Meghalaya - A Feast for your eyes

Meghalaya, a state in India, which was always in my wish list. The picturesque beauty of this place has always taken my heart. In this era of editing, sometime you feel cheated when you see the place by yourself. But Meghalaya, oh my great God, everyplace in this state is so beautiful. Those blue clear rivers, lush green forests, beautiful and spectacular waterfalls, everything will amaze you. Every day you will fall more and more in love with this place.

I went to Meghalaya in Nov 2019 with a group of 5 more people. This was the first time I was travelling with a few strangers, although one of my friend was accompanying me. We booked a group tour from a travel company because it was in our budget and they were covering all the places which was on my list. Until it was started, I was a little skeptical about the trip.

How to get there: The best way to Reach Meghalaya is to Fly or take a train to Guwahati in Assam. Guwahati is in the border of Meghalaya and Assam and you can a get a great connectivity to Meghalaya from Guwahati.

Day 1:

We were picked by our driver in Guwahati. We met three other co-travelers who were going to accompany us on this 6 day trip. Our final destination of that day was Shnongpdeng. On our way we took a stop in Krang Suri Waterfall. This place is much less crowded than other popular waterfall. This was the first time we were looking into that blue pool. It was so beautiful.

When we came back from the waterfall, the sun was setting and it was getting dark. Till the time we reached Shnongpdeng it was dark. We were going to stay in a camp that night and to reach there we have to cross a big suspension bridge. There was no light and we were using our phone torch to get some light. Bridge was little shaky and it scared a hell out of me. With the help of each other we finally reached our camp. We had our dinner, had some chit chat over the bonfire and then went to our camps for a good sleep.

Stay: Riverside Camp

Day 2:

It was a beautiful morning. Riverside camp, morning sunshine, clear river, chirping birds, what else you need to start a better day. Day was planned for boating and cliff jumping. After breakfast we get ready for the boat ride over that beautiful clean famous “Unmgot River”. I can’t tell you how much I loved that place, that ride. We can see everything beneath that river. It was so clean. No one was there, it felt like this is some kind of private tour. I was so happy and satisfied. I realized that if won’t see anything else today it will be fine for me. My heart was already filled by this beautiful place.

Later we stop over a big rock to do Cliff Jumping. My heart was pounding so heavily. Guys showed me how to jump almost three times and then I decide to jump. Oh God it was good but it didn’t take my fear. I tried it for second time but with same fear. Others were so easy with the jump; I was the only scared one.

The whole experience of Unmgot river is unforgettable. I will suggest everyone to take boat ride in Shnongpdeng, instead of Dwaki. Shnongpdeng is more clean and less touristy.

After our lunch we headed to Mawlynnong Village, the cleanest village in India. Here people not only clean their houses, but they also sweep the roads and keep them clean. You will mostly see rest houses here. Tourism is their main source of income.

After a quick walk around the village we went to experience our first Living root bridge. It was a little down walk to reach this place but it was easy. Place was quite crowded.

It was easy on legs that might be the reason more people visit it. We stayed in Pynursla that night.

Stay: Spot On Homestay

Day 3:

After breakfast we drove to Wahkhen village. It’s a beautiful village and also the starting point for Mawryngkhang Trek also known as “Bamboo trail trek”. I never heard of this trek before the trip, it was an element of surprise for me. Till that time, I was considering that “The Double Decker root bridge” trek is most strenuous trek to do but no, I underestimated Bamboo trail trek. It was the most adventurous thing we did in Meghalaya. Whole trail is made up of bamboo and major part is on the ridge of the mountains followed by a river.

The final stretch to reach Mawryngkhang rock is the most difficult one where you have to climb a steep bamboo ladder to reach at the top.

On our way back to Wahkhen we rested for some time near the river. We were in a forest and that sound of river, I can’t explain how peaceful it was.

Villagers of Wahkhen village has made this bamboo trail all by themselves without any help from government. They are trying to increase tourism in this place and they really had done a great job. This is a must go place for an adventurous junkie.

We drove to Cherrapunjee and stayed in a homestay.

Stay: Emisoba Homestay

Day 4:

Cherrapunjee region is blessed with beautiful waterfalls. First we went to see Dainthlen Waterfall, there was not much water in this fall.

Then we went to Wei Sawdong falls, it’s a three step waterfall the beauty of it will take your breath. It’s a 200-300 meter downhill trek with no proper path. If you are physically fit, then you must visit this place. Each step of waterfall makes a blue pool; but you are not allowed to swim in it.

Next destination was Nohkalikai waterfall, it’s an easy to go place, you can see a big waterfall from a distance.

Later we headed to Mawsami caves. There was a power cut when we visited this place but we used our phone torch to get through it. Since we do not have any guide or audio help, caves visit was not fruitful one.

After visiting all those waterfalls, it was time to start one of the famous trek for which I came to Meghalaya, “The Double Decker Living Root Bridge”. We started our trek from Tyrna village which is a starting point for the trek. You have to compulsory take a guide from here. There are more than 3500 steps descending to reach the bridge. Whole trek is a walk in the nature, crossing river on beautiful suspension bridges.

After almost 1.5 hours we reached the place, it’s a marvelous piece of art created by combined effort of humans and nature. Local people tangle the roots and roots keep on growing to make the bridge stronger.

That feeling is beautiful when you are really in that place which you were dreaming of. I always wanted to witness this beauty through my eyes and alas I was here.

We stayed in a homestay. Homestay in Nongriat are very basic but clean. Next day we have to go to Rainbow falls.

Stay: Chally Guest House

Day 5:

We started after breakfast for Rainbow falls. This fall is again an hour or so trek from Living root bridge. The path is not made properly, but you will definitely enjoy the trek as you were crossing green forest.

Real name of Rainbow waterfall is Kshiad Weiphngam, but this is hard to pronounce, people named it Rainbow Falls. You will always see a rainbow here, that’s the reason for its name.

This fall creates a natural pond; water is so clear you can count stones underneath. You can take a dip here, that’s what we did. Enjoyed every bit of our time here. After getting dry we ate maggi and started back for Nongriat village where we stayed. We were going to stay one more night here.

Stay: Chally Guest House

Day 6:

After breakfast we started to trek back to Tyrna village. You have to now climb those 3500+ steps. Our guide told us that it will take almost 3 hours to reach there but we took half of that time. It was unbelievable for us too. We had so many tasty oranges on our way back. Later we drove to Mawphlang Sacred forest. Villagers believe that this forest is sacred and we are not allowed to take anything from this forest not even a leaf. You can find many Rudraksh trees here.

After our visit to Sacred forest we came to Shillong, that night we went to market for some shopping as it was our last day in Meghalaya. We did some souvenir shopping. Police Bazar is a famous market in Shillong where you can get anything. Shillong is very famous for its fashion.

Stay: You and I Homestay

Things to be noted:

1. In Meghalaya sun sets very early. We have seen sunsets at 4:30 in evening. It is advisable to plan your day a little early.

2. You cannot get ATMs in small villages. Better to keep cash with you.

3. Homestays are very clean in Meghalaya.