Prateek’s Meghalaya Trip: From Nervous Beginnings to Memories for Life with Thrillophilia

Thrillophilia Verified Booking
PNR: BKD0SD0ZEM7
Rating: ★★★★★
Travellers: Prateek Kumar Pallai & Partner
Duration: 6 Days | 5 Nights
Destination: Meghalaya
Travel Date: 7 October 2023 - 12 October 2023
Package Booked: Mesmerising Meghalaya | Group Tour Package

Before leaving for Meghalaya, Prateek had heard plenty of reasons to be nervous. He had been warned about earthquakes, landslides, unfamiliar food, remote roads and what it might be like travelling through a primarily tribal state with a group of strangers. But somewhere between the first waterfall stop and the last goodbye, most of those worries disappeared.

“I met strangers on the trip, and those were the most caring and kind ones I'll ever meet. The views were all breathtaking. Every time we stopped by a waterfall, we couldn't resist the urge to get in the cold, clean water. We visited the national border along Bangladesh, met with a lot of new people, explored uncharted territories, and trekked through the Meghalayan landscape in the dark; we tasted some of the best food we have ever tasted, we danced and talked our hearts out and lastly bid a warm farewell, with a promise to meet again someday. Memories were created and will last forever.”

And that pretty much sums up what made this six-day trip special. There were waterfalls and caves, forest trails and rivers, but there was also the group itself. Long drives turned into conversations, strangers became friends, and every stop seemed to bring another story to take home.

The Umngot River Was Even Better in Person

One of the most memorable stretches of the trip came towards Dawki and Shnongpdeng. The group travelled through Mawlynnong and Riwai Village, stopping to see the famous Balancing Rock and the Single-Decker Living Root Bridge. The root bridge was a particularly interesting experience because it is a living structure, shaped over years by carefully guiding the roots of rubber fig trees across the stream. The roots continue to grow and strengthen over time, creating a natural bridge that the local community can still use today.

Then the landscape opened up around the Umngot River. The water was so clear that the boats appeared to float above the riverbed. A boat ride here gave the group a completely different view of Meghalaya, with green hills on either side and incredibly transparent water underneath. For Prateek and his fellow travellers, this was one of those stops where nobody seemed in much of a hurry to leave.

The adventure continued the following day with a stop at Krang Suri Falls near Jowai. Surrounded by dense greenery, the waterfall drops into striking blue-green water. After spending days moving through Meghalaya's hills, caves and forests, sitting beside the falls offered a slower moment before the group headed back towards Shillong.

Cherrapunji Turned Every Stop Into a Waterfall Break

Cherrapunji brought out the group's adventurous side. The route from Shillong was packed with stops, beginning with Elephant Falls and the sweeping views from Mawkdok Dympep Valley Viewpoint. Then came Wei Sawdong Falls, tucked away among thick greenery, followed by Nohkalikai Falls and the famous Seven Sisters Falls.

The waterfalls quickly became some of the most fun stops of the trip. Every time the group reached one, the cold, clear water was too tempting to ignore. The caves brought another change of pace. Mawsmai Cave took the group through narrow limestone passages, while Arwah Cave had a more rugged, unexplored feel, with fossils visible within its limestone formations. By the time they returned to their stay, they had packed an enormous amount into a single day.

The Double Decker Root Bridge Was the Hard-Earned Highlight

The Nongriat trek was probably the day when the group earned its bragging rights. The journey began at Tyrna Village before the trail dropped through forests and across smaller bridges towards the Double Decker Living Root Bridge.

The bridge is one of Meghalaya's most fascinating examples of traditional living architecture. Instead of concrete or steel, the roots of rubber fig trees have been trained and woven over years to create a naturally growing bridge. Standing on it, surrounded by forest and rushing streams, felt very different from visiting a conventional tourist attraction.

Then came the climb back to Tyrna, around 3,000 steps. It was tiring, but doing it together made the trek part of the group's shared story. There is something about being exhausted at the same time as everyone else that makes strangers become friends very quickly.

A Trip That Went Beyond the Tourist Trail

The journey had started quietly at Umiam Lake, where the group stopped on the drive from Guwahati to Shillong. The reservoir sits among the East Khasi Hills and gave everyone their first proper glimpse of Meghalaya's lush landscape. Shillong itself offered a more relaxed beginning before the group moved towards Cherrapunji.

From there, the trip became increasingly adventurous. They explored remote parts of the state, travelled towards the Bangladesh border at Dawki, met local people and spent time in places that felt far removed from the usual city holiday. Even the long drives became part of the experience because the scenery kept changing outside the windows.

Their final morning included a visit to Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati before the journey home. After six days of waterfalls, forests, rivers, trekking and shared experiences, it was a fairly quiet way to end a trip that had been anything but ordinary.

Why Prateek Chose Thrillophilia

For Prateek, the appeal of choosing Thrillophilia was getting to experience Meghalaya beyond the usual tourist trail, with a thoughtfully planned journey that brought together waterfalls, caves, village walks, treks and riverside experiences. The itinerary gave him the freedom to discover different sides of the state while keeping the logistics of transfers, stays and activities organised throughout the six days.

The journey also created plenty of room for spontaneous moments, meeting fellow travellers, sharing meals, exploring new places together and turning unfamiliar faces into travel companions. From the landscapes of Cherrapunji to the waters of Dawki and the trails around Nongriat, the trip gave Prateek the kind of immersive Meghalaya experience he was looking for.

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