Dream Of An High School Student - Cherrapunji, Meghalaya

ROAD TRIP 2021 : NORTH-EAST INDIA (7-Sisters)

ROAD TRIP 2021 - NORTH-EAST INDIA (7-Sisters)

ROADS WERE MADE FOR JOURNEY. NOT FOR DESTINATION!!

We’ll Stop in Every Small Town and Learn the History and Stories, Feel the Ground, and Capture the Spirit. Then We’ll Turn It into Our Own Story That Will Live Inside Our History to Carry with Us, Always.


Because Stories Are More Important than Things. Get.Set.Go…

During our Road Trip in 2019 of Exploring Western Ghats, we’ve finalized and ready with full plan and entho. for exploring North-East India alias 7 Sisters of India. But unfortunately, COVID had other ideas. At the end of March 2020, India was under total lockdown and COVID didn’t gave us time for even blinking our eyes as it starts to spread world-wide all of a sudden. We thought it was almost done for the year and postponed North-East to the next year. Later at the End of 2020, we decided and went to Exploring Kerala. But we didn’t cancel-out the plan of Northg-East as it was a dream for me personally as well as for the team. We just postponed the pan to 2021. And 2021, the world had great relief from COVID as we fund Remedy fot the COVID and we all 4, got fully vaccinated before Nov 2021 and ready for the action of exploring the great 7 Sisters of India, North-East.

This time also, we missed our friend Sheikh, as he was in Dubai for his work. So, we a team of 4 joined once again for this North-East Road Trip of 2021.

1. Giri

2. Marsh Whesly

3. Prain Cheeki

4. Arun Edappadi-ist

It was during the month of August, we booked Flight through SpiceJet. During that time, Pravin was unable to confirm his presence due to his newly started work life. Later at the end of August, we booked same flight for him also, with free cancellation charges which costed us some 3000Rs additional amount as we didn’t want to take any chances during this post-COVID situation.

We’ve analyzed a lot for almost 2-2.5 years on North-East India, especially Assam, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh. At first, we had plans to Tawang of AP, but we excluded that part as it can be aken as a separate trip for a week of time after some years. We discussed and concluded with Assam and Meghalaya.

Meghalaya Government has multiple guidelines to be followed, before entering their state in such COVID situation. As we guys are fully vaccinated, we need to apply for e-Invite in the Meghalaya Tourism App / WebSite. It asks for individuals Aadhar details, photocopy, Trip Itinerary and stay of 1st 2-night booking copy for confirmation. Once getting the e-Invite, we need to get a hard copy for safer side for verification purpose which entering Meghalaya Border. We’ve analyzed and completed this part prior in advance in the month of August, just after booking our flights.


My love towards Meghalaya is no secret. The winding roads along the lush green hills, the magical monsoon, the wildlife, Meghalaya is what dreams are made of. I have visited different parts of India, more times than I can count. Every time, I fell in love with it a little bit more. So this is my tribute to the mesmerizing landscapes that inspired the travel writer in me. It's been a way long for a week-long road trip.

Flight Details :

12-Nov-2021 : SG695 - Chennai-> Jaipur -> Guwahati

a) 09:40AM - 03:40PM -> Delayed due to Chennai Monsoon as 02:00PM - 08:00PM.

20-Nov-2021 : SG696 - Guwahati -> Jaipur -> Chennai

b) 04:15PM - 10:05PM -> On-Time.

ZoomCar Booking Details :

Car : Maruthi Baleno Diesel

From   : 12-Nov-21 04:00 PM

To : 20-Nov-21 02:30 PM

Cost : Rs 14,888

Security Deposit : Rs 1,499 (Refundable)

Day-wise Plan :

Day 1 [SAT] https://tinyurl.com/Guwahati-Shillong-Sights-v1

Day 2 [SUN] https://tinyurl.com/Shillong-Mawlynnong--Dawki-v1

Day 3 [MON] https://tinyurl.com/Dawki-Langkawet-Cherrapunji-v1

Day 4 [TUE] https://tinyurl.com/GTG-Cherrapunji-Day-Plan-v1 

Day 5 [WED] https://tinyurl.com/GTG-Cherrapunji-Day2-Plan-v1

Day 6 [THUR] https://tinyurl.com/Mawsynram-Shillong-v1

Day 7 [FRI] https://tinyurl.com/Shillong-LaitlumCanyon-GAU-v1

CHERRAPUNJI, Meghalaya - A DREAM Come True As It Was In The Plan Cards From The Moment When I Heard From My Geography Teacher During My High-School : HIGHEST RAINFALL IN INDIA : CHERRAPUNJI, MEGHALAYA. But As Of Now, It Is The 2nd In That Queue, As Mawsynram (10miles From Cherrapunji) Tops The List.


We’ve applied ePass of Meghalaya Govt. It’s just a simple process for visitor’s data collection and approval has been done immediately right after submitting the required details, as stated above.

1. RoadTrip2021_North-East_Plan& Expenses..

2. Our Meghalaya ePass (For Reference)..

Nov 11, 2021 (Thursday) : Shopping Day @Chennai

It was a rainy day, after a landfall of depression over Chennai. Thank God the trains were not canceled. Both Pravin and Arun arrived a day before in-order to avoid last minute rush. Myself and Whesly had our normal working days till 04:00PM and then we signed-off from work life. Started to shop in Decathlon and for the dinner, we went to Madurai Cholan Mess, Thirumangalam. It is always good to start the trip with good food on the table.

  

Nov 12, 2021 (Friday) : Chennai-Jaipur-Guwahati (Departure Day)

Finally, the day has arrived. Around 6:00am, we started towards the Chenani Domestic Airport through Metro. We had a cup of coffee and tea in Chai Kings, @Thirumangalam Metro. 


The flight time got changed to 02:00PM due to cyclone landfall a day before of our departure.

 

Since we had adequate amount of time for the flight, we explored in and around Chennai Domestic Airport and checked-in to the Domestic Lounge. The Lunge was comfortable and praceful experience, for a minimal amount as we all 4 had free Lounge Access with our Financial Cards.

  

  

The Departure :

  


Our experience was comfortable with zero turblances both to and fro with the SpiceJet Airlines. 

  


The flight landed @Jaipur in misty environment by 04:45PM. 


By 05:40PM, the flight take-off to Guwahati. We landed @Guwahati Airport by 07:50PM.


There was initial screening with Aadhar (ID) and COVID Fully Vaccination Certificates Verification. It was a simple process and we met the ZoomCar representative @The Airport Parking lot. His name was Akhil and well-knowledged about in and around Guwahati. There we went with some verification process of Driving Licence.etc and done with the Car Handling for the next 9 days.

We searched for good North-Eastr restaurant and found Epic Momos, where we got some good authentic Momos. There were multiple varieties and we tried almost all from spicy to cheesy ones and all tastes really well, especially the Spicy Tandoori Momos was absolutely great! 

