10 Reasons to Explore Meghalaya on Your Visit to Northeast India

North and South India have a lot of tourists, but the whole Indian subcontinent has a lot of beauty. A good example: Northern India, especially Meghalaya.

What to do in Meghalaya

Situated between the plains of Assam and Bangladesh in northern India, Meghalaya is a mountainous region with stunning natural beauty and a peaceful atmosphere that will amaze the elderly visitors. So, if you want to explore nature, pursue an active outdoor adventure, or explore a traditional way of life, Meghalaya is for you.

 

1. Enjoy the easy-going pace of life at Mawlynnong, voted “Asia’s Cleanest Village”

 10 Reasons to Explore Meghalaya on Your Visit to Northeast India

Mawlinong is one of the small villages in the eastern Kashi hills. Close to the capital, Shillong (just 3 hours by car), but still very far from the reality of the city. The view and cleanliness of the village are like a postcard. Streets alternate with empty houses, each small garden filled with flowering plants and fruit trees. In addition, there are piles of rubbish outside every home. Smoking is strictly forbidden in the village, and the use of plastic is also banned. All the villagers are kept clean and tidy. In 2003, it was named "Asia's Best Village" by a popular travel magazine, so it was really beautiful and beautiful.

Check out one of the best guesthouses (there is also a treehouse!) And you can have local curry food in a small restaurant or indoor cafe. After refueling, make sure you visit the village. Learn how villagers carry out their daily lives. It is recommended to take a morning walk in the village to see how to keep the environment clean and tidy.

 

 10 Reasons to Explore Meghalaya on Your Visit to Northeast India

Here you will find a bamboo airstrip about 85 feet away, where you can get a bird's eye view of the village and the plains of Bangladesh. Make sure you visit the Anglican Church, called Epiphany, in the village in the early 20th century. Surrounded by dense trees and shrubs, the church is famous for its Gothic peaks. 

2. Check out the Living Root Bridges, the country’s only natural (and sustainable) bridge

 10 Reasons to Explore Meghalaya on Your Visit to Northeast India

Meghalaya, which means "above the clouds", is famous for its long tangku. As a result, rivers and streams are rising throughout the region, creating challenges for local residents. To address this, the locals built the Root Living Bridge hundreds of years ago. The bridge was built using the aerial roots of a rubber tree, the rubber tree was twisted together and the legs were marked. You need about 15 to 20 years of time which is strong enough to sustain the weight of the cross.

 10 Reasons to Explore Meghalaya on Your Visit to Northeast India

There are two places on the bridge - Mawlinong and Sohra (also called Cherrapunji). The most famous bridge is the Umshan Dual Carriageway Bridge in the village of Nongriat near Sora. Visiting this bridge is not easy. You will have to climb about 3,500 steps from the nearest police station, but it is worth it. Another must-see bridge at Revai village near Moulinnong is a single-level trail bridge. Easy to reach.

3. Camp under the stars at Nongkhnum Island, Asia’s second-biggest river island

 10 Reasons to Explore Meghalaya on Your Visit to Northeast India

Nongstoin Island is located about 14 kilometers (9 miles) from the village of Nongstoin in the western Kashi Hills, the second-largest sandbar in Asia. Getting to the island can be very difficult, like crossing a windy or difficult road, but when it hits you, it feels like you're in another world. 

 10 Reasons to Explore Meghalaya on Your Visit to Northeast India

There is a river beach and two beautiful waterfalls, Langxiang and Veena waterfalls. Best of all, that means none of them are alive and there are some people who travel. That is, you can find paradise on all sides of the river.

4. Explore some of India’s deepest and longest caves, including the Krem Puri Cave and Arwah Cave

 10 Reasons to Explore Meghalaya on Your Visit to Northeast India

The Gentia, Garo, and Casey hills in Meghalaya are home to some of the deepest and longest caves in India. Located in the 15-mile stretch of the eastern Kashi Hills in Mosinlam, Krampri Cave is characterized by being the world's longest sandstone cave. But this is just a headline. There are more than 1,650 caves to explore in the state.

Cave explorers looking for long cave trips can try the Kremlin Para Cave (excluding the "Kremlin"). At 21 miles, it is the longest natural cave system in India. If you are looking for an easy-to-pass cave, you can explore the seasonal cave near Sora.

You can also explore the lesser-known Alva Cave a few kilometers away. Lying in the woods is a limestone cave with amazing stalagmites, stalactites, organic shells, and fish bones. Expect to travel, duck or walk along the way.

 

5. Marvel at the country’s most beautiful waterfalls

There are many magnificent waterfalls in the Kashi hills in the east and west of Meghalaya. The 1,115-foot Nokrikai waterfall in the eastern Kashi hills near Sora leads the herd. About seven times higher than Niagara Falls, it is considered to be the tallest diving waterfall in India.

 10 Reasons to Explore Meghalaya on Your Visit to Northeast India

In the distance, there is a huge observatory, where you can enjoy the magnificent view of the magnificent waterfall and hear its cries. Walking down a turquoise hill and creating a green pond at the bottom, you will find yourself wandering around the place for hours. A ticket of 10 Indian rupees is required to access the deck near the waterfall and can be purchased at the counter near the entrance.

