Get ready for a winter escapade in Meghalaya. October – March is a great time to visit Meghalaya if you are someone who likes the idea of swimming in crystal clean water bodies, discovering hidden pools and waterfalls, jungle hiking, clear skies and bonfires.
Overview
Get ready for a winter escapade in Meghalaya. October – March is a great time to visit Meghalaya if you are someone who likes the idea of swimming in crystal clean water bodies, discovering hidden pools and waterfalls, jungle hiking, clear skies and bonfires.
- Hiking in the forests to unearth hidden living root bridges.
- Hiking to lesser known waterfalls and swimming spots.
- Catch a live performance from local orchestra who use music instruments they built.
- Explore a cave which isn’t very popular in regular tourist maps.
- Kayak/swim in crystal clear river in Dawki.
- Experience culture through local food and indigenous music.
- Rocking out at a live show and pub hopping at India’s rock capital
Itinerary
Day 01 :
Guwahati to Cherrapunjee - Welcome to the NorthEast - Drive to the wettest place in the world - Cherrapunjee
ED's secret sunset spots in Cherrapunjee
Est. Travel Time: 5 hours 30 minutes
ED pilot will pick you up from Guwahati Airport/Station as per arrival timings
- Drive to Cherrapunjee.
- Quick optional stop at Umiam Lake (40 mins before Shillong).
- Would recommend taking a pit stop along the way to buy locally grown pineapples and khasi mandarins sold by khasi ladies.
- Can have lunch in Shillong or on the way. We will recommend some top restaurants based on real time and location.
- Check into your hotel/resort, unwind.
- Evening at leisure. Bonfire can be arranged on request
Day 02 :
Cherrapunjee - A day exploring Cherrapunjee - Options
A day in Cherrapujee : Options
Est. Travel Time: 2 hours
- Morning Tea and Breakfast
- Meet ED local expert cum guide and explore some of best handpicked spots in Cherrapunjee. There are 100s of popular/lesser known spots here including natural pools, waterfalls, jungle trails, root bridges, caves and viewpoints. We can suggest you places to visit based on how physically engaging you want your day to be.
- Option 1: We can spend this day leisurely by seeing a couple of popular waterfalls likeLyngksiar falls, Prut falls, Nokahlikai Falls, Arwah/Mawsmai cave and some other viewpoints. You might be able to swim in some of these waterfalls but expect some people around because these are fairly commercial spots. Including lunch time, we can do 3-4 spots in a day without rushing.
- Option 2: Another option is to do a longer hike or two to some hidden spots in cherrapunjee with our local experts in the first half of the day. Think of a swimming in a secluded waterfall, private picnic or beautiful trail with natural pools and even root bridges. Followed by lunch and some leisure sightseeing after lunch
- Sunset from our favorite secret spot if the weather is clear.
Guide - Service
ED Local Expert
Day 03 :
Cherrapunjee to Pongtung - Hike to a lesser known Root Bridge and outdoor picnic lunch
Bridges that aren't built but grown
- Morning tea and breakfast
- Drive to Mawkyrwat village.
- Embark on a hike in a trail with 5 Root bridges (including the longest and highest one of the state) or the 3 Root Bridge (for an lesser physically engaging experience).
- Special Picnic lunch in the forest organised by ED
- Village hopping: Visit Asia's cleanest village Mawlynnong and another beautiful village called Nohwet.
- Overnight stay at Pongtung.
Guide - Service
ED Local Expert
Forest Picnic Lunch - Rangthillyang - Service
Special picnic lunch spread organised by ED in the forest
Day 04 :
Pongtung to Jowai - A day playing in crystal clear river
A day swimming in crystal clear river
Est. Travel Time: 2 hours
- Drive to Shnongpedeng village in Dawki after breakfast
- Enjoy boating in crystal clear river.
- On request we can organise guided activities in Dawki like, cliff jumping, kayaking, trek to Amkoi, Ziplining above the river etc. Call us for more details.
- Another optional activity for the adventerous ones in the group: Hike along the river with ED local expert to a place called Amkoi for an offbeat experience. It's a beautiful trail involving river canyoning, swimming and navigating through unique rock formations. ED guides will help you arrange for this experience
- Drive to Jowai for night halt via Krangsuri falls.
