GLIMPSES OF NORTH EAST INDIA

This specially designed tour offers the visit to the beautiful hill stations like Shillong & Cherrapunjee and enjoy the spectacular waterfalls along with the chances to play with the clouds

Experience the natural wonders – the balancing rock and the living root bridges in Mawlynnong, the cleanest village in Asia

A couple of nights at Kaziranga National Park will give you the chance to experience the true wilderness. The safari on the elephant’s back coupled with a jeep safari will surely surge your adrenals.

 

Finally the visit to the Kamakhya Temple, which is in the wishlists of every traveller whoever come to Guwahati and seek the blessings of Goddess…. A true Celebration Of Womenhood

The whole tour package is planned and designed keeping in mind the requirements of different age-groups, comfort and hygiene of the visitors

Day 01: Guwahati / Shillong (95 Kms, 3 hrs drive)

Arrive Guwahati by flight.

Meeting upon arrival and depart for Shillong, the Scottland of East.

 

En route visit

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.

Arrive Shillong and check in at hotel.

Shillong: 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”.

 

Later visit:

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.

Overnight at hotel.

 

Day 02: Shillong / Mawlynnong / Dawki / Shillong

Morning after breakfast depart for a whole day excursion to Mawlynnong:

 

Mawlynnong Village has earned the distinction of being the cleanest village in India. It is situated 90 kms. from Shillong and besides the picturesque village, offers many interesting sights such as the living root bridge and another strange natural phenomenon of a boulder balancing on another rock.

Mawlynnong nestled in the pristine hill state of Meghalaya, is along the Indo-Bangla border. This cute and colourful little village is known for its cleanliness. The main occupation of the villagers is agriculture. They mostly grow betel nut. About 82 households live in Mawlynnong. Keeping the surrounding environment clean is an age old tradition. Discover India magazine declared the village as the cleanest in Asia in 2003.

 

A dustbin made out of bamboo is found all along the village. Every one makes it a point that dirt and waste are not thrown everywhere. All the waste from the dustbin is collected and kept in a pit, which the villagers use as manure. The villagers are now on a mission to ban plastic. The village with cent per cent literacy is conscious and they are spreading the message of conservation and protection of the forest. Locals plant trees to ensure that the virgin forest is kept intact and also replenished.

 

Mawlynnong’s fame is now drawing an endless stream of guests from across the country and abroad. Although residential facilities are still scarce and are in the process of being developed, the existing one constructed from bamboo and thatch is quite hospitable and restful. Mawlynnong is an artist’s delight and the sort of getaway that would titillate creative writers and poets..

Dawki: A day’s excursion from Mawlynnong, Dawki lies but 2 Kms from Bangladesh. Despite the fact that the area is located in a place that has been for years demanding development, one is amazed by the quality of the roads, and the road to Dawki perhaps epitomizes the idyllic hill drive. The black metalled road, offset by the rich, wet green and dark red-brown patches offered a smooth contrast that technology can scarcely capture. The cool, wet air brushes over your face and refreshes and revitalizes you as it enters your body. Dawki is a small village and its main attraction is the Umngot River that marks the natural separation between the Khasi and the Jaintia Hills. The river can be forded by a suspension bridge that connects India to Bangladesh and facilitates trade between the two nations. The Umngot is the site for a boat race that is held in March-April, but even otherwise, seeing this large emerald-green serpent threading its way through the hills, with fishermen’s boats dotting its surface, right into the plains of Bangladesh, is a sight whose majesty echoes long after you leave it.

 

Later return to Shillong.

 

Overnight at hotel.

 

Day 03: Shillong / Cherrapunjee / Shillong (56 Kms, 1 ½ hrs drive one way)

Morning after breakfast depart for Cherrapunjee.

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

In Cherrapunjee visit:

Nohkalikai falls: This waterfall located 4 kms away from Cherrapunjee and is possibly between 1500 and 2000 feet tall. Known to be the fourth longest fall in the world it carries a pathetic legend behind its name. A woman named Ka Likai had a illegitimate child. After marriage the husband became jealous of her love for her daughter. One day Ka Likai was out for work and her husband killed the daughter, cooked her flesh into a meal. When the woman enquired about her daughter, her husband showed the sign of ignorance. Before she went to look for her daughter, she thought of eating something and had the meal that her husband prepared for her. After having the meal she found both the wrist of her daughter in the betel-nut basket. Then she realized what had happened, killed her husband with a dagger and threw herself off this cliff of this falls. This is how the falls got its name which means “Fall of Ka Likai.”

Mawsmai Cave: This 250m long cave is the major attraction for the tourists in Cherrapunjee. This cave is located 6 kms away from Cherrapunjee near to Mawsmai village. This natural limestone cave is wide enough for a person to walk comfortably, and one can see the myriads of stalagmites and stalactites all over the caves which are growing gradually. The caves are dark inside and electric torches are installed for the convenient of the tourists.

Thangkharang Park: Thangkharang Park is situated 12 km from Cherrapunjee. The park is the house of various orchids and birds. One can see the 180 degree view of the plains of Bangladesh on a clear day.

