Of Misty Clouds, Silvery Falls, and Evergreen Pines

Meghalaya

 India

 

MEGHALAYA

Meghalaya is an adventure lover’s gold coast. If you are seeking adventure, Meghalaya has it all from trekking, camping, caving, rock climbing, water sports and much more.

Meghalaya literally means the abode of the clouds. Sitting between the Assam valley and the plains of Bangladesh this pristine, cool and pine- scented state is truly the Scotland of the East as it is known. Meghalaya has the most beautiful and unique blessings of Mother Nature. At every turn of the horse shaped rocky cliffs and on winding mountain roads that take you to the upper reaches of this wonderful place, wildflowers greet you and waterfalls cascade into shimmering silver streaks. Shillong the capital of Meghalaya makes you feel like that it is a piece of Scotland transplanted to this part of the world. The Welsh influence in Shillong can be seen in Sohra or Cherrapunjee. The fierce animists converted into Christianity long back but some tribal traditions still endure around Sohra.

Attraction

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<h3><<span style=" color: white; line-height: 150%; padding: 5px; text-align: justify">Leh Duh or Bara Bazar is one of the most animated, boisterous marketplaces in the North East. The marketplace has it all from exquisitely woven baskets, wooden crafts to exotic edible insects and rare orchids. Amidst the confusion a keen eye can spot the rare collectors piece and get it at a bargain price. The market comes alive in the evening hours with vendors selling hot spicy momos to buttered roasted corn and various other tasty bites. Evening time is Café time and time to enjoy the brew with music too.</span></h3>
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<h3><<span style=" color: white; line-height: 150%; padding: 5px; text-align: justify">Among the top visit places in the Sohra area is the Mawlynnong village highly popular as the cleanest village in Asia. Located in the east Khasi hills, 42 kms from Shillong, Malynnong is the abode of the bridge that breathes-The living Root bridge. These living rubber fig tree roots that the villagers have used to form natural pathways over streams are a hot tourist attraction today.A double root bridge at Nongriat through the village of Tryna is a little difficult to reach. </span></h3>
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<h3><<span style=" color: white; line-height: 150%; padding: 5px; text-align: justify">Umiam Lake or the water of tears is situated 15 kms from Shillong roughly covering 221 square kms and is surrounded by coniferous forests and East Khasi hills.A recreation centre at the lake has made it a sought after picnic spot. The lake offers kayaking,water surfing and sculling facilities. </span></h3>
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Leh Duh or Bara Bazar

Mawlynnong village

Umiam Lake

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<h3><<span style=" color: white; line-height: 150%; padding: 5px; text-align: justify">This falls has three layers and gets its’ name from an elephant like stone at its foot. Highly popular because of its proximity to the city. The Fall is like a trailer to the complete picture of the other waterfalls in Shillong. Various craft shops and eateries here serve to give the visitors a chance to collect memorabilia and grab a hot cup of tea or coffee.</span></h3>
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<h3><<span style=" color: white; line-height: 150%; padding: 5px; text-align: justify">A bewitching drive from Shillong to Dawki is sure to enchant you as you reach the place.Dawki marks a point of exchange between India and Bangladesh. The lake is a dream destination for photographers and visitors. A boat ride over the crystal clear waters is exhilarating and not to be missed. Many take a swim in selected spots here.The dazzling greenery,ice cold water and the River Umngot amidst the cliffs make you forget all else.</span></h3>
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<h3><<span style=" color: white; line-height: 150%; padding: 5px; text-align: justify">Laitlum canyon which means the end of hills is a hidden canyon in East Khasi hills and it opens a vista to beautiful gorges, winding staircases and way to a lush green valley painted in a multitude of hues-nature’s own amphitheatre. The bridge over the Laitlum is literally a dreamscape. How would you like to enjoy a lunch with a 270 degree view of gorgeous waterfalls? Or would you rather enjoy climbing down 3000 steps to Rasong, enjoying the beauty of bamboo plantations. </span></h3>
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Elephant Falls

