Monsoon Road Trip to Meghalaya

Tripoto
18th Aug 2018

Meghalaya is one place which made me wait for almost three years since the day I decided to see this mesmerizing world! I am one of those guys who does enough research and planning before you start for a trip. I did so even for this. I was skeptical which season to go for! Everyone would suggest not to go to Meghalaya in monsoon for very obvious reason that it’s quite wet during June to September! But I decided to go during monsoon and I was not wrong! I would have missed all the beauty had I not gone on monsoon. Guys, I strongly recommend every travel and nature lover to go for it in Rainy season, esp. in August when every stream every fall every plant every hill there comes to life! Here is what I could enjoy over seven days in Meghalaya.

Day 1

I, along with my better-half, reached Guwahati by evening from Visakhapatnam. Went straight to Treebo hotel that I booked for the night at Beltola. We proceeded thereafter to Christian Basti, Fancy bazaar, Paltan bazaar to get a glimpse of the city. Entire city is literally on the sides of GS Road. There is nothing much that you can do at night apart from shopping in few places and malls on GS Road. We had dinner and went back to hotel to call it a day.

Day 2

Morning, we picked up Zoomcar near Central Mall and went to Kamakhya Maa Temple which is one of the Shakti-peeths. Let me caution you the roads to Temple from wherever you are in city are quite busy and are usually heavily jammed. Also, the temple is also quite crowded and strongly recommend to leave very early for the darshan. Be prepared to stand in queue for almost 3-4hrs on a busy day. Unfortunately, we could not have darshan as we went late and there was so much rush. We had beautiful view of mighty Brahmaputra river on the way to temple.

On the Way to Maa Kamakhya Temple

Photo of Guwahati, Assam, India by Prasanth

One can still go up the hill from Kamakhya Maa temple to visit another temple but humble one. There we get even more beautiful view of river Brahmaputra view. After a short break there, we started to Shillong. If time permits, it would be a good idea to visit pobitora wildlife sanctuary where largest concentration of single horned rhinos exist. Visit to the sanctuary can take half a day and it is usually closed in monsoon. Way to Shillong is breathtaking with a wide 4 lane road and mesmerizing views. We had lunch on the way. Our first stop on the way to Shillong was Umiam lake which is vast in size and beautiful with blue skies and white clouds in the background.

Umiam Lake

Photo of Kamakhya Temple, Kamakhya, Guwahati, Assam, India by Prasanth

After a brief stop there, we went ahead to Shillong and checked-in at an Airbnb that we booked. The stay name was Breezewale Home Stay which is very good and economical for a couple travelers like us. Though it was monsoon, the skies were clear and weather was pleasant. We went to Police bazaar which makes you feel Shillong like a metropolitan. We did some shopping and proceeded to Cafe Shillong for dinner.

Police Bazaar

Photo of Shillong, Meghalaya, India by Prasanth
Day 3

Next day we drove to Shillong View Point which is a famous tourist attraction. Here is a word of caution. Google maps shows the location properly but the route was misleading. Since we were on one side of city, maps showed shortest route which happened to be a restricted Defence access. We followed that route only to be asked to go back.

Wrong Route Showed by Google Maps

Photo of Shillong Peak, Meghalaya, India by Prasanth

The correct route is to enter a road from Shillong-Cherrapunjee road side near Elephant falls / ML05 Cafe.

Correct Route to Shillong View Point

Photo of Monsoon Road Trip to Meghalaya by Prasanth

You need to access Air force gate even from correct direction. Carry your ID proofs for getting inside. The view of Shillong city from the top most point of Meghalaya state was breathtaking and a must visit.

View from Shillong Peak @ 1965mtrs above MSL

Photo of Monsoon Road Trip to Meghalaya by Prasanth

We went to Elephant falls next which is just 6km away. It is a simple and beautiful three level waterfall. We had fun for sometime and proceeded to ML05 cafe for lunch which is very nearby.

