MEGHALAYA – KAZIRANGA WOMEN GROUP TOUR – 4th November to 11th November 2023

ITINERARY

Day 1: Guwahati – Shillong, Stay: Shillong

Arrival at 10 AM at Guwahati Airport and proceed towards Shillong. On the way visit Umium Lake (90 kms/2.5 hours) and enjoy boating. 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 at 4.30 PM visit Wards lake (which is considered to be 100 years old) and then walk towards Police Bazaar for an amazing street shopping experience. Check-in at hotel in Shillong, dinner and overnight stay.

Meals: No Meals

Additional activity costs per head (approximate cost):

• Umium lake boating Rs.500/-
• Umium lake entry Rs.30/-
• Wards lake boating Rs.200/-
• Wards lake entry Rs.20/-
• Lunch and dinner – Rs.800/-

Day 2: Shillong – Laitlum – Krang Suri falls – Mawlynlong, Stay: Mawlynlong

Check-out after breakfast and proceed further. Visit Laitlum Canyon (10 kms/45 minutes) which is a visual treat, one can see various shades of green for miles around, standing at the edge of the canyon. Spend a few hours sitting there, enjoying the wind and the solitude. Laitlum literally means ‘The End of Hills’ and the scenic beauty you enjoy here justify the name given to it.

With lunch on the way, proceed towards Krang Suri falls (95 kms/3 hours), nestled in the serenity of Jaintia hills, is amongst one of the most scenic waterfalls of Meghalaya. Evening proceed towards Mawlynlong (65 kms/2.5 hours) and overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast

Additional activity costs per head:

• Krang Suri falls life jacket Rs.100/-
• Krang Suri Entry Fees – Rs.60/-
• Lunch and Dinner – Rs.900/-

Day 3: Mawlynlong – Single decker bridge – Dawki – Cherrapunji, Stay: Cherrapunji

Early morning village walk at Mawlynlong and after breakfast, check-out and proceed towards Single Decker bridge (2 kms/10 mins). The single-level living root bridge is located in a village named Riwai, about 80 kilometres from the capital city of Shillong in Meghalaya. Tourists visiting the single-decker living root bridge prefer to stay in Mawlynlong, the cleanest village in Asia, situated at a distance of about 8 kilometres from Riwai. Later proceed towards Dawki (35 kms/1.5 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. On the way explore Indo-Bangladesh border and after lunch proceed towards Cherrapunji.

In the evening, visit Nohkalikai falls (if time permits). Nohkalikai, which means “the leap of Likai” in the local Khasi language, is associated with a sad story. Ka Likai, a young mother, stayed in Rangjyrteh village, near the waterfall. Widowed at a young age, the woman remarried and stayed with her husband and little daughter. Evening check-in at hotel and overnight stay in Cherrapunji.

Meals: Breakfast

Additional activity costs per head (approximate cost):

• Single decker bridge Rs.30/-
• Dawki boating Rs.1,200/-
• Nohkalikai entry fees – Rs.30/-
• Lunch and Dinner – Rs.900/-

Day 4: Double Decker/Root bridge or Garden of caves, Stay: Cherrapunji

After 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. Those who are not willing to take up this trek can visit Garden of caves, Jiva Resort (for lunch) at an additional cost. Evening back to hotel and stay.

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.

Meals: Breakfast

Additional activity costs per head (approximate cost):

• Double decker bridge:- Entry fees – Rs.60/-, Guide charges:Rs.800/- till Double decker bridge and Rs.1,200/- till Rainbow falls.
• Optional tour – Garden of caves and Jiva Resort: Rs.1,000/- (including vehicle and entry fees/excluding lunch cost)
• Lunch and Dinner – Rs.900/-

Day 5: Cherrapunji – Local sightseeing – Shillong, Stay: Shillong

After breakfast at 8 AM, check-out and visit Wei Sadong waterfalls (moderate trekking duration 2 hours).  Later 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 Shillong and stay overnight.

Meals: Breakfast

Additional activity costs per head (approximate cost):

• Wei Sadong falls entry fees – Rs.60/-
• Arwah caves entry fees – Rs.30/-
• Mawsmai caves entry fees – Rs.30/-
• Lunch and Dinner – Rs.8,000/-

Day 6: Shillong – Kaziranga, Stay: Kaziranga

After breakfast at 8 AM, check-out and visit Mawphlang Sacred forest. Mawphlang Sacred Forest was originally home to the Blah Community. In Meghalaya, sacred groves represent an age old tradition of environmental conservation based on indigenous knowledge, culture and religious beliefs. Sacred Groves originated in Meghalaya since time immemorial much before the advent of Christianity. They are unique feature of Khasi and Jaintia Hills. After lunch proceed towards Kaziranga (300 kms/6 hours). Late evening check-in and overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast

Additional activity costs per head (approximate cost):

• Mawphlang Sacred forest entry fees – Rs.50/-, Guide Charges (for entire group) – Rs.1,500/-
• Lunch and Dinner – Rs.900/-

Day 7: Kaziranga Safaris, Stay: Kaziranga

Early in the morning, get ready for Elephant Safari (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.

Evening visit Kaziranga National Orchid and Biodiversity Park for every evening at 6.30 pm there is a cultural programme conducted in the park which provides an insight into ethic culture and folk music of north east India. Overnight stay in Kaziranga.

Meals: Breakfast

Additional activity costs per head (approximate cost):

• Kaziranga National Orchid and Biodiversity Park Entry fee – Rs.250/-
• Lunch and Dinner – Rs.900/-
• Elephant Safari Rs.1,700/-
• Jeep Safari Rs.1,200/-

Day 8: Kaziranga – Guwahati departure

After breakfast, check-out and proceed towards Guwahati airport (230 kms/5 hours) and drop at airport at 4 PM and conclude this wonderful trip with some amazing Naaris to cherish lifetime.

Note: Book your flight tickets after 6 PM.

Meals: Breakfast

Additional activity costs per head (approximate cost):

• Guwahati stay for 1 Night: Hotel stay Rs.2,000/- (with no meals), Brahmaputra river Cruise (evening only – Rs.800/- (45 minutes), Kamakhya temple visit (morning only)– Free and VIP Darshan Rs.500/-
• Airport Drop Rs.1,200/- (if staying extra 1 night in Guwahati)
• Lunch Rs.400/-