Lets realize a piece of Meghalaya : 7 days Meghalaya Travel Guide
- Ashish Thakur
- 4 days ago
- 13 min read
In Sanskrit, Meghalaya means ‘domicile of clouds’ that plays cover and are seeking between the rain and solar, and I actually suggest it when I say Meghalaya and its climate is my absolute favourite. Experience the magic of the Dzukou Valley Trek — where misty trails lead to a valley of dreams nestled in the Eastern Himalayas.
Meghalaya lies in North Eastern place of India and is located inside the hills of the jap sub-Himalayas, usually known as the nation of ‘seven sisters’ that consists of- Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura. It is truly one of the most lovely locations in India, still unexplored and alien to a few sadly.
Meghalaya become fashioned by means of carving out districts from the nation of Assam 1. Khasi Hills and Jaintia Hills 2.The Garo Hills offering easy and unspoiled beauty to its visitors.
Shillong is the capital metropolis of Meghalaya and during the British rule they nicknamed it as the ‘Scotland of East’.
The nation oozes with herbal splendor all yr round that has some of the lovely cascading waterfalls, herbal root bridges, shimmering blue waters, lush green picturesque, crystal clean river, natural caves and even a small village there snatched the name for Asia’s cleanest village. How wonderful is that!
Table of Contents : 7 days Meghalaya Travel Guide
Day 1: Arrive in Guwahati and attain Shillong through shared cab or non-public automobile which is kind of one hundred twenty Kms or 3 hours away.
Day 2: Directly power to Umngot River(Asia’s cleanest river) for overnight tenting beneath the stars.
Day three: Visit the ‘Krang Suri’ waterfalls that is among one of the most scenic waterfalls of Meghalaya and overnight stay in Mawlynnong – Asia’s cleanest village.
Day 4: Explore Mawlynnong at ease and immediately power to ‘Wei Sadong’ Waterfall that's a 3 layer waterfall and a need to see.
Day5: Explore Cherrapunji’s waterfalls and its herbal caves and in a single day live at Cherrapunji.
Day6: Drive back to Shillong for the sightseeing, explore the local markets and overnight stay at Shillong.
Day7: Time to mention goodbye to the ‘Scotland of East’
Things to recognise in Meghalaya earlier than you pass
1.How to reach Meghalaya : 7 days Meghalaya Travel Guide
The high-quality way to reach Meghalaya is to attain Guwahati (Assam) that serves as the essential entry factor of Meghalaya. Guwahati has an international airport and very well linked by using avenue, rail and common flights from fundamental the cities of India as well.
Book your flights from MakeMyTrip or Goibibo
Also Shillong has a home airport that is 30 kms faraway from the principle town.
If you don’t desire for a avenue ride from Guwahati than boarding direct flights for Shillong would make sense but that would be dearer due to the fact the frequency of flights arriving in Shillong could be very low.
Also you may rent a personal cab for the complete duration of your ride to Meghalaya right from Guwahati airport that allows you to be far extra at ease than shared cabs or public buses. I could advise not to miss the street journey for some unforgettable maggi stops that incorporates awe-inspiring perspectives.
Contact Himangshu(+917576096491) for vehicle rentals and travel manual proper from choose up till drop off. Please inform him that I stated ‘hey’ if you meet him.
Hailing from Guwahati made it simpler for me and my pal to devise this ideal self driven road experience. We booked our automobile from FuFu Gadi( Maruti Baleno for 2000 INR according to day).
Road circumstance upto Shillong and Cherrapunji are excellent and properly maintained. If you wish to visit Dawki river and different offbeat places than 4 wheel power automobiles are ought to, because we struggled loads for now not having one, the off roads have been pathetic.
Let me add, locations that I even have recommended in this blog are actually offbeat and you wont find any suitable public transportation to visit the ones places, so self using is an alternative or if you could reserve a personal car keen on yourself.
2. Best time to go to Meghalaya : 7 days Meghalaya Travel Guide
You can visit Meghalaya all yr round as its beauty keeps on converting with seasons.
April to June are the summer months and truly the height season. The prices for the whole lot shoots up and most of the vacationer vacation spot stays crowded, so try to keep away from the ones months if viable.
From July to September are the monsoon and exceptional months wherein you can experience the cascading waterfalls and greenery round.
