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Deep green valleys and ridges falling away below the clifftop at Laitlum under a clear blue sky, with a path along the edge
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Photo: ANKAN · CC BY-SA 4.0
viewpoint40 min from Shillong

Laitlum Canyon near Shillong — the clifftop over the Khasi valleys, and the path down to Rai Um

Laitlum Canyon, about 25 km from Shillong: clifftop views over the East Khasi Hills, the road through Smit, the path down to Rai Um village, and a guide.

What it is

Laitlum is a clifftop in the East Khasi Hills, south-east of Shillong, where the plateau ends and the land drops away into deep green valleys and ridges. It is also called the Laitlum Grand Canyon. Meghalaya Tourism counts it among the state's great viewpoints, for its long views and its sunrises and sunsets.

Photos: JyotiPN (CC BY-SA 4.0) — via Wikimedia Commons, resized.

Getting there

The state's official site puts Laitlum about 25 km from Shillong; our routing measures about 22 km and 40 minutes. The road runs through Smit, the nearest large village, and the canyon is about 15 minutes' drive beyond it. There are no direct local buses, so hire a taxi in Shillong or join a day tour.

The walk down

From the top, a stone path leads down into the valley to the village of Rai Um. The official site lists it as a trek; we have no measured walking time, and the climb back is long and steep. The state advises a local guide who knows the place and the language.

Combine it with

Pair it with the two-day Shillong plan, and read things to do in Shillong and how to reach Shillong.

Plans that include this

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Nearby places

All of Shillong →
Shillong Peak — the highest point in Meghalaya
Shillong Peak — the highest point in Meghalaya
viewpoint · 12 km away
Elephant Falls, Shillong — the tiered waterfall in the ferns
Elephant Falls, Shillong — the tiered waterfall in the ferns
waterfall · 13 km away
Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians, Shillong — the Art Deco cathedral
Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians, Shillong — the Art Deco cathedral
temple · 13 km away
Ward's Lake, Shillong — the horseshoe lake and garden in the town centre
Ward's Lake, Shillong — the horseshoe lake and garden in the town centre
lake · 14 km away
Mawphlang Sacred Grove — the Khasi forest kept for the forest spirit
Mawphlang Sacred Grove — the Khasi forest kept for the forest spirit
area · 17 km away
Umiam Lake — the reservoir on the Guwahati road
Umiam Lake — the reservoir on the Guwahati road
lake · 23 km away
Nohsngithiang Falls, Cherrapunji — the Seven Sisters waterfall
Nohsngithiang Falls, Cherrapunji — the Seven Sisters waterfall
waterfall · 29 km away
Nohkalikai Falls, Cherrapunji — India's tallest plunge waterfall
Nohkalikai Falls, Cherrapunji — India's tallest plunge waterfall
waterfall · 30 km away

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Questions people ask

How far is Laitlum from Shillong?

Meghalaya Tourism, the state's official site, gives about 25 km; our routing over OpenStreetMap measures about 22 km and 40 minutes from the Shillong hub. The road runs through Smit, the nearest large village, and the official site says the canyon is about 15 minutes' drive beyond it.

Is there a bus to Laitlum?

No. Meghalaya Tourism says no local buses go to Laitlum, so hire a taxi in Shillong or take a day tour. Cabs and local transport do run as far as Smit, the nearest large village, from where the canyon is about a 15-minute drive. Settle the return trip before you set out.

Can you walk down from Laitlum?

Yes. The official site lists a trek from the clifftop down to the village of Rai Um, in the valley below. We have no measured time for it, and the climb back up is steep, so start early, carry water, and take a local guide who knows the path and the language, as the state advises.