For the wise, this entire world is an illusion. Similarly, in the worldly scheme of things it is the experience, both physical & psychological, that matters the most. The more stimulating it is, the more satisfying it becomes. Nearly a decade ago, I cultivated a customary practice to make trips to offbeat travel destinations at regular intervals all through the year. As a travel savvy person, I scout for locations that are pristine, away from touristy spots, providing gratification to both my inner self and my photography needs. Contrary to the popular notion of merely ticking off a bucket list travel destination, I prefer travelling to places that impart positive vibes and which is non-touristy. Thus, began my love for adventures, mountains, and numerous offbeat destinations. At the time of this writing, I have had delightful experiences at diverse Himalayan valleys (which includes nine adventurous treks & Snow Leopard Expedition), and innumerable destinations across the peninsular India, taking the tally of my visits across the country to 17 out of 28 states, 5 out of 8 Union Territories.

Typically, my travel proposition involves a blend of versatility encompassing varied destinations each catering to the distinct photography genres I am inherently fascinated with. Having met the expectations of wildlife trip in the beginning of the year, trekking in the Himalayas towards the mid-2023, followed by experiencing traditionary cultural vibes down south, I was looking for a perfect vacay to bid farewell to glorious 2023. Winter, across the country, was just setting in. It was a perfect time to explore the northeastern regions of India to soak in the tranquil nature. Apparently, the birthday of my significant half was around the same time, and I was fanatical about presenting a memorable birthday gift. In fact, an unforgettable and healthy gift. Wondering what is so special about the healthy gift? Read this travelogue in its entirety.

A trip to the northeast was in my bucket list for a long time. I was deferring my plans to this region of the country for a special occasion. I am glad that it happened at a right time in 2023. Winters in Meghalaya bring along a unique charm to this northeastern region of India. It’s a mildly pleasant winter season unlike the rest of the country, especially the north and west that grapple with colder temperatures. One of the most striking features of winter in Meghalaya is the clear & crisp air, providing excellent visibility and allows for stunning panoramic views of the surrounding hills and valleys.

ECSTATIC INCEPTION:

Winters in Chennai are no less attractive. On a cold winter morning, we bucked our travel bags and set forth on an epic journey. Experiencing winter sunrise onboard our flight to Guwahati and feeling butterflies in stomach for all the exciting adventures waiting for us, we were gleefully animated.

EXCITEMENT OF NEW PLACE:

Visiting a new place can be very exciting. You get to see different things, meet new people, and try new food. It makes me feel enthusiastic and curious.

Upon our arrival in Guwahati, we hopped on to our taxi and got introduced to our driver cum guide for the rest of our journey. Our destination for the day was Shillong. Enroute, we had our first pitstop for our midday meals at a beautiful restaurant. Being vegetarians, it is quite rare to find suitable food in this region. Fortunately, we had our guide who took us to the right restaurants all through the journey. This was a Rajasthani restaurant offering lip smacking vegetarian delights. We fell in love with both the food and the aesthetic interiors of this restaurant.

It was quarter past two and a drive of 4 hours brought us to our hotel in Shillong. It had a resemblance to a 3-star hotel, had all the amenities we were looking for. More details of this hotel and restaurant are listed at the bottom of this travelogue. Having travelled for more than 10 hours since we began our journey from home, it was time for a short nap.

CONUNDRUM OF LONG NIGHTS AND SHORT DAY TIME:

India’s longitudinal coordinates extend from 68º7´ East in Gujarat to 97º25´ East in Arunachal Pradesh, spanning a vast 3000 KM. With such a wide geographical area, it creates a time difference of about two hours between its westernmost and easternmost points. Despite this, the entire country follows Indian Standard Time (IST), resulting in a discrepancy in daylight hours, especially noticeable in the northeastern regions. Thus, leading to significant differences in actual sunrise and sunset times when compared with the rest of the country. During the winters, it gets dark by 4:30 PM leading to longer nights and shorter day times. However, we certainly enjoyed the longer resting times.

EUPHORIC ROAD TRIP:

We woke up to a misty cold morning, ecstatic about our day ahead. Bidding adios to Shillong, we steered our way out of the beautiful hill station and capital of Meghalaya towards an aesthetically appealing waterfall. Elephant falls is a stunning natural attraction renowned for its scenic beauty and cascading waterfalls. The name “Elephant falls” is derived from a local legend that describes an elephant-shaped rock near the falls. It’s picturesque setting amidst lush greenery and serene surroundings is a captivating beauty and a must visit destination in Meghalaya.

Our next destination was to a place I’ve loved since I was a kid, Cherrapunji, also known as Sohra locally. It was a unique adventure. We started by driving on curvy roads, enjoying the amazing views of the hills and valleys. As we got further into Cherrapunji, everything looked lush and green. Even though it was the middle of winter, there was still a lot of greenery around.

We stopped at some famous spots along the way to admire the view. One of these spots, the Duwan Sing Syiem viewpoint, is on the road from Shillong to Cherrapunji and has great views of the green valleys below. This area is famous for its waterfalls, caves, and scenic points.

