleanest Village

Mawlynnong isn’t just clean it’s serene.

This picturesque village is known for its flower-lined paths, bamboo dustbins, and eco-friendly living.

Homestays here are usually wooden cottages with stunning views.

What makes it special?
Your host might take you on nature walks, teach you how to weave bamboo baskets, or explain the matrilineal society of the Khasis, where women inherit family property.

3. Cherrapunji: The Land of Living Root Bridges

One of the wettest places on Earth, Cherrapunji is famed for its living root bridges natural marvels shaped over decades.

Staying in villages like Nongriat means you get to walk these bridges daily, not just once as a tourist.

After a long trek, enjoy a simple home-cooked meal and herbal tea made from plants grown right outside the house.

4. Dawki and Shnongpdeng: Riverside Bliss

If crystal-clear waters sound like your thing, head to Shnongpdeng near Dawki.

Here, the Umngot River flows so clear it looks like boats are floating in the air.

Homestay Perks:

• Riverside huts with views to die for
• Fishing and boating with locals
• Bonfires under a sky full of stars

5. Tura: Exploring the Garo Hills

Want to go off the beaten path? The Garo Hills are less explored but equally beautiful.

Stay with a Garo family in Tura or nearby villages.

What’s different here?
Garo dances, drumming, and forest treks to places like Balpakram National Park, where even the locals believe spirits roam.

Things to Keep in Mind While Staying in a Homestay

While homestays are welcoming and warm, here are a few things that will help you blend in better:

• Respect local customs – Meghalaya’s culture is deeply rooted in tradition.
• Be polite and ask before taking photos, especially of elders or religious items.
• Don’t expect 5-star amenities – what you’ll get instead is 5-star hospitality.
• Carry warm clothes – the hills can be cold even in summer.
• Support the local economy – buy crafts or honey from your host’s community.

Come as a Guest, Leave as Family

“In Meghalaya, you don’t just check in, you become part of the home.”

Homestays in Meghalaya are more than just a place to sleep.

They are gateways into a world of heartfelt smiles, traditional ways of life, and soul-soothing simplicity.

It’s where your host becomes your guide, your cook becomes your friend, and your journey becomes a story you’ll tell for years.

So next time you plan a trip to the Northeast, skip the hotel.

Come live like a local. Come home to Meghalaya.

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