Meghalaya - The Abode of Clouds (Abridged Version)
Day 1 The Journey Begins
It was one of those mornings when the alarm rings before your dreams end. At 3 a.m., Geetha and I were up and ready for our 6 o’clock flight to Guwahati. The airport was crowded, the queues were long, and yet there was that familiar thrill, the start of a new adventure. We landed by 9:10 a.m. and had hours to kill before the rest of our group arrived. Between homemade snacks and steaming cups of tea, Geetha struck up her first friendship, with Dr. Meena and Dr. Shankar. Soon, more smiling faces joined in, and by noon, our 50-plus voyagers were ready to roll. As the vans left Guwahati with a cheerful “Ganpati Bappa Morya!”, I knew this trip was going to be special. By the time we reached Shillong and checked into The Centre Point, tiredness had given way to quiet excitement. Tomorrow, the real Meghalaya would begin to unfold.
Day 2 Bridges, Villages, and God’s Own Garden
After breakfast, we met our local guide Mac, a young man with stories in his eyes and a calm voice that made you listen. Our first stop was the Nohwet Living Root Bridge at Riwai. To reach it, we had to climb down nearly 300 steps, and the air grew cooler as we descended. There it was - nature’s engineering marvel, a bridge grown from the roots of trees, strong and alive! Later, at Mawlynnong, known as Asia’s cleanest village, we saw what “God’s own garden” truly meant. Every house was blooming with flowers, every lane spotless. The Khasi women managed the homestays and shops with grace and quiet authority, in this land, the daughters inherit, and the men move into their wives’ homes! Over a simple homemade lunch, we soaked in their world. By evening, we reached Dawki for a boat ride on the Umngot River. The waters weren’t as glass-clear as the photos promised, but the beauty of the place was undeniable. When we finally returned to Shillong late at night, the river’s calm still lingered in my mind.
Day 3 The Double-Decker Challenge
The alarm went off at 4 a.m., but there was no snoozing today. Eight of us, Geetha and I among them, were heading to the famed double-decker root bridge near Nongriat. Fredrick, our young guide, greeted us with a grin and a bamboo stick for balance. “Start early, finish strong,” he said, and off we went into the whispering forest. The sound of crickets, distant waterfalls, and our own rhythmic steps became our only company. By 8:30 a.m., we stood before the twin bridges, an awe-inspiring creation where roots from ancient trees intertwined across a river. We soaked our feet in the icy stream, and tiny fish gave us a natural spa! Sipping hot tea, feet in cold water, and a sandwich in hand, life doesn’t get better than that. The climb back was tough, but every drop of sweat felt earned. That night, back at the hotel, the air was filled with laughter, music, and birthday cake. We danced, we sang, and we celebrated the day’s triumph.
Day 4 Waterfalls, Museums, and Goodbye to Mac
Thursday began with drizzle and a touch of melancholy, we were leaving Cherrapunjee. The drive back to Shillong was long but scenic. Elephant Falls was our first stop, three cascading tiers of milky white water hidden in the mist. Umbrellas bloomed everywhere as voyagers braved the rain for that perfect photo. Later, the Don Bosco Museum turned out to be a revelation, seven floors of tribal history, art, music, and culture, crowned with a 360-degree skywalk over Shillong. I could’ve spent hours there, but time was short. By evening, we checked back into Centre Point, and it was time to bid farewell to Mac, our patient, ever-smiling guide. We handed him a small token of gratitude, but truth be told, no gesture could fully express how much we appreciated him.
Day 5 Lakes, Laughs, and the Brahmaputra Cruise
After breakfast, we began our drive toward Guwahati with a quick stop at Umiam Lake. The view was breathtaking, calm waters stretching endlessly, framed by rolling hills, though boating was suspended due to the overflowing lake. A short canopy walk made up for it. By afternoon, we checked into Hotel Gateway Grandeur, and by evening, we were ready for our farewell celebration, a sunset cruise on the Brahmaputra. As the boat gently glided over the mighty river, tea and snacks arrived, followed by live music. Soon, the floor turned into a dance stage, our 50-plus voyagers proving that spirit has no age limit! Even the younger couples aboard joined in, clapping and cheering. As the sun sank behind the hills, the deck glowed with laughter, song, and joy.
Day 6 The Goddess and the Goodbye
Our final morning was dedicated to Kamakhya Devi, the divine mother of the hills. The plan was simple: early darshan, quick breakfast, and timely check-out. But the Goddess had her own script. Long queues, endless waiting, and the ticking clock made everyone anxious. When we finally had darshan, peace replaced the panic. The return drive, however, was chaos, traffic jams, hurried packing, and tense faces. Yet, by some divine grace (and a few frantic calls by Rutuja), we reached the airport just in time. A smiling Vistara staffer was waiting for us, as if sent by Kamakhya herself. As the plane lifted off, hot food arrived, and all the stress melted away. By nightfall, we were home in Mumbai, hearts full and spirits content.
Epilogue
And that’s how our Meghalaya trip unfolded, starting lazily at Guwahati airport and ending in a mad dash to catch a flight, with countless memories in between. Living root bridges, misty waterfalls, clean villages, and warm friendships, every day had its own story. Some trips you take, and some trips stay with you. This one, I know, will stay for a long, long time.
This is the abridged version. For those who love detailed travel tales, the unabridged is available here. A traveller who’s been there will smile knowingly, and one who hasn’t will discover what to look forward to.
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