DarkEnergy’s Meghalaya Itinerary (4N5D)

Late Post: October 2019

Wow! Amazing! Marvelous! I love to say these words: on my 1st flight travel but after 20mins of journey I felt sleeper class on the train is better than flight travel. I can use another BUT ,when I landed on the northeast India everything changed. There is a beautiful word in Tamil language “மெய் மறந்தேன்” (I have forgotten my body). I felt like I was in pandora mountains the abundance of mother nature. Thanks to GKtheparadesi who introduced me to the backpacking culture and planned this precise itinerary.

I love to say a few words about Gokul aka GK aka GKtheparadesi . He is a techie on day and wandering soul by night. I trekked with him on Velliangiri Mountains in Tamilnadu during the off season. The trek was tough, but he thought me to observe the beauty of infinite mother nature. I accepted his invite for the Meghalaya trip. He researched about the landscape,locations and less crowded places for over 1 year and estimated the budget. Initially, we are seven members group. Obviously it won’t go by the plan when we nearing the flight booking date. Almost everyone in the group dropped off, but Gk and I executed the plan on thirsty for exploration.

Day 1 (16th Oct 2019)
Chennai airport to Guwahati airport – hired car – Guwahati to krang suri falls – tent

Chennai airport

We booked a town bus in the flight sector, none other than Indigo. Chennai airport is well connected with the metro we can directly reach inside the airport terminal. I amazed to see buses on the aeroplane ground which get us from the airport to our flight ( I felt like I was watching Hollywood movie). Once the flight reached the stable height, I could view clouds below us. It gives me goosebumps. It looked like a soft foam in the bed calling me to experience the deep slumber(My mind told “this is not the right time we have many places to explore”) After two hours of travel we reached Guwahati airport.

Guwahati airport

It was a small airport from there we met, Marak, our taxi diver who waited for us and we were glad he knows English. We took a forest route to reach krang suri falls since the city route was crowded. That three hours! I REPEAT! THAT THREE HOURS of our journey. It was an enormous feast to our eyes. My soul went wild. I breathed true freedom. There I am totally unconscious and became a five-year-old child. I literally felt the enormous changes happening inside me. My soul was jammed after living in a concrete jungle for a long time. Finally, I gave what my soul wanted, what my inner child craved for a long time.

The landscapes look like my computer wallpapers. I can see heaven in all the directions. After taking N number of pictures we reached legendary krang suri falls.

Krang Suri Falls

After 10mins down hill we reached the waterfall’s entry booth. We booked a tent for per head Cost: 500rs. We chose the tent nearby waterfalls, parked our bags and informed our driver to pick us tomorrow. When I went nearby the falls, I grabbed the safety jacket and directly jumped into the falls. Water was so pure it seems deep blue in color. With help of jacke, I swimmed near by the falls and enjoyed the blast.

We ate a maggi and fried rice nearby canteen and went to our tent. Waterfalls sound became a lullaby to us and we slept for that day.

Day 2 (17th Oct 2019)
Krang Suri falls exploration – Shendong – Boating & Snorkeling – OverBridge- Cherapunjee

Krang suri falls exploration

After the good nap we woke up at 5 AM. Timining is quite different here sun appear at 5 AM and set at 5 PM so we need plan according to that. We wandered on top of the waterfalls. It is the safe place for adult to swim without lifejacket.
There is little step dam we can walk and reach other side. With the light of morning sun and water overflows below the feet created a serene environment.
I sat on the top of bocking plan near the step dam, spread my yoga mat and meditated for a while, after 10 mintues I opened my eyes. Both of my eyes filled with tears of joy,my deepest gratitude to mother nature for showing divine existence to this tiny dust. Those Sunraise,morning dew,solitude and calmness of that place still holds a beautiful memory in my heart.

Shnonpedeng river

We ate some sandwitch and went to top of the hill. Our driver waited for us and I took Duration: 2 hrs to reach Shnonpedeng river. We kept our bags inside the car trunk. Reached the river and hired boat for the Cost: 50-100rs.

River was vast with full of sceneries on both the sides and slowly we are lingering meeting point of two sisters mountains on the both the side at the edge of the meet point we can view 20 ft tall waterfalls sitting like ferocious Oger guarding the point and warning us not to come nearby. Depth of the river is 40-50ft and our boat slowly ramping towards the beast waterfalls. Our boat man shaking the boat little bit to give us more excitement. We were like hey!!! jolly!!! we going to say final good bye(We wore life jacket). When we get closer to the waterfalls forward current was very high we even see little intense twister on the surface. Live experience is always precious that sound,visual,intense air, drizzle and our little tension. It always holds a unforgettable memories.

