Meghalaya-the most pretty state, I consider, just after Sikkim for its sheer romantic aura, drizzles, and vast green mountains and valleys. A plethora of waterfalls and vast grassland with pure crystal water from Dawki are memorabilia for those who make it to this state. So when you are in North East, don’t mistake excluding Meghalaya from your dream travel list! I highly recommend it as a travel destination! So pack your bags and join me on this North East adventure right in Meghalaya!!!
Some great reasons why you must visit Meghalaya:
- The capital city of Meghalaya, Shillong, is known for its beautiful hilly landscape with waterfalls and lakes. The top view of Shillong city is very pleasing to the eye. Many music events happen too! So this should be in your must-visit kitty! The places to visit in Shillong are Umiam Lake, The Don Bosco Museum, Lady Hydari Park and Elephant Falls.
- Mawlynnong, a village in Meghalaya, is known for being the ‘Cleanest Village in Asia’ and also has a living root bridge and natural balancing rock in the village. This place is worth a visit, especially for how villagers keep it clean.
- Khasi, Garo and Jaintia are the three tribes Meghalaya is known for. These offer tourists a glimpse of the variety of customs and rituals.
- Nongriat has the Meghlaya’s famous double-decker living root bridge and Rainbow fall, which requires a bit tedious trek but is worthy of a visit for sure.
- Umngot River in Dawki, Meghalaya, is the cleanest of rivers I’ve seen, and it’s more beautiful when your boat over it. The surrounding beauty is equally understandable.
- Krem Mawsmai Cave in Cherrapunji is known for bats. You also have impressive waterfalls and living root bridges to welcome you! Bangladesh plains are visible from here.
- The Laitlum Canyon,25 km from Shillong, is another place to grab eyeballs for its scenic views. Shillong has many viewpoints, and all are worth a visit.
- Baghmara in Meghalaya has the Baghmara Reserve Forest and Siju caves, India’s third most extended cave system. This all makes up for a perfect one-day trip here.
Location: Shillong is about 100 km from Guwahati southwards, and a 3 hr drive shall suffice.
Tourist Attraction on the spot:
Elephant Falls, Umiam Lake, Dawki, Krem Mawsmai Cave, The Laitlum Canyon, Baghmara Reserve Forest, Nohkalikai Falls, Mawlynmong and Siju caves
Tourist Attraction in Vicinity:
You can visit Agartala,Aizawl,Majuli,Darjeeling,Gangtok,Kohima in 400-500 km radius.
Distance Charts:(From Shillong)
- Guwahati(100 km)
- Ukhrul(630 km)
- Loktak Lake(600 km)
- Dimapur(340 km)
- Itanagar(390 km)
- Tawang(530 km)
- Kohima(410 km)
- Imphal(550 km)
- kolkata(1100 km)
- Agartala(450 km)
- Aizawl(380 km)
- Darjeeling(610 km)
How to Reach Imphal/Ukhrul:
Road Routes:
Guwahati(Assam)-Shillong-Cherrapunji-Mawsynram-Mawlynnong-Jowai-Shillong
IMPORTANT NOTE FROM MY EXPERIENCE:
1)Try visiting Meghalaya just after monsoons, that is the month of October, as the whole state will be lush green with a good flow in waterfalls.
2)Roads are a mix of good and evil with dusty patches in the Dawki section, but yes make sure you carry spare tyres and tools. They are going to be much worse in the rain.
3)Always carry an umbrella or waterproof airtight jacket as it may rain anytime!
4)Start early-I. Always stress this when someone is touring North East India as sunrise happens around 4 am. get ready by 3.30 am, sleep by 9 pm and keep this cycle going. So get your vehicle going at 4 am, and you must be at your favourite spot by sunrise.
5)Do proper planning as Meghalaya is a vast state to cover many places. So need to plan well in advance and not repeat places. It must be a circuit tour. For example, if you want to approach Tura first, get into Meghalaya from Goalpara instead of Guwahati.
RAIL:Guwahati can be reached by rail from any part of India.
You can watch the below video to get a better idea!Do like and share if you find it worth…
AIR:Guwahati shall be the nearest airport.
ROAD:There’s a single road from Guwahati to Shillong that takes you inwards in Meghalaya.ASSAMRTC (astcbus.in) bus services available .
Map:
Time to Visit:
Best time to visit will be around September to March.
Spend Time With:
Family,Friends,Solo,Couple
Food and Lodging:
Hotels are available but only in big towns. The smaller ones have fewer hotels, but you’ll find a place. You can go to Goibibo, Makemytrip, or Easemytrip if you need to make a booking. Food all the way is a bit difficult but doable. Have snacks with you.
Expense:
For a 3 day trip to Meghalaya:
Food: INR 100/person/day(3 times a day)X3
Transport: INR 1500 if you use local/public transport, but that isn’t covering all places-try sharing a car with friends/hitchhike ;(For Pvt car, consider INR 2500/day for three days)
Lodging: INR 700/day X3 at Imphal (two nights stay)
Entry Fees include various places (varies): max INR 300
Total: 4800 INR(Can go upto to 10800 INR if a private car is availed)
Nearby Attractions(Shillong) :
- Guwahati(100 km)
- Ukhrul(630 km)
- Loktak Lake(600 km)
- Itanagar(390 km)
- Cherrapunji(60 km)
- Thimpu-Bhutan(550 km)
- Tawang(530 km)
- Mechuka-Arunachal(910 km)
- Kohima(410 km)
- Gangtok(640 km)
- Agartala(450 km)
- Aizawl(380 km)
- Imphal(550 km)
- Darjeeling(610 km)
- Haflong(290 km)
- Mawlynnong(80 km)
