Guwahati Shillong Kaziranga Cherrapunji in 5 Nights.

Guwahati-Shillong-Kaziranga-Cherrapunji tour.

If you have seven or eight days on hand, you can visit these two neighboring states, which are surrounded by amazing natural beauty. These are the states of Assam and Meghalaya. In these few days we will be able to visit all the special places that can be seen in a short time.

Assam

                                        

First of all, let's talk about the state of Assam. The Assam State is located in the northeastern corner of our vast and diverse country The India, in the southern corner of the Himalayas, along the wide banks of the Brahmaputra and Barak rivers. Covering an area of about 78438 sq km, it is bounded on the north by Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh, on the east by the states of Nagaland and Manipur, on the south by Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram and Bangladesh, and on the west by our West Bengal. The state is connected to the rest of our country by the 22 km long Siliguri Corridor to the west.

The position of the human race in this state can be traced back to prehistoric times. Several ancient Stone Age specimens have been found here. Archaeological sites dating to the second and first centuries BC have also been found at Amberi near Guwahati. Items used during the Shunga and Kushan periods have also been found here. In the great ancient manuscripts of India, Guwahati and its adjoining places are called Pragjyotishpur. The Kamakhya temple in this state is still revered as one of the oldest and most revered pilgrimage sites in our country. In ancient times this kingdom was also referred to as Kamarupa.

Meghalaya

Meghalaya is one of the northeastern states of India. This state is like an immense treasure of natural beauty. This state, which is very close to the state of Assam, was once part of the state of Assam. On January 21, 1972, the Khasi, Garo and Jayanti hill districts of the then state of Assam formed a completely separate state, which is now Meghalaya. Known as the abode of clouds, this hill state is bounded on the south by Mymensingh and Sylhet in Bangladesh, on the west by Rangpur in Bangladesh and on the north and east by the state of Assam. According to the 2016 census, the population of this state is only 32 lakh 11 thousand 474 people. The official language of the state is English. The state still adheres to the ancient rules of complete matriarchy. The youngest daughter of the family inherits the property of the parents and the responsibility of the elderly parents is entrusted to her.

How to go.

Guwahati, the main city of the state of Assam, is well connected to all parts of the country by air, rail and road. Adjacent to the capital Dispur, this city is the heart of the state. You can get trains to Guwahati from anywhere in the country. In the same way, planes are arriving from almost every major city. The national highway also reaches here via Siliguri in West Bengal. So Guwahati city can be easily reached from any part of the country. We will start our journey from this city.

Guwahati-Shillong-Cherrapunji-Kaziranga, your short itinerary.

The most popular circuit to visit Assam and Meghalaya is Guwahati-Shillong-Cherrapunji along with Kaziranga National Park. Tour programs are roughly like this:

1) Guwahati 1 night, Shillong 3 nights, Kaziranga 1 night.

2) Guwahati 1 night, Shillong 3 nights, Cherrapunji 1 night, Kaziranga 1 night.

3) Guwahati 2 nights, Shillong 3 nights, Kaziranga 1 night.

4) Guwahati 1 night, Shillong 4 nights, Kaziranga 1 night.

No matter which way you come by plane or train, try to reach Guwahati in the early morning on the first day.

This time let's discuss the day wise tour shots. I will mainly discuss the first program here. You can do the rest of the programs yourself in this way as per your choice.

Day 1:

                        

 Arrive at Guwahati in the early morning today. Go straight to Shillong from the airport or railway station. Shortly before entering Shillong town, you will come across Bara Pani Lake, another name for this lake is UmiamLake. The natural environment here will fascinate you. There are boating facilities on this lake. Get ready as soon as you arrive at the hotel. 

                         

 

After lunch, visit Shillong local site. Take a look at Wards Lake, Lady Haider Park, Elephant Falls, and Polo Ground. You will always find mini cabs or small taxis in Shillong, but it's best to have your own hired car to get around. 

                                      

 

Come to Shillong's heart known as ‘the police bazaar’ a little before evening. Shopping can be done at a bargain price in this place.

Day 2:

If you want to do the second program, get ready early today and go out with your luggage after breakfast or go out without luggage according to the first program. Today we are going to Cherrapunji.

 

                                

The distance from Shillong to Cherrapunji is about 60 km, it will take about a couple of hours by car to reach. Cherrapunji once had the reputation of being the wettest place, but it is no more. Mawsynram, another place near Shillong, is now famous as the place for the highest rainfall in the world. 

However, according to our first program from Shillong, we will first go to see the Living Root Bridge at a distance of about 15 km from Cherrapunji. This Living Root Bridge is a marvel of nature. Nature has built a very strong bridge over a small hilly river with the roots and twigs of big trees. The ambiance of this wonderful place will fascinate you for a moment. 

                                

 

Afterwards, the main attractions of Cherrapunji are Nohkalikhai Falls, Seven Sister Falls, Ramakrishna Mission, and Mawsimai Caves. 

                                               

If you are following the first program, then should return to Shillong, because before reaching Shillong town, take a look at Shillong Peak today. This is a view point. This land is controlled by the army. If you want to enter here, you must show your voter ID card and then go. The view of Shillong city from above is incomparable. And if you are following the second program, then spend the night in Cherrapunji today. If you are following the second program, then you may avoid to visit the Living Root Bridge today.

