Meghalaya Tourism

Bok Bok Dobhakol

Stephen Leong — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:36:36 +0000

Meghalaya is one of the less explored yet one of the most exotic destinations in India. Meghalaya has around 1000 caves in which Bok Bok Dobhakol is the most popular and the most visited. It stretches to around 1051 meters long. Bok Bok Dobhakol functions as an emptying spot for the crystal clear blue water of the river but this natural Phenomenon doesn’t occur all the time. There are few things to keep in mind while visiting Bok Bok Dobhakol, avoid visiting the cave during monsoon season as the cave will be filled with water and it is impossible to access it. Carry protective gears, if no safety measures are taken cave expedition can even be a catastrophe. Hire a professional guide as there are several complicated maze inside the cave and he can guide you out properly.

Guwahati is the nearest airport and railway station which is 128 kms from Shillong the state capital. There are several hotels and resorts in Shillong for tourists to stay and explore the caves.

Fossil tourism in Meghalaya

Stephen Leong — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 10:11:13 +0000

Meghalaya is the Mecca for archeologists and Paleontologists. This small state is a treasure house of various kinds of fossils of pre historic creatures. The archeologists have already found abundant fossil bone fragments of dinosaurs at Dirang village near Ranikor, West Khasi hills in Meghalaya. The area is 132 kms away from Shillong by road. The bones are identified to be as old as Cretaceous period. Researches have also found aquatic lives in the form of fossils in Janiaw village which is under the East Khasi hills district. Krem Phyllut caves are also an area of study for the fossil finders and excavators. The cave has a large section of fossil passages. The southern fringe of Meghalayan plateau has abundant sedimentary rock of Cretaceous period. For all the explorers who like to dig in to the pre historic remnants of the country, Meghalaya is the right place.

The state doesn’t have an airport; the nearest airport is in Guwahati in Assam which is 128 km away from Shillong. There are cabs as well as helicopter services from Guwahati to Shillong. There are also beautiful resorts and hotels for over night stay.

The Ward Lake

Stephen Leong — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 18:40:36 +0000

Shilong is the capital of Meghalaya and lies on the eastern part of Meghalaya. The Ward Lake is one of the important tourist places in Shilong. It is situated in the centre of the city. The lake is located near the Raj Bhavan. It is an artificial lake which is in a horse shoe shaped. The lake is basically popular for short garden walk and boating. It is believed that a Khasi prisoner had initiated the construction of the lake.

The lake is full of fishes and many tourists come here feed the fishes. The lake is surrounded by a winding walk way and in the midst of rolling flowerbeds which is gently sloping and innovative illumination. Around the flowerbeds a luxuriant lush greens are found.

To reach Shilong, you can take the flight to the nearest airport in Guwahati in Assam. Also from Guwahati one can take the train to Shilong. The road is well connected to Shilong from Guwahati which is around 100 km.

There are many good hotels in Shilong near GS Road. Also there is a good tourist Bungalow near the polo grounds with room and Dormitory accommodation. You can get a good hotel in a cheap rate.

Shillong: The Scotland of India

Stephen Leong — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 12:38:29 +0000

There might be only a very few places in India which looks like a foreign country, Shillong tops in that list. It is one of the most sought out hill station in the North East India which resemble Scotland in many aspects. Guwahati airport or Railway station is the first pit stop that would take you to this beautiful hill station. Buses, taxies even helicopters are ready to pick you from Guwahati for a decent price.

The first and most important tourist destination in Shillong is the Ward Lake. Any Shillong sight seeing starts with this artificial lake designed in the shape of a horse shoe. A km away from Ward Lake, there is another Japanese garden called Lady Hydari Park, there is also Butterfly Museum. The museum was a home of plenty of beautiful butterflies and Beetles. Shopping in Bara Bazaar is a time pass. There are shopkeepers in their traditional tribal dress selling handicrafts, and artifacts.

There are several hotels and resorts in Shillong for those who wish to stay and experience the Scotland of East.

Shillong – Tourist’s favourite

Stephen Leong — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 03:20:30 +0000

There are many places in the North East of India which are unexplored. But Shillong is just the opposite. It is one of the most sought out hill stations in the region. Guwahati airport or railway station is the first pit stop to this beautiful hill station. Buses, taxies are aplenty – even helicopters can drop you from the Assamese town to the Meghalaya capital, if you are willing to pay for it!

The first and most important tourist destination in Shillong is the Ward Lake. Any Shillong sight seeing starts with this artificial lake designed in the shape of a horse shoe. This can be followed up with a walk in the botanical garden and museum which is all located nearby. Other must visit stops are Shillong Peak, Crinoline Falls and Elephant falls.

A kilometre away from Ward Lake is a Japanese garden called Lady Hydari Park. Next up is the Butterfly Museum, something absolutely unique. The museum is home to hordes of beautiful butterflies and beetles. A quick shopping stop in Bara Bazaar gives one a glimpse of the array of traditional tribal dresses, handicrafts and artifacts.

The wettest place on the planet

Stephen Leong — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:16:34 +0000

It’s widely believed that Cherrapunjee in Meghalaya is the wettest place on earth. But about 15kms away, a small town called Mawsynram has always been a quiet challenger for this unique title. Both are located in the Khasi hills and about 1300 metres above sea level.

About 55kms from Shillong, Cherrapunjee or Sohra as it is known locally, has always captured our imagination with its heavy rainfall records. It is said to have received 904 inches in one year and 366 in a single month. This took place way back in 1861.

The irony still is that the locals here still have to battle with – yes, believe it or not – water shortage! So much for being the wettest place on the planet!

Trekking in Meghalaya

Stephen Leong — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 10:46:27 +0000

Trekking through the rugged terrains of Meghalaya is an awesome experience. As the journey is by foot, you can have a guide to explore the nature. The places of the journey not only include the nature along the hilly regions but also the local tribes and surrounding villages.

The region for trekking though being in the hilly areas, are far away from snowy regions, unlike the Himalayan region. The path is filled with chirping of birds, gushing small streams and rivers, waterfalls, hills and beautiful scenery.

Trekking in Meghalaya is best during October to March. The most visited places for trekking in Meghalaya are Smit, Mawlyngot, Pynursla and Weiloi to Ponkung / Pongkung to Umngi.

Caves of Meghalaya

Stephen Leong — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 10:37:25 +0000

Khasi Hills contain the deepest and longest of the caves in South. Adventurers who like to explore the caves and map them are often seen here, who come from various parts of the world.

Few nearby caves that are large and beautiful are made accessible for the general public. These include Siju, Mawsmai, Mawsynram, Syndai, etc. The terrain region of Meghalaya contains various beautiful natural caves. Most of the caves contain various formations of stalactite and stalagmite.

Tourists can coordinate with Meghalaya Adventurous Association, whose organization has taken a study on the caves of Meghalaya, for a visit.

Nokrek National Park, Meghalaya

Stephen Leong — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 10:30:49 +0000

Nokrek National Park is situated in the Garo Hills district 2 km from Tura Peak. This first biosphere reserve in the northeast is in the undisturbed forest area of the Sub-Himalayan Ranges.

The Garo Hills is known for many natural limestone caves. The famous cave close to the Nophak Lake near the Simsang River game reserve is Siju Cave. This cave contains water that stretches miles long.

The terrain region of the National Park contains various kinds of rock like gneisses, granulites, migmatites, amphibolites and banded iron formation, intruded by basis and ultra-basic bodies. The biosphere reserve contains red soil loam as well as clay loam and sandy loam.

Nokrek National Park supports a wide variety of animals. The animal species like mammals, reptiles and invertebrate groups exist in this diversity.

Balpakram National Park, Meghalaya

Stephen Leong — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 10:25:49 +0000

The Balpakram National Park is located to the extreme South Garo Hills, Meghalaya at a distance of 90 km from Baghmara, the district headquarters of South Garo Hills. It is the land of scenic beauty, lying at an altitude of nearly 3,000 ft. above sea level, covering an area of 200sq. km.

Balpakram was declared a National Park in 1987. The dense forest is a vast tableland with wild life. It is undoubtedly one of the richest spot in bio-diversity in the country.

The varied types of flora and fauna make this National Park unique. Ample number of elephants and tigers are found here. The unique and only ape species, Hullock Gibbons is not found elsewhere in India. Other animals found in the park are Deer, Great Indian Hornbill, Pheasant, Wildcats, Wildcows, Wild buffalo, Leopards, etc. Among the plants very rare species like Pitcher Plants (Nepenthes Khasiana), Orchids and Drosera flourish abundantly which often attracts wildlife biologists, researchers, ecologists and, of course, tourists.