A brief about the Magical Land:
Sometimes I feel blessed that I stay only at a few hours distance from this amazing land “abode of clouds”-Meghalaya! Do you remember the Typical scenery which we as kids used to draw during junior school?? Beautiful little huts in the hills, gravel roads, a spring or a waterfall by the side and the sun peeping through the clouds!! Well that’s quiet the Meghalaya for you! The only difference is.. Its much more beautiful in the real life!
Shillong which is the capital is a busy city with a lot of traffic yet some beautiful places to visit, but the real beauty lies in the small villages around. It proudly has the “wettest place on earth”- Cherrapunjee and the “Cleanest Village of Asia”-Mawlynnong. There are many beautiful and yet unexplored places in this little land of mystic! It brings you closer to your own self. Like mother nature giving u a warm hug and asking you to leave the ties of the concrete jungles behind and breathe in some life!
The friendly locals welcome you with smiles and English understood by most local people although Khasi is most commonly used language. People here are mostly self sufficient and peace loving. They have little farms of their own and grow their foods. (Pineapples are a must have!). The beauty about their culture is, while India is mostly a male dominated country, this part is women centric and and follows a Matrilineal system.
Our short Trip:
Day 1: “Peep Peep” was the only sound we could hear at 7 AM in the morning when Nayan was waiting for us downstairs and constantly blowing the horn while we quickly just got ready and Left. Left from Guwahati at 7 AM with a few breather stops and weather changing from a humid to Pleasant, we reached Shillong at around 9:30 AM. Stopped for breakfast, but they didnot start serving, so quickly made our way out of the rather confusing Police Bazar and Off to Dawki.
The Journey from Shillong to Dawki is really beautiful, The irish style landscape and hardly any traffic. Most of our journey was covered in rains or clouds though. We were actually driving through the thick clouds. There is a stretch of 20 kms from the Main Roads to Dawki which is breathtakingly beautiful. Visited Dawki, went on till Shnogdemph(Really bad roads though) and from a shortcut full of beautiful landscapes and waterfalls we reached Mawlynnong. You can have lunch here, visit the Eco camp, Living root bridges, Balancing Rock, Bangladesh border and awe at the cleanliness of the village.
Left around 5 PM for Cafe Cherrapunjee. The drive was pleasant till the sunset, but the real adventure began after that. We were only driving through the clouds in the dark, the headlights or fog lights all in vain. Playing Hanuman Chalisa in my mind and on a speed of not more than 10 km (And nearly dying twice) we reached Cafe Cherra, Unwinded, relaxed and had an amazing conversation over the fireplace post dinner with Mr. Lyngdoh about how Meghalaya has evolved. It was just magical after a tiring day!
Places covered on Day 1: Shillong, Dawki, Shnongdemp, Mawlynnong
Day 2: Somehow waking up and skipping a bath :p, we got ready, had a quick breakfast and left for Mawsynram. Good Music, Rains and picturesque views. what a life! after a drive of over 2 hours and asking too many people the directions, we reached the village with peculia umbrellas, Mawsynram! Visit the shivling cave here, Maybe have some tea or snacks and leave for Mawlyngbna. The roads get narrower and a little risky. It gives you a feel like Kinnaur region of Himachal Pradesh. After crossing many weak timber bridges(Am still amazed Nayan drove so well), We reached Mawlyngbna.
After trying to communicate with a few people, we met Mr. Michael, a friendly local who could communicate in both English and Hindi. We were fortunate enough to See kids performing on Khasi songs.(The irony is: They perform on the story of Lord Krishna but don’t know who he was- The entire area is Converted Christians. Their forefathers belonged to Hindu religion earlier so their traditional folk dances remain the same but their beliefs and religion has changed). Michael took us to MeeUm, Umkhakoi Lake, Lawbah Hot Springs and Umdikian falls. Left for shillong. wanted to cover Mawphlong, the sacred forest, but we were pretty late. Spent the night at Shillong.
Places Covered on Day 2: Mawsynram, Mawlyngbna, Lawbah.
Day 3: After a Lazy delicious brunch at Cafe shillong, we went to the crowded yet beautiful shillong Peak and Elephant falls. Later on moved to Cherrapunjee. Lucky enough to find a little lesser rains, we could get a few glimpses of the Mawdwok valley. seven sisters falls and Nohkilikai Falls were mostly covered with clouds so the view wasnt clear. But i have been here and it is both splendid!! Left in the afternoon, Put on some good music and off to Guwahati! Around * at night and the 30 hours long Road trip comes to an end with amazing views to cherish forever!
Places Covered on Day 3: Shillong, Cherrapunjee, Mawdwok Valley, Barapani.
Maybe a small trip! But Mehghalaya always touches your soul and surprise you! Go ahead, be pampereb by mother nature, Loose your heart to the hills and clouds, Take a shower in the rains on the wettest place on earth! Date your own Soul! Be spoiled!!
A brief on the Places!