Cherry Blossom season usually starts offevolved in October and Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival is held every yr in November in The Eastern Khasi Hills. Its a treat to the eyes looking the bloom that turns the location pink.
If you’re are camping fans and desire to go to Dawki river( Asia’s cleanest river) than December to March is an appropriate time. Now its as much as you what encourages you the maximum to go to Meghalaya. Unveil the serenity and wild beauty of Northeast India on the unforgettable Dzukou Valley Trek.
Three. Is Meghalaya safe? : 7 days Meghalaya Travel Guide
Meghalaya itself has always been a non violent kingdom in phrases of tourism and we didn’t sense risky or uncomfortable for a unmarried moment. The locals are so pleasant and polite they helped us with the whole thing possible they may.
4. Language in Meghalaya : 7 days Meghalaya Travel Guide
The reputable language here is ‘khasi’. You don’t should be worried approximately conversation because everyone do speaks and is aware English and Hindi as nicely.
Five. Mobile Networks : 7 days Meghalaya Travel Guide
Mobile connectivity may be very negative in some remote areas and even the GPS won't work at instances. We struggled a lot for precise road locations by means of asking around neighborhood peoples who served because the best google maps. But you'll be beneath network coverage in all of the civilised areas.
6. Cash / ATM : 7 days Meghalaya Travel Guide
Make sure you carry difficult cash every time you are coming into or staying at any off beat locations. No one accepts playing cards and even the community might be negative for mobile money transfers.Its probable you may want to power returned for hours just to find an ATM. So hold coins reachable at all times.
7. How many days are sufficient for a Meghalaya journey : 7 days Meghalaya Travel Guide
Usually five-7 days are best for the Meghalaya experience wherein you could visit the primary sights without any rush.
Places to go to in Meghalaya in 7 days
Umiam Lake
From home we commenced our pressure by way of 12pm to reach Shillong. Almost after 2hrs you may word that Umiam Lake domestically known as ‘Dam Sait’ lies on the way just 15 kilometres beforehand before reaching Shillong that can be visited as a stopover wherein you may revel in the panoramic view.
Umiam lake become to begin with installed as a dam however now its a popular traveller enchantment famous for water sports like kayaking, water cycling, boating and many others that's open from 9am-5pm. Entry price ticket rate is INR 20 in step with character.
Umngot River( Asia’s cleanest river)
We reached Shillong by means of 3pm which turned into pretty overdue and literally had starvation pangs. Had lunch at Vivanta Shillong located within the police bazaar area that is the busiest point in Shillong. However there are numerous eating places and meals stalls in that locality to serve your gastronomical cravings.
For that night we didn’t had any plans to live in Shillong as a substitute we directly drove to Dawki for in a single day camping. You can live and explore Shillong in your way again, so shall we maintain it for the ultimate day.
The pressure from Shillong to Dawki as consistent with the google maps indicates 3 hours however you can bear in mind it to be 5hours if now not less. The force as much as positive highways is definitely huge and best however as quickly because the underneath constructed patch begins its virtually OMG. We drove inside the darkish with no cars and civilization inside miles and with out GPS sign too, it felt crazy with the notion if we are riding thru the proper direction or now not. The roads have been just torture for the thoughts and body. Day trip to Dawki from Shillong is likewise feasible with employed automobiles that would price approx 3000 INR one way.
We arrived in Dawki by way of 9pm and it become pitch dark anywhere. To our wonder close to the access point there had been locals who pitched us to avail their camping sites with different rate charges. We didn’t e book any camping sites earlier and wanted to go together with the drift for some more thrill. Fortunately we determined ourselves surely fortunate and were given the exceptional of everything we wanted for. Our guide paddled the manual boat for nearly 20min to attain the camp beneath the starry night time and it become such an exquisite enjoy simply.
Nolcy’s tenting ground became newly opened and we have been the handiest humans there in tranquil. Contact Mike(+96406003206157) as he may be your satisfactory tenting manual and help for the whole thing you would ask for. Per camp might fee 1000-1500 INR and might accommodate 3 humans (consists of food and boat rides)
Note: these camping web sites do offer food however don’t anticipate anything fancy and heat. Would notably endorse to p.C. A few eatables as there aren't any meals joints or stores inside miles.
The bonfire become lit and it became the moment for a lifetime, hearing the water waft and the moon-glade made it truely magical.
