Trekking

The state provides one of the best trekking areas –snow-covered mountains and exotic flora and fauna. The pleasant landscape makes trekking through rain forests to the riverfront, to living root bridges, a worthwhile experience. The dry months from November to February gives abundant opportunity for camping, trekking and caving for the adventurous tourist… The tourist can also hire guides to trek through the terrains of Meghalaya. Some of the best trekking routes in Meghalaya are Living Root Bridge, David Scott Trail, Kyllang Rock and Sohpet-bneng. The most popular trekking routes are the track marked by David Scott, which was used by people to travel from Mawphlang to present-day Bangladesh. This entire route extends to a five days trek and can be divided into shorter treks, a popular one being from Mawphlang to Lad Mawphlang, a one-day trek (16 km). One more popular destination for trekking and rock climbing is the Kyllang rock at Mairang. The imposing Kyllang rock that lies 78 km from Shillong is a massive dome shape of a single rock of granite, rising to an elevation of about 5400 ft above sea level and measures 1,000 ft. across in diameter. It is believed that the rock possesses a sort of magnetic field so that no one will fall from the slope. This place also houses a beautiful memorial in honour of U Tirot to commemorate his great feats.

Mawthadraishan in West Khasi Hills is a range of low hills, which is also a trekker’s paradise. Mawthadraishan peak is located on the northern side of Nongstoin – Shillong road, near Nongshillong, Mawroh and Markasa villages. On top of the range, there is a depression with about 7 to 8 fishponds of considerable size. The apex of the peak offers a panoramic view on clear days of the plains of Assam, and the distant Himalayas after the monsoon.

Jaintia hills have a trek route from Nartiang to the plains of Bangladesh… While trekking in Garo Hills there is always a likelihood of seeing or hearing wild elephants. Major attractive spots in Garo hills is Siju. From here, one can trek towards the Balpakram National Park to a village called Rongsu (14 km), which can again be expanded into a longer trek to include the Balpakram National Park. We have to secure permission from Forest Department officials for these Treks.

Also, check out the best Meghalaya Tour Packages from Mumbai.

Mawryngkhang Bamboo Trek

Tourists seeking some thrill will love the new Mawryngkhang Trek, which opened in 2017. It starts out from Wahkhen village, about two hours south of Shillong in the East Khasi Hills, and take you to the top of massive Mawryngkhang — the legendary “King of Stones”. The trail extends over a series of connected bamboo bridges built by locals and terrifyingly hugs the side of a huge sheer rock-face in part. Below is a deep gorge and river.

Caving

A unique and different experience is cave exploration -a the perfect sport for tourists. The state of Meghalaya has the largest network of caves on the Indian subcontinent. The state houses about 500 caves-the largest networks in India. Some of the longest caves in the region include Krem Mawmluh Krem Umshyrpi and Krem Mawsmi. There are 19 known natural caves located in the deep dense forest of Meghalaya state, that offer the most unique and rare beauty of nature and are one of the major attractions of adventure sports. Krem Liat Prah is the longest caves, which is located in the Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya.

Krem Mawmluh

One can reach the main entrance of this famous cave by reaching the bottom of the western flank of Lum Lawbah. One can reach the entrance of the cave by following the river behind the cement works of the Mawmluh Cherra Cements Limited, downstream for about 200 metres to a point where the river disappears underground. The best way to enter the cave would be through a high-level bypass entrance, which runs parallel to the main passage.

Krem Dam

The entrance of Krem Dam, measuring some 30 m across, lies at the foot of a large blind valley approximately 1 km to the east of Mawsynram village. The cave is formed in coarse-grained limestone, which almost looks like sandstone. The cave consists mainly of one very large river passage, which culminates in a roof collapse

Krem Lymput

The cave lies about 6 km. from the village of Nongjri… From the small entrance hole, the main trunk passage runs for about 1 km with inclined walls and ceiling which leads to a passage known as ‘Way to Heaven,” The great attraction here is the Mughal Room and this cave is 6641m in length.

Mawsmai Cave

The village of Mawsmai lies six kilometres from the Sohra market to the south in the direction of the Bangladesh border. At the village crossing, one passes grasslands surrounded by forests, ending in a clearing. A concrete pathway leads from this clearing through the jungle to the main cave entrance. This cave is a fully lighted cave. The cave can be divided into two parts, old and new. The new cave is not yet lighted

Krem Mawjymbuin

Half a kilometre before reaching Mawsynram village, a metal road on the left leads to a parking area by the cave. The cave is formed in calcareous sandstone and is only 209 meters in height. The entrance chamber is about 50 meters wide and 4 meters high. At its centre, there is a large stalactite over a female stalagmite, which gives an impression of a Shiva Lingam. This cave is considered a sacred shrine for Hindus… A side passage leads to a second rift entrance, called Back Entrance, which exits out through the rear.

