Exploring Meghalaya – Destination without which your Bucket List is Incomplete

India is the land of beauty. Even after diversified cultures across the 29 states, the country is woven with unity from all the corners. When it comes to tourism, there are a myriad of destinations that can leave any voracious traveller in a state of perplex. So, if you are planning to travel somewhere in North-East of India but not sure where to go then this blog is your saviour. Here we introduce one of the North-Eastern sister states – Meghalaya.

Meghalaya Tour – Heavenly Experience in Abode of Clouds

‘Meghalaya’ is a Sanskrit word which means ‘abode of clouds’. True to its name, Meghalaya is a unique land where clouds tend to settle on the surface while you will find yourself up above the clouds. The land breathes in North Eastern frontier and is rich in cultural diversity. The state invites travellers from all over the world to experience its humid climate, warm people and visually arresting landscapes. The cool air and picturesque landscape extend in all four directions giving the viewer a breathtaking sight. Situated in the cradle of towering pine trees and shrubs, the honeymoon spot Shillong is one of the most sought after tourist destinations. Khasi, Garo and Jaintia hills are popular for cultural and eco-tourism in Meghalaya.

1. Meghalaya at a Glance

Meghalaya is also known for its self-renewing and self-strengthening root bridges which are the example of growing and marinating with nature. Mawlynnong, located in the East Khasi hills, has a record of being the cleanest village all around Asia. The village has manicured lawns, cobbled streets and friendly neighbourhood. You can enjoy the magnificence of the skyline from a beautiful tree house that has been built 60 feet high on the branches of the tallest tree in the entire forest. The tree house offers a unique experience, and on a day with a clear sky, you can see the canopy of forests in Meghalaya and plains of Bangladesh stretching beyond the horizon.

2. Journey from Assam to Meghalaya

There are no railway tracks in Meghalaya, but the nearest station is Guwahati in Assam. The journey from Assam to Meghalaya will take you through the lush green hills, gushing waterfalls and wild forests offering you an opportunity to discover the realm of nature and culture. Colourful markets, picturesque villages, waterfalls in Cherrapunjee, Hindu temples and Buddhist monasteries all together make the journey an incredible experience.

You can visit Kamakhya temple which is situated 800 ft above the sea level on the top of Nilachal hill. The temple premise comprises many other temples and a set of people connected to them. There are some other major temples of Tara Bagala, Bhairavi, Kali Devi, Bhuvanesvari, Chinnamasta and Dumwavati within the temple complex.

Then you can visit the famous Nabagraha Temple and drive off to Cherapunjee which is 200 kms away from the temple.

The home of Khasi community Cherapunjee nestles on an escarpment 4500 ft high above the foaming rivers and hazy valleys amidst the swirling clouds. Cherapunjee had been entered in the ‘Guinness Book of World Record’ for being the wettest place on this planet, based on the fact that here the rainfall was recorded in feet instead of millimeters. You can enjoy local sights, the green scenery and the waterfalls here. Cherrapunji also has the fourth highest Mawsmai falls (1035 ft in height) at a distance of a few kilometers.

A drive of 100 kms will take you to Mawlynnong en-routing the Elephant falls and the Shillong peak. Mawlynnong is located 90 km and 30 km ahead of Shillong and Pynursla respectively, on the Shillong – Dawki Road. It is recorded as the cleanest village throughout Asia by the ‘Discover India Magazine’. The beautiful flowerbed all along, paved pathways, living root bridge, acacia plantation, hilly rivulets and exotic view of plains of Bangladesh make this village as a destination worth visiting. The economic activities in the village include farming of betel nuts, pepper, broomsticks and bee rearing. This village is a wonderful place to have an insight into the life of Khasi people.

After enjoying a day in the Mawlynnong village, you can drive back to Shillong and visit some famous places like Butterfly Museum, DBCIC museum and Ward’s Lake. Don Bosco Centre for Indigenous Cultures (DBCIC) is the largest in Asia. It is the centre where one can learn about the diversified cultures of all the North-Eastern states of India under one roof.

If you wish to plan a visit to Meghalaya, then you must know that it is one of those places which can be visited at almost any time of the year except the months of May, June, July and August.

So add Meghalaya to your destination bucket list of 2017-18 and surrender yourself to the arms of Mother Nature!

Our Most Popular Meghalaya Tour Packages