MEGHALAYA – KAZIRANGA WOMEN GROUP TOUR- 19 Oct to 26 Oct 2024

About 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. Meghalaya is mountainous, and it is the rainiest state of India. Meghalaya is one of the Seven Sister States of northeast India. The state of Meghalaya is mountainous, with stretches of valley and highland plateaus, and it is geologically rich.

Places to visit in Meghalaya:

Shillong: The capital city of Meghalaya, often referred to as the “Scotland of the East,” is known for its scenic beauty, pleasant climate, and vibrant culture. Don’t miss attractions like Ward’s Lake, Shillong Peak, and Don Bosco Museum.

Cherrapunji (Sohra): Renowned as one of the wettest places on Earth, Cherrapunji boasts breathtaking waterfalls, lush valleys, and living root bridges. Visit attractions like Nohkalikai Falls, Seven Sisters Falls, and the Double Decker Living Root Bridge.

Mawsynram: Another contender for the title of the wettest place on Earth, Mawsynram offers stunning landscapes, cascading waterfalls, and cave explorations. Explore Mawsmai Cave, Mawjymbuin Cave, and the Mawsynram Viewpoint.

Dawki: Known for its crystal-clear Umngot River, Dawki is a scenic town near the Bangladesh border. Enjoy boating on the transparent waters of Umngot River and visit nearby attractions like Shnongpdeng and the Indo-Bangladesh Suspension Bridge.

Mawlynnong: Often hailed as the cleanest village in Asia, Mawlynnong is famous for its cleanliness, living root bridges, and eco-friendly initiatives. Explore the living root bridge, skywalk, and take a stroll through the clean streets of the village.

Mawphlang Sacred Forest: A sacred grove revered by the Khasi tribes, the Mawphlang Sacred Forest is a biodiversity hotspot with ancient trees, medicinal plants, and unique flora and fauna. It’s also known for its cultural significance and traditional rituals.

Kaziranga National Park: Explore the wildlife and vegetation of Kaziranga National Park while sitting on the back of an elephant. Take an adventurous open Jeep Safari to explore the core areas of the national park. Roam through dry and tropical deciduous forests, tall golden grasslands, and witness wildlife species up close. Traverse deep dark woodlands, tall and short grasslands, and tropical forests. Capture the famous one-horned rhinoceros and other flora and fauna on your camera.

ITINERARY

Day 1: Guwahati – Shillong, Stay: Shillong

Arrival at 11 AM at Guwahati Airport and proceed towards Shillong. On the way visit Umium Lake Viewpoint (90 kms/2.5 hours). Umiam Lake is a man-made reservoir that was built in early 1960 by constructing a dam over Umiam river. This was northeast India’s first hydroelectric project which started commercial operation from 1965. This huge water reservoir has a catchment area above 200 sq km. Evening visit Police Bazaar for an amazing street shopping experience. Check-in at hotel in Shillong, dinner and overnight stay.

Day 2: Shillong – Phe Phe falls – Krang Suri falls, Stay: Shillong

After breakfast, proceed towards Phe Phe falls (95 kms/3 hours), which is a two-tier waterfall. Phe Phe is a Jaintia word that translates to Paradise. Later proceed towards Krang Suri falls, nestled in the serenity of Jaintia hills, is amongst one of the most scenic waterfalls of Meghalaya. Evening back to Shillong and overnight stay.

Day 3: Shillong – Dawki – Single decker bridge – Mawlynlong, Stay: Cherrapunjee

With packaged breakfast, check-out and proceed towards Dawki (75 kms/3 hours), which is most famous among tourists for the fascinating Umngot River, also known as Dawki River, which features water so clear it could be mistaken for a see-through glass. Later proceed for Single Decker bridge (30 kms/2 hours). The single-level living root bridge is located in a village named Riwai, about 95 kilometres from the capital city of Shillong in Meghalaya. Later visit Mawlynlong, the cleanest village in Asia, situated at a distance of about 8 kilometres from Riwai. Later proceed towards Cherrapunjee and overnight stay.

Day 4: Double Decker Root bridge, Stay: Cherrapunji

Early morning with packed breakfast, experience the legendary Double Decker trek (entire day trek). It is not the easy one, but worth doing once in a lifetime. The double decker layered bridge is just above a supremely amazing rainbow waterfall. It takes you 3200 steps up to reach this place but the journey has two rope bridges and pristine waterfalls making it truly worth the effort. You need to carry sufficient snacks and water bottles.

Disclaimer: This trek requires a certain level of fitness to complete the trek in a day. We would advice not to have this trek, if you are suffering from breathing issues, asthama, BP, sugar, fracture/ligament tear, arthritis etc.

Additional tour (with an extra cost of Rs.1,000/-) to Garden of Caves, if any participants are not willing to go on full day Double Decker Trek.

Day 5: Cherrapunjee local sightseeing & proceed to Guwahati, Stay: Guwahati

After breakfast, check-out and visit Arwah caves (duration 1 hour easy trek) which is famous for its fossils which you can observe in the lit-up interiors, especially towards the end of the cave. You will find crustacean shells and fish bones fossilized in the limestone walls of the cave. Later visit Mawsmai Caves (duration 1 hour), which is also famous for its fossils, some which you can spot if you spend some time peering at the walls and formations inside. We will visit Cave 1 to save time for later sightseeing places. You can spend time dressing up Khasi tribe’s costumes with a photoshoot and shopping at souvenir’s shop. After lunch at Mawsmai caves, proceed towards Nohkalikai falls (if time permits). After lunch proceed towards Guwahati. Evening check-in and overnight stay.

Day 6: Guwahati to Kaziranga Stay: Kaziranga

Early morning at 3 AM, proceed for Maa Kamakhya Temple. After Darshan come back to hotel and after breakfast at 9 AM, check-out and proceed towards Kaziranga and check-in hotel in the evening. If time permits, visit Orchid Garden and cultural evening show. Overnight stay.

Day 7: Kaziranga Safaris, Stay: Kaziranga

Early in the morning, get ready for Elephant Safari (subject to availability) (5 – 6 AM), back to hotel for breakfast and have your early lunch. After early lunch, get ready for Jeep Safari (1.30 – 3.30 PM). Jeep Safari in Kaziranga takes around one and half hours of round trip that starts every day early in the morning and during the early afternoon. The advantage of taking Jeep safaris include – they are the most exclusive way to go on a safari in KNP, jeep safaris are best for wildlife viewing, they are also excellent if you are looking to take great shots and work on your wildlife photography, it give the option to get plenty of fresh air while roaming. Take jungle Safari by open Jeep in search of one-horned rhinos, tigers, elephants, jackal, languor, monkeys and the different species of deer as well as numerous domestic and migratory bird species.

Day 8: Guwahati Departure

After breakfast, check-out and proceed towards Guwahati airport (280 kms/7 hours) and drop at airport at 4 PM and conclude this wonderful trip with some amazing Naaris to cherish lifetime.

Note: Book flight after 7 pm.