Magical Meghalaya – A Journey Into the Land of Clouds

 

Magical Meghalaya – A Journey Into the Land of Clouds (Part 1)

Meghalaya has always been on my travel bucket list — a land spoken of in whispers, wrapped in clouds, flowing rivers, and untouched nature. This journey was all about slowing down, connecting with nature, and experiencing Meghalaya beyond just photographs.

I began my journey from Chennai on a Saturday morning, flying to Guwahati. Since our Meghalaya trip was scheduled to start on Sunday morning, I chose to arrive a day earlier to avoid any travel delays. From the flight, I was treated to a beautiful sunrise — the perfect beginning to what was going to be a magical adventure.

Journey Begins from Guwahati

Early Sunday morning, our group assembled outside Guwahati Airport, where we met fellow travelers and our guide. We were traveling with a Chennai-based adventure group, and together, we began our road journey towards Meghalaya in a tempo traveller.

As we crossed into the hills, the landscape slowly transformed — plains gave way to rolling green hills, misty roads, and fresh mountain air.

Umiam Lake – The First Glimpse of Meghalaya

One of the first sights welcoming us into