  

Completing our dinner by 09:45PM, we halted for the stay @Greeny Villa Home STay, Guwahati.

Nov 13, 2021 (Saturday) : Guwahati - Shillong - 12th Mile

The first day morning, we all were slow and steady. Myself use to wake on-time and I’ve waken even early before the alarm by 04:30AM. 


My friend Marsh Whesly had some cold with running nose in the mid night. He took some pills and had good sleep. We too didn’t rush-up as it will impact the upcoming days. Around 10:45AM, we got some good South Indian Dosa @South House Restaurant. Butter Paneer Dosa with Aloo Masala combination was really fantastic and must try here. Usually I use to avoid Aloo Masala, but here I had a try and made me fall in love with it.

 

We also feed our Baleno with tank full of Diesel. During the time of our visit, there was some price slash in Diesel and the cost per litre was Rs 79/- INR only, while in my hometown it already crossed Rs 100/- INR.

  


Around 12:00 Noon, we reached the Assam-Meghalaya Border. There we’ve been asked to put entry and get the confirmation challan from the officers. The process was so simple, but many (almost all) people didn’t know about it it seems and they were searching for signal to apply for Meghalaya e-Invite during that time. There I saw a family from Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu and I guided them as well to get their need. The verification will be Initial scanning of the eInvite and the ID verification of the list of people in the eInvite. Then the 1st 2 Nights stay details (Hotel booking Confirmation). Once the ID matches, they will be handling over a slip kind-off entry challan with the vehicle and visit details. It got completed in 20mins for us and we’ve entered the Meghalaya at last.

Around 01:25PM, we reached Umiam Lake. It was not an off-beat place for people with young age. So we just skipped to enter inside. Instead, we got noticed an reservoire and we halted the car a-side to watch the opening of the dam. It was so gigantic and the height looks so scary for all of us.


By 02:30PM, we reached Shillong Center. 

  

One of the worst experience for all of us, as Shillong was totally crowded and many routes are changes to One-way and Google Maps didn’t gets updated based on the rapid changes in the routes.

Pro Tip : Please avoid visiting Shillong, especially during weekends. The only worthy please is the City Hut Dhaba Restaurant. Also the Hotels in the City Center looks too expensive.

About City Hut Dhaba : https://www.cityhutdhaba.com/

  

      

   
  




One of the best IN SHILLONG. A lovely fine dine restaurant near Police Bazar with amazing ambiance, great service and scrumptious food. Thanks to City Hut Dhaba and crew for the wonderful experience.

Since as stated above, Shillong was totally crowded and expensive. We just completed our late lunch @City Hut Dhaba and decided to drive towards down south as it will save the expenses as well as will be easy to start for the next day as the travel time will get reduced as well in the morning.

We found a good deal @amazing location in 12th Mile, The Mystical Rose. It was a tree-houses made of Bamboo at the verge point of Slopes of the Mountains, where down the hills, there was a huge River Stream. As it was night time, it was too dark but we can able to hear the River Stream sound of dashing the rocks at good pace. We’re excited a lot for the view in next day morning.

Nov 14, 2021 (Sunday) : 12th Mile - Mawlynnong  - Dawki - Shnongpdeng

Next day morning, as usual I got waken soon before all others. Brushed and waken Pravin for the View. It was mesmerizing and we were gifted to be at this location. It was actually a valley with river view covered with mists. All waken and we decided to get down the hill through bamboo steps and have a good trek in the freezing cold river. It was a good experience as well as a great exercise to start the day with in such cold weather conditions.

We had Maggi Noodles with customized masala and egg mixture and Thanks to Mystical Rose and Team for making their visitors satisfied with their stay and food.


  

While having our breakfast, we met Mr Nirmal & Family in the next table. They are basically from Chennai and Mr Nirmal was heading back to North of Meghalaya, as he completed the South in the past week. He shared his knowledge and experience of his visit and it was truly A BIG WOW!! for all 4 of us. 

  

Mr Nirmal suggested Mr Johnothan @Shnongpdeng, near Dawki. He owns 6 out of 10 tents in a river island @Shnongpdeng. Actually we planned another group for the stay but Mr Johnothan and his crew made us feel the best.

The actuial beauty of travel is simple like this. Meet unexpected people. Share knowledge. Gather Experience. TRAVEL!! It was a good time of 1-Hour to spend with Mr Nirmal & Family. We headed to Shnongpdeng, through Mawlynnong (The Cleanist Village In ASIA) and Dawki.

About Mawlynnong :

If a village is famous the common notion bloom to our mind are its agricultural prosperity, thriving small scale industries or occupation closely woven with basic living needs. And how many times would “cleanliness” strike our mind when think of village’s popularity. Yes, there is a village which became famous, not exaggeratedly, for cleanliness.  Mawlynnong village, located in East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya, became famous for its cleanliness. So what exactly it is like to be in the village which finds a constant place on all Meghalaya traveler’s Itinerary.

Mawlynnong village has attracted multitude of traveler’s attention following Discover India’s recognition in 2003 as Asia’s cleanest village. It has, in addition, acquired India’s cleanest village award in 2005. And from then on, it has started gaining popularity, fresh tourist: many day visitors and some stays overnight.

Mawlynnong lies close to two picturesque places of Meghalaya: Dawki & Cherrapunjee. It is 78 kms from Shillong, 81 kms from Cherrapunjee and 35 kms to Dawki. A road junction Pongtung diverts Mawlynnong and Dawki when coming from Shillong. Mawlynnong and Dawki are 16 and 19 kms respectively from Pongtung junction.

 A Day in Mawlynnong :

1. Living Root Bridge :

The first thing that welcomes you while traveling to Mawlynnong is Living root bridge. Root bridges are Meghalaya’s distinguished pride. There are lot of root bridges in Cherrapunjee, including famous Nongriat double-decker root bridge. The root bridge in Mawlynnong village is famous in its own way. Contrast to Nongriat Root Bridge, Maylnnong living root bridge doesn’t demand tiring trek (Nongrait demands min 3 hours one way trek) and offer a grand experience, to people who couldn’t afford time or wellness, to witness ancient engineering marvel.

The tribal people invented this kind of intertwined living root to form a bridge across a stream to pass easily and safely. The process of making living root bridges will take approximately around 15 years and it’s life span varies many hundreds of years. Even now, the local people create living root bridges (I personally witnessed root bridge-in-making in Nongriat village). Root bridges are formed by rubber fig tree (ficus elastica) roots over scaffold made of wood or bamboo. The elastic roots are made to grow through the tree trunks placed across the streams until the roots attach to themselves. The trunks guides, protects and provides necessary nutrients to the roots to form formidable bridge which can bear even an elephant across. The bridges are made firm using stones, sticks, etc.

