Kongthong Village – The Place Of Jingrwai Lawnei

Explore the unique Kongthong village with our experienced guide and spend the night at the traditionally built homestay.

Enjoy the majestic waterfalls at Cherrapunjee – one of the wettest places in the world

Enjoy the scenic nature of Shillong – The Scottland Of East

Day 01: Arrive Guwahati / Shillong (95 Kms, 3 ½ hrs drive)

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”.

Overnight at hotel.

Day 02: Shillong / Kongthong Village

Morning after breakfast depart for Kongthong village

Kongthong Is A Calm And Beautiful Village Nestled In A Remote Area Of The Khasi Hills. It Is Located In Khat Ar Shong Laitkroh Tehsil Of East Khasi Hills District In Meghalaya. It Is Popularly Known As The Singing Village Because Of “Jingrwai Lawnei” A Lullaby Which They Create To Call Each Other.

In Kongthong When A Child Is Born The Mother Composes A Song Or A Small Tune Which Becomes The Child’s Official Tune. They Have Their Official Names Too But This Tune Is Their Identity In The Village. All The Villagers Call Each Other By The Tune Assigned To Them. Every Tune Is Born With The Birth Of A Child And Stays With Him Through His Life. A Tune Once Assigned To A Person Is Not Repeat. These Tunes Are Unique As They Come Straight From A Mother’s Heart For Her New Born Child. Each Tune Is Different  From The Other And Represents Different People. Each Tune Or JINGRWAI IAWBEI In Khasi.

Each Tune Traditionally Has Two Versions – A Smaller One And A Longer One. The Tune Is Easier To Call Friends Or Relatives When They Are Far Away As The Tune Is Unique To Each Individual.

Arrive Kongthong and check in at the local homestay.

Rest of the time explore the village with the help of the local village youths.

Overnight at homestay.

Day 03: Kongthong / Cherrapunjee / Shillong

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 / Guwahati Depart

Morning after breakfast full day sight seeing of Shillong visiting:

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.

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.

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.

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.

Later in time transfer to Guwahati Airport the the onward destination.

Tour ends.

THE PACKAGE COST INCLUDES:

1. All transport by a dedicated vehicle
2. Accommodation for three nights.
3. Daily breakfast at hotel.
4. A guided tour to the Kongthong Village with the stay at the traditionally built guest house
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. Charges of the accompanying guide or local guide (if required)
4. Any expenses occur due to natural calamities or which are not mentioned in the cost inclusions
5. Any other expenses of personal nature i.e camera, laundry, telephone, any type of insurances, tips, portages etc.