Both of us get carsick pretty easily, especially when driving in the hills, so we took lots of breaks. One such break was at a restaurant in the middle of nowhere. Yet again, we were taken by surprise. It was a clean place that served vegetarian food and was run by local women. The cleanliness of the dining hall, floral decors encompassing the premises, and the distinct outfit by the all-women staff is a testimony paving the success of this restaurant. After we had lunch there, we continued our journey to Nongriat, our final stop for the day.

NATURE’S MARVEL: EXPLORING MEGHALAYA’S LIVING ROOT BRIDGES

Nongriat village is a picturesque village located in the East Khasi hills district of Meghalaya known for its stunning natural beauty. One of the most famous attractions in Nogriat is the double-decker living root bridge, a unique bridge made of living tree roots that has become an iconic symbol of Meghalaya’s legacy. It is unique natural wonder formed by the roots of rubber trees that grown over several decades to form a single bridge-like structure across the Umshiang river. Access to this timeless beauty involves a moderate to strenuous hike through lush forests and steep terrain. The trek starts from the village of Tyrna, which is about 10 km from Cherrapunji.

From Tyrna, it’s a descent of around 3,500 steps to reach Nongriat village, where the Double Decker Root Bridge is located. The final part of the trek involves crossing the Single Decker Root Bridge before reaching the Double Decker Root Bridge. The trek takes about 2-3 hours one way depending on your pace and fitness level. We started our descend by 3 PM and reached our homestay at Nongriat village by 1.5 hours. Initially I was skeptical if we could make it before it gets dark. I was amazed by the commitment shown by my partner. She did her best to make it on time. Just before the twilight, we arrived at our homestay. There was a sigh of relief when we were allocated our room, after all it was long tiring day.

Did you know that Living Root Bridges are not built, but grown over time by guiding the roots of trees across rivers and streams?

Staying in Nongriat lets you visit the Double Decker Root Bridge really early. It was super close to where we stayed, just 100 meters away. We got there before it got busy with lots of people. The bridge is amazing and a stunning sight, with its two levels made entirely of intertwined roots and surrounded by the dense forest canopy. We were extremely happy to have made good use of our proximity to the Living Root Bridge. After enjoying the bridge, we went back to have breakfast. This big meal was to get us ready for the rest of the day. After a nutritious supper, we began our hike to the enthralling Rainbow falls. It is an exhilarating experience navigating steep steps and narrow pathways winding through lush forests. The route can be challenging at times, with steep inclines and rocky terrain, but the beauty of the surroundings keeps you motivated. After a few hours of hiking, we finally reached the mesmerizing Rainbow falls.

As we journeyed through the vibrant and untamed scenery, every step forwarding us towards the Rainbow falls seemed to invite a heightened sense of awe. The sight that greeted us upon our first views of the falls was truly breathtaking, with torrents of water cascading down from an imposing height, colliding with the rocks below and sending up a fine, misty spray into the air. The droplets caught the sunlight, breaking it into a myriad of colors and creating an ephemeral rainbow that seemed as if it were drawn from a dreamer’s palette.

The formation of such rainbows depended on the confluence of the right time of day, when the Sun’s rays align perfectly with the water’s mist, adding a magical touch to the experience. It was a fleeting phenomenon that reminded us of the delicate balance and the transient moments of beauty nature grants us. After soaking in the sheer beauty of Rainbow falls, we – with somewhat reluctant steps – retraced our way back, our hearts and cameras full of wondrous sights.

Enroute to Nongriat, our path led us to a stunning natural pool that had garnered the affectionate moniker of Blue Lagoon. It was a sanctuary of peace, nestled amidst the emerald tapestry of the surrounding foliage and punctuated by the symphony of nearby cascading waterfalls. Not only was it a feast for the eyes, but the water in the pool was acclaimed for its striking, almost ethereal blue color – a spectacular result of the unique mineral composition and limestone deposits native to the region.

Taking a break here was like stepping into a natural spa, carved by the hand of nature itself. As we delved into the crystal-clear waters of the lagoon, every drop seemed to wash away the fatigue accrued from the trek, leaving a feeling of invigoration and tranquility. This spot was more than a resting point; it was a chance to become a part of the landscape, to meld with the pulse of the land and to cool off in the pristine waters that were as rejuvenating to the spirit as they were to the body.

Savoring the tapestry of memories we had woven; we finally redirected our steps towards Nongriat for a well-deserved rest. Reflecting back on the day, it was evident that the trek was worth every ounce of effort, not merely for the breathtaking natural beauty that surrounded us at every turn, but also for the unique experiences it offered – such as walking across the wondrous living root bridge and witnessing some of the most magnificent waterfalls our country has to offer. It was a journey that was as humbling as it was exhilarating, reminding us of our place within the greater mosaic of the natural world.

Resources:

In this part, you’ll find names and information about the places we stayed, the restaurants we pulled over to and the pitstops on our journey.

Day 1: Travel from Guwahati to Shillong

• Lunch at Rajasthani Dhani, located on GN Road, Jorabat.
• Stay at Orange Homestay, Shillong

Day 2: From Shillong to Cherrapunji

• Stop at Duwan Sing Syiem view spot. Try the Zipline.
• Lunch at Orange Roots in Cherrapunji.

The next iteration of this Meghalaya travel series takes you to gem of a village associated with a special tag. Before you navigate to the next part of this mesmerizing series, I’m looking forward to hearing what you think about this one. Please share your thoughts in the comments. You’re also welcome to share this with your loved ones.

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