Nohsngithiang Falls (Seven Sister Falls): It is a seven-segmented waterfall, which plunges over the top of limestone cliffs of the Khasi Hills. The falls only flow during the rainy season. In full spate, the segments stretch most of the way along the cliff. The water falls from a height of 315 metres (1,033 ft) and has an average width of 70 metres (230 ft).The waterfalls get illuminated by the sun from dawn to sunset. The vibrant colours of the setting sun on the waterfalls make it beautiful to behold

Dainthlen waterfall: Dainthlen waterfall, located at a distance of 5 km from Cherrapunjee, is one of the most popular waterfalls. This waterfall has a legend attached to it, according to which it is said that people killed a huge snake living in the cave here to get rid of his terror. Tourists visiting the waterfall can explore the natural rock carvings of the snake, which represent the symbol of evil, greed and corruption.

Later return to Shillong.

 

In Shillong visit:

Shillong Peak (Foreign Nationals are not allowed): 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.

Overnight at hotel.

Day 04: Shillong / Kaziranga National Park (285 Kms, 7 hrs drive)

Morning after breakfast visit:

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.

Don Bosco Museum: The Don Bosco Museum of Indigenous Cultures at DBCIC (Don Bosco Centre for Indigenous Cultures) is Asia’s largest Museum of Indigenous Cultures of its kind. In it the visitor can have an overview of the whole of North East India. Rising into Shillong’s skyline the Museum is a seven storey building with 17 well laid out Galleries of international standard containing artefacts, paintings, fibreglass figures – all a feast to the eyes and a source of knowledge. The topmost Gallery is where the visitors can relax and enjoy some of the rare dances of the North East. The Museum is indeed a surprise to visitors both from India and from abroad. Its best publicity are the visitors themselves who come to see it.

Later depart for Kaziranga National Park.

Arrive Kaziranga and check in at the Jungle Resort.

Kaziranga National Park: Kaziranga National Park has become synonymous with successful conservations of Great One Horn Rhinoceros (from the Greek word, “rhino” means nose and “ceros” means horn) / Unicornis (from the Latin word, “uni” means one and “cornis” also means horn) and also a home of may other threatened species including Indian Elephant (Elephant Maximus), Tiger(Panthera tigris), Hoolock Gibbon (Bunipithecus hoolock), Ganges dolphin (Platanista gangetica),Sambar (Cervus unicolor), Barasingha or Swamp Deer (duvauceli), Hog Deer, Indian Muntjac (Muntiacus muntjak), Water Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) and Gaur (Bos frontalis)etc.

 

There are also over 500 species of birds have been recorder in the park including 25 specis of globally threatened category. Over and above there are 21 rare and endangered species. In winter one can observe a large breeding population of Spot Bill Pelicans about one thousand breeding nests are found in a place which has been named as Pelican Colony in the Eastern Range.

Among the reptiles species like Water Monitor Lizard (Varanus salvator), Indian python (Python molurus), Cobra (Naja naja) and the King Cobra are found.

 

Overnight at resort

 

Day 05: Kaziranga National Park

Early morning enjoy the elephant safari in the central (Kohora) range of Kaziranga. Later return to the resort for breakfast.

 

Afternoon visit the Kaziranga National Orchid and Biodiversity park and witness more that 200 different species of Orchids. Also enjoy the different traditional dance forms and songs along with ethnic foods

Late afternoon enjoy the exclusive Jeep safari in the western (Bagori) range of Kaziranga.

 

Overnight at the resort.

 

Day 06: Kaziranga / Guwahati (215 Kms, 5 hrs drive)

Morning after breakfast depart for Guwahati.

Arrive Guwahati and check in at hotel.

Afternoon visit:

Kamakhya Temple: The origin of Kamakhya Temple is pre Aryan situated atop the Nilachal Hill. The formost shrine of Assam, The Kamakhya is an ancient seat of Tantric and shakti Cults of Hinduism. The original temple was destroyed by the invading Muslims in their crusade against Hindu temples and idols in the early part of 16^th century. Ultimately it was restored from ruins by King Naranarayan of the Koch dynasty and rebuilt in its present forming 1665 AD.

 

Evening sunset cruise in Brahmaputra river (OPTIONAL: RS. 450 PER PERSON)

Overnight at hotel.

Day 07: Guwahati Depart

Morning after breakfast visit:

Umananda Temple: In the vicinity of Guwahati in the middle of the river Brahmaputra on an island hill stands the temple of Shiva ‘Umananda’ (also known as Peacock Island). It is also known as ‘Bhasmachal’ as the rays that emanated from his forehead reduce4d Kamdev to ashes. Within the temple are to be seen the images of Anandi Shiva Linga and a silver ox and Umananda with five faces and ten hands.

 

Navagraha Temple: To the extreme east of Guwahati on the Chitrachal Hills stands the Navagraha Temple (Temple of Nine Planets) is a center of Astrological and Astronomical research. The govt raised some quarters here and as a result of excavation twelve Shiva Temples have been un earthed.

Later in time transfer to Guwahati airport for the onward destination.

TOUR ENDS.

THE PACKAGE COST INCLUDES:

1. All transport by a dedicated vehicle
2. Accommodation for six nights.
3. Daily breakfast at hotel.
4. One Elephant safari and one jeep safari in Kaziranga National Park with park entrances.
5. All parking, toll charges, driver’s allowances etc.
6. 5 % GST as applicable

 

 

 

THE PACKAGE COST DOES NOT INCLUDE:

1. Any meals other than mentioned above.
2. Entrances to the monuments, parks other than mentioned above.
3. Boat tour at the Umkot river in Dawki (On direct payment basis)
4. Charges of the accompanying guide or local guide (if required)
5. Any expenses occur due to natural calamities or which are not mentioned in the cost inclusions
6. Any other expenses of personal nature i.e camera, laundry, telephone, any type of insurances, tips, portages etc.