(Hover over the place name for links and to locate on google maps)
DAWKI
The small village on the India Bangladesh border is a treat to visit. The friendly BSF jawans are there on the border telling stories and clicking pictures for you. The beautiful Dawki river is so clean, you can actually see the bottom of it. Definitely go for the boat ride and you might want to take a plunge in the shallow waters. The suspension bridge is magnificent and looks beautiful from down under. 8 kms away from Dawki;, on the way to Jowai lies Shnongdemp.. This is a must visit place.. you can camp here during winters and the feel is ethereal.
>nt/1465334506_img_20160604_wa0019.jpg” alt=”Photos of Dawki, Meghalaya, India 5/5 by Chetna Khetawat (The Vagabond Dreamer)” width=”960″ height=”639″ /> Namaste at Bangladesh Border!
MAWLYNNONG
The Cleanest Village in Asia is a title well deserved by this beautiful, well kept small village. Lovely people and such a beautiful little place. Something ouutiful, well kept small village. Lovely people and such a beautiful little place. Something out of Gummy bears tales. i have been to this place before, but its all the more beautiful everytime. You can also stay here at the decent Homestays and enjoy the beauty of nature. Skywalk bridge, balancing rock, Bangladesh border and the beautiful living root bridges.. All are here at this little garden of paradise. It is also famous for butterflies.
MAWSYNRAM
It was the wettest place on earth prior to Cherrapunjee.. Beautiful little village and the roads to this are breath taking. Remember a Villian from the Arabian Nights who once kidnapped Jasmine? He was from Mawsynram. You must visit the Shiva cave here. The beauty is that there is a constant flow of water on the shivlinga and you dont know where the water comes from!!
UMKHAKOI LAKE
This is a beautiful lake created by a dam in the village Mawlyngbna or Lawbah. The natural Potholes on the ground are remarkable. you can do boating here but it was raining when we visited so couldnt.
CAFE CHERRAPUNJEE
This was the third time i stayed here at the luxury tents of Cafe Cherra. Its located between Shilling and Sohra. They have amazingly helpful staff, great food and super comfy and cozy tents and rooms. The fireplace in the lobby takes you back to the colonial times and listening to amazing stories about Meghalaya from the likes of Mr. Lyngdoh is like the icing on the cake! Highly recommended.
UMDIKIAN FALLS
This is a beautiful waterfalls hidden from the crowd. you have to trek through the jungles for 2 kms and reach this quaint waterfalls, and trust me its all worth it. you may get lost here, so it is preferred you take a local from the nearby village Mawlyngbna or Lawbah with you. The stream water is so clear that we can actualy drink straight out of it. There is also a place Hew Luri Laura which has old fossils of animals and humans together. Because of heavy rains, we couldn’t go.
MAWLYNGBNA VILLAGE
A small village 16 kms from Mawsynram and around 2 kms from Lawbah. It has a natural water rock “Mee Um” like a small water fountain coming of of a rock! Although the construction around it has stolen the beauty of the place. We were lucky to find a cultural show going on and joined the kids for some dance!
MAWSMAI LIMESTONE CAVE
Although crowded, yet good for beginner level explorers! Lying in Cherrapunjee, this is one of the most “sought after” attractions. You might want to avoid going here if you aren’t fond of crowded touristy places.
NOHKALIKAI FALLS
1 of the longest waterfalls in the world. Beautiful and Mesmerizing white waters! this falls got its name from the agony of a mother who jumped of from this cliff on realizing that her husband her killed her daughter, cooked her and made her eat it!
UMIAM LAKE
A beautiful lake popularly known as Barapani just 15 minutes before Shillong on the way from Guwahati. Breathtaking! They have a few resorts around which are totally worth spending time.
ELEPHANT FALLS
A big fat 3 tier waterfall a few kms from Shillong. It received it’s name as it looked like a foot of an elephant. You can do the most cliche touristy things here like Clicking pictures in a local outfit, Eating Fresh and Yum Pineapples, Eating Hot Corn and Muri.
MAWKDOK VALLEY
It is an amazing beautiful valley on the way to Cherrapunjee. You might just want to stop by and witness the serenity and hold it in your heart forever!
Apart from these Lovely places I have mentioned.. There’s a lot more to see.. You can visit the Laitlum Greens, Shillong Peak, Mawphlanur Forest etc in the same trip! There’s much more to the Mesmerizing adobe of clouds.. I will share my experiences as I explore more of this land!!
Tips on how to prepare to travel to Meghalaya!
How to Prepare to travel to the wettest Place on Earth- Meghalayan Monsoons!
If this post gives you dreams to visit this amazing mystical land, and you don’t know how to go about it, here is a surprise for you:
My friends Kshitij and Vartika are organising group trips to Meghalaya and you can join them!! Check link for details: http://ventilatorvillage.com/product/unseen-meghalaya-27th-september-2nd-october-2018/
Either mail me or use my referral code BLGCKM18 for great discounts on bookings!!