    

  

2. Mawlynnong Village :

By following the trail of Living root bridge you would come to a junction to choose between two narrow road. Right road will lead to few viewpoints, is isolated and recommended to traverse in midday and return before evening, and left road will lead to the village. Finally, the village. The village has separate entry, exit way and even charge your vehicle entry fee. The narrow path expands to a circular plaza surrounded by small restaurants and shopping kiosks. If you happen to enter the village in midday you would hardly believe it as a village in first place. It looks more like a tourist pit stop. It will be filled with enthusiast tourists and their cab.

The village has neatly planted floras, perfectly paved streets (Tar roads) spread across the circular plaza is pleasing. You could walk along the limited streets in maximum of 30 minutes to admire local huts which, invariably, has small shops built in front, well-tended gardens and its varieties of flowers, bamboo baskets to collect garbage and their overall cleanliness discipline.

  

There is a watch tower built by local tribe in bamboo serves as view point overlooking Bangladesh landscape. It is a private property, owner charges minimum fare to climb the 85 feet bamboo tower.

  

 Pro Tip :

  • The Mawlynnong village bridge is opened for tourist between 9 and 6 P.M. You have to actually struggle for parking if happen to arrive other than early morning or evening.
  • The village is open Mon through Saturday and closed for tourist on Sunday’s where the whole village together clean and attend weekly mass.
  • Most lodger provides dinner, check with your lodger in advance. Otherwise keep some snack or packed foods as the restaurants shuts before 8 P.M and offers very limited dinner food.
Some Cleanliness of Mawlynnong  :

  

 

Suggested Home Stay With Food @Mawlynnong  Village :


Mawlynnong  Rules TO Be Followed :



As Dawki looks too-much crowded and some local people as guide with less knowledge and harsh characters are experienced by previous visitors, we just skipped the idea of making Dawki as a place to try-out some adventure activities. We halted @Dawki just for an hour, to visit the India-Bangladesh Border.


  

Crystal Clear Water :


Dawki River Bridge :


The River View of Bangladesh :

  

Panaromic View of India-Bangladesh Border :



About Dawki :

Dawki is a small town located along the border that separates India and Bangladesh. Dawki is most famous among tourists for the fascinating Umngot River, also known as Dawki River, which features water so clear it could be mistaken for a see-through glass.

Dark @05:34PM :


Shnongpdeng, an neat and calm version of Dawki :

As Mr Nirmal suggested, we contact Mr Johnothan and his brother for the test stay and adventure activities @Shnongpdeng. Reaching Shnongpdeng (15kms from Dawki), we parked our car and met Mr xyz, brother of Mr Johnothan. He was just a 21yrs old guy and he guided us to their test spot at the opposite side, crossing the river through the Dancing Rope Bridge. It was a 15mins of walk in the dark and it was a good experience in the dancing bridge of a distance of nearly 400-500 meters at least.

To out luck, we were the only team to be booked on that day and we occupied the entire location. There were multiple tents, restroom support, open spaces, tables and chairs along with campfire at the river side.

Mr Johnothan supported us remotely, called and enquired us for the dinner and they’ve arranged the best in such conditions, service Hot Rice with Chicken Gravy, Potato Fry, Veg Salads, Papads, etc. We also had BlueTooth Speakers - Boat Rugby to accompany with songs. It was a great experience in moon-light dinner along the river side with camp fire.

 

   

Nov 15, 2021 (Monday) : Shnongpdeng - Krang Suri - Cherrapunji

We started the day with a refreshing view from the test stay on the bank of the river. We walked some distance, explored the island. 





Later, the tea and breakfast arrived, in which completing it, we started the adventure activities. We tried each and every activities from kayaking to zip lining.


About Shnongpdeng :

Shnongpdeng is a beautiful place located in the Jaintia hills of Meghalaya where the serene Umngot river flows. This river is so clean that the boats look like they are floating in thin air. The unknown cousin of Dawki ( another place which has become famous for pictures of boats floating in the air); this place is slightly off the tourist circuit. Shnongpdeng is frequented by locals , has crystal clear waters and amazing views of the suspension bridge.

Kayaking :

Kayaking is the best and the most popular thing to do at Shnongpdeng. The water is crystal clear. It is a marvel to see the river bed right till the bottom and touch the icy cold water. The kayaking lasts for about an hour and can costs Rs 500 for a boat. The seating capacity is of 1-2 people in 1 boat. You are secured with a life jacket and a local boatman rows you around.

   

Walking on the Suspension Bridge:

This was fun and felt really wobbly most of the time. Not more than 7-8 people are allowed at one time on the bridge. Alas! The tourists did not follow these rules and many of them also ran or jumped on the suspension bridge! So scary, I got out immediately. However, for whatever time I was there, we got some group selfies and watched the stunning boats, floating on the crystal clear waters - making it look like beautiful illusion.


Adventure Activities :

There are many adventure activities you can take up there. There is an adventure company that we managed to get in touch with, which provided services of cliff jumping, scuba diving, kayaking and snorkelling at Shnongpdeng. Although we fell short of time, I would highly recommend you guys give these guys a try. Hit them up here

Camping:


Shnongpdeng is a beautiful place to camp. There are many campsites located on the riverside. Most packages run for a night or two including food and drop services. It is not required to pre-book since we found cheaper accommodation/campsites when we negotiated on the spot. If you want to camp and do some adventure sports here, Mr Johnothan and his Team will take care of all the necessary requirements according to our nees.

When to go there :

Time of the day : The best time to visit Shnongpdeng would be when the sun is up and strong. The sun rays hit straight through the transparent waters and make it look like the boat is floating in thin air.

Time of the year : November to May would be the best time to visit Meghalaya. If you want to enjoy the rain, then be brave and visit in the monsoons! There is never a bad time to visit the most magical state in India!

Later, we drive to the great KRANG SURI WATERFALLS - One of my favorite location in this road trip.


Pro Tip : The journey was a bit un-comfortable as the roads were filled with lorries carrying mountain rocks  from the opposite direction and we need to be cent percent careful while driving in such zig-zag roads. So avoid night travel. We travelled in noon time and was bit okay to manage a stretch of 15-20kms in such road conditions.

Around 02:00PM, we reached Krang Suri. 

There is a good spacious parking lot, where they charge Rs 50/- INR. We need to trek some distance down the hill through recently renovated concrete stairs. They charge Rs 50/- INR per head as entrance fees. The view from the top was mesmerizing and we’re excited to reach the falls and bath in such natural blue lagoon falls after a long time (Previous exp was in Dudhsagar Waterfalls).

  

  

About Krang Suri :

You can take a dip in the magical waters of the greenish-blue plunge pool. It looks so tempting that you will not be able to stop yourself from jumping into the pool.