Boating in crystal clear river - Shnongpdeng, Dawki - Service
Day 05 :
Jowai to Shillong - Majestic waterfalls of Jaintia hills
Waterfalls of Jaintia
- This leg of the trip is in Jaintia hills area and it has some crazy waterfalls and trails to offer.
- Some off the waterfalls you can explore today are: Krangsuri Falls (commercial and crowded), Phe Phe Falls, Umbyrlien Falls, Moopun Falls and Labon Falls. (Considering one day, we can only explore 1-2 falls in this region) - Get in touch for more insights about these falls and trails, to choose which one you would like to visit.
- Drive to Shillong right after lunch and catch sunset from Laitlum Canyons.
- In the later half of the evening, explore music culture, pubs/restaurants/cafes in Shillong. We are happy to give our top recommendations of things to do in Shillong.
Guide - Service
ED Local Expert
Day 06 :
Shillong to Guwahati - Morning from Laitlum Canyons - Bid Adieu!
Bid Adieu!
- Early morning drive to Laitlum Canyons to enjoy one final crazy view Meghalaya offers with a cup of 'Lal Cha'.
- Come back for breakfast.
- Packup and drive to Guwahati/Shillong airport as per flight timings.
- Based on flight timings, we can recommend things to do in the morning. Some nice brunch places, quick souvenir shopping etc.
Includes/Excludes
Includes
- GST
- All accommodations as mentioned
- Vehicle as mentioned at disposal.
- ED hyper local guides and storytellers during the hikes and treks.
- Meals as mentioned
- Parking, fuel and toll charges.
- Driver's allowance, food and accommodation.
- Quick access to basic medical/first aid kit during the trip
- Boating in Dawki
- Picnic Lunch as mentioned
Excludes
- Airfare/RailFare
- Any food and beverage cost apart from the ones mentioned above
- Camera Fees
- Any Tips
- Entry Tickets to sightseeing places wherever applicable etc.(not more than Rs 20-50 per person per sight seeing place)
- Any personal expenditure obviously (shopping, medicines etc)
- Costs arising out of unforeseen circumstances such as bad weather, landslides, road conditions, political unrest and any other circumstances beyond our control+
- Optional activity cost (if any).
- Any items / services not specifically mentioned under the heading ‘inclusions’.
Cancellation Policy
- 50 % of the total cost needs to be paid at the time of booking.
- 50 % of the amount needs to be paid 15 days before the arrival date.
- 95% refund if cancellation happens 30 days before arrival, 5% can be claimed in later trips.
- 75% refund if cancellation happens 15-30 days before arrival.
- 50% refund if cancellation happens 11-15 days before arrival.
- No refund if cancellation happens less than 10 days before arrival
Terms and Conditions
The company shall not be liable for damages/charges incurred by travelers including but not limited to the following reasons if applied:
- Natural Disaster, war, civil unrest, pandemic, alteration or cancellation of tour itinerary due to such causes.
- Accidents during transportation or accommodation, damages by fire.
- Orders of either Indian Govt or immigration regulations, isolation resulting from infectious diseases and tour itinerary alterations due to such causes.
- Accidents occur during travels or activities.
- Food Poisoning.
- Theft.
Other Information
PLEASE NOTE:
- The itinerary shared is completely customizable.
- We have considered highly rated stays in this itinerary, and the reviews associated with them are quite good, Siju does not have a lot of properties in the area, and we have chosen the best possible one.
- The properties mentioned are subject to availability.
- The costs mentioned are subject to change based on the category of rooms available at the time of the booking.
- Once you have approved the itinerary shared with you, we shall inquire about the rooms. It is essential for us to get these booked right away to get the best value-for-money stays. In case of non-availability, we will recommend other options.
- There are other experiences we can organise for you that could enhance your experience on this trip. Some include cultural band performances, local musicians to sing and play along during a campfire, and local village tours. These are not a part of our itinerary and would be available at an extra cost. Do reach out to us for more information on these experiences.
- There are many more offbeat, less explored places that we can suggest. If you are interested, please give us a call or revert in this thread for the same.