The subsequent morning we had been served maggi and egg for breakfast that we loved with the right view. Let me add those tenting grounds are among raw nature, please don’t count on some thing fancy or homely(in particular with lavatories).
The Umngot River commonly called the Dawki River is considered to be the cleanest river in Asia which is situated at the border of Bangladesh and additionally serves as a exchange route between India and Bangladesh. Go for boating in this crystal clean water and flaunt your images. Enjoy the glimpse of Umngot river that overlooks the Dawki bridge and flows between hills on each sides. You also can visit the close by village referred to as Shnongpdeng that's 7km away from Dawki for a few similar enjoy.
Make certain you try to seize the boats before midday for that best water mirrored image image, September 11 am could be a terrific time. Let my photos communicate Meghalaya ride you could do in Meghalaya in 7 days
Krang Suri Waterfalls
Say good-bye to Dawki and immediately head towards Krang Suri Waterfalls which is nestled inside the serenity of Jaintia hills and one of the maximum scenic and certainly a charming waterfall of Meghalaya. It would take an hour to reach Krang Suri from Dawki and nearly three-four hours in case your are immediately journeying from Shillong.
Parking for vehicles are allowed as much as the factor wherein you notice the signboard welcoming you to Krang Suri falls and after which you want to stroll for little while via the steps descending to the waterfall with an entry fee of fifty INR. You may even pass for swimming in this stunning waterfall, just sit and revel in the breathtaking perspectives or even can pass for boating
7 days Meghalaya Travel Guide ride Things you may do in Meghalaya in 7 days
Mawlynnong – Asia’s cleanest village
Spend right 2hours in Krangsuri and head towards Mawlynnong ‘Gods very own lawn’ that would take 2 hours. If you’re heading from Shillong it might take approx 3hrs to reach.
On your way stop for a few neighborhood khasi delicacies, there are many roadside eating places and homestays that gives exceptional neighborhood cuisines for about 200-four hundred INR.
You will word a board that says welcome to Mawlynnong- which became chosen by using Discover India magazine in 2003 as Asia’s cleanest village.
Mawlynnong has a thousand citizens and formerly agriculture turned into the leader career of the local population, however now a days its extra targeting booming tourism which has finally grown with the aid of 60%. Its a totally small village in which you could speak a walk in the alleys and have interaction with nature and greenery round and detox your lungs.
Even the human beings are so type and alluring. We booked our stay at Deiphi & Risa Homestay and also had the opportunity to satisfy the village headman who turned into so humble and narrated approximately the measures they carry out for the development and betterment of this village. It become actually inspiring understanding how they're retaining tempo with rest of the sector in their very own specific ways.
Note: some homestays here do offer meals with lodging and some doesn’t. You wont find any fancy eating places round, but there are few meals joints that serves local meals. These joints closes with the aid of eight-9pm so make sure you take a look at together with your hosts how you can pass about the food.
Living root bridge in Mawlynnong
Living root bridge additionally known as ‘Jingmaham Living Root Bridge’ is one of the herbal dwelling single root bridge that's three hundred years old. Interestingly it's far a person-made bridge which is built throughout a move by using intertwining the aerial roots of Rubber timber round a Betel tree trunk, where you can stroll and skip from one give up to the opposite.
Entry charge for this root bridge is 40 INR and it opens from 8am-5pm. The path is little choppy from the begin so make certain you wear cozy footwear. Try to visit the bridge proper after the opening hours before the group flocks in.
Visit Wei Sawdong waterfalls
From Mawlynnong we reached Cherrapunji in less than 2 hours and immediately headed for Wei Sawdong waterfalls.
The name Wei Sawdong is derived from the Khasi language (‘Wei’ manner such as a pool and ‘Sawdong’ approach rectangular-formed). This is a three tiered waterfall without a doubt offbeat that has bluish-inexperienced crystal-clear water. We literally had tears in our eyes to navigate the precise route on our very own whilst the GPS dumped us badly. Cant even explicit in words how ugly the roads were, however sooner or later with the assist of locals determined it with a sigh of comfort.
As this waterfall is not that popular and doesn’t appeal to a whole lot visitor it's miles very tough to access, and the trek to the waterfall is made from the reduce out bamboos, the steep path is certainly tough and frightening on the same time.