Swim up to the rock behind the falls, sit and enjoy the amazing views. There is also a short descent to reach behind the falls for those who don’t want to swim. If you want to go for a swim in the pool, you need to rent life jackets for INR 100.

Overnight camping is another outdoor activity here, which is altogether a unique and exhilarating experience. There is only one small restaurant in the vicinity, run by local Khasi women.

On reaching the top of the waterfall, you can see small colourful boats docked alongside the bank of the river. Go boating amidst the dazzling greenery and breathtaking views of this place.

Don’t miss the zip-lining which costs just Rs 300 INR which takes us a long route to watch the Krang Suri from a straight view. Note that the Max weight of the person should not cross 90Kgsfor safty purpose.

It was around 04:45PM in the evening, when we had 2 options. Either to have a stay near Dawki or to drive to Cherrapunji (which will take nearly 4hrs of time and +1hr for dinner). We went with option 2, as this will save us a lot of time and day light duration for the next day.

Pro Tip :

In North-East states of INdia, the sunrise will happen soon by 04:00-04:30AM itself.

Sunset will happen soon by 04:45PM @max.

Therefore, plan your travel time in early morning (04:00-07:30AM) and after sunset (05:00-08:30PM), as all the spots will be dark and closed officially by 04:30PM - 05:00PM.

We had our dinner @Hotel KBR Vegetarian Restaurant, which closes the kitchen by 0-7:30PM and this is the one and only restaurant in the 12th mile - Dawki - Jowai Highway Road, where you can get food. Even in Dawki, getting a food stall is very rare as there use to be test and home stay options only and they cook and serve for the people who stays in their accommodation.

The restaurant serves food in superb decent manner and the ambiance was really nice and made us feel WOW!! in such an highway hotel. The quality, taste and quantity was really made us filling and the manager and waiter were friendly. They even welcomed us in near-closing hours of the kitchen (07:30PM) and accepted our dine-in order as last. Special Thanks for your support in such situation.

After completing our dinner, we were ready to drive for the next 3Hrs towards Cherrapunji. The road was really in good condition and well-maintained. Around 10:00PM, we reached Cherrapunji. It was freezing cold with wind blowing heavily. We met Mr Lallu, the Man of Simplicity and Super-Active. He owns the Pumpkin Cherrish Guest House with food and campfire facilities. We came to know about Mr Lallu from Mr Nirmal, who we met in the 12th Mile.

Mr Lallu and his team provided us a spacious 4 bedded (2 X Double Bedded) Room, along with Water Heater and Room Heater. The team is always available to help us in whatever the need we’ve, from food, beverages till car washing, camp fire.etc.

Food Menu :

   

 
We stayed here for the next 3 Nights and explored the in and around hidden gems of Cherrapunji, Meghalaya.

A PUBG Company / Call of Duty : Launch Base Site :

About Cherrapunji :

Cherrapunji or Sohra is a subdivisional town in the East Khasi Hills district in the Indian state of Meghalaya. It is the traditional capital of ka hima Sohra (Khasi tribal kingdom). Sohra has often been credited as being the wettest place on Earth, but for now nearby Mawsynram currently holds that distinction. It still holds the all-time record for the most rainfall in a calendar month and in a year, however: it received 9,300 millimetres (370 in; 30.5 ft) in July 1861 and 26,461 millimetres (1,041.8 in; 86.814 ft) between 1 August 1860 and 31 July 1861. Nothing except this has ever been mentioned about Cherrapunji though it has much more to offer.

Better known as the 'Jewel Crest of Meghalaya', Cherrapunji nestles in the East Khasi Hills at a distance of about 56 km from Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya.

Cherrapunji has many waterfalls, living bridges, limestone caves and sightseeing to enjoy.

Originally known as Sohra, Cherrapunjee was pronounced as 'Churra' by British that later on changed to Cherrapunji meaning 'land of oranges'.

The place is quite unknown from the travel point of view. But Cherrapunji is a great place to visit. Beautiful waterfalls like are Wei Sawdong (7 km away) Dain Thlen Falls (5 km away), Nohsngithiang Falls and Nohkalikai Falls are easily accessible from Cherrapunji.

Stunning caves that are worth visiting are also located close to the town. Arwah Caves, Mawsmai Cave is one of the most famous caves that is lit up with halogen lamps and is 820 ft long. It is located at a distance of about six kilometres from the town. Most of these striking caves are still unexplored.

Living bridges are particularly famous in Cherrapunji that not built but grown by the local people. Secondary roots of Ficus elastica tree that grows above the ground surface are used for making living bridges. Though the process of developing living bridges takes about 10-15 years but these last for more than hundreds of years. One of the oldest living bridges in Cheerapunji is 500 years old and still in use. Umshiang Double-Decker Root Bridge is one of a kind in the entire world. It consists of two bridges one above another.

Cheerapunji is suffering a lot because of the large scale destruction of forests. Each year after the monsoon, the place dries up. Even finding drinking water becomes hard for the people. The town must be protected to save nature and the beauty of Cheerapunji, which is a great place to unwind and enjoy.

The Cera coal mine is nearby. Cherrapunji was the capital of the independent Khasi states until it was succeeded by Shillong in 1864. It is still inhabited mainly by the Khasi peoples, who are largely Christian and who have a matriarchal social system.

Nov 16, 2021 (Tuesday) : Cherrapunji - Arwah Caves - Wei Sawdong - Cherrapunji

Actually, the plan for this day is to visit the Double Decker. Since we drive late last night and tired, we started the day slowl. For breakfast, we had Bread with Omlette and some Roti, with Tea. It was around 10:00AM, when we started the day towards Double Decker. While on the way, we noticed 2 boys playing cricket in the nets, available in a large ground. We halted for 15-20mins and joined them. 



It was a great time to play Cricket with Cricket Ball and all the other necessary kit in Cherrapunji and was unexpected. Was a good refreshing time it was. Later, we started the drive.

Since it was already nearing 11:00AM, we decided to swap the plan as Double Decker Trek costs us a day of time (12HRs of Trek) but we don’t own such in this day. Therefore, we decided to head towards Arwah Caves, complete lunch @Orange Roots Restaurant and end the day with Wei Sawdong Waterfalls.

About Arwah Caves :

Where there are waterfalls, there are caves. Or so we discovered is the case in Meghalaya.

Learn the history of the planet by exploring the fossils of Arwah Cave. Gaze at the thunderous waterfall and feel the sounds of the misty forests.



At a distance of 3.5 km from Cherrapunji Bus Stand, Arwah Cave is a huge cave located at Khliehshnong area of Cherrapunji in Meghalaya. Known for its limestone formations and the fossils, it is one of the popular caves in Meghalaya and among the spectacular tourist places in Cherrapunji.