Elephant Falls (Best in Monsoon)

Photo of Elephant Falls, Shillong, Meghalaya, India by Prasanth

After lunch, we went to Don Bosco museum which displays complete cultural heritage of North East states. The museum is vast and there are no. of shows if one is interested. There is a sky deck on top of the building from which you can get panoramic view of Shillong city. End of Day.

Don Bosco Museum Compound

Photo of Don Bosco Museum, Mawlai Mawdatbaki, Shillong, Meghalaya, India by Prasanth

View from Museum Sky Deck

Photo of Don Bosco Museum, Mawlai Mawdatbaki, Shillong, Meghalaya, India by Prasanth
Day 4

We left Shillong to spend time in Cherrapunjee. On the way, we decided to visit Laitlum Grand Canyon which is lesser known yet magnificent place. The canyon is an hour drive from Shillong. We reached there as the clouds were closing in early in the morning. The roads are not that good but not tiring either. We have to type "Laitlum Grand Canyon" in Google maps to get correct location, else it points to a different location. This canyon has a very deep gorge and it is just gorgeous. Deep valley, a village at bottom and a river with cloud cover and greenery, distant waterfalls, everything there is enchanting. If you are interested, one may trek down the gorge on steps (Time has to be planned accordingly which may take 2-3 hrs).

Laitlum Grand Canyon

Photo of Laitlum Grand Canyon, Meghalaya, India by Prasanth

Laltlum : Try the Trek Down to Village

Photo of Laitlum Grand Canyon, Meghalaya, India by Prasanth

We proceeded to Cherrapunjee and stayed in Kutamadan resort which has beautiful view of Bangladesh Plains. This resort is quite and calm and more of hill-side cottages.

Kutmadan Resort (Meaning: World's End). It is on a Cliff Overlooking Bangladesh Plains.

Photo of Cherrapunjee, Meghalaya, India by Prasanth

View of Bangladesh Plains from The Resort

Photo of Cherrapunjee, Meghalaya, India by Prasanth

Evening Hues

Photo of Cherrapunjee, Meghalaya, India by Prasanth

It was Pouring and Pouring (Mostly at Night and Mornings)

Photo of Cherrapunjee, Meghalaya, India by Prasanth

We went to see seven sister falls, Mawsmai caves and Eco park to close for the day. To our luck, it was not raining then but started pouring down as we reached resort at night.

Mawsmai Caves-1

Photo of Mawsmai Cave, Cherrapunjee, Meghalaya, India by Prasanth

Mawsmai Caves-2

Photo of Mawsmai Cave, Cherrapunjee, Meghalaya, India by Prasanth

Mawsmai Caves-3

Photo of Mawsmai Cave, Cherrapunjee, Meghalaya, India by Prasanth

Outside Mawsmai Caves

Photo of Mawsmai Cave, Cherrapunjee, Meghalaya, India by Prasanth

It was Pouring and Pouring (Mostly at Night and Mornings)

Photo of Mawsmai Cave, Cherrapunjee, Meghalaya, India by Prasanth

Seven Sisters Falls (Not so Much Water Even in Monsoon)

Photo of Seven Sisters Falls, Cherrapunjee, Nongkalikhai, Cherrapunjee, Meghalaya, India by Prasanth

View from Seven Sisters Falls

Photo of Seven Sisters Falls, Cherrapunjee, Nongkalikhai, Cherrapunjee, Meghalaya, India by Prasanth

Eco Park

Photo of Seven Sisters Falls, Cherrapunjee, Nongkalikhai, Cherrapunjee, Meghalaya, India by Prasanth
Day 5

Next day, though we decided to go to Double decker trek, we could not due to heavy downpour and very low visibility. But if you can drive down to the trek start point, it is a must do trek (it is as good as climbing Tirumala hill, some 3500 steps). We waited till noon and went to see Nohkalikai falls. It was in full spate and we could get a glimpse of the tallest plunging fall for some 5-10 mins before clouds covered it. It is so typical of Cherrapunjee in monsoon where it rains till 12PM and then we get some relief till evening. This is the time when you can see attractions, in monsoon.

