- Umiam Lake
- 15 to 21 km from Shillong, sunrise to sunset
- Town stops
- Ward's Lake, Golf Links, Heritage Walk, Phan Nonglait Park
- Step-free access, walking distances
- Not published
- Entry fees, boat prices
- Not published
Three days is enough for Shillong at a parent-friendly pace. The honest limit is that Meghalaya Tourism does not say which stops are step-free or how far you walk, so this plan keeps each day to one main stop and asks you to confirm access.
1. The plan
| Day | Main stop | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ward's Lake, then the Golf Links | Both are described as tree-lined and open outdoor spaces in town. Short day after the road from Guwahati. |
| 2 | Umiam Lake | Boating, water sports and viewpoints. Meghalaya Tourism says sunrise to sunset is best. Lunch at the government-run Orchid Lake Resort restaurant. |
| 3 | Shillong Heritage Walk or Phan Nonglait Park, then rest | Pick one. The heritage walk covers colonial history, but no length is published. |
2. Umiam Lake without the rush
- Distance from Shillong is 21 km on the Meghalaya Tourism page and about 15 km on the AAI page, so ask your driver.
- The lake sits on the Shillong-Guwahati highway, so on departure day it can double as a stop on the way out.
- Paddle boats, water scooters and speed boats are listed. Pick paddle boats for parents and ask the operator about life jackets and boarding steps.
- The Orchid Lake Resort pool is open to visitors, per the tourism page.
3. Pace
- One main stop per day and a break after lunch.
- Start Umiam early. Golden hours are the draw, and mornings are cooler.
- Keep a hotel in the Police Bazaar area if short taxi hops matter. The tourism page notes hotels, guesthouses and homestays cluster there.
4. Not published
Step-free paths, walking distances, entry fees, boat prices and opening hours for the town stops are not on the official pages. Ask the hotel or call the Meghalaya Tourism contact listed on its pages before you go.
Sources
Meghalaya Tourism (meghalayatourism.in), Airports Authority of India (aai.aero). Checked on 30 October 2026.
A Miranda House graduate and lawyer who traded courtrooms for slow travel. Cheshta travels with the batches we host ourselves, with a soft spot for travelling alongside elders.
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