Surrounded by the thick forest of Law Shynna in Meghalaya, Arwah Cave is an absolute treat for adventure and archaeology junkies. The cave itself is significantly larger than Mawsmai but only a small part of the cave has been opened for tourists. It is about 300 meters which takes 20 minutes to explore. Arwah Cave was discovered until recently and was least explored. It is very dark and creepy inside especially when crawling through the narrow tunnels. There are many chambers and narrow passages in the cave.

 

 

Arwah Caves are known for their limestone formations and the fossils which are believed to be millions of year old. The explorers and adventure lovers have spotted various fossils in the shape of the fish, dog skull etc. The formations inside the cave are bend and carved naturally in a manner that people can pass through them easily. A certain section of the cave holds the stalagmites and stalactites formations. There is also a stream flows inside the cave.

 

 

The entrance to Arwah Cave is straight out of the Arabian Nights, a large sunken chamber that leads to a complex set of caverns. Arwah cave is of Meghalaya’s most famous caves and is pretty accessible to regular visitors. It is famous for its fossils which you can observe in the lit-up interiors, especially towards the end of the cave. You will find crustacean shells and fish bones fossilized in the limestone walls of the cave.

 

  

Arwah, apart from being a place for enthusiasts of natural history, will also surprise you with its many turns and corners – a maze where you are walking one minute under a high cave ceiling, and sliding the next minute through a narrow passageway that leads to other sections. The underwater streams have continued to flow through these ancient cave formations for millennia.

There are two paths to reach the cave from the parking area, one is rugged trail and other is pleasant walk. 

  

 

It takes around 15-20 minutes to reach the cave entrance. One must hire a guide, who was available at the entrance of the cave. It is advisable to carry a pocket torch as the lighting inside the cave is not sufficient. It is not suitable for kids and elderly people.


Timings : 9. 30 AM - 5. 30 PM

Entry Fee : Rs. 20 for Adults, Rs. 10 for Children, Rs. 100 for Guide & Rs. 50 for Camera

 


 
 

About Orange Roots Restaurant :

 

 

I
t’s the best package provider in and around Cherrapunji, where one can go with the required option to explore Cherrapunji. Orange Roots provides and all-round package covering from the travel till food and occupancy.Check out the official site of Orange Roots, here.

 

 

  
About Wai Sawdong :

Is there anything more gorgeous than a mighty waterfall diving off a lofty cliff? We don’t think so. If so, then you must visit the Wei Sawdong waterfalls in Meghalaya. It is a three-tiered cascade and the most surreal waterfalls in India we have witnessed.

 

A 200 Metres Scenic Mountain Trek :

To witness the falls, which is beautiful beyond expression, you will have to pass a not-so-intense physical ability test. You will need to trek 200 meters stretch of almost a 75 to 90-degree angle. The villagers have made the path using bamboo trees, and so we would suggest you wear shoes which has an excellent grip.

 

A Viewpoint With A Sight To Behold :

You can divide the trek to the falls in two parts. The first is the easier makeshift stairs that are steep with mountains at both sides of the trail. Stop for some time at the end of the course, to get to soak in the landscapes from the viewpoint.

Bamboo Steps To Get Your Heart Racing :

The second part of the trek leads you to the makeshift unstable bamboo ladders against a mountain rock. Here you will have to climb down one person at a time. Watch your steps as the ladder is muddy and greasy, and one wrong step could lead to an accident.

A Three-Step Roaring Waterfall :

However, the trek will seem all worth when you witness a three-step roaring waterfall welcoming you the end of the stairs. A sense of accomplishment will fill you when you catch the serenity of nature and the wilderness of the falls. Climbing up can get your heart racing, so be sure you do it slowly.

Getting To Wei Sawdong From Shillong :

This fall is on the outskirts of Cherrapunjee near the famous DainThlen falls. If you fall in the ‘adventurous traveller’ category, this should be your must-visit place in Meghalaya Trip. The falls is around 58km from the capital city, Shillong of Meghalaya that. It is a one and half hours drive from Shillong to Wei Saw dong waterfall.

Pro Tip :

Don’t forget to carry a water-resistant camera as you may get a little wet trying to capture the grandeur of this natural wonder.

The trek back to the parking lot from the Wei Sawdong Falls is just a trail of what we are going to do for the next 2 days. It’s Tre-KING, Tre-KING and Tre-KING like a KING!!!! We’re in-fact felt tired for this 30 minutes of up-hill hiking and very excited for the upcoming mystery to create some history ;-)

Nov 17, 2021 (Wednesday) : Cherrapunji - Double Root Bridge - Rainbow Falls - Cherrapunji

Next day morning, we guys were ready early on-time to start the Double Decker and Rainbow Falls Trek. Completing our Breakfast with Bread with Butter, Roti and Chai, we headed towards Tyrna Village from where the trek starts. 

We started the trek by 07:00AM, with a bamboo stick which we rented for Rs 20 near the entrance for better support for the next half of the day hours (12 Hrs).

  

About Double Decker Living Root Bridge :

Deep in the dense tropical forest of Meghalaya, and shrouded in cloud and rain for much of the year, are some astonishing man-made natural wonders. Known as living root bridges, inventive members of the Khasi tribe have trained them to grow from the roots of ancient rubber trees, native to the northeast region. The root bridges provide a stable alternative to wooden bridges, which decay and get destroyed during the lengthy monsoon seasons.

  




Overview of the Living Root Bridges :

It takes around 15 years for a new root bridge to become strong enough to bear the weight of people crossing it. However, it will continue to grow and strengthen even more over time. Some of the bridges are believed to be hundreds of years old, although no one knows their exact age.

Cherrapunji Living Root Bridges :

Meghalaya's most famous root bridge, the "double-decker" root bridge. There are 11 functional root bridges in Sohra.


The legendary double-decker root bridge at Nongriat village near Cherrapunji, in northeast India's Meghalaya state, beckons outdoor enthusiasts with the opportunity to see a 150+ year old man-made natural wonder that's not only unique but astounding. While there are many single root bridges in the area, this is the only one that has two levels. Apparently, local Khasi tribe members grew the second level after an unprecedented wet monsoon season caused water to reach the first level. A third level is planned, but only to capitalize on the bridge's tourism potential.

Natural Fish Spa :


The beauty and cleanliness of the village is also outstanding. It's obvious that the residents have high regard for the environment. While the root bridge is undoubtedly remarkable, its surroundings feel like a place where magic happens. There are waterfalls and natural swimming pools, clusters of huge brightly colored butterflies, mysterious sounds of the forest, and so much ancient wisdom.

Visiting the double-decker root bridge is not easy. The trek there is long and tiring. It's worth it though, for an out-of-this-world experience that's guaranteed to be a highlight of your travels.

How Fit Do You Have to Be?

