Description
Meghalaya literally means the abode of the clouds ( Megh + Alaya). And for good reason. This tiny state tucked away in India’s northeast corner is home to the wettest place on earth. – Mawsynram As moisture-laden winds from the Bay of Bengal blow towards the Indian landmass, they are trapped by three mountain ranges of Meghalaya – Garo, Khasi, and Jaintia, and forced to shower all their bounty upon this emerald shape land, turning it into a little paradise of misty mountains, lush green valleys, and the northernmost rainforests in the world.
Overview
Mawsynram As moisture-laden winds from the Bay of Bengal blow towards the Indian landmass, they are trapped by three mountain ranges of Meghalaya – Garo, Khasi, and Jaintia, and forced to shower all their bounty upon this emerald shape land, turning it into a little paradise of misty mountains, lush green valleys, and the northernmost rainforests in the world. This means that no two days are alike on the (Misty/Magical/Mesmerizing) Meghalaya trip. From the rolling meadows around Shillong to the dense rainforests of Mawkyrwat to the stunning gorges of Cherrapunji, each day unfolds like a new landscape in front of your eyes. All this experienced with countless cups of locally brewed red tea make for an unforgettable travel story.
- Experience indigenous Khasi tribal culture and cuisine
- Visit stunning natural limestone caves
- Get a chance to see India’s only carnivorous pitcher plant, the Nepenthes Khasiana
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Duration
6 days / 5 nights
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Start
Shillong | 13:00hrs
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Finish
Shillong | 14:00hrs
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Hotels
Country Inns
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Level
Easy-moderate
GROUP KITTY
- A group kitty is an amount of money collected at the start of the trip from each client, which is used to buy refreshments and sometimes meals for guests and crew.
- Trip Leaders will offer to administer the tipping kitty, but will always ask first to see if any member would like to do it on behalf of the group.
- A group kitty will be fully accounted for. All amounts will be written down and be available to be viewed by the group at any point.
- Leaders may suggest to the group to use the group kitty for additional purposes such as purchasing snacks and tea and tipping.
Inclusion
- Small boutique hotels/home-stays, as mentioned in the tour details (subject to availability)
- True to their heritage and character, small luxury and boutique hotels that reflect local ethos. They hold within them, an unassuming charm and regional character that is an extension of the destination itself. Most of them fall under 3 star category with a possible mix of homestay and 4 star.
- Meals as per itinerary
- On each trip, guests are given the opportunity to dine on their own so that they discover a location independently. Your guides are happy to make recommendations should you so desire.
- A Van support that follows throughout the trip and carries all belongings. If at any point riding seems a little hard, the van takes you for as long or as little as you wish it to. It also provides you refreshments along the way and sometimes a chilled beer.
- Expert Trip Leader(s) who look after your every need
- Small boutique hotels/home-stays, as mentioned in the tour details (subject to availability)
Exclusion
- Refreshments & mineral water while activities
- Transportation to and from the trip including train
- Personal items purchased during the trip
- Some meals are not included (check your itinerary)
- Beverages
- Gratuities for your Trip Leader(s) are not included in your trip price. Industry-standard is 5-7.5% of your trip price for the guide team. Please tip your guides at your discretion, based on their level of professionalism, guest care, and service.
Itinerary
Our guide meets you at your hotel for a tour briefing. Post-lunch, we bike to the Laitlum Canyon. Laitlum in the Khasi language means ‘the end of the hills’, and that is exactly what the Laitlum Canyon is – a jaw-dropping cliff at which the rolling hills of Shillong seem to suddenly come to an end giving way to a vast nothingness surrounded on all sides by mountains.
