Overview
Kongthong is a Khasi village in the East Khasi Hills where every person carries two names – the formal given name used in official life, and a second name that is not a word at all. It is a melody. The tradition called Jingrwai Lawbei assigns each person at birth a unique hummed tune composed by the mother, distinct from every other melody in the village, used to call them across fields and through forest the way other places use names. The kongthong whistling village tour exists because no description of this practice does what arriving and hearing it does.
Bon handles the vehicle from Guwahati Airport or Railway Station, two nights at a village homestay in Kongthong and the drive into the East Khasi Hills via Shillong. Day 2 is held fully at the village with no schedule. Day 3 moves to Cherrapunji where the package switches from cultural depth to natural scale – the same East Khasi Hills, a different relationship with it. Day 4 covers the plateau edge before Day 5 closes back at Guwahati. Daily breakfast is on CP basis throughout.
Day-wise Itinerary
5-day travel plan — tap any day to view full details.
The kongthong whistling village tour picks up at Guwahati Airport or Railway Station and heads west toward the East Khasi Hills. The road runs through Shillong, about 2.5 to 3 hours from Guwahati, then continues through a quieter stretch of the Khasi plateau to Kongthong village, roughly 2 more hours from Shillong depending on road conditions.
The total drive is long for a Day 1 and an early start from Guwahati makes the afternoon arrival possible. The village sits among forest and paddy at an elevation where temperature drops noticeably by evening. First impressions here are quiet ones.
A full day at the kongthong whistling village tour base with no vehicle needed. The Jingrwai Lawbei tradition is not a performance - it is simply how the village functions.
Walking the morning paths it is possible to hear a mother's melody carry from a courtyard to a field, or a name called in hummed form from one end of a path to another. Village walks run through paddy terraces and forest edge and the Khasi household structures here have an older quality than most accessible villages in the district. The afternoon open schedule allows time to sit, to listen and to understand what the morning walk only started.
The kongthong whistling village tour moves from village homestay to plateau-edge hotel as the Day 3 drive takes the group from Kongthong back through the Shillong stretch and southwest to Cherrapunji, approximately 3 to 3.5 hours in total. Cherrapunji at 1,484 metres sits at the edge of one of the wettest regions on earth and the approach from the north gives the first clear view of the valley system dropping toward Bangladesh.
The afternoon is open for settling in. The hotel here carries a different quality from the village - walls, electricity, predictable water pressure. Both things are correct after two nights in Kongthong.
Nohkalikai Falls is the first stop - 340 metres of drop into a blue-green pool below the plateau edge, with a legend of grief in the Khasi name that gives this viewpoint a weight most waterfalls do not carry. Seven Sisters Falls follows at the roadside viewpoint where the number of visible streams changes by season.
Mawsmai Cave runs about a kilometre underground through lit limestone passages. The Cherrapunji Eco Park closes the plateau day with a wide view south toward Bangladesh. After two days in Kongthong with the kongthong whistling village tour, the scale of the cliff edge here reads differently than it would have on Day 1.
Morning checkout after breakfast and the return drive from Cherrapunji to Guwahati Airport or Railway Station, approximately 4.5 to 5 hours via Shillong. The kongthong whistling village tour closes at Guwahati.
Afternoon departures are in reach for most flight and train schedules if ticketed with the return in mind. Groups with earlier departure windows should share timing with the Bon team at booking so the morning schedule can be structured without a rush.
Map
Inclusions & Exclusions
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Private six seater Innova or Xylo class car throughout, point to point on the itinerary and not on disposal.
- All sightseeing listed on the day plan with no hidden gaps.
- Pickup and drop at Guwahati Airport or Railway Station at the start and end of the trip.
- Daily breakfast at the village homestay and hotel on CP basis.
- Village homestay double sharing accommodation at Kongthong on Nights 1 and 2, and deluxe hotel double sharing rooms at Cherrapunji on Nights 3 and 4.
- All fuel, parking and toll charges.
- Driver's full trip allowances, nothing extra owed on the road.
NOT INCLUDED
- Flights and train fares to Guwahati are not included.
- Dinner and lunch throughout the trip.
- Entry fees at waterfalls, caves, viewpoints and cultural sites, paid directly on site.
- Emergency evacuation costs.
- Extra costs caused by road closures, landslides or other natural events.
- Personal spends including laundry, tips, shopping and beverages.
- Anything not clearly covered under the inclusions above.
Best Time to Visit
Meghalaya stays cool year-round. Shillong enjoys pleasant weather (15°C–25°C), while Cherrapunji and Mawsynram receive heavy monsoons (June–September), creating dramatic waterfalls. Winters (October–February) are crisp and dry (4°C–16°C), perfect for exploring living root bridges, crystal-clear Dawki river, and limestone caves. October to April is the best time for sightseeing, trekking, and clear valley views.
Important Price & Package Conditions
- Prices are subject to availability and may vary based on travel dates, hotel selection, and seasonal demand.
- The actual price is reconfirmed at the time of booking. Discounts or deals may apply depending on ongoing promotions.
- Prices displayed do not include optional add-ons such as cab upgrades, special activities, or extra room categories unless mentioned.
- For group bookings, custom itineraries, or peak season travel, final pricing may differ. Please connect with our travel expert.
- 50% advance payment confirms your booking.
- Remaining balance is due 45 days before travel.
- Natural disasters or political unrest will be handled on a case-by-case basis.
- Valid for Indian nationals only. International guests may require special permits.
- Carry original government ID for all hotels.
- Secure payments and flexible policies.
- 24x7 emergency support during travel.
- Bon Voyagers strives to provide transparent pricing. For clarity or a custom quote, please contact our support team.
Subha Travels reserves the right to update package pricing and availability. For clarity or a custom quote, please connect with our support team.