Read any article about the double-decker root bridge and you'll most likely come across a warning about the arduous nature of the trek. But just how arduous? You might be concerned about whether you're capable of it and how difficult it will be. The reality is that you don't have to be super fit. However, if you have any joint or mobility issues, or are not in decent physical condition -- definitely don't do it (there are other easier options to see the living root bridges). The trek is very steep in parts, and will put a lot of strain on your knees and calf muscles. My muscles hurt a lot for a few days afterwards.

About the Trek :

The path to the double-decker root bridge is three kilometers (nearly two miles) long. It has approximately 3,500 stairs and descends 2,400 feet. Those are some daunting figures, but don't let it put you off!

There are three parts to the trek. The steepest and most challenging part is the first part, down the hill to Nongthymmai village (where the longest root bridge, Ritymmen, is located). It takes about 45 minutes, along a seemingly endless trail of steps that plunges deeper and deeper into the forest. It seems like paradise, with jack fruits and pineapples growing wildly amid the jungle of vegetation.

Nongthymmai is a surprisingly attractive village of bee keepers with neat cement paths, well-groomed flower gardens, and blue and white painted church. From there, it takes at least another hour to reach the double-decker root bridge.



The remaining two parts of the trek, which involve crossing narrow steel suspension bridges over raging rivers, are much flatter and less taxing. However, this, as well as the steep descent, may make the trek challenging for anyone who's afraid of heights or has vertigo.

What to Wear :

You may be tempted to wear a raincoat or other wet weather/winter clothing. However, it's actually preferable to wear as little as possible. Due to the strenuous nature of the trek, you'll get hot very quickly. Your clothes will become saturated with sweat and it's much more comfortable to let your skin breathe. In regards to footwear, choose comfortable shoes that have good grip. (Sandals are fine, particularly if they're proper walking sandals such as Birkenstocks, which is what I wore).

What to Take :

If you're concerned about the rain, it's a good idea to bring an umbrella. Pack some food and water, as you'll only find a couple of shacks selling packaged drinking water and snacks along the way from Tyrna to Nongriat village. You'll be able to get basic Indian vegetarian meals at Nongriat.  Wearing a cap and sunscreen is recommended if you have fair skin.

It's possible to go swimming in the natural pools at the double-decker bridge, so bring appropriate swimwear if you want to do. It's really refreshing.



Staying There :

There are a few guesthouses and homestays in Nongriat village that provide very basic accommodations. If you have the time and don't mind some discomfort (minimal facilities are provided), it's worth staying a night as the surrounding scenery is spectacular. You can trek to waterfalls, natural swimming pools, and other root bridges from the village.  Again, pack as light as possible, as you'll struggle with carrying a heavy backpack.

Pro Tips :

Entry and camera fees are payable at the double-decker root bridge. The cost is 10 rupees for adults, 5 rupees for children, and 20 rupees for a camera.

The local Khasi people are very conscious of their environment and maintaining its cleanliness.

Indian-style (squat) toilets are available at the double-decker bridge, and there's a fine of 500 rupees for anyone caught relieving themselves in the forest or throwing rubbish.

Aim to be back at Tyrna by 5 p.m. at the latest, as it starts getting dark early there.

It's not necessary to take a guide, although many people do, as the pathway is signposted.

We were accompanied by Mr Pawan from Andhra Pradesh, but works in Bangalore. He came as a solo traveller and joined us at the trek. He came for a 3-week road trip in his bike from AP to Assam and Meghalaya and that was his last week of the trip. He keep sharing his experience during the trek and it was a amazing. Reaching the Double Decker Root Bridge and spending some time with the fishes and a cup of tea, our friend Arun decided to get back to the car as he feels so tired. 

We 3 along with Mr Pawan resumed the trek towards Rainbow Waterfalls.

 
Confusing Route Guide (Vice-Versa actually) :


About Rainbow Falls :

Secluded deep within the forest, the falls got its name because one will see small rainbow near the waterfall due to sun rays. The waterfall drops down into the pool wearing the natural rainbow sashay with pride. The path to Rainbow Falls though defined is not cemented and is a mix of alternating ascents and descents.

 
 


The trek to the Rainbow Falls starts from Nongriat Double Decker Bridge and it will take 2-3 hours to complete the trek from the Double Decker Living Root Bridge.


Don't forget to have your lunch at the shop near the Rainbow Falls. They serve spicy Maggi Noodles based on our inputs (Customer Satisfaction). It costs Rs 50 per packet of maggi, but worth it, not bcoz of one and only shop available, but also bcoz of itheir understanding the customer inputs and varieties of other food products.

Injury as I got slipped in the mid of the bridge crossing and grabbed the sharp end of an metal rod for balancing.


Completing the trek, it was a tired, but worthwhile experience in my life. 
We get back to the parcking lot by 04:45PM and had some refreshments. We also got witnessed to see some moon rise in the North-East India and it was so quick and looked great behind the mountains of Meghalaya.

We had nice campfire experience in the Pumpkin Guest House with Barbecues of 2KGs, before we fall sleep.

 

Reaching the room, we all were tired and gave-up the plan of playing Cards that night and sleep soon.

Nov 18, 2021 (Thursday) : Cherrapunji - Nokanikal Falls View & Trek - Mawsynram

We thanked Mr Lallu and his Team for the amazing experience we had at their Guest House and it made us feel like our home. Thanks To Mr Lallu & His Team :-)

 

With tired legs, we started the day towards Nokanikal Falls.

About Nokanikal Falls :

Nohkalikai Falls, located about 7.5 km from Cherrapunji‎ (Sohra) in the East Khasi Hills District of Meghalaya, is the most dramatic and tallest plunge waterfall in India. With a drop of about 340 m, Nohkalikai is counted among the highest waterfalls in the world. The sight of falls plunging over red-rock cliffs enveloped with a lush forest into the clear turquoise pool makes its visitor’s jaw drop. Dangerously beautiful! This is what I call nature at its best! The pool at the base of falls dramatically changes colors from blue to green to aqua with time and season.

 

What Does Nohkalikai Mean ?

Can you even wrap your mind around the fact that such a breathtakingly gorgeous waterfall is associated with a disturbingly ugly legend? I couldn’t.

We got to know about the unpleasant story behind the waterfall’s name origin, while I was not even done (you’ll never get enough of it!) taking in the mystic sight of the falls. The intensity of the emotions washed away the beauty of the waterfall, at least for a while.

Nohkalikai literally translates to “Jump of Ka Likai” wherein ‘Noh’ means jump, ‘Ka’ is a prefix used for a female, and ‘Likai’ is the name of the Khasi woman behind the ghastly legend.

The Legend of Nohkalikai :

Once in the village of Rangjyrteh, a young widow with a little baby girl worked hard to sustain their lives. She found it hard to take care of her little one along with a load of jobs. On perusal of village women, she remarried thinking her daughter would get a father and she would get time to look after her daughter.