Snorkeling:

We rented snorkeling masks for Cost: 500rs each and floated near by river and saw macro life around in the river bed. It is always a heavenly feel when I float on the water with surroaded by nature. Suddenly I saw snake like creature lurking in corner of pebbles I was little feared but it is happned to be snake like fish.

OverBridge

Nearby the river we went to the middle of the iron bridge and enjoyed the beauty of the river on top view.

Cherapunjee

It was a terrific ride while reaching Cherapunjee. It was almost 7 PM we are travelling on the top of the hill full of smog and there were no road lamps. It was a thrill ride that was the first time I saw we have a heater inside the car instead of cooling system, it kept us warm. We are bit scared to see the uneven road condition since one side huge mountains with big boulders waiting to squeeze our tiny car, another side huge steep where we can fly one last time , no clear path due to heavy mist but our driver talking in phone and driveling in one hand(we felt is he crazy?). Thanks to universe, finally we reached the town at 9 PM. Booked a homestay for Cost: 1500rs per room and rested for the day.

Day 3 (18th Oct 2019)
Cherapunjee – Nongrat Village – Rainbow waterfalls – Natural pool

Nongriat Village

Ahaaa!!! Another fresh morning. Cherapunjee ( One of the world’s wettest place) I saw dew in almost everywhere even in tiny grasses. Chillness was high even in morning due to high altitude.

We wrapped our things and reached Nongrat on the car(duration 45min). From nongriat to village it took duration: 1.5 hrs we need to trek into the forest to reach that hidden village. We need to follow the steps it extend upto 3800 steps. We stepped down the moutains, crossed two iron bridges connecting two mountains , trek uphill to the mountain and finally reached double rooted bridge nearby hidden village.

It felt like I was in indiana jones movie and finding the most difficult treasure in deep woods. After reached the village we booked a homestay for Cost: 300rs per head. It is tiny room but it is fine and reasonable on that place.

Rainbow waterfalls

Once we dropped our bags in our room. We were ready for another Duration: 1 hr trek to rainbow waterfalls. we followed the steps and enjoyed the chirping sound of birds and whistling sound of insects. after one hour of exhausting walk, we heard the waterfalls sound. We also saw tea shop at the entrance of waterfalls, watching waterfalls with tea is kind of royal treatment for me. We waited for five minutes, when the clouds moved away sunrays directly fall on the waterfalls. Wow!!! gorgeous rainbow appeared in front of us. I felt like an angel(waterfalls) waiting long time for her beloved lover, all of the sudden he(sun) come down and cuddled her to the core that moment most harmonious orchestration had been played in front our eyes with the bees buzzing,ant burrowing, waterfalls burbling,brid chirping and at last colourful dance performance taken place in the form of Rainbow. what an amazing treat for us thank you mother nature.

We were stunned there for 45 minutes watching this orchestra.

Natural swimming pool

We trek back from falls within 30min journey. We took a right on the paved path and we went inside the narrow down path which guarded by enormous boulders both the side. I sense something mystical about this place.

One sec I thought I saw mystical fury wearing yellow butterflies as a cloth when I look closer it was group of yellow butterflies breeding ground. that little path filled with butterflies flying everywhere. Once I crossed the path I saw crystal clear natural swimming pool at the end there was small 10 ft waterfalls.

We don’t have life jacket so we didn’t go near to waterfalls since it was 10-15ft depth in the middle. We swam around the corner and swallowed those scenic moments.

We spent the night at the hidden village. It was pitch dark outside but I don’t know how they brought electricity even this far . We had a wonderful meal at owners house they provide appalam,potato curry,rice and dhal( after 3 days of maggi finally I ate excellent dinner). We slept for the day.

Day 4 (19th Oct 2019)
Nongrat Village – Eco park – zipling

We woke up soon and went near-by ravishing pond and took some pictures and enjoyed as much as possible. Curiously investigated the famous double rooted bridge and wondered how this people innovated new idea to with stand the heavy rainfalls. We wrapped all our things and we vacated our homestay,thanked all the people and started up hill.

Through our stay village and uphill journey we gathered new experience about life from the people who came as a tourists and travellers from all over the world.