Day 3:

Get ready early this morning and have breakfast. From Shillong today we will go to see Mawlynnong, the cleanest village in Asia and with it we will also go to Dauki on the Bangladesh border. The road from Shillong to Mawlinglong is about 80 km, taking about two and a half to three hours. After visiting The Mawlinglong village, let us start for Dauki. Those who were in Cherrapunji last night according to the second program also got ready very early today and first see the Living Route Bridge and then let's go to see Mawlinglong and Dauki.

Dauki is one of the most beautiful tourist spot near the Bangladesh border. There is one River name Umngot. Boating in this river is one of the attraction for Dauki tour.  It is also a small town in the West Jaintia Hill District of Meghalaya. One extraordinarily beautiful nature will enchant you here. Dauki has a beautiful suspension bridge over the river in an outstanding natural setting, built in 1932 by the then British ruler. Come back to Shillong after visiting Dauki.

Day 4:

                          

 

It will be better if you can finish the breakfast episode as early as possible today and leave with your luggage. Today we will go to Kaziranga. This protected forest in Assam is very famous all over the world for its one-horned Indian rhinoceros.

 

                           

 

In addition to rhinos, deer, elephants, wild boars, and even tigers can be found in the forest. The distance from Shillong to Kaziranga is about 280 km. It takes about seven and a half hours to go; this time may increase if there is a traffic jam on the road, so get ready early in the morning and go out if possible with dry food.

                           

The sooner you get out the better. If you can arrive by noon, tell Kaziranga Hotel or your tour operator to arrange your afternoon jeep safari in advance. Arrive at the hotel, finish lunch and leave for safari as soon as possible. You may take rest after returning back at the hotel in the evening. 

                            

Many hotels arrange cultural events in the evenings, if you mentioned it in advance. Local Assamese artists perform the famous Bihu dance of Assam and other cultural programme to entertain the guests. You will love this program. In addition to encouraging the local artists, they also have some financial resources.

Day 5:

Get ready very early. This morning, walk around the forest on the back of an elephant. You must arrange this safari with your hotel or tour operator the night before. Due to the fact that this safari is one of the attractions of Kaziranga travel and the number of elephants traveling is less than the demand, it can be a problem to get a ticket if not told in advance. You can make all the arrangements by visiting the website of Kaziranga National Park in advance. Return to the hotel early after the morning safari. After breakfast, go out with your luggage. Today we are going to Guwahati. The road from Kaziranga to Guwahati is about 200 km. The road is pretty good. It will take more or less about four hours. 

                             

Since the main attraction of Guwahati, Kamakhya Temple, is closed at noon, let's first visit the Umananda Bhairab Temple. 

                             

It is a wonderful experience to visit this temple from the government jetty of Guwahati city in a big government vessel or boat on the other side of the Brahmaputra River. 

                     

After visiting Umananda, go straight back to see the Kamakhya temple. This very ancient temple is one of the best pilgrimage sites in India. It is one of the 51 Sati Peeths in our country. 

                            

Every day there is a huge crowd of devotees in this temple. Especially during the special date of Shuklapaksh in the month of Ashar on  Ambubachi tithi, there is an unusual crowd in this temple. At that time, millions of devotees from all over India used to come here to pay their respects to the holy feet of Devi Maa Shri Shri Kamakhya Devi. Let's worship at the temple and then proceed to see the Basishta temple. 

                            

Then let's go to see Sri Balaji Temple in Guwahati decorated with beautiful evening lights. This temple complex is impeccable in many places. From here you may go to the hotel or can visit on the Guwahati market.

Day 6:

Arrive at the railway station or airport on time according to the time of your train or plane after having breakfast.

You can refine the travel schedule that I have discussed so far as per your time and choice. There are some more beautiful places in Assam and Meghalaya; you can also add them according to the number of days you can spend for your vacation.

 Few little known Off-beat destinations to visit in Meghalaya.

1) Mawlingbna:

The place that gets the most rainfall in the world is called Mawsynram. It will take about an hour and a half to reach Mausinram in the Eastern Khasi Hill District, about 65 km from Shillong city. On a day trip from Shillong, you can visit Mausinram and return to Shillong at night. Just 25 km away from this Mausinram, Mawlingbna will take your mind at first sight. Surrounded by mountains, it is a wonderful natural environment. There are two very beautiful fountains here. One is called ‘Um Diengkain’, and the other is ‘Ar Falat’. You can stay here for one night if you want. Several local home stays have now been created here.

2) Kong Thong Village:

Kong Thong is an amazing village about 60 km from Shillong. Probably the second such village will not be found. Another name for the village of Kongthong is Whistling Village or Singing Village. In this hilly village of only 650 inhabitants, a rule has been passed down from time immemorial. Every mother in every family creates a special melody or tunes for her children. Children call their people by that special tune. In the local language, this family melody is called ‘Jingroai Yabei’. You will be thrilled to think how many hundreds of thousands of heavenly melodies have been created in this village of 650 inhabitants for ages, each of which is different from the other. If you have extra days on hand while visiting Shillong, you can visit this outstanding village.

There are several amazing trekking routes also in Meghalaya. Here I am not going to mention those trekking routes.

 I hope you didn't mind visiting with me. I look forward to your valuable feedback.