From Rhinos to Root Bridges: Saurabh’s Northeast Holiday with Thrillophilia

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PNR: BKDG5DK358X
Rating: ★★★★★
Traveller: Saurabh Saha
Trip Duration: 6 Days | 5 Nights
Date of Travel: 24 Dec 2023 - 29 Dec 2023
Destination: Northeast India

Six days in the Northeast can take you through several completely different worlds.

For Saurabh Saha, the journey began with the wildlife of Kaziranga National Park, moved through the misty landscapes of Meghalaya and ended with the turquoise pools of Krang Suri Falls. In between were jeep safaris, canyon viewpoints, living root bridges, limestone caves, waterfalls and a boat ride on the famously clear waters of the Umngot River.

It was the kind of holiday where the scenery kept changing before you had quite finished taking in the last one.

Kaziranga Started With a Wild Morning

The trip wasted little time getting into the wilderness. After arriving in Guwahati, Saurabh headed towards Kaziranga National Park, one of India's most celebrated wildlife destinations and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The highlight was an early-morning jeep safari through the park. Kaziranga is particularly famous for its population of the greater one-horned rhinoceros, but the park is also home to elephants, wild water buffalo, swamp deer and an impressive variety of birds. The safari meant driving through grasslands, wetlands and forested patches with the possibility of spotting wildlife around almost every bend.

From there, the landscape changed completely. The route towards Shillong passed Umiam Lake, also known as Borapani, where the road opened onto a vast reservoir surrounded by green Khasi Hills. After a morning among rhinos and grasslands, the transition into Meghalaya's cool mountain scenery was striking.

Meghalaya Turned Up the Drama

The road from Shillong towards Cherrapunji brought one dramatic landscape after another. At Laitlum Canyon, when accessible within the day's schedule, the hills fall away into deep valleys, while Mawkdok Dympep Valley offers another sweeping viewpoint over the surrounding mountains.

Then came the waterfalls.

Wei Sawdong Falls drops through multiple levels of dense greenery, while Nohkalikai Falls plunges from the cliffs into a striking blue-green pool. Nearby, Seven Sisters Falls spreads across the limestone cliffs in several streams. The route also included the Garden of Caves and Arwah Caves, taking the journey underground into Meghalaya's limestone landscape.

The contrast was almost ridiculous. Within a single day, Saurabh could go from standing above a massive green valley to squeezing through ancient rock formations and then standing before one of India's tallest waterfalls.

A Bridge That Is Actually Alive

The next morning brought Mawlynnong, a village in the East Khasi Hills that became internationally known for its cleanliness. But the more unusual experience came nearby in Riwai village.

Here, Saurabh visited a single-decker living root bridge, a structure created by guiding the aerial roots of rubber fig trees across a stream until they gradually form a natural bridge. Unlike a concrete bridge that gets built and finished, these bridges are essentially grown over years and can continue strengthening as the roots develop.

From Riwai, the journey continued towards Dawki and the Umngot River.

On a clear day, the water is so transparent that the boats appear to float above the riverbed. A boat ride here is less about getting somewhere and more about sitting quietly in the middle of water so clear that you can see the stones underneath. For anyone looking for a photograph that doesn't need much explanation, Dawki usually takes care of that.

Dawki Was Made for Adventure

The stay around Shnongpdeng and Dawki added another layer to the trip. The Umngot isn't just beautiful from a boat. The area is also known for outdoor activities including kayaking, ziplining, boating and cliff jumping.

Saurabh's itinerary left room for these activities, allowing the river to become more than a sightseeing stop. After days of road travel and sightseeing, getting onto the water offered a chance to experience Meghalaya from a completely different angle.

The journey then moved towards Jowai, where another waterfall was waiting.

Krang Suri Was the Grand Finale

Krang Suri Falls is one of those places that looks almost unreal in photographs, and seeing it in person brings an important detail into focus: the water really is that blue.

Located in the Jaintia Hills, the waterfall drops into a series of natural pools surrounded by dense greenery. Unlike a viewpoint where you simply stand and look, Krang Suri invites you closer. The itinerary included time to get into the natural pools and swim beneath the waterfall.

After the wildlife of Kaziranga, the high viewpoints of Meghalaya and the underground caves of Cherrapunji, this was a very different way to experience the Northeast. The trip ended with a final visit to Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati before Saurabh headed home.

A Holiday That Covered a Lot

In six days, Saurabh's journey managed to pack in an impressive cross-section of the Northeast.

Saurabh appreciated Indranil Dutta, Thrillophilia’s Northeast Destination Expert, for helping him plan and coordinate the holiday. His support through the booking and planning process ensured that the arrangements were handled smoothly, giving Saurabh the convenience of having the logistics taken care of throughout the trip.

For a holiday covering multiple destinations, transfers, stays and activities, having a dedicated point of contact made the planning process considerably easier. Saurabh’s overall experience with Thrillophilia was summed up simply: “Overall we had a wonderful holiday!”

Also Read: Vinu’s Review of Meghalaya Trip with Thrillophilia