One of the most popular requests that we get from our guests making their way to the North East India for the first time is for an itinerary that combines the natural untouched beauty of Meghalaya with a trip to the wilderness of Kaziranga National Park in Assam, home to the famous One-horned Rhinoceros.
Well, your wish is our command!
In this exciting chapter, we have put together a plan where we will be exploring some of our favourite spots in Meghalaya, the abode of clouds, for a span of 5 nights and then make our way to the Kaziranga National Park in Assam where we will spend 2 nights, embarking on jeep safaris during the day, and bonding with our fellow travellers by night.
In Meghalaya, “The Abode of Clouds”, you can assume that most of your explorations are going to be on foot (that’s how you get to the best places). Whether it be hiking through forests filled with natural pools and living root bridges, adventuring around crystal clear rivers, or even a little bit of caving, which by the way is possible only during this time of the year (November to March), we have a lot planned to ensure we keep you in awe of this state throughout your time here.
Now, about Assam! The state of Assam has always been looked at as a gateway to the rest of North East India. However, for those who know better, the state is so much more than being just a gateway. Whether it be the famous tea that the state is known for the world over, or the wildlife and stunning natural beauty that is found all along the mighty Brahmaputra that passes through the state, or the cultural diversity and rich history that the state has, there’s a lot that Assam has to offer for those who are curious. However, in this chapter, with it’s time constraints, we will only delve into what Kaziranga has to offer.
What does Kaziranga have to offer?
In our short time here, we will be embarking on a sunrise safari around one of the forest ranges, as well as delve into the local culture of the Mising community of Assam as we visit Panbari, a small village, not too far away from your stay. There, we will explore how the local rice beer is made, as well as feast on a hearty ethnic lunch.
So gear up, explorer! This is a curation you do not want to miss.
This trip is planned in a way that the group (guests+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 Shillong by themselves.
How to get to Shillong –
Catch a shared/private cab from the airport. There will be options at the parking area itself.
Catch an Uber to Khanapara, from where you can book a Tempo Traveller / Sumo to Shillong
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 Shillong, 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 and dinners 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 of all cuisines in Shiillong, Pongtung and Sohra
Once you sign up for the trip, we will be sending you a detailed list of Things to Carry for the season!
On Day 1, you will need to land in Guwahati by 11:20 am at the latest. Our trip will start from Guwahati Airport by 11:40 am. On Day 8, you have to book a return flight any time after 4:30 pm.
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.
We’ll be staying at simple homestays, campsites, guesthouses and resorts 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.
The roads in Meghalaya are some of the best hill roads in the country with beautiful views. Chances of motion sickness are much lesser than usual mountain roads as the number of windy roads are much lesser.
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. For those of you are interested in a single room, we can arrange this at an additional cost.
Your primary day of water activities shall be at Shnongpdeng. While no doubt the waters will be cold, a swim when the sun is harsh above you during the day is not the worst idea.
For the best experience, we would recommend full body wet suits during this season.
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.
We do not include elephant safaris in our Kaziranga tours as part of our commitment to ethical wildlife tourism. Instead, we offer alternative wildlife viewing experiences that align with our values of conservation and responsible tourism. Thank you for understanding and supporting our approach to sustainable and ethical travel experiences.
The caving experience is moderately challenging. While the cave is spacious enough to avoid oxygen scarcity, its narrow passages can induce claustrophobia in some, leading to heavy breathing and the need for fresh air.