Franch man
At one point me and my wife had two choice shell we processed the next step in life or drop all things and become a Traveler for the 1-2 years?. Once an engineer always an engineer so me and my wife saved 5000 euro for the 1 year travel in India and left the job. We reached Himalayas 1st we go through the journey , Delhi, Tamilnadu , Kerala and we came here to north east. We have experienced many things. Anytime we can resume our job, so we planned to stay some more time to explore the beauty of this country.

Czech republic Man
For 2 years I am working hard to complete my contract. I didn’t take any vacation in the middle. Finally, I have completed my project, so I took a vacation directly I came to Meghalaya. I asked my girlfriend, but she is busy so I came alone here to enjoy the nature.

65 year’s old Man from Bangalore
In my life experience, I will say money is not the important thing in life.
You are 25 years old now, plan for yearly 2 times vacation in India on your 50th age. You will see the nooks and corners of India and you will understand our diversified culture.

55 year’s old man from kerala
I lived all my life for my two daughters and wife. I spent all my savings on them. I settle my daughter’s life but the sudden death of my wife’s loneliness occupied my emptiness. Then I felt what I did for my whole life? Worked in a job, never visited outside from my place.I thought I lived my life properly but why I need to endure so much pain ?. When I came this tour with all these people with 50+ age I realized beauty of life! I feel like I am recovery now.

What I learnt from them? Nature heals no matter how much pain you enduring. Never forget mother nature always there for you waiting to cuddle you.

Ecopark

Once we reached Chirapunjee town from the village. Not much we can explore there, but at the edge of the ecopark it was a waterfalls viewpoint, but at that time there was no water.

Ziplining

ziplining nearby ecopark but I cannot spot the location on google.

Ziplining was a such great experience. I passed through the clouds to travel in between two mountains.
Traveling time 30sec to 1.5 min varies from the cable length and distance. Overall time in 17+/_ .I felt like I am in Jurassic Park 3rd part bird cage scene. such a thrill with the wind blow I was wobbling on the air.

Cost: 800rs per head for long path.

Day 5 (20th Oct 2019)
Cherapunjee – Nohkalikai falls (VP) – Zipling – Shillong market – Guwahati airport – Delhi – Chennai

Last night we stayed at a comfortable homestay(cost: 1000rs per room) and wake up at Early morning, rubbed our eyes and started our morning walk😃. 

#Cherapunji hangout:
We saw the gorgeous environment. Wow #cherapunjee is the home of clouds. We saw the little water droplets all over the grass and flora. We also so saw spider webs on grass with tiny droplet on that.

Nohkalikai Falls
We went to #nohkalikaifalls view point. It was huge waterfalls falling from the height of 340m in a single flow directly towards base!. It looks like we are seeing the reality in SLO-MO video.

#Zipling 2nd Rnd

Yes, we went again this time in the earlier afternoon. We saw the depth of mountains and waterfalls in between the cables.Most thrilling ride 🤩🤩🤩.

 Shillong Market

When we entered the city it was huge and the market was crowded with reasonable price.
GK and I bought jerkin and woolen sweater high quality and so cheap rate 😵.

Returning to chennai

We had a connecting flight, so we landed in Delhi it was huge airport T3 to T1 9km.
Our entry point is 48(1-62). Each entry point was docked with one airplane😱(I remembered CMBT bus stand). It was the final call. We ran for 10mins to catch the airplane finally we succeed!. We landed in Chennai 😍🤩😊 Finally our journey to the northeast accomplished successfully.

Budget(2019!)

Notes

1. We hired taxi driver for five days since all the locations quite far and less transit (Contact Hirak: 8876594955,7002910128)
2. October is the best time to visit less cold,good waterflow on waterfalls and greenish season.(Nov to feb – Winter(we cannot swim in waterfalls) and April to June -dry season)
3. Day time 5 AM to 5 PM plan accordingly.
4. Many people knows English.
5. Bargain works even they told fixed rate 😛
6. You choose which place to stay and eat or else taxi driver show costly places.
7. Always go the city market place at end of trip or else you end up spending lots of money.
8. Keep jerkin,socks,raincoat,shoes with hard sole and salt & lighter in your backpack.
9. Dont mess up around in Delhi airport it is very very huge. You might miss the flight.
10. Take a deep deep breath and enjoy the mother nature abundance in Meghalaya.

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TalesofDarkEnergy

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