The new husband turned out to be one nasty mean fellow. Jealous of all the attention little girl gets from Likai, he did something so horrendous we can’t even believe a human being can even think about it. He chopped the little soul and cooked her for dinner.

Assuming her baby might be playing at the neighbor’s house, Likai, starving after a day’s hard work, ate the meal cooked by her husband. As she was eating her after-meal betel leaves and nuts, the sight of tiny fingers petrified her. It took her a minute to understand what exactly has happened, and when she did, she was filled with rage and grief. As helpless as her baby, Likai ran madly, until she reached the edge of waterfalls, and jumped to death. That’s when the waterfall is renamed as ‘NohKaLikai.’

Stairs To ReachThe Bottom of the Falls :

When to Visit Nohkalikai Falls :

As it’s a rainfed waterfall, May to September (monsoon) is the perfect time to visit Nohkalikai Falls. It’s when you can witness the waterfall in its full glory. If you are keen to take on the trek to the edge and base of the falls, October to March (winter) is the best time to visit.

Best Time of the Day to Visit the Falls :

The best time of the day to visit the waterfall absolutely depends upon what you expect from the falls. If you want to enjoy the beauty of the falls from the viewpoint, then I’d say go in the late afternoon when the mist is cleared and maybe stay till evening to witness the majestic sunset over the falls. If hiking the falls is on your mind, early morning is the best time to start off as the trek can take anywhere between 2 to 3 hours depending upon the weather conditions and your stamina.

How to Experience Nohkalikai Falls ?

There are many ways to enjoy the Nohkalikai Falls. The view-point along the cliff gives you a panoramic view of the falls. There’s a steep flight of stairs that take you near to the waterfall but they end into a dirt path quite before they reach the base of the falls. We didn’t take a risk to follow the dirt path but there were brave boys who did.

Trek To The Edge :

Outside the rainy season, you can trek to the edge as well as the bottom of the falls. The trek to the waterfall’s edge through lush grasslands, forested hills, huge boulders over a fossil-covered river bed, and clear streams, takes over 1 Hour and it rewards you with the unique views of Nohkalikai. You can’t miss the Tlai waterfalls, on the way to the mouth of the falls. The three-tier waterfall leaves you spellbound. Another 15-minute walk on the river bed from Tlai falls takes you to the mouth of Nohkalikai Falls. You might feel adventurous to sit at the edge of the falls but, remember it can be utterly risky.

The trek to the waterfall’s bottom isn’t easy, especially with kids as it involves a lot of climbing down the rocks and boulders along the mountain path. Once you’re at the base, the clear blue waters of the pool look inviting. You’d surely want to spend some time admiring the falls from a different perspective after the tedious trek.

 


Completing the View Point and Trek, we had some Pani Puri and done some shopping of Spices etc @Cherrapunji Market. 

For lunch, we had planned to have traditional North-East Food which was very vell supported and prepared by Mr xyz.

 

Later, we headed towards Mawsynram, the Wettest Place on Earth. It was a 4 hours drive and we need to reach 12th mil once again and take a left. The roads are in good condition across the state of Meghalaya, despite of multiple lorries and heavy vehicles flow frequently in such humid weather conditions.

On the way from 12th Mile to Mawsynram, we noticed a good Bakery which serves some hot snacks in the evening. 

  

Comparing to the rest of the places we’ve visited, Mawsynram is much cold and freezing. I even got sick all of a sudden that evening. So plan your Mawsynram visit carefully and avoid hitting the roads / outside before 08:00AM and after 04:00PM.

Pro Tips : There is no rooms for options for getting luxury rooms here. One can expect the minimal and get satisfied as it is just a small village of 100’s of houses. We stayed @Maria Homestay, where the room was so compact but decent enough for a night of stay with Water Heater and Room Heater.

Nov 19, 2021 (Friday) : Mawsynram - Krem Puri Cave - Guwahati

It was freezing cold and I was 75% down with fever and shivering. But the exitement for the day doesn't even drop-off a single %, as we are going to explore the World's Longest Cave today.


For breakfast, we halted at a tea stall near the above junction and went and requested for preparation of Maggi Noodles with more spice. There were few ladies managing the store, and selling tea and other milk products along with some other snacks including Maggi Packets. They have stove , but don't serve Maggi it seems. We requested them and they understood our situation and allowed us to enter and cook. We even served them and it was good to taste with spicy-plus (Ultro-Pro-Max Version prepared by Pravin). ;-p 

This is the beauty of travel, meeting un-known persons, understanding their culture, behavior, character etc etc.

About Mawsynram :

Mawsynram is a town in the East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya state in Northeastern India, 60.9 kilometres from Shillong, the state capital. Mawsynram receives the highest rainfall in India. It is reportedly the wettest place on Earth, with an average annual rainfall of 11,872 millimetres (467.4 in), but that claim is disputed by Lloró, Colombia, which reported an average yearly rainfall of 12,717 mm (500.7 in) between 1952 and 1989 and López de Micay, also in Colombia, which reported 12,892 mm (507.6 in) per year between 1960 and 2012. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Mawsynram received 26,000 millimetres (1,000 in) of rainfall in 1985.[citation needed] Mawsynram received 745.2 mm of rainfall on 19 August 2015, probably the highest rainfall received by the town to date.

Mawsynram is a town in the East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya state in Northeastern India, 60.9 kilometres from Shillong, the state capital. Mawsynram receives the highest rainfall in India. It is reportedly the wettest place on Earth, with an average annual rainfall of 11,872 millimetres (467.4 in), but that claim is disputed by Lloró, Colombia, which reported an average yearly rainfall of 12,717 mm (500.7 in) between 1952 and 1989 and López de Micay, also in Colombia, which reported 12,892 mm (507.6 in) per year between 1960 and 2012. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Mawsynram received 26,000 millimetres (1,000 in) of rainfall in 1985.[citation needed] Mawsynram received 745.2 mm of rainfall on 19 August 2015, probably the highest rainfall received by the town to date.

For the children of Mawsynram, monsoons means holidays as it is difficult to hear the voice of the teacher when the deafening rain falls on the tin roofs of the school building. During the months of downpour, people cannot afford to leave the house without an umbrella. As a matter of fact, they make unique basket-like umbrellas with reeds to make sure that they can sustain the severity of the rains.

Mostly due to the high altitude, it seldom gets really hot in Mawsynram Typical monthly temperature levels vary from around 11 ° C in January to just over 20 ° C in August. The town additionally experiences a short however significantly drier period from December up until February, when monthly precipitation on average does not exceed 30 millimeters (1.2 in).

The term ‘Maw’ in ‘Mawsynram’ is translatable into English as ‘stone’, and it comes from the native Khasi language.