Dawki Lake

Laitlum canyon

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<h3><<span style=" color: white; line-height: 150%; padding: 5px; text-align: justify">The silvery cascade of pristine water streaming in all its glory into a blue tidal pool has made this fourth highest waterfall in the world, all the more captivating. Falling from a range of 335 metres from a green precipice. It is truly a sight to behold.</span></h3>
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<h3><<span style=" color: white; line-height: 150%; padding: 5px; text-align: justify">Exploring these caves is a thrilling adventure for all enthusiast.The beauty of the stalagtites and stalagmites have to be seen to be believed. The caves are a little tricky during the monsoons but great to explore otherwise</span></h3>
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Nohkalikai falls

Mawsmai caves

Trekking trails

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<h3><<span style=" color: white; line-height: 150%; padding: 5px; text-align: justify">This range of low altitude hills is ideal for trekking. The rolling hills located on the northern side of  Nongstoin-Shillong is near the villages of Nongshillong Mawroh and Markasa. On clear days trekkers can enjoy the views of the plains of Assam and the faraway Himalayas. The trek from Nartiang in the Jaintia Hills to the plains of Bangladesh has historical connections</span></h3>
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<h3><<span style=" color: white; line-height: 150%; padding: 5px; text-align: justify">This is a really arduous one but worth it as it takes you through awesome forests and wading through mountain streams. If you are trekking through Garo hills do not be surprised with a close encounter with wild Elephants.</span></h3>
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<h3><<span style=" color: white; line-height: 150%; padding: 5px; text-align: justify">A popular trek is to the Kyllang rock at Mairang. It is a massive dome-shaped rock of granite, 5400 ft above sea level and about 1000 ft across in diameter. Believed to be millions of years old, and has magnetic properties. The forests on the southern side is thickly populated with tall Rhododendron and Oak trees including rare White Oaks..</span></h3>
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Mawthadraishan trek

Tura to Nokrek Peak

Trek to the Kyllang rock

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<h3><<span style=" color: white; line-height: 150%; padding: 5px; text-align: justify">This old mule trek was used by people to travel from Mawphlang to Bangladesh. This route is a five-day trek. You may opt for a shorter experience from Mawphlang to Lad Mawphlang, a one day trek. The trail takes you past clear streams, waterfalls, meadows, forests, valleys and gives you a glimpse of a Khasi village life.</span></h3>
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David Scott Trail

Follow the rivers

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<h3><<span style=" color: white; line-height: 150%; padding: 5px; text-align: justify">Located in West Khasi Hills, the banks of the River Jadukata, very close to Bangladesh is a beautiful place and offers water sports facilities. Anglers love the variety of Mahseer available here.</span></h3>
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Ranikor

Caving charms

Meghalaya has a lot of caves to explore and most of them are located around Cherrapunjee, Shella Nonhe gjri, Mawsynram and Langrin. Krem Mawkhyrdop, Krem Dam, Krem Lymput are the caves in the region. The Mawsmai and Krem Mawjymbuin are other impressive caves. The Jaintia Hills boasts of the longest natural cave in India, the Krem Liat Prah. This is one of the 150 known caves here. The dominant feature of the cave is the great trunk passage.

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<h3><<span style=" color: white; line-height: 150%; padding: 5px; text-align: justify"> is the third longest cave in India and probably one of the world’s longest single cave passage. Rich colourful cave formations in many hues present an awesome sight inside it.</span></h3>
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<h3><<span style=" color: white; line-height: 150%; padding: 5px; text-align: justify">is reminiscent of the legendary ‘Phantom Cave’.</span></h3>
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<h3><<span style=" color: white; line-height: 150%; padding: 5px; text-align: justify">is a magnificent river cave requiring over3 .5 km of swimming over lakes. The cave is home to bats and is currently the 5th largest in India. If you love to get a feel of the underworld this is the place for you. Among the many caves in the Garo Hills, the Siju cave is famous for bats and its impressive stalagmites and stalactites formations. You will be thrilled to walk down one of the longest cave in India and also enjoy the many river passages here. Korekol gives a unique experience as the passage through it is not uniform and it takes you through interconnecting routes inside it.</span></h3>
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Synrang –Pamiang

