Assam & Meghalaya 06 Nights & 07 Days

Day- 01

Arrival at Guwahati & transfer to Shillong - Our representative will be receiving guests on arrival & assist them to get transferred to Shillong - Shillong popularly known as the 'Scotland of the East' is approximately 125 kilometres and is nearly 02½ - 03½ hours drive by scenic road -  Enroute visit Umium Lake, a majestic placid lake with its surrounding sylvan hills - Irreverent Shillong was the capital of colonial and post-Independence Assam (which embraced almost the whole Northeast) until 1972 when it became the capital of the newly carved-out state of Meghalaya - Typical modern Indian town, including urban sprawl, a lot of concrete, and snarled-up traffic along its winding streets - However, it retains some old-time charm and a strong sense of individuality and difference, with its many Christian churches and its residents' tastes for hanging out in cafes, playing and watching rock music and football, driving around in spruced-up automobiles and gambling on archery - On arrival check-in to your hotel - Rest of the day at leisure or one can stroll around the local market or police Bazaar - Overnight stay in Shillong

Note: The heart of town is Police Bazar (PB to locals) where seven roads meet at a hectic roundabout. Yellow-and-black shared taxis charge anywhere between ₹50 and ₹150 (negotiable) for trips of 02 to 03 kilometers. There's a stand at Police Bazar roundabout. 

Day- 02

Excursion to Cherrapunjee - Today morning after breakfast excursion to Cherrapunjee - It is approximately 60 kilometers and is nearly 02 hours drive one way by road - Cherrapunjee (also called Sohra), sitting near the lip of the escarpments, is the obvious base for exploring this spectacular landscape - Cherrapunjee was once feted as the wettest place on earth, though nearby Mawsynram is nowadays reckoned to be a few drops damper - The swift-flowing rivers and streams flow in a southerly direction to the plains - Cherrapunjee's peak season runs from about May to August - The landscape is picturesque, and the sights are breathtakingly beautiful - Other attractions are Caves & view of Bangladesh (Neighbouring country) - Visit Dwan Syiem view point, Noh kali kai falls, Mawsmai caves, Seven Sisters Falls, Nohkalikai Falls, Thankarang Park and Koh Ramhah - Later drive back to Shillong - On the way visit to Shillong Peak & Elephant Falls - Evening at leisure or one can stroll around the local market or police Bazaar - Overnight stay in Shillong

Note: Option of Night stay at Shillong is also allowed but the same has to be communicated in advance - Evening there is no activity in Cherrapunjee but nature lover will appreciate a stay at Cherrapunjee

Day- 03

Excursion to Dawki & Mawlynnong - After breakfast start for the excursion to Dawki & Mawlynnong - The drive is nearly 90 kilometers and is nearly 02½ hour drive one way - Dawki or Dauki is a town in West Jaintia Hills - Dawki border crossing is on Dawki-Tamabil is one of the few road border crossings between India and Bangladesh in West Jaintia Hills district in the state of Meghalaya, India, the corresponding post in Bangladesh is Tamabil post. - The Indo Bangladesh Border and then to Mawlynnong (The cleanest village in Asia) - Mawlynnong village on the Shillong-Dawki Road, 30 kilometers from Pynursla, is a village of 75 households with a population of 400 with idyllic location - This village epitomizes a standard, which all other villages need to aspire to be - Dubbed the cleanest village in India - Paved walkways and beautiful flowerbed all along mark the village, with waterfalls, a living root bridge, hilly rivulets, acacia plantation and an excellent view of the faraway plains of Bangladesh all contribute to the ambiance of this village - An engineering marvel of Indigenous Khasi Tribesmen - Drive back to Shillong - Evening at leisure or one can stroll around the local market or police Bazaar - Overnight stay in Shillong
 

OR
Excursion to Krang Shuri & Laitlum - Morning after breakfast & start for the excursion to Krang Shuri waterfall - It is approximately 90 kilometers and is a drive of around 02 - 02½ hours & Located in the East Khasi Hills of Shillong, Laitlum Canyons is a little-explored region - Laitlum translates to ‘end of hills’ and this beautiful hilltop is worth visiting - Krang Suri Falls nearby in West Jaintia Hills District in Meghalaya - Krangsuri is one of the best waterfalls in the country. A small trek of about 10 to 15 minutes to the waterfall where you can see the beauty of it - Life jackets are available in case one feels to go for a swim - Tents for camping (At own cost) in case guests feel the need to sleep under the stars overnight - The Laitlum Canyons in one such spot from where the vast, verdant and fascinating panorama of Meghalaya could be viewed and admired - Drive back to Shillong - Evening at leisure or one can stroll around the local market or police Bazaar - Overnight stay in Shillong

OR

Trek to Nongrihat [Double Decker Root bridge] - Early morning breakfast - Drive approximately 20 kilometres - Trek to Nongrihat or the beautiful double decker living root bridge - Trek from Tyrna village - Tyrna the base village which is 20 kilometres from Cherrapunji - There is only one straight route to the bridge - Lot is heard about the exact number of steps to the bridge - But from my knowledge it would be 3400 - The starting 1800 steps are the toughest to climb down and up both - But the effort does not go in vain - There is a very very shaking iron rod bridge which was very scary to cross - The whole bridge shakes and swings and the water flowing 20-25 feet below makes the whole experience fantabulous- There is a single decker living root bridge as well just before the original double-decker - Must visit place at Cherrapunjee if one can take the challenge to climb down and climb up the steps - Later drive to Shillong - The trek for first timer will be bit tiring - Evening you can visit the local market or pubs - Overnight stay in Shillong