Historic megaliths are said to be located in the Mawsynram area, and there is a limestone cave featuring a large stalagmite, among others, in the shape of a notable Hindu deity.

It is not uncommon for clouds to move through buildings in the village of Mawsynram, and vegetation is used on the rooves of buidings to deaden the sound of the rain.

It was not until the late 1900s that Mawsynram received improved living conditions, with the introduction of electricity, running water and hard surfaced roads.

Many of the women of Mawsynram make ‘knups’ for the locals, that are made of woven bamboo and grass or leaves, and they function like an umbrella though they have the appearance somewhat of a turtle shell, and are worn over the head and back and do not need hands to continually hold them in place.

As Mawsynram features much flowing water caused by intense rainfall, live rubber tree roots are manipulated by locals to act as permanent bridges.

About Krem Puri Cave :

World’s Longest Sandstone Cave In Meghalaya Is As Massive As A NYC Skyscraper 24,583 Meters In Length. The age of exploration has not ended with Marco Polo, the great explorer and aren’t we glad. We can’t thank enough cave enthusiasts who discovered Krem Puri in 2016. But only now do we know that these unique caves are actually the longest caves made of sandstone in India! This was made possible by a much larger group of cave explorers and much perseverance. We are glad it all worked out.

The longest sandstone caves in the world are located in the North East region, about 90 km from the pristine town of Shillong. The exact address would lead you to Meghalaya, East Khasi hill district of the village Laitsohum.

 

Despite being discovered as the longest sandstone caves in the whole world, Krem Puri is a prime location for discovering ancient fossils for which many cave experts come up here to indulge in excavations and to conduct studies. And with this new discovery, many more are touted to come by and experience the calm beauty of the longest sandstone caves in the world. And its total length is 24,583 meters!


Unique Notables :

Dinosaur fossils and complex mazes: Inside the world’s longest ‘fairy cave’ discovered in Meghalaya

Setting a world record at 24,583-metre (24.5km) — which is almost three times the height of Mount Everest, Krem Puri in Meghalaya is 6,000-metre longer than previous record holder.

Setting a world record at 24,583-metre (24.5km) — which is almost three times the height of Mount Everest, Krem Puri is 6,000-metre longer than previous record holder Venezuela’s Cueva Del Saman 18,200-metre (18.2km) long quartzite sandstone cave in Edo Zulia.

Not only is the cave rich in flora and fauna such as frogs, fish, spiders and bats, but dinosaur fossils — especially of a giant aquatic carnivorous reptile Mosasaurus that lived 66-76 million years ago — have been found. While the cave had been discovered two years back in 2016, it is only recently that a team from the Meghalaya Adventurers’ Association (MAA) led by Brian Daly Kharpran – who is a recipient of the Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award in 2002 – explored the complex maze of passages and corridors inside.


Completing the amazing experience of Exploring The World’s Longest Cave, we headed towards Shillong. In the mid of the drive, we thought of saving some time for the next day as we had return flight in the evening. Therefore, we accelerated further directly to Guwahati.

For dinner, we analyzed and found a person from Tamil Nadu has been driving an restaurant serving hot Dosa's in Tamil Nadu style. It also has super-decent ratings in google and famous across guwahati : South Indian Dosa Wala.

 

Since it was a good auspicious day for wedding across India, we found difficult in getting rooms. There we came to know about GOKULBON Home Stay, which further became the Best Home Stay we’ve stayed in this North-East Trip.

  

Reference : GokulBon.pdf

Nov 20, 2021 (Saturday) : Signing-off From North-East

The final day, we have some special moments with self-cooking experience from Pravin serving Tea, Coffee, Bread Toasted With Sweet Egg and Omlette from the Home Stay. It’s very nice of GOKULBON, we we didn’t expect such classy kind-off stay over there at an affordable and worthy price. Thanks to GOKULBON and see you soon again.

We analyzed in google and found Sardarji Dhaba which serves good punjabi style food for lunch. We visited and it was decent enough and budgeted as well. It is also near to (n the way to) the Airport.


Completing our lunch, we reached the Guwahati Airport Parking Lot. It was a good experience with ZoomCar, Guwahati. The Baleno was well maintained as it already driven for 55,000+KMs and ZoomCar supported us very neatly without any misleading and made the journey safe and comfortable. Thanks ZOOM! 


  

And it’s time for the Flight! 

 

The flight was on-time as well and experience was great with SpiceJet. We landed Chennai on-time by 10;05PM (1 stop-over for 30 Mins @Jaipur). 

Pravin and Arun got bus to their home town Coimbatore and Salem resp., and myself and Whesly are back to our homes.

Conclusion :

It was a good and required break for all of us who have gone through haptic life inside those 4 walls for long stressful days and the output of the break came as good as expected. We missed the presence of our friend Sheikh, who went to abroad (Dubai) for his work.

TRAVELING ? IT LEAVES YOU SPEECHLESS, THEN TURNS YOU INTO A STORYTELLER

I don’t know who said this, “Once in an year, go somewhere you have never been before”.  This became the baseline for my own quote, which I use to follow. i. e, “Once in a travel, go somewhere which wasn’t available in Google Maps.”




Meghalaya Weather: When to Go

Meghalaya is known as one of the the wettest places on earth. The rainy season starts in April and continues until October. Most of the rain is received during June and July. It rains intermittently during the rest of the monsoon months. Rainfall usually occurs during the morning. In January (the dry winter season), the average maximum temperature is 16 degrees Celsius/60 degrees Fahrenheit. This drops to around 5 degrees Celsius/41 degrees Fahrenheit at night. In July (the wet monsoon summer season), the average temperature increases to a maximum of 22 degrees Celsius/72 degrees Fahrenheit during the day. At night, it drops to an average of 18 degrees Celsius/65 degrees Fahrenheit.

Hope all felt interesting and got some information for your next exploration. Contact for any travel related queries or guides anytime. Signing-off from this exploration. BON VOYAGE..!!

 Thank You ALL and See You All N Next Adventure!!

- Giri The Gallivanter 


Comments

  1. Very Informative. Keep Rocking Giri

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. As Always KP 📸
      Soon will rock together! 😉🤝

      Delete
  2. Giri, super write up. Really enjoyed. I believe I need to spend at least 7 hrs to read and enjoy the full content. Very loooooooong but interesting. Expectation is raising to see you guys next blog

    ReplyDelete
  3. Giri, super write up. Really enjoyed. I believe I need to spend at least 7 hrs to read and enjoy the full content. Very loooooooong but interesting. Expectation is raising to see you guys next blog

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Vj Uncle,

      Thanks a lot for your words and as you know, more to come!! 😉

      Delete
  4. It is really an excellent blog giri.
    I believe for this seven days tour blog I need to spend loooooooong 7 hrs to read this. Really I enjoyed reading this Blog. Expecting different blogs from you guys soon

    ReplyDelete

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