Parking for vehicles are allowed as much as the factor in which you see the first signboard welcoming you to Wei Sawdong falls and after that you want to trek for short while thru the harmful steps descending to the waterfall. Parking rate is 50 INR.
Once we reached the waterfall it felt like we've got conquered the arena, its that super! There are many tea and meals stalls inside the neighboring place so seize some drinks after the extreme cardio and energize your soul later on.
Cherrapunji
Cherrapunji (meaning the land of oranges) or Sohra is located in the East Khasi Hills which turned into as soon as the wettest place on this planet however now Mawsynram took over the name. You can also reach Cherrapunji from Shillong and that might take 2hrs approx by means of a hired taxi from police bazar (3000 INR one way).The fine time to go to Cherrapunji is during the monsoons and wintry weather between October – February.
Double Decker Living Root Bridge
This double decker dwelling root bridge is one of the popular destination in Cherrapunji where 2 bridges are piled up one on the other because of the inter-twisted roots. The roots are inter-tangled in this kind of complicated manner making the bridge sturdy and robust that it can bear the weight of humans crossing it. Definitely a marvel to enjoy.
The Double Decker Living Root Bridge lies in Nongriat village which is on the market handiest by trek from Tyrna village that you could reach by means of cab or bus. The journey backward and forward is pretty treacherous and also you need to maintain this in mind due to the fact it is a 3 km difficult hike which includes round 3500 unusual concrete steps one manner. The total trek might take round five to 6 hours depending in your pace. If you are vintage or have health troubles, I might endorse that you do now not attempt journeying the double decker living root bridge and assignment your bodily boundaries. The entrance charge to the living root bridge is INR 20 in keeping with man or woman.
Also visit the Mawsmai Cave which is placed at a short distance from Sohra which is easy to get right of entry to and explore. This cave is shaped via the erosion of limestone and unrelenting float of water which is well-known for its fossils. Inside the cave there are a few locations in which you will need to squeeze and move slowly a chunk to pop out from the opposite quit.
Listing Some of the most important attractions in Cherrapunji:
The Nohkalikai Waterfalls
Dainthlein Falls
Nohsngithiang Falls or Seven Sister Falls
Wah ka ba falls
There are many steeply-priced lodges and budget lodges and homestays in Cherrapunji, live for in a single day and experience lower back to Shillong the following day.
Where to stay in Cherrapunji
Luxury remains: Polo Orchid Resort, Cherrapunji
Mid range: Labana Hotel, Cherrapunji
Budget: Airbnb /homestays
Shillong
Every time I go to Shillong it makes me feel like home. There is some thing in the air that could’t be put together in words. Shillong being the capital metropolis of Meghalaya it's also referred as the ‘Scotland of East’
Shillong is a totally modern and vibrant city with the foremost population with lot of British impact in the architecture broadly speaking the antique buildings and churches. Shillong is packed with crowds that has the busiest market, lodges and eating places and have some of the best cafeterias within the Police Bazaar area. During your stay you could visit these locations in and round.
All Saints Cathedral Shillong
This is one of the oldest church buildings of Shillong that boasts the colonial-fashion structure and become established via the British.
This church was completely damaged in the 12 months 1897 after an earthquake and later a new church turned into built in 1902. Definitely a wonderful location to spend a few great time surrounded by using peace and in solitude. Entry is truely loose.
Cathedral Of Mary Help Of Christians or The Catholic Church Grotto Chapel, Shillong
The Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians, also called the Laitumkhrah Church is one of the most lovely and iconic church buildings of Shillong painted in blue that has excessive arches and glass painted home windows and one of my private favourite.
This church stands excessive inside the city centre and to attain the main church you need to climb a hard and fast of steps and its really worth it. The church comprises of two levels: a chapel and a big cathedral that turned into built within the yr 1980. Also, do now not leave out out at the Grotto church that lies at once below it and can be quality considered from the standpoint close to the church. Entry is certainly loose.
Local Market
You cannot go away Meghalaya with out exploring the local market and Police bazaar is one of the foremost enchantment of Shillong. Meghalaya is famous for its bamboo handicraft and other hand-crafted objects like heat shawls and ultra-modern iciness wears. Make sure you're taking few returned home as souvenirs and items.
Other sights in Shillong:
Don Bosco Centre of Indigenous Cultures
Ward’s Lake
Elephant Falls
Shillong Peak
Laitlum Canyons
Beadon falls
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