Day- 04

Excursion to Mawphlang Sacred forest & Transfer to Guwahati - Morning after breakfast check out from hotel & start for the excursion to Mawphlang Sacred forest -  25 kilometers from Shillong this sacred grove has an amazing life form of plants & trees heavily loaded with epiphytic growth of aroids, pipers, ferns, fern-allies, orchids, flowering trees, orchids, and butterflies - The forest has been preserved by traditional religious sanction since time immemorial and has its roots steeped deep in the age-old religious beliefs, in which forests are regarded as a sacred entity - Khasi tribes have been preserving this forest for thousands of years, and believe it to be the abode of the local deity, called Labasa - Next start for Guwahati - Drive  approximately a distance of 150 kilometers i.e. nearly 03 - 03½ hour - Reach Guwahati - Situated on the southern bank of the mighty Brahmaputra river in Kamrup district of Assam -  Check into Hotel - [Optional] In the evening set out on a River cruise to watch the sun go down the Brahmaputra River and feel why the river is locally called ‘Luit’- the color of blood (Optional) - Evening free to stroll around the area or visit local market - Overnight stay at Guwahati

Note: Mawphlang Sacred Forest, which is guarded by one strict rule - ‘Nothing is allowed to be taken out of this Sacred Grove. Not even a leaf, stone even a dead log’. Failing to comply may lead to severe punishment.

Day- 05

Guwahati Local Sightseeing - Early morning breakfast - It is best to strat with visit to Kamakhya Temple Kamakhya temple or after 03 PM as per the time frame set by the Temple Management - Situated atop the Nilachal Hills, the foremost shrine of Assam, Kamakhya is an ancient seat of Tantrik and Shakti cults of Hinduism - The temple offers grandstand views of the river Brahmaputra and its surroundings - The reigning deity here is Goddess Parvati (Sati) - Legend has it that the body of sati was dismembered and it is believed that of the pieces of her body which were scattered across the land and fell on the Nilachal hill - The temple here is called Yoni Pith - The shrine finds mention in the inscription of King Samudragupta’s pillar at Allahabad - A rush of devotees throngs the temple during the Ambubachi Puja - Close to Kamakhya temple is Bubhaneshwari temple from where one can have a panoramic view of the Brahmaputra River and the city - Visit Bashista Ashram -  Visit to Navagraha Temple, Umananda Temple, State Zoo & Guwahati Museum - where one can see largest assamese ethnic & traditional, cultural collection - Back to Hotel - Evening enjoy the sunset River cruise over the river Brahmaputra (Cruise is subject to weather conditions & availability of ticket with Payment on Spot) - Or free to visit the Local Market & Restaurant  - Overnight stay at Guwahati

Day- 06

Excursion to Hajo & Suwalkuchi  -  After Breakfast, excursion to Hajo and Suwalkuchi - The time will be 04 - 05 hours tour and the total driving will be 28 kilometers one way -  Hajo is the center for various religions - Hayagriva-Madhab Temple (Hindu and Buddhist) & Pao-Mecca (Islam) is located about 28 kilometers from Guwahati - According to mythology, the Pandavas had taken shelter in this region during their Agyatvas or the period in hiding - Also visit the village ‘Moriyapatty’ it is a village famous for its Bell metal crafting - Than drive to Suwalkuchi - Aka “Manchester of East”, this is India’s largest weaving village where the entire population is engaged in weaving silk products. Assam produces three unique varieties of silk – “Muga” The Golden Silk, “Eri / Endi Silk” and “Pat Silk” - It is believed that the hand-looming of Muga Silk at this scale is done nowhere else in the world - The major products of Muga are “Mekhela Chador” an Assamese version of Indian Saree and “Gamosa” used as a scarf - Later come back to Guwahati - Evening could visit Guwahati market in ‘Fancy Bazaar’ - Back to Hotel - Evening enjoy the sunset River cruise over the river Brahmaputra (Cruise is subject to weather conditions & availability of ticket with Payment on Spot) - Or free to visit the Local Market & Restaurant  - Overnight stay at Guwahati

Day- 07

Departure Transfer to Railway Station, Airport Or Bus Terminus [Optional : Depending on Flight or train time one can do some shopping] - Early morning breakfast - After breakfast check out of the hotel - Depending on time either visit Srimanta Kalakshetra and Dadash Jyotilinga Or Kamakhya Temple or some last-minute shopping - Few facts about Assam worth mentioning is the  ancient cities of Pragjyotishpura and Durjaya (North Guwahati) were the capitals of the ancient state of Kamarupa under the Varman and Pala dynasties - Many ancient Hindu temples are in the city, giving it the name City Of Temples"- Dispur, the capital of Assam, is in the circuit city region located within Guwahati and is the seat of the Government of Assam - Four major trading center and places of interest fro tourist are Pan Bazaar, Paltan Bazaar, Fancy Bazaar, and Uzan Bazaar  - Drop to Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (GAU) / Guwahati Railway Station (GHY) or Rupnath Brahma Inter-State Bus Terminal (ISBT) -  Forwarding Journey