Krem Lubon

Krem Chyme

Sports

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<h3><<span style=" color: white; line-height: 150%; padding: 5px; text-align: justify">Experience the joy of golfing in the third oldest Golf course in the country at an altitude of 1496 metres above sea level. This 18 holes golf course is famous for its natural beauty and set amidst pine trees provides a scenic view. It is a photographer’s favourite spot.</span></h3>
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<h3><<span style=" color: white; line-height: 150%; padding: 5px; text-align: justify">While in Meghalaya you get a chance to witness and if you wish you may take part in local.  Archery, popularly known as Teer. Archery in Meghalaya is a form of gambling, where the gamblers try to decode the winning numbers by deciphering their dream sequences. Betting is done on the number of arrows hitting a cylindrical straw target by the archers.</span></h3>
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<h3><<span style=" color: white; line-height: 150%; padding: 5px; text-align: justify">Water sports enthusiasts will love the Umiam water sports complex, you get a choice of every kind to whet your love of the sport here. Experience kayaking, sailing, water skiing, angling and canoeing here.</span></h3>
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Golfing

Archery

Water sports

Wildlife wanderings

Meghalaya endowed with natural biosphere reserves that shelter a number of rare animals and birds is a favourite of animal lovers. The exotic flora and fauna of the parks there is an attraction for all who have an eye for Mother Nature and her gifts.

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<h3><<span style=" color: white; line-height: 150%; padding: 5px; text-align: justify">This park offers scope for geological and archaeological studies as the park is rich in limestone and coal deposits and fossils of sea organisms. The rich forests here abodes elephants, wild buffaloes, gaur, sambar, barking deer, slow loris, capped langur, tigers and leopards and the rare clouded leopard and golden cat.</span></h3>
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<h3><<span style=" color: white; line-height: 150%; padding: 5px; text-align: justify">Located in the Garo Hills, this reserve is one of the still remaining virgin forests of India. Close to the Siju caves, the entire reserve is rich in unique rock formation and soil rich in organic matter, most of the soil is red loam.</span></h3>
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<h3><<span style=" color: white; line-height: 150%; padding: 5px; text-align: justify">Spread over 29sq.km, this sanctuary is home to a large number of mammals, reptiles, and birds. Lucky explorers here may spot the tiger, Indian  Bison, Himalayan Black Bear, Clouded Leopard among others. Various rare birds find a safe home here, among them, are the Brown Hornbill, Manipur Bush Quail etc.</span></h3>
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Balpakram National park

Nokrek Biosphere Reserve

Nongkhyllem Sanctuary

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<h3><<span style=" color: white; line-height: 150%; padding: 5px; text-align: justify">Avian lovers are sure to love the place and lucky few may easily spot the Siberian ducks during the winter months here. The rare Peacock Pheasant is also found in Siju.</span></h3>
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<h3><<span style=" color: white; line-height: 150%; padding: 5px; text-align: justify">Situated in the South Garo Hills, the greatest attraction of this place is pitcher plant and several other carnivorous plants. It is a common sight to see herds of elephants moving about here. Baghmara also shelters various species of birds. </span></h3>
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Siju Bird Sanctuary

Baghmara Reserve forest

Festivals of the tribes

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<h3><<span style=" color: white; line-height: 150%; padding: 5px; text-align: justify">The dance is a superb carnival that exhibits the colours of the Jaintias. The festival is celebrated at Smit, the capital of Khyrem Syiemship near Shillong. The main ritual involves the sacrifice of goats. The dance requires vigour and vibrancy of the skilled dancers. The festival is celebrated in the month of May or November depending on the Lunar calendar.</span></h3>
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<h3><<span style=" color: white; line-height: 150%; padding: 5px; text-align: justify">This dance is also as known as the dance of the happy hearts. It is celebrated in the Weiking ground in Shillong. It is performed by young boys and girls to the beat of drums and cymbals and sound of pipes. The three-day fest pays homage to God and ancestors. The dance performed in April is performed to celebrate harvesting.</span></h3>
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<h3><<span style=" color: white; line-height: 150%; padding: 5px; text-align: justify">The Wangala or the Hundred- drum festival is an enchanting winter festival and celebrated post-harvest. The week-long festival is celebrated in November. Music and dance form a significant part of the festival. Dancers of all age group dressed in colourful costumes dance to the tune of long oval shaped drums. </span></h3>
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Nongkrem

Shad Suk Mynseim

Wangala dance

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