The name “Meghalaya” comes from “Megh” which translates to “clouds” and “Alaya” which means “an abode”. True to it’s name, this abode of clouds, with it’s natural offerings- the rain, has given destinations in Meghalaya (Sohra and Mawsynram) the status, through multiple recognised records, of receiving the most amount of average rainfall in the world.
This very rainfall, in many ways, over millions of years, has shaped the geology and topography of the state resulting in one of the most beautiful terrains one may come across in the world. A natural playground for the adventurer at heart – if you grew up in the villages of Meghalaya, no amusement park in all of the land would fascinate you as much anymore.
From hidden waterfalls to natural pools fed by the gushing rain fed rivers, monsoon in Meghalaya is a season that should definitely be experienced by any nature lover willing to explore the rainiest region in the world. Pack your raincoats and ponchos while you get ready for a wet and wild journey into the lush green jungles of Meghalaya! Some of our favourites from this chapter are-
1. Hikes to root bridges and secret handpicked swimming spots
2. Hidden waterfalls of Sohra and Pongtung.
3. Visit Sohra and Mawsynram, both of which hold Guinness world records for the amount of rainfall they receive- all in this season.
4. River canyoning to Umkhakoi
5. Visit the very few local musicians who still play traditional Khasi instruments and witness their art.
This trip is planned in a way that the group (guests and team) will be departing from Guwahati airport strictly by 11:45 AM.
Please ensure that you book your flights accordingly. If need be, we suggest flying in a day early. Guests who reach Guwahati after the scheduled time will have to make their way to Sohra by themselves.
If you are landing a day prior to the trip, you can join the group either at Guwahati Airport, Jalukbari Junction, or near Khanapara — depending on where you are staying in Guwahati. These are the designated pick-up points en route to Sohra, as the vehicle will not stop or enter the city beyond these points.
Breakfast will be served at the properties that we are staying at. Most of these places provide simple breakfast that ranges from Poori + Vegetables to Sandwiches, Bread, Butter, and Omelettes. The lunches that are included are usually simple home-cooked Khasi meals (Rice, Dal, Vegetables, Meat, Pickles) that are apt while hiking or engaging in water activities. Other meals can be ordered at the place of stay or nearby restaurants. You have options for all cuisines in Shiillong, Pongtung and Sohra
Your primary day of water activities will be at Mawlyngbna. Unless there is torrential rain, the activities will go on as it is.
In the case of heavy rainfall, we will have an alternate plan for the day and the guide will take a call based on the activities open
We’ll be staying at simple homestays, and guesthouses throughout the trip. None of the properties on the trip are boutique/luxurious. They are all clean, comfortable, and hygienic and have been vetted by our team!
Note – Some of the properties have different categories of rooms and the allocation of rooms will be random and at ChaloHoppo’s discretion.
It is important to note that booking flights before reserving a slot with us does not guarantee availability. In the event that we are sold out, we cannot be held responsible for any inconvenience caused.
On Day 1, you will need to land in Guwahati by 11:45 am at the latest. Our trip will start from Guwahati Airport by noon. On Day 6, you have to book a return flight any time after 2:30 pm.
Rooms are shared on twin sharing basis. In case you are a solo traveller, you will be paired up with another solo traveller of the same gender.
While most of your expenses are taken care of, an additional Rs. 1,000 per day (upper limit) would be more than enough for all your expenses. You can take a look at our Exclusions to get a better understanding of how much money you may need. Most places along the route also accept online payments, making transactions convenient and hassle-free.
If you have a few more days to go around the Northeast, we would recommend Kaziranga, Majuli, Nagaland or parts of Arunachal Pradesh depending on the number of additional days you have in hand and the season:
2 to 3 days – Hikes in and around Meghalaya
3 to 5 days – Kaziranga / Dzukou Valley in Nagaland
5 to 7 days – Full trip to Nagaland
8 to 10 days – Full trip to Arunachal Pradesh
Once you sign up for the trip, we will be sending you a detailed list of Things to Carry for the season! But don’t forget your raincoat.
The roads in Meghalaya are some of the best hill roads in the country with beautiful views. Chances of motion sickness are lesser than usual, as the number of windy roads is much lesser.