.Jaintia Hills

Krem Liat Prah

It is the longest natural cave in India. Liat Prah is one of the approximately 150 known caves in the Shnongrim Ridge of the Jaintia Hills district in Meghalaya,  Explored and surveyed as part of Abode of the Clouds Expedition project its current length is about 25 kilometres.  This cave has a prominent feature, which is its enormous trunk passage, the Aircraft Hangar.

Synrang-Pamiang

The entrance to the cave is situated north from Chiehruphi village, on NH 44, to Musianglamare. This is currently India’s third longest cave with 14,157 m of surveyed passage. The cave has rich formations coloured in orange, red, black, grey, blue, green and white. Titanic Hall’ chamber would rank as one of the most beautifully decorated chambers in the world with ‘thousands of large cave-pearls lying scattered on the floor. The cave has five entrances

Krem Lubon

Krem Lubon has an impressive rectangular entrance measuring 16 m wide and 8 m high. The large passage gradually decreases in size to pass high-level breakdown chambers, which has unstable boulders before it continues into a wet flat-out crawl. The cave is 687 m in length.

Krem Chympe

It is a resurgence cave, situated about 3 km north along with the village of Khaddum to Sielkan. It is currently India’s fifth longest cave with 10.5 km of surveyed length. Sielkan Pouk, which is at the upper reaches, acts as a sink to this cave

Kotsat Umlawan Cave System

The entrance of Krem Kotsati is found within the centre of Lumshnong village itself… During the monsoons, the doorway is submerged. Kotsati-Umlawan Cave system consists of various caves like Krem Kotsati, Krem Umtyongai, Krem Umsynrang Liehwait, and Krem Wahjajew. Krem Lalit, Synrang Thloo, Krem “Washing Place Inlet,” Krem Umshor, Put Lyer, Garage Pot, Thloolong Kharasniang and thus the thirteen other entrance of Krem Umlawan. This network has 24 entrances, both horizontal and vertical and no a neighbourhood of the cave is sort of one hour away from the closest entrance.

Krem Umkseh

This River cave features tons of formations mostly low and wide size plane passages. The gorgeous cave entrance is used as a washing place by the local people and is situated behind Lumshnong gas station.

Krem Shrieh (Tangnub Monkey Cave)

This cave is often accessed from the village of Tangnub and lies at the highest of a canyon. The cave measures 20 m by 40 m at the surface and opens to 60 m by 60 m at its base.

Krem Mawshun

The Cave lies around 680 m in an instantaneous line east of the congregation at Lelad. The uninviting passageway within the middle of stones opens to a 5 m pot that drops into a fine, clean-washed stream section, which again prompts a 24 m profound pitch.

Krem Syndai

. The cave entrance is of stooping height but once inside the passage it immediately exposes into impressive proportions, of 25 m or more high and 30m wide. The cave contains some impressive calcite formations within the type of stalactites, stalagmites and plenty of flowstone, which are blackened by the kerosene bamboo torches employed by the local people. This prompted British excursion (Brooks 1993b; Brooks & Smartl995) to nickname the cave as “Krem Sooty.”

Krem Umthloo

The slope from Tongseng village leads to a sink, which is climbable and leads to a very unstable boulder blocking-, downward passage, which eventually leads, to the dream of cavers, of massive stream-way passages. The cave system has numerous entrances of fifty or 60 m deep potholes like Krem Myrliat, Krem Moolale, etc. which all resurges at Krem Ticha.

KremIawe

This cave,3398m long is situated on a spur protruding from the eastern flank of the Shnongrim-Tangnub Ridge into the upper reaches of the Litien valley. The impressive daylight lit pothole entrance, measuring 10 by 15 m wide and 15 m deep, leads to a wet horizontal main passage… The cave features a variety of lovely fossil passages.

Garo Hills

Tetengkol Balwakol

Four kilometres north of Nengkhong village, are the 2 adjacent entrances of Tetengkol Balwakol 1 m diameter which cause 5.7 km of dendritic river cave that contains a maze of stooping to walking size passages

Siju Cave

Siju, 132 km from Tura, is legendary for Dobakkol or the bat cave with impressive stalagmites and stalagtites. It is one of the longest caves within the Indian Sub-continent and contains a number of the best river passages within the world. There are magnificent limestone rock formations inside, especially named princes… accessible on the opposite side of Simsang River is that the Siju aviary, home of the many rare and guarded birds and other wildlife. The Siberian ducks also migrate here during the winter months.

Dangedikol Chiningkrikol

The 18m wide and 12m high, entrance results in a largish meandering stream passage. The cave houses an outsized population of bats. The cave remains ongoing with 1352m of surveyed length.