If you are adventurous, you can descend to the bottom of the waterfall and follow the jungle trail to the famous two-story footbridge in the village of Nongriet. There are many waterfalls nearby that are clear and worth seeing. A few kilometers away is Denthalan Falls, a popular picnic spot.

To the south of the seasonal village, East Khasi Hills is home to the Seven Sisters Falls, locally known as Nohsgithiang Falls. It is a combination of seven streams running under 1,033 feet of limestone. If time permits, visit Shillong Multilayer Elephant Waterfall and West Gentier Hills Mr. Klein Waterfall.

6. Go kayaking at Umngot River

Located in the border town of West Gentia Hills Doki, the Umgot River is one of the cleanest rivers in India. It flows through the dock into Bangladesh. The tranquility of the river and the clear waters make it an ideal destination for kayaking. Combine canoeing, fishing, camping, and travel for more adventure. While touring Dr. Stream Nastrim and Kayaking, you can see locals bathing in the rocks, surrounded by lush green cliffs.

 10 Reasons to Explore Meghalaya on Your Visit to Northeast India

After appreciating the views, you can stop at one of the many streams flowing in the mountains and the river. On hot days, swimming in the refreshing green water of the river can be a good idea. There is also a small island covered with blankets where you can stop and enjoy the views.

7. Hike through the Laitlum Canyon, Meghalaya’s hidden Grand Canyon

Located in the eastern Kashi hills, about an hour from the center of Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya, Leteram Canyon means "end of the hill" and is one of the most beautiful natural attractions in Meghalaya. It is well hidden so that it does not kill other passengers. But just as beauty is hidden, it takes some effort to achieve it.

 10 Reasons to Explore Meghalaya on Your Visit to Northeast India

This sky can only be reached after passing through a rocky area. When you reach the top, you will see a breathtaking view of Shillong and the surrounding area. From here, you can walk up the stairs to the small village of Raisen through wild chicory bushes and bamboo bushes. It is home to 300 strangers and the village relies on rope dolls to carry food and other supplies. Take a tour of the village to get a glimpse of local life and taste the traditional food of Kashi.

 

8. Explore the sacred forest of Meghalaya, followed by a trip to the world’s tallest monoliths

 10 Reasons to Explore Meghalaya on Your Visit to Northeast India

If you are in the Khasi East Range area, be sure to explore the Mawflang Sacred Forest. It has been a sacred area of ​​Khasi for centuries. You can visit the forest on your own, but it's a good idea to go to a local guide to learn about the beliefs and rituals that take place here and the medicinal properties of the plants that grow in the forest.

 10 Reasons to Explore Meghalaya on Your Visit to Northeast India

The Norte Monolith is about 2.5 hours from the Holly Bush. Situated on the hills of Gentia, these monoliths are a collection of 10-meter-high phalliths, making them the tallest monoliths in the world. They were created by local tribal groups, each depicting interesting folk tales and events.

 

9. Visit India’s Only Whistling Village

A small village quietly nestled in the forest of the eastern Kashi hills, it looks like any other village in the Kangan area. Rows of wild huts and fields line the betel nut vegetation. Kangthong is unique in sound, not in appearance. Here, each person has their own song at birth and is called to use that song.

 10 Reasons to Explore Meghalaya on Your Visit to Northeast India

Locally known as Ginruvee Lobe, the song is primarily inspired by nature and the sounds of nature and is less than a minute long. The origin of this oral tradition is unknown, but it seems to have existed for centuries. Some say it is as old as the village itself. Whatever the reason, Ginruve Lobe is sensible. In the steep mountains and deserts of the Kangsan Valley, the sound travels fast, so the need for singing is obvious.

 10 Reasons to Explore Meghalaya on Your Visit to Northeast India

Whenever you visit Meghalaya, make sure you visit the village and see the whistles that are an integral part of the village culture. In addition, the village is known for its bee farms, which are believed to produce the highest quality, organic honey, in the state. You can buy many kinds of honey here. You can live in a basic bamboo house in the village called Traveler's Nest or you can set up a tent and camp under the stars.

 

10. Meet the world’s largest surviving matrilineal tribes

 10 Reasons to Explore Meghalaya on Your Visit to Northeast India

Many tribes live in Meghalaya, mainly Khasi, Garo, and Punal. Garo is located in the foothills of Garo Hills and Jaintia Hills, but Khasi is scattered throughout the state. The most unique feature of these tribes is the tradition of mothers. The ancestral property is inherited by the daughters. After the marriage, the mangoes to Rat's house, and the children take the mother's name. I often see women working in the market. This trend has been going on for thousands of years and these tribes are one of the largest surviving matriarchal groups in the world. 

 10 Reasons to Explore Meghalaya on Your Visit to Northeast India

So if what you are looking for is a glimpse into the culture and life of a true Matrilian tribe, there is nothing better than living in these tribal groups of Meghalaya. This culture makes Meghalaya one of the safest places in India for single female travelers.