Meghalaya

• Book your accommodation prior to travelling in Meghalaya.

• Get an emergency travel kit and a health check up before travelling to any part of this state.

• Avoid going to isolated places or trekking without a guide.

• You can ask for cars service from the hotels front desk. Pay the taxis their fair only after reaching destination and do not tip them.

• Hire cars that have valid number plates.

• Always keep emergency numbers of the local area with you handy.

• Keep your name tags and address inside the luggage.

• Do not deposit your credit cards and other important travel documents at the hotels safety deposit.

• Keep all your medications with you and do not accept anything edible from strangers.

• Before buying bottled water check for date of packing and expiry date.

• Beware of staged accidents that catch tourists off guard.

• Do not discuss your travel plans openly and beware of eavesdroppers.

No matter what time of the year, Meghalaya will welcome you with breathtaking views worth cherishing a lifetime. This state majorly experiences only two seasons- the monsoon and the winters.

Monsoons

The temperature in monsoons range between 10 to 30 degree, while the winters dip down to 2 degree or even below. The best time for sightseeing in Meghalaya is during October to June when the climate is pleasant and views are stunning.

Meghalaya is well connected to all major cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Kolkata, etc and all other parts of India. You can primarily use any of the below transport facilities from any Indian city and board flights from foreign destinations.

• Train: Major cities like Shillong, Kaziranga, Guwahati and many more have regular train services and you can reach any of these destinations without any inconvenience.

• Bus: Major cities like Shillong, Kaziranga, Guwahati and many more have regular bus services and you can reach any of these destinations without any inconvenience.

• Flights: Shillong airport and Baljek airport are two airports you can fly down to in Meghalaya.

Meghalaya greets every traveller happily and you are sure to enjoy its hospitality. There is an abundance of places to visit in Meghalaya where you can enjoy the best of this state at any of the following destinations:

For nature Lovers:

• Shillong
• Guwahati
• Sherapunji
• Dawki
• Mawsynram
• Umiam
• Nongpoh

For adventure enthusiasts:

• Dawki
• Nongriat
• Tura
• Garbhanga forest

For wildlife explorers:

• Baghmara
• Nokrek national park
• Guwahati
• Upper Shillong forest

When in Meghalaya, you are going to be flattered by natural beauty surrounding you. So except for the time spent in appreciating nature, here’s what you can do:

• Hog at Trattoria
• Walk on the fascinating root bridges
• Hangout at cafe Shillong
• Celebrate Nongkrem festival like a local
• Go shopping at Lew Duh
• Get sporty at Shillong Golf Course
• Enjoy the dramatic Nohkalikai Falls
• Meet endangered species at Nokrek Biosphere Reserve
• Take a romantic walk at Ward’s lake

The resorts you choose to stay in, add to the overall experience of your trip. So you might as well hold on, analyse and take a while to choose the best one. Here is a list of resorts from various parts of the state you should certainly consider staying in when in Meghalaya.

• Polo Orchid Resort

Location: Mawsmai - Nongthymmai, Sohra

• Best Holiday Inn

Location: Upper Lachumiere | near Malki Point, Shillong

• Hotel Polo Towers

Location: Polo grounds, Shillong

• Hotel Pegasus Crown

Location: Wards Lake Road, Police Bazar, Shillong

• Cherrapunjee Holiday Resort

Location: Village Laitkynsew | Village Laitkynsew, Cherrapunjee

• Hotel Rikman Continental

Location: West Garo Hills, Tura

The local cuisine of Meghalaya is mostly rice, dried fish and meat. The food is bland but is topped with hot fish chutney that gives it better taste. One of the local favourites is "Jadoh", a dish which is prepared with pork and rice. People here also drink a lot of rice beer locally called as ‘Kyat’. Below is a list of some best places where you can enjoy the best of local cuisine in Meghalaya.

• Cafe Shillong

Location: L.P. Building Niit Building, Main Road, Laitumkhrah, Shillong

• Ginger Restaurant

Location: Hotel Polo Towers, Polo Grounds, Shillong

• Phunga

Location: Laitumkhrah Main Road | Opposite Sweety Studio,Near HDFC Bank ATM, Shillong

• Trattoria

Location: Police Bazaar, Shillong

• City Hut Family Dhaba

Location: Earle Holiday Home Oakland Road, Shillong

People of Meghalaya usually use the bus transport for local commuting. The buses are available at regular frequency and in all parts of the state. The major cities are also well connected with each other. Except for this, you can also board the yellow and black unmetered taxis for internal travelling. You can check the estimated rate of your ride from any local or the hotel you’re staying in.

