Saturday 9 December 2017

Mesmerizing Meghalaya

A 5 day trip to Meghalaya that covers Shillong, Cheerapunjee, Dawki and trek to double decker living root bridge.


When you think of Meghalaya, you imagine the massive waterfalls, the very famous living root bridge, the wettest place on the earth and the hovering clouds.  For someone who is a nature lover, Meghalaya can be described as the paradise on earth. Some even refer to it as the “Scotland of the East”

A beautiful three hour drive from Guwahati Airport took us to the capital city of Meghalaya – Shillong which has been aptly known as the “Abode of the clouds”.

Lake outside Guwahati
Lake outside Guwahati
Just a few kms before we reached Shillong there lies the very famous man-made Umain Lake, in the lap of Mother Nature. We decided to stop at the lake on our way back to the airport and continued heading towards Shillong right away.

Shillong is a bustling place where people are warm and friendly and the day was well spent in exploring the by lanes for walks and the market where one could shop for souvenirs, curios and cane artifacts. The weather was cloudy and very pleasant for a long comfortable walk.

While walking towards Police Bazaar we explored Ward’s Lake and Lady Hydari Park.

Police Bazaar is the center point of Shillong and is bustling with people. It’s the place where everything is a stone’s throw away. All well known brands are available there along with many local items too. Here you will also find many tour operators / drivers for short trips outside Shillong.

Enroute Dawki
Enroute Dawki
Early next morning we headed to Dawki – which lies on India Bangladesh Border. We experienced a serene drive through the clouds. On our way we saw the view which is known as the Laitlum Canyons (Rock-On 2 was shot here). The landscape was mesmerizing and one dare not blink lest he misses something.

Dawki Lake at Bangladesh Border
Dawki Lake at Bangladesh Border

Dawki in Bangladesh
Dawki in Bangladesh
Dawki boasts of the magnificent Umngot River which has crystal clear water and beautiful backdrop of hills. However, during the monsoon period the water is muddy and is not clear; so it was a bit of a disappointment for us. The perfect season to visit the lake is from October to February.

But, don’t forget to enjoy a boat ride on Umngot River. You can also take the Dawki Suspension bridge to reach the last village Tamabil; and click a picture on the India Bangladesh Border.

Bangladesh Border
Bangladesh Border
Next, we headed to the wettest place on earth – Cheerapunjee. Strangely it was not raining at Cheerapunjee. We saw few giant waterfalls like Naukhalikai falls, Seven Sister waterfalls etc. though not clearly as it was engulfed with clouds. At Cheerapunjee do check out the Mawsmai Caves. It also an ideal stop over point for breakfast / lunch as there are a variety of eateries to choose from near the caves.

Waterfall in Cheerapunjee
Waterfalls

Waterfall in Cheerapunjee
Lets take a closer look
The third day was the highlight of our trip. Today we will see one of the amazing creations of Nature - where the roots of Ficus Elastica tree are naturally intertwined for years to form bridges to cross stream and rivers.

Mawsmai Caves
Entrance of Mawsmai Caves

Mawsmai Caves
Inside Mawsmai Caves
It was a taxing journey downhill with stairs at most places but the fluttering butterflies, the tropical forest, the beautiful landscape, the hanging bridges and the treasure at the end of the trek – “the double decker living root bridge” would make all efforts totally worth it.

Sunrise in Cheerapunjee
Shades in Cheerapunjee
On the way there are very few stalls, where you can rest, have tea/coffee, munch something and resume the trek. To reach the living bridge you have to cross two hanging bridges over a stream of water which is an adventure in its own. The first sight of the double decker living root bridge will leave you speechless. There is a small waterfall where you can relax and take a dip. If you are game for it, you can also enjoy a totally natural “fish spa” close to the bridge. Do ensure you  cross the stream through the living bridge and click a memorable pic.

Double Decker Living Root Bridge
Double Decker Living Root Bridge
The trek back can be strenuous as it is majorly up hill and climbing steps. Before starting the trek, try to ensure you carry minimum baggage and only the bare essentials. Stock yourself up with some water / juice and chocolate bars (downhill and especially return journey). Always keep yourself hydrated and conserve energy levels. Once you finish the trek, don’t forget to feast onto the delicious pineapple and cucumber packs.

After an exhausting but a very fulfilling trek we headed back to Shillong. Just outside Cheerapunjee we stopped over to enjoy the Wahkaba Falls and have some hot maggi for lunch.

Wahkaba Waterfalls
Wahkaba Waterfalls
Enroute we saw the Elephanta falls which is a three tier waterfall at the outskirts of Shillong.

Elephanta Falls near Shillong
Elephanta Falls
We took it easy on the fourth day of the trip as everyone was getting cramps in their legs due to yesterdays trek. We headed to the Laitumkhrah Cathedral Church which was a stone throw away from our hotel and then headed to Don Bosco Museum which is a seven storey building reflecting the indigenous culture, with various tools, clothing & artifacts on display. All the North east cultures (of 7 states) are exhibited here. The roof top is amazingly built and gives you a 360 view of Shillong. There is also a tiny cafeteria where you can take a quick break and watch a 10 min film on North East.

Laitumkhrah Cathedral Church
Laitumkhrah Cathedral Church
The fifth and last day of our trip, was a Sunday and Shillong was closed. Every shop was closed, even the road were empty. After breakfast and exploring the market, we started from Shillong towards Guwahati to catch our flight to Mumbai. Enroute we stopped at Umaim Lake (also known as Barapani) and enjoyed the cool breeze, the placid water and the serene landscape.

Umaim Lake (Barapani)
Umaim Lake (Barapani)
Though we were sad to leave the place behind we were richer by tons of memories. We had seen only a part of Meghalaya – a small part of East Khasi hills.

This was surely a trip which re-ignited the flame to see this country and explore its nooks and corners. Everything keeps changing every few miles – be it landscape, culture, dialect, cuisine. So a lifetime might just be sufficient to soak in the beauty that Meghalaya offers. 

PS : That's us :

US - Nikhil, Nikita & Nupur