In Sept 2019 I along with my friends decided to go on self drive Meghalaya tour, incidentally it was raining and I knew that Shillong and its surrounding areas would be beautiful with all the waterfalls active and flowing, greenery all around and most important, won’t be crowded. I rode to Shillong long back in 2013 and since then I always wanted to visit the surrounding areas of Meghalaya.
Located in North-east India, Meghalaya, also known as the Abode of Clouds, falls in one of the richest biodiversity areas in the world. The famed monsoons, the rich traditional festivals, and the dramatic terrain are just some of the many things this state is famous for.
Day 1 – The route that we took was Delhi-Agra via Yamuna Expressway- Gorakhpur via the Lucknow Expressway-Muzaffarpur-Siliguri-Alipurduar-Hasimara-Kokrajhar- Bongaigaon- Guwahati-Rangia-Shillong, covering almost 2000kms.
The roads were beautiful which were mainly expressways, national highways, Lucknow-Ayodhya- Gorakhpur was crowded with two wheeler traffic, Jalpaiguri to Hasimara, the roads had pot holes, Kokrajhar had a lot of the sections were under construction, concrete road was being made but had a lot of diversions so one had to be careful. Post Bongaigaon the roads were wonderful upto Shillong…last but least, Guwahati had lots of city traffic before we hit the highway to Shillong.
Took us 3 days to reach Shillong with almost 12 – 13 hours of driving daily, the first halt at Muzaffarpur, a distance of 1000 kms and chose a hotel on the highway itself NH 27, called Blue Diamond and then in Guwahati, about 830kms, a friend had organised a rest house for us and finally to Shillong – about 90kms from Guwahati.
Day 3 – Called an old friend who had been blessed with his twin daughter, went to meet him for his guidance to plan around Meghalaya. We didn’t want to visit Shillong but the places nearby. He drew a round trip map for us with all the locations mentioned and we were able to see a couple of places as listed below.
Day 4 – We wanted to head to Cherrapunji but the weather was very foggy when we started from Shillong. It was just about 56 kms but we were very disappointed as we were unable to see the beauty of the Khasi – Garo hills there. We decided to halt at a mid way restaurant for a quick breakfast and decided that we would wait till 1030am and by then if the weather doesn’t change we will head back to Shillong and cancel our trip and move towards Gangtok.
On this Meghalaya tour, every 10 minutes we would step out and check how the weather was…after all it was our luck that the weather changed dramatically and Meghalaya’s beauty was clearly visible and so we had a great time continuing with the journey. We decided to visit the Double decker Living Root Bridge, and had to trek almost 1000 steps and descend.
It was an absolutely amazing experience to see something like this come up naturally. Had a dip in the stream, enjoyed every bit of the time in the water and had to climb back…a painful exercise. We went back and stayed in Cherrapunji that night.
Day 5 – We headed to the cleanest village in India, Mawlynnong Village. Spick and span, everything thing was so clean which was clearly visible and talked about the harmonization of the villagers who lived there. We had lunch there, which was also an experience as there were very few restaurants in the central place of the village where the food was served to the guests at a very nominal price, which was really impressive.
From there we moved along the border along the barbed wire that was being placed by the Indian government to make a clear bifurcation between the 2 countries. We went along the trail and came out at Dawki, a beautiful river which divides India and Bangladesh. The Indian side of the river is so beautiful and breathtaking with emerald green water so clear that one can see the reflections of the boat and the people in it.
Came back really excited with a promise that soon I would again make a visit to this beautiful state Meghalaya.
Meghalaya, with its enchanting landscapes, vibrant culture, and welcoming people, is a top travel destination in Northeast India that promises to captivate and inspire every traveler. From the iconic living root bridges and stunning waterfalls to the mystical caves and lush green hills, this northeastern gem offers a journey through nature’s most exquisite creations.
This Meghalaya tour has been one the best tour I have had so far in terms of experiencing mesmerising falls. Whether you’re seeking adventure in Shillong, tranquility in Cherrapunji, or cultural immersion in Mawlynnong, Meghalaya’s diverse offerings ensure an unforgettable experience that lingers long after you’ve left its serene embrace. Plan your visit to this mystical land and discover why it’s often called the “Abode of Clouds.”