Everybody is fond of shopping and Meghalaya happily satisfies us when it comes to shopping. Generally, Shillong is the most visited place when it comes to shopping. There are several places in the state from where you can pick up a handful of souvenirs for your loved ones. Here are a few you should definitely visit:

• Lewduh (market also known as Bara bazaar)
• Police Bazaar
• Laitumkhrah

For handlooms and handicrafts,

• Meghalaya Handicrafts
• Khadi Gramodyog
• Purbashree

A traveller's Meghalaya Tour is incomplete without visiting the deep dense forests that have some beautiful caves that manage to get the explorer out in you. When in this state, visiting these caves is a must as they give you a great sense of adventure. Meghalaya has more than 500 roughly and many of which are yet to be explored and mapped. Here are a few popular ones you should definitely head to-

• Mawsmai Cave
• Dobakhol Cave
• Kotsaki-Umlawan
• Krem Chympe
• Krem Dam
• Synrang Paming
• Krem Phyllut
• Krem Mawnluh
• Krem Shrieh
• Krem Lympat
• Krem Lamet Latang
• Kut Sutiang
• Dobhakol Chibe Nala

Trekking in Meghalaya can be a challenging affair. An advantage is that unlike the Himalayas, these trails are not snow-wrapped so you don’t have to carry a lot of winter clothing on yourself. Moreover, be welcomed by flora fauna that you may get to see nowhere else. These intimidating rare species make your trek absolutely worth it! Here are some of the best trekking trails of Meghalaya-

• Smit
• Mawlyngot
• Pynursla
• Living Root Bridge
• Kyllang Rock
• David Scott Trail
• Sohpet-bneng

Meghalaya is a state full of celebrations. It is joyful, vibrant and filled with positive vibes. If you’re planning a visit here, try and be a part of at least one festival.

• Khasi Festival
• Shad Suk Mynsiem Dance
• Nongkrem Dance

· Jaintia Festival

• Behdienkhlam Festival
• Laho Dance Festival
• Chad Sukra

· Garo Festival

• Wangala Festival
• Ranikor Festival

Cherrapunji in Meghalaya is located at a mere distance of 55 km from the town of Shillong. This place attracts lakhs of tourists every year and is special because it is one of the wettest places on planet. It is nestled in the East Khasi Hills about 50 km southwest of the state’s capital and is also known as Sohra or Churra. The name means the ‘land of oranges.’ Moreover, the place is also popular to be the home of living root bridges, bridges that can hold up to 50 people at a time and are a result of bioengineering practiced by the locals.

The living root bridge is situated in the Cherrapunji part of Meghalaya, the wettest place on earth. There are 11 functional root bridges in this area and all of them look exceptionally good. The most famous of these is the "double-decker" root bridge which is a 150+ year old man-made natural wonder. However, visiting this bridge is not easy as you have to trek through the difficult trails of forest. But the tiring journey is totally worth it eventually.

Meghalaya is home to list of best and spectacular waterfalls on East Khasi Hills district and has beautiful hill station with plenty of tourist attraction all around. In and around Shillong there are numerous waterfalls Bishop Falls, Elephant Falls, Spread Eagle Falls, Sweet Falls, Crinoline Falls and Beadon Falls.

• Nohkalikai Falls-335 metres

• Nohsngithiang Falls-315 metres

• Langshiang Falls-337 metres

• Kynrem Falls-305 metres

• Bishop Falls-135 metres

• Beadon Falls-135 metres

• Sweet Falls-96 metres

Other than the beautiful waterfalls, scenic mountains and breath-taking clouds, Meghalaya is also the home to a variety of rare flora and fauna. You can spot rare species of birds and animals in any of the below listed national parks and wildlife sanctuaries…

• Nokrek National Park
• Balpakram National Park
• Siju Bird Sanctuary
• Baghmara Reserve Forest
• Nongkhyllem Sanctuary

Mawlynnong Village, also known as God’s Own Garden is popular for all the right reasons. It has bagged the title of the cleanest village in India and has also stood ahead with achieving 100 percent literacy rate or in promoting women empowerment. Mawlynnong is located in Cherrapunji and mainly inhabited by Khasi tribe. It is home to the UNESCO world heritage site, the living root bridges. Moreover, the food prepared by locals of this village is purely organic. Even the meat here comes from in-house bred birds and animal. Interesting, isn’t it?