Shnongpdeng Tourism and Travel Guide

Shnongpdeng's seclusion and exquisite beauty held sway over our hearts from the start. The emerald waters of the Umngot River had a strange subterranean glow emanating from within, giving it a mystical look. The river water is so clear that boats seemingly glide on air. Water rippled around our feet dipped into the cool current and fishes danced around in the sunlit water below.

Shnongdeng

6 AM and Raju was already waiting for us at the reception. We checked out of the hotel and started our journey to the ‘Scotland of the East.Our first stop was Mawlynnong village – was awarded the cleanest village in Asia in 2003 and Ruchi could not wait to get there. In the last decade, though the village has got commercialized, one would love how clean the village is. You would not find a single piece of garbage on the roads.One can also stay in the village if they have time. There are Homestays which can be taken on rent while you are in the village or can even book on Airbnb.

DAY 3The hangover of both rum and Poets of the Fall hung heavy over our heads the next morning but our cab driver Uttam Bhai knew just what would perk us up. The strains of soft Bihu music filled the car as we drove towards Elephant falls which lay 12kms away from Shillong.The name Elephant falls was coined by the British, changing it from its original name Ka Kshaid Lai Pateng Khohsiew in local khasi meaning ‘three steps waterfall’. A signboard informed us that the English name came about due to an elephant shaped rock near one of the three falls. The poor rock shaped elephant has since disintegrated after an earthquake but the name stuck.

All the mystical views of river and hills and wooden boats that you see on google are captured here! Also you can do all those cool activities that you wanted to tick off your bucket list for so long – kayaking, snorkeling,cliff jumping,zip lining. You can experience these here at unbelievably low prices, with full safety and complete guidance.None of us was willing to leave this place, we had such amazing time.We had lunch late at 3pm and drove back to Cherrapunjee.

A night in the tent on the river bank followed by the most stunning morning in my life.They said chasing your dream is just an illusion so I listened to them but got nothing in return in terms of happiness but now when I started following my heart and chasing my dream of exploring the beautiful nature they are saying I am living a dream life. The cycle completes but I am rolling....I talked to the fishers for an hour or so we became friends I clicked them they posed for me. But the beauty is we could not understand a single word we uttered. One thing I understood it's not the beautiful words but the connection of love and affection that binds the humankind.when you have love for others you don't need language to understand.#dream_on#followYourHeart#keeprollingFollow me on Instagram for more on r89.traveller/Instagram.com

Day -12Adventures in Shnongpdeng

As the rains started blurring everything around, our tent stood completely unprotected, facing the full wrath of the rain strikes. Lakshay took refuge inside, while I found a little spot under a canopy of an unoccupied tent nearby. It was only after I had settled down that I realized how beautiful and perfect the spot was. An impatient river. The dancing hills. The song of rains. And the solitude of books - Time slowed down as we spent the next couple of hours in complete trance.Everything is silent post such a gush. Birds contemplate if it is safe enough to continue with their daily exploration. The hens and ducks start foraging around for little bugs. The rain has ceased for the moment, but the mild breeze continues to refresh the surrounding with tiny droplets that it carries around. The fishermen are brought into action. Everything is silent. And everything is alive.

Shnongpdeng is a beautiful place located in the Jaintia hills of Meghalaya where the serene Umngot river flows. This river is so clean that the boats look like they are floating in thin air.

Tip #8: Try adventure activities