Meals: Dinner
Distance cycled: ~ 20km
On this day we go to Mawlyngbna, a picturesque hilltop village dotted with a number of natural, freshwater springs that offer a panoramic view of the Khasi hills merging into the plains of neighboring Bangladesh. However, Mawlyngbna is more than just another pretty hilltop hamlet. It is also home to India’s only carnivorous pitcher plant species – the Nepenthes Khasiana. Named after the Khasi tribe, the Nepenthese Khasiana is a rare and endangered plant that is endemic to the region around Mawlyngbna. Pitcher plants attract insects with their vivid colors and then devour them by trapping them inside their pitcher-shaped flowers. The Nepenthes Khasiana is on the IUCN Red List of endangered flora, and at Mawlynbna, you have your best chance of seeing this fascinating flora.
In the evening or tomorrow early morning, we visit Mawjymbuin Cave that is a fascinating natural formation of calcerous sandstone over 200m in height studded with numerous stalagmites. Mawlyngbna is also home to Krem Puri, the longest sandstone cave in the world with a staggering length of 24.3 Kms. The Syntein village in the vicinity is known for its world-renowned Bamboo handicrafts.
Depending on the water level in the nearby reservoir, we may also do canyoning.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Today we drive towards the fabled Cherrapunji, one of the wettest places on earth. With 11,700 mm of annual rainfall, Cherrapunji is second only to the tiny hamlet of Mawsynram that is located some 15kms from Cherrapunji. At 1490m above sea level, Cherrapunji lies at the center of a funnel-like formation made of three mountain ranges – Garo, Khasi, and Jaintia – that obstruct any rain-bearing winds that flow in from the Bay of Bengal leading to more rainfall than any other place on earth. As a result, the countryside around Cherrapunji is as unique as its high rainfall, with limestone caves, lush green valleys, and rubber trees with roots that grow for hundreds of meters.
Along the way, we visit the Mawphlang Sacred Grove, an ancient forest considered sacred by the local Khasi tribal communities.
Post-lunch, explore the Mawsmai caves and the Seven Sister Falls – a 1033 feet waterfall over the limestone cliffs of the Khasi Hills.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Today we walk to one of the most unique sights anywhere in the world – a bridge made from living roots of trees, that has not just one, but two levels. These famous living root bridges of Cherrapunji are a result of its unique climate, and are a testimony to what happens when man and nature live in harmony – they support and nurture each other, growing strong together. The Khasi and Jaintia people of Meghalaya believe that as long as the tree remains healthy, the bridge will continue to grow and strengthen with time, repairing any damage it incurs by healing itself. Be warned, however, that mother nature will test your strength and endurance as it’s a challenging walk up to and down from the bridge.
Meals: Breakfast
Dawki is that little slice of tropical heaven we have all daydreamed of on hot summer afternoons at work. A beautiful lake surrounded by lush green hills, with water so clear you can see all the way to the bottom. Next, picture a canoe lazily carried away by ripples, and mountains all around. That is Dawki for you. On this day we drive through some gorgeous green valleys to make our way to this picturesque place.
Post-lunch, enjoy kayaking and snorkeling here that offer a great way to explore the marine life under the crystal clear waters.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
If you tried kayaking the earlier day, dedicate this morning to snorkeling.
Late morning, we shuttle back to Shillong. Extend your trip to Shillong or depart as per your onward travel plans.
Meals: Breakfast
Cancellation Policy
Life is unpredictable and we understand that sometimes you have to cancel or change your trip dates and it is our endeavor to make it as easy as possible for you. However, please understand that we plan everything including guide fees, permits, accommodation, and ration in advance. Therefore, any cancellation means inconvenience and certain losses to the people involved in various stages of the program. Keeping that in mind, our cancellation charges are as below,
- Cancellations prior to 30 days from the start of the event: Full refund as cash.
- Cancellations between 30 days and 15 days to the start of the event: 50 % refund as cash.
- Cancellations less than 15 days to the start of the event: No refund.
- Cancellations will be accepted only by email.
Note: We reserve the right to cancel a program before departure in the event of logistical problems arising due to natural calamities, strikes, wars or any other circumstances that make the event inadvisable. In this case, we will refund 50% of the event fees.
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