Mesmerising Meghalaya: A Wet Trip in
the wet Season
If
you are planning a trip in the monsoons, why not get wet in the wettest place
on earth?
Mawsynram
and Cherapunjee are the first and second wettest places on Earth respectively. Both
are in Meghalaya, the abode of clouds. Meghalaya, one of the Seven Sister
States of North East India, has a lot to offer you- hills and forests,
waterfalls and lakes, lime stone caves and living root bridges. Meghalaya also
houses Asia’s cleanest village, Mawlynnong. The state of Meghalaya is
mountainous with the Garo, Khasi and Jaintia Hills of the Shillong Plateau. It
is 70% forested. The stretches of green valleys and rolling highlands, make the
topography very similar to the Scottish Highlands. Meghalaya is serene and is a
must visit monsoon destination of India.
The Major Destinations:
1.
Cherapunjee also
called Sohra
2.
Mawlynnong
3.
Shillong, the
capital of Meghalaya
How to Reach:
·
Drive to Shillong
from Guwahati (LokpriyaGopinathBordoloi Airport/ Guwahati Railway Station). It
takes around 2.30 – 3 hours. There are numerous private cabs (Rs.2000-3000),
prepaid cabs (Rs.2000-3000), shared taxis (Rs.500 per person) and buses
(Rs.75-100 per person) available.
·
Fly to
ShillongUmroi Airport, 30 kms from the main city of Shillong. It takes around 1
hour. However, Umroi is connected directly with Kolkata Airport only. Ola and
Meru cabs are available. No shared cabs are available. Pre booking of transport
is suggested.
Places to See:
Cherapunjee or Sohra
Sohra has nature at her best. You can
get lost in the beauty of the water falls and enjoy the thrills of the caves as
well.
Arwah Cave
There are more than 1000 caves but
here I am mentioning the most popular ones.
The Mawsmai Cave and The Arwah Cave are
rugged limestone masterpieces, caves with stalactites and stalagmites and even
fossils. At places there are low over hangings & often uneven footing.
However, most of the area made accessible to tourists are well lit and wide.
Cave trekking is an enthralling experience. Inside the caves streams of water
run through your feet and water drips on you from the lime stone treasures
above your head. In Arwah cave you can see many age old fossils. While trekking
inside the caves is thrilling, the view of the deep gorges from the entrance of
the caves is mesmerizing. Entry fee charged or an adult is Rs.20 and another
Rs.50 for your DSLRs.
The Heart Rock
Garden of caves, Laitmausiang provides an experience of a wonderful trek
through the park, amidst nature, from one waterfall to another. It’s a
thrilling experience to stand beneath a falling stream. Just be a little
careful. It could be slippery. There are rocks of amazing shapes a heart shape
puddle which is considered sacred as they say it contains healing water. The
truth is spending some time here will automatically heal your soul. Guide is
available at the entrance. They charge an entry fee of Rs.50. There are also
proper sign boards to reach from one point to other too.
Laitmausiang
There are numerous waterfalls in
Sohra. The most popular ones are the
Seven Sister (Nohsngithiang) waterfalls and the Nokhalikai waterfalls. You
can hear the sound of the plunging water from far. The falls plunge down from very
high and are spread across numerous streams. They are fuller in the monsoon.
They are gorgeous to the core.
The
Nokhalikai Waterfalls
I suggest you to stay at Cherapunjee,
unlike most, who just take a day trip from Shillong. Sohra will not fail you.
You can stay at Polo orchid, from where you have the view of the seven sister
falls. However, it is preferred that you stay at a rustic home stay or farm,
far from the madding crowd, to feel the quietude of the place. Jiva Resort is
also a very good option for a stay with modern amenities amidst nature. I
stayed at a place called Saimika Park
(Charge per night varies from Rs.2500 to Rs.5500 depending on type of
bungalows) which itself is a spot for site seeing. We had our private bungalow
with our private rock cut balcony. I soaked in as much of nature’s bliss as I
could.
Morning tea at our private rock cut balcony at Saimika Park
Saimika Park
Mawlynnong: Asia's Cleanest Village
Tree House at Mawlynnong
Walking around the village is very soothing. You will see the Khasi huts and the bamboo cottages with conical dustbins made of canes. You can see kids moving with animals and birds at their own happy pace. There are loads of orchids and plants with green and colourful leaves and flowers. The people are simple and always smiling. Mawlynnong provides with very basic provision for night stays. There are few eateries who provide regular tasty meal. Please carry cash and your medicines.
God's Own Garden
Living Root Bridge, Mawlynnong
Dawki
We drove to Dawki from Mawlynnong before we headed towards Shillong. Dawki is famous for the crystal clear waters of Umngot river, the scenic zero point between India and Bangladesh and some splendid waterfalls. However, it is better to avoid Dawki in the monsoon as the river water then is murky.
Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya
Barapani/Umiam Lake
Umiam Lake or Barapani is situated on the way to Shillong while driving from Guwahati. It is vast (spread across 220 square km) and panoramic. Numerous little islands rising from the water and lush green rolling hills with pines surrounding the lake make it picturesque. A beautiful garden called the Lum Nehru Park add to the charm. You can engage in many water sports and/or kayaking and boating here. Though a little far from the city, staying near the lake can be considered because the stay will be peaceful and you will have splendid view all the time. The city is very congested. There are two options here: Rikynjai (Expensive) and Orchid Lake Resort (Reasonable option)
Barapani from Rikynjai
Elephant Falls and Shillong Peak are in the vicinity, around 10-12 kilometres from the main city.
Elephant falls is a dramatic multi layered water fall. It is beautiful and easily accessible. Shillong peak is the highest point of Shillong (Almost 6500 feet). From the peak you can have the breathtaking view of the city, a part of Bangladesh, the greenery, the waterfalls, the river and the foothills of the misty Himalaya
Elephant Falls at Shillong
.
Near Shillong Peak
There
are numerous places to see inside the city.
The Don Bosco Museum promotes indigenous and tribal culture and
their art and crafts. It is one of the finest museums in Asia. It gives you a
very broad idea about India’s North East. The
Wards Lake is a very picturesque place to hang out. Besides the lake, there
is a joggers’ park, a wooden bridge and boating facilities. You can feed fishes
and ducks (Puffed rice for feeding them is available at the entrance). The
entry fee is Rs.10 only. The Cathedral
Church of Mary Help of Christians is a majestic structure which you can’t
ignore. It is a beautifully decorated Roman Catholic Church. Do not forget to
visit Police Bazaar for a pocket
friendly trendy crowded street shopping experience. Shillong also has a golf course with layers after layers of
greenery with rolling hills in the back ground. If you are interested in war
history, the Air force Museum and
its souvenir shop will be exciting for you.
Life
isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass; it’s about learning to dance in the
rain. Definitely a visit to the mesmerizing Meghalaya, this monsoon, will teach
you that. Please travel responsibly. Keep the water bodies, greenery and the
caves of Meghalaya clean and plastic free.
Thank
you.
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