Magnificent Nohkalikai Falls

Photo of NohKaLikai Falls, Meghalaya by Prasanth

After the falls, we went to Thangkharang park and Motrop. The road from Cherrapunjee to Motrop was muddy and gravel road downhill though it is wider.

Motrop - Large Conical Stone

Photo of Khoh Ramhah, Meghalaya, India by Prasanth

View from Motrop

Photo of Khoh Ramhah, Meghalaya, India by Prasanth

View from Motrop (See the Road Down Below, That Goes Straight to Bangladesh)

Photo of Khoh Ramhah, Meghalaya, India by Prasanth

Jiva resort is very good option for dinner and even stay if you can shell-out money.

Jiva Resort-1

Photo of Jiva Resort, Cherrapunjee, Meghalaya, India by Prasanth

Jiva Resort, Restaurant

Photo of Jiva Resort, Cherrapunjee, Meghalaya, India by Prasanth

Jiva Resort-2

Photo of Jiva Resort, Cherrapunjee, Meghalaya, India by Prasanth
Day 6

Day-6 we proceeded back to Shillong. On the way we went to Arwah Caves and then Garden of Caves which is again a lesser known place. I must say that this was my best of all that I have seen in Meghalaya. With several waterfalls, this place is a photographer's paradise. We can bath and enjoy hours here. After some good time here, we saw Mawkdok view point on the way and went straight to Shillong. After hotel check-in, we went to Golf course and spent some good time there.

Arwah Caves Inside - There are Many Small Fossils Inside

Photo of Arwah Cave, Cherrapunjee, Meghalaya, India by Prasanth

Entrance to Arwah Caves, It is Longest Cave in Meghalaya (I Remember So)

Photo of Arwah Cave, Cherrapunjee, Meghalaya, India by Prasanth

Cute and Rare Waterfall (The Kings Bath), Garden of Caves

Photo of Garden Of Caves, Laitryngew-War, Laitmawsiang, Meghalaya, India by Prasanth

Another Fall in Garden of Caves

Photo of Garden Of Caves, Laitryngew-War, Laitmawsiang, Meghalaya, India by Prasanth

Tallest Fall in Garden of Caves

Photo of Garden Of Caves, Laitryngew-War, Laitmawsiang, Meghalaya, India by Prasanth

On the Way to Garden of Caves, What a Beauty!

Photo of Garden Of Caves, Laitryngew-War, Laitmawsiang, Meghalaya, India by Prasanth

Mawkdok View Point

Photo of Mawkdok Dympep Valley View Point, Cherrapunjee, Meghalaya, India by Prasanth
Day 7

Day-7, We covered Living root bridge near Mawlynnong and had walk in the cleanest village of Asia. It is very clean and picturesque. Drive to Mawlynnong takes around 2 hrs, 75km from Shillong. Drive to the place is awesome! We came back to Shillong by evening.

On the Way to Mawlynnong Village

Photo of Mawlynnong, Meghalaya, India by Prasanth

Living Root Bridge Near Mawlynnong, Some 300 Steps Climb Down

Photo of Mawlynnong, Meghalaya, India by Prasanth

Stream Below Living Root Bridge, Sight to Behold!

Photo of Mawlynnong, Meghalaya, India by Prasanth

Mawlynnong Village, Plants, Flowers, Pathways Everywhere

Photo of Mawlynnong, Meghalaya, India by Prasanth

Mawlynnong Village

Photo of Mawlynnong, Meghalaya, India by Prasanth
Day 8

Day-8, Depart to Guwahati, end trip for Zoom car and proceed to Airport. End of one of the most memorable trips :-)

Note: Follow Google Maps with Caution. People are good and helping in Meghalaya. Pineapples are must try. Traffic in Shillong is too much to cope up. You need to be good at driving: winding, steep, muddy, narrow roads and low visibility.

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