Korekol may be a tunnel cave connecting a sink within the downstream end of the valley in pinnacle karst to a resurgence at the rim of the shallow limestone outcrop below Matrongkol

Mount Biking in Meghalaya

Some of the trekking routes in Meghalaya also are good for mountain biking. A number of the favoured mountain biking routes are Cherapunjee Trail, the trail to Mawphlang (about 30 km from Shillong) and therefore the David Scott Trail. Shillong tour operators also offer bikes on rent for Mountain biking.

Waterfall Rappelling at Elephant Falls

Meghalaya also offers waterfall rappelling to strong-hearted tourists. One descends through the waterfalls or alongside it. One famous spot is Elephant Falls waterfall.

Water Sports

A variety of water sports like skiing, sailing and rowing etc is obtainable at the Water Sports Complex at Umaim Lake situated 7 km from Shillong. This place may be a favoured tourist spot. As you sail your boat at Umiam Lake, you will also enjoy the sweetness of the forest region of Shillong.

River Canyoning

River Canyoning at Cherapunjee is an adventure that involves following the river course. There are different sections of River Canyoning and one has to face varied challenge levels. One must be physically strong and fit climb up huge rocks, jump from boulder to boulder, hop across rapids and swim down steep slopes. There are experienced guides who will help in tackling these challenges. The simplest time for River Canyoning is from the month of November to February.

Archery

A popular local sport is Archery where teams compete to hit a cylindrical straw target mounted on a bamboo pole. Archery is additionally a well-liked sort of gambling where the bets are made on the number of arrows hitting the target. Archery game is typically persisted on the eighth day, being the last day of the week in rural areas. Competitions also are organized; prominent being the inter-Hima contest between the normal administrative Khasi states, persisted every 4 April, organized by the Apphira Archery Committee at the Polo grounds Shillong. Daily commercial archery of depending on the last two digits that hit the target is held in Shillong, the tickets being sold in stalls and around the city.

Golfing

The site on the Shillong golf links provides a scenic view, Developed in 1898, as a nine Holes Course, it had been later converted to 18 Holes in 1924 by Capt. Jackson and C.K Rhodes. Both of them have done an interesting job in preserving its natural beauty and carved out the course amongst pine trees on undulating land. It is the third oldest golf links in India and was first surveyed in 1933.

Camping

Camping outdoors in Dawki may be a brilliant involvement in Meghalaya. The magnificence around this place will enchant anyone. The riverside remains in Dawki are often experienced outdoors.

Recreational Activities

Meghalaya, India’s hottest tourist destination in India, offers many opportunities to its visitors to unleash their adventurous spirit in outdoor activities. Recreational outdoor activities are undoubtedly an excellent source to revitalize the holiday. The recreational adventure games are exciting and thrilling and are a set of various Meghalaya adventure games and popular things. A number of the simplest outdoor activities are boat ride, Trekking, aquatic sports, paragliding, etc. The travellers can live up a number of the favoured adventure recreational activities to the fullest like waterskiing, foam rafting, windsurfing, kayaking, et al.

Ranikor

Ranikor may be a beautiful place, 35 kilometres from Shillong on the banks of river Jadukata on the brink of Bangladesh… This area is legendary for an abundance of Mahseers. The navy trouble of Jadukata offers ample scope for water sports. It is also one of the simplest fishing spots and a hotspot for anglers. Anglers can row up the river where the Kynshi and Rilang converge and luxuriate in the angling of the large golden mahseers, golden carp, silver carp and therefore the common carp.

There is also an active tribal conservation program, which was started by some local tribal boys, due to which there is a healthy growth within the fish population. An angling trip to Ranikor may be a real fishing expedition during which one has got to fish riding on an area boat.

Tura

Pelga falls located at the space of seven km from Tura has become an increasingly hot spot for anglers and picnickers in recent years. The tourism department developed this place by constructing a footpath and viewpoint

DAWKI

Lakes of Dawki are popular options when it involves angling and fishing. Dawki lies about 80 km from Shillong but it’s well worth the ride. One can catch a good species of fish here like Catfish, Golden Carps, and Silver Carps alongside mrigala and many other unknown species

Plethora of activities

The state offers water sports activities near Umiam Lake and Ward’s Lake where tourists can indulge in rowboats, paddleboats, sailing boating, water scooters and more. Meghalaya is famous for its fascinating caves and noted among them is Mawsmai Cave, made of limestone and popular for the formation of stalactites and stalagmites.

Meghalaya is also famous for woodcarving, cane, and bamboo work. The woven cane mats and baskets of Meghalaya are loved for their durability and their aesthetic floral designs.