And here goes another day of signing in at the work at 9 am, zombie-ing out in front of the PC for the next eight ten hours, signing out at 6.30 pm, making that one hour commute home to vegetate in front of the TV till you fall asleep. No matter how much we love our jobs and how satisfying the returns may be, it tends to get a bit too much after a point. So, save up to take a real break – a much needed short escape from the daily disquiet.

SHILLONG

: Shillong Peak

The Capital of Meghalaya, Shillong is one of the major tourist destinations in North East India. The British loved this place so much that they had established its Capital for Eastern Bengal and Assam For its climate and unique topographical features the British referred Shillong as the “Scottland Of The East”.

Places of interests:

Shillong Peak: It is the highest point of Shillong, located in the upper Shillong an an altitude of 1961 meters (6,433 feet). The name Shillong originated from “Leishyllong” meaning god who is believed to live on the Shillong peak, overlooking the city. It is located 5 kilometers away from Shillong and on a clear day one can enjoy the beautiful view of the entire city.

Elephant Falls: Located in the Upper Shillong 10 kms away from the Shillong town it is one of the majestic waterfalls in Meghalaya. The water of this three steps falls comes down in flows from different levels over the fern-covered rocks and falls into the canyon down below. In the morning it forms a wonderful sight when the sun rays fall on the cascades of water creating the rainbow colors. The best time to visit the waterfalls is during the monsoon when it offers a breath-taking scenery. The forests covered with ferns and thick bamboo grooves are also worth visited for the nature lovers to find the presence of various species of butterflies, birds and orchids.

Barapani (Umiam Lake): As per the legends, two heavenly sisters decided to make their way to Meghalaya. However, one of them had reached the destination and the other could not due to some reason. So the former could not traced out her sister and started crying with her broken heart. She cried so much that and a lake was formed with her tears. Locally known as Umiam Lake, Barapani means vast waters.

Today it becomes a hub for the water sports activities such as speed boats, sailboats and water scooters. Adjoining to the lake, the Nehru Park offers an aviary and a collection of orchids and butterflies.

Wards Lake: Wards Lake is located in the heart of the Shillong City adjoining to the Governor’s Residence. Shaped like a horseshoe, it is one of the prominent hang-out spot in Shillong. This century old lake was built by an engineer named Mr. Pollock. Hence it is also known to be as “Polok’s Lake”. One can opt for boating and pleasant walks on the cobbled sand stone pathways covered with varieties of flowers. The lake also has an arched bridge from where one can feed the fish.

Butterfly museum: It is a very interesting place for the nature lovers based in the home of Mr. Wankhar, in Riatsamthiah . Started in 1939 this unique farm has an extensive collection of butterflies and moths.

Cathedral of Mary Help of Christian: Situated in At Laitumkhrah, it is the largest Cathedrel in Meghalaya attracts thousands of devotees. The colorful glasses of the skylight window along with the paintings of the Jesus spreading the messages of God are influenced by the European art and architecture.

Shillong Golf Course: Shillong Golf Course is termed as the “Glen-eagle of the East” at the United States Golf Association Museum. The Golf Course is situated in a valley covered with thick groves of pine and rhododendron trees at an altitude of 5200 ft. Previously it was a nine hole course and later converted into a eighteen hole course in 1924 by Captain Jackson and C. K. Rhodes. It is the third oldest Golf Course in India.

Archery in Shillong: Archery is one of the main traditional sports of the Khasi people. In Shillong it is a legalized traditional gambling game. Every day the game takes place near the Polo field. The campus has a small open ground about the size of a tennis court.

There are about 10 huts which represents one team per hut. Each team consists of a small group of archers similar to the horse jockeys. Before starting the game they cleaned their arrows made of pine trees and polished them with care and fondness. They sit in the semi-circle and wait for their chance to shoot the target. Each one of the team has to shoot about 25 shots within five minutes. When the action is over they all collect the arrows from the target for counting. They add up the total and calculate. For example, if the final count is 537. The betting will be for numbers 1 to 9. The winner in this case will be no.5. Only the first number counts.

LAITLUM CANYONS

: Laitlum Canyons

Laitlum means ‘End of the Hills’. Situated at a distance of 25 Kms from Shillong and with its vast green lush forests with rocky pathways and 180 degree deep gorges with a river flowing through it, Laitlum Canyon is one of the best unexplored and untouched piece of bounty of the region. One can literally spend the whole day witnessing the breathtaking gorges and slopes painted in different hues which tends to change colours as the days progresses.

Laitlum is also known as trekker’s paradise. Ideal for the hikers and the nature lovers, one can use the stairway which goes to the village below, known as Rasong, en route exploring the bamboo plantations, beautiful meadows, and wild exotic orchids. You also get to see a gorgeous panoramic view of the village.

CHERRAPUNJEE

: Seven Sisters Waterfalls

Cherrapunjee is a small hamlet, situated at an altitude of about 4823 feet (1484 m). Locally known as ‘SOHRA’. Cherrapunjee is located in the southern most point of Khasi hill sharing the border of Sylhet district of Bangladesh. Cherrapunji offers a panoramic view of the hilly terrains, deep gorges and valleys with its spectacular waterfalls. It was once having the record of being the wettest place on earth, with an average rainfall of about 1150ms. However, this record has been overtaken by a nearby place Mawsynram.

ZIRO

: Tally Valley Ziro

Ziro, a small picturesque town situated at an altitude of 5000 feet with Pine and Bamboo groves, villages, a craft centre and high altitude Tarin Fish Farm is an ideal place for relaxation.

