Laitlum Canyons

Laitlum, meaning 'End of Hills' in Khasi, is one of Meghalaya's most dramatic and least-crowded viewpoints. The canyons offer sweeping views of deep gorges, rolling meadows, terraced hillsides, and cloud-filled valleys below — a landscape that feels more like New Zealand or the Scottish Highlands than India.

The viewpoint is perched at the edge of a cliff, with sheer drops of hundreds of metres into green valleys below. On misty mornings, the canyons literally fill with clouds, creating an otherworldly scene where you look down at the clouds rather than up at them.

The area around Laitlum is also great for short hikes through pine forests and past Khasi villages. The traditional village of Smit nearby is the ceremonial capital of the Khasi Hills and hosts the Nongkrem Dance festival each year.