Day1 - Reached Guwahati via Air Asia at around 9:30 am. Hired a taxi (2000 INR) from Guwahati to Shillong. Other options are also available in which u can hire meghalaya tourism shared mini bus for INR 400/seat- booking counter is right outside the airport exit. Visited Dwarsuid and Umiam Lake on the way. Not much to see in DwarSuid. But Umiam lake is worth watching. A very nice picnic spot where u can sit and enjoy the views. Reached Shillong at around 3 PM and checked-in in our hotel "Travellers Bed & Breakfast, rent 1500/night, location slightly off the main market. very neat and clean. well maintained property and friendly host. Other option to stay in Police Bazar(PB) or Bara Bazar- the central locations.
Day 2 - Had breakfast in PB at road side "Pori Sabzi and Tea" . Took a taxi and went to Shillong peak . From here u can see Bird's Eye View for entire Shillong city. After that Elephant waterfall . It is a 3 stage waterfall and very mesmerizing . After that we went to Sweet Falls in Happy valley. A very big water fall into the wild and visible from a distance. It is also a picnic spot for the locals. The taxi dropped us to a taxi stand from where we took another taxi and went to Smit. In smit we had our lunch. As it was Sunday , so most shops were closed and u get very few options for transportation. So taxi driver may over charge. Any how we were lucky and got one taxi which took us to "Laitlum valley" and "Jongksha valley" for 500 INR. Not a bad deal after the distance it covered for us. These valleys are very beautiful and mesmerising. May be because of these valleys Meghalaya is called “Scotland of East”. You will forget everything and immerse yourself in the beauty of this valley. The driver was very friendly cooperative and insisted on us to take pictures at all scenic points. At night we came back to Shillong took our dinner and book tickets in MTDC for cherrapunjee.
Day 3 - The bus started 8AM from the office of MTDC and went back to Shillong by evening. It took us to all the major tourist places like Mawdowk Valley, Eco tourism park , Mawsmai cave , Thankgarak park, seven sister water fall,Nokhalikai Water fall. But only Nokhalikai fall was active , rest of the falls were dry. The best season to experience these waterfalls would be monsoon or September/October. Where u can get the view of gushing water. Towards the end of sight seeing trip we deboarded at cherrapunjee. We stayed at "By the Way". It’s a backpacker lodging place. It costed us 250 INR per head per night. The owner of the place was a very friendly man and he can give u some valuable information about near by places.
Day 4 - We went to Nongriat to see the "Double Decker Bridge". A bus which comes around 9:30 in front of "By the way" will take you to the trekking place.This was a very strenuous but fun trek. We went down 3000 stairs . There were three steel rope bridges, stepping on them would be as thrilling to take your heart away from your body. After seeing this Double decker bridge we went further ahead in search of rainbow water fall. Double decker bridges are living root bridges only found in Meghalaya are examples of ingenious human engineering. U can also stay in this village. There are two homestays that are available for 250/400 INR each where u can get the basic food for 100/150 each.
Day 5 - We took a shared taxi from Sohra and went to Shillong Bara Bazar. From there we went to Dawki. Dawki is the last point in Meghalaya with Indo-Bangla is easily accessible from here. We took a boat ride on Umgot river . Water is crystal clear , that u can see the river bed very clearly. We took a taxi in the evening and went to Shnonpedong. This village is so beautiful that u cant even imagine. The road to this village is aweful. All pain taken to reach this village is worth taking. We stayed in a homestay 500 INR for a night (Hala Tong).
Day 6 - We started early morning and took a bath in the umgot river. The water was very cold but very soothing. Enjoyed for two three hours in the river. Took breakfast at a kiosk by the river bank. I wanted to stay long at that place. Coz this is the place where u can sit quietly and forget all ur worries and find the deep peace inside u. But i have to travel more , so we left that place by noon. Took a taxi and reached to Dawki. From Dawki to Bara Bazar (Shillong). From Shillong to Guwahati and Guwahati to KAZIRANGA. We stay overnight in Kaziranga at KTDC guest house at 600 INR for a night. The owner of the place "Bitto" helped us in booking tickets and arranging a vehicle for the safari. Here we met a biker solo traveller, who made us taste the "Rice Beer".
Day 7 - We started early morning and our car came at 4:45 AM. The Elephant safari starts at 5:30 AM in the morning. It was worth doing. The elephants were so sweet and well trained. They will take you through the jungle and yes u can see the giant one horned INDIAN RHINO. They look like a cement factory. But watching them in their own territory make you feel that u r very lucky and well invited in their home. In evening we went to Guwahati and stayed in Paltan Bazar.
Day 8 - Early morning we packed our bag and all set to see out last destination "Kamakhaya MAA Mandir". We started at 5 AM. U will get a bus from Nepali Mandir. It will drop u from where shared jeep will take you to the temple. Be prepared for long queues. In general line you have to wait for 4 to 5 hrs. Otherwise you can take ticket of 501 INR/- for quick darshan. Man has even made Gods to take bribe. After darshan we moved fast to airport to catch our flight to Delhi. Finally we reached airport and off to Delhi by evening. In this way our trip came to an end and preparation started for the NEXT one.