Places of interest:

Talley Valley: Tally valley is located 30 Kms away from Ziro. Tale in Apatani dialect is the name of a plant and to many other tribes the word means paradise. The local population grow paddy in tarraced fields all over the valley. The Apatanis, the main tribe of this region grow rice by terrace farming and their indigenous irrigation system is unique amongst the Arunachal tribals. The Apatani village comprises of long rows of houses with a fertility totem in front of each house. They use an indigenous herbal salt that’s rice in iodine whick is quite unique. As a real nature lover, for every tree they fell, five fresh saplings are planted. The Apatani women are very skilled in handicraft and handloom as one can be see from the wonderfull JIKHE pattern, woven jackets and intricately patterned JILANG shawls. The men are expert in metallurgy and bamboo craft.

Apatani Villages: The Apatani is one of the main tribes in Arunachal Pradesh. The Apatanis mainly residing in the Ziro region of Central Arunachal Pradesh grow rice by terrace farming and their indigenous irrigation system is unique amongst the Arunachal tribals. As a real nature lover, for every tree they fell, five fresh saplings are planted.

Hong village is the largest village in the Apatani plateo. There are more than 10000 people living in 700 houses at Hong village. Hong, Hari, Hija, Duta, Bula, Tajang, Bamin Michi and Mudang Tage are eight distinctive Apatani villages situated at Ziro Valley. In every village, there are some male community halls called ‘Lapang’. The Apatani village comprises of long rows of houses with a fertility totem in front of each house. They use an indigenous herbal salt that’s rice in iodine which is quite unique.

Apatani people are famous for tattoo on their forehead and nose plug. Basically, Apatani people are animists who worship all natural gods. Dony-Polo, i.e, the Sun and the Moonis their supreme god. Apatani people are known for paddy cum pisciculture. The Apatani women are very skilled in handicraft and handloom as one can be see from the wonderfull JIKHE pattern, woven jackets and intricately patterned JILANG shawls. The men are expert in metallurgy and bamboo craft.

They celebrate Myoko Festival in the month of March for the welfare of their community and dree festival in July for bountiful harvest, community wellbeing and to keep away the pest.

Shiva Limgam: The calm hills of Kardo hold one of the largest shiva linga with a height measuring 25 feet and 22 feet in circumference. The Shiva linga excavated in the recent past is located near the Hapoli Town.

District Museum: The district museum at Ziro exhibits a variety of handicrafts and textiles, musical instruments, weapons of the past ages used by different tribesand sub-tribes of Arunachal Pradesh. It displays an exclusive collection of art and craft, jewellery, variety of tribal headgears etc reflecting the traditions of ancient tribal culture.

MAYODIA

: Tourists playing with snow at Mayodia

Mayodia, a unique hill resot situated at an altitude of 7000feet. It is named after Maya, a Nepali girl who missing in the snow and could not be traced out. It is an ideal trekking destination and paradise for bird watcher as many endangered specis are recorded including Trogopan. The scenic beauty of the snow clapped Miodia during winter is eye-catching. Miodia is 56 kms from Roing, the district head quarter of Lower Dibang Valley.

MECHUKA

: View Of Mechuka Valley

Mechuka also known as Menchukha is a small town nestled 6,000 feet (1,829 m) above sea level in the Mechuka Valley of Arunachal Pradesh. Mechuka is fast becoming a popular offbeat tourist destination for the people who are looking for peace and tranquility due to its untapped bounties of scenic beauty, exotic tribes, gentle hills and snow-capped mountains and River Siyom (locally known as Yargyap Chu).

The major tourist attraction here is a 400-year-old Buddhist Monastery, which is located at a hilltop in the westernmost part of Menchukha. Numerous ancient statues can also be found here.

HAFLONG

Apart from the picturesque Tea Gardens to the wild National Parks, Charming historical places to the divine religious places, Serene lakes to mighty rivers, this beautiful state of Assam also offers its only and most beautiful Hill Station – Haflong to the visitors to cherish.

Haflong is located in the Dima Hasao district of Assam at a distance of about 330 km from Guwahati and 95 km from Silchar. With beautiful valleys, pristine forests, majestic Waterfalls and a relaxing climate, this least unexplored hill station of Assam is a perfect gateway away from the disturbance of the city life. Haflong is mainly inhabited by several ancient tribes, such as Dimasa, Nagas and Assamese. The friendly locals allow the visitors to mingle with them and thus get to learn in detail about their culture and traditions.

KHONOMA GREEN VILLAGE

: Khonoma Green Village

Khonoma Green Village: Located 21 kms away from Kohima town the Khonoma village is the first “green village” of Nagaland. The village is well known for the legendary leader Angami Zapu Phizo who was the founder of the Naga movement. It is in this place where the Naga warriors made their last endeavor against the British aggression in 1879. ‘Khonoma Nature Conservation and Tragopan Sanctuary’ (KNCTS) was initiated to create the environmental awareness among the inhabitants and reserved about 70 sq km of its village forest. The village is also famous for the fallow management of its alder trees which balances nature in the surrounding areas.

DZUKOU VALLEY:

: Dzukou Valley during winter

Also known as “The Valley of Flower” the valley is situated at an altitude of 2138.4 meters behind the Japfu Ranges. The valley is the home of varieties of flowers including Lillies, Euphorbias, Rhododendrons etc. The serpentine stream shaped like the curves of Venus flows through Dzukou becomes frozen during winter. It offers one of the best trekking and bird watching trails in North-Eastern India. Despite of the hard terrain and bottleneck facilities, the valley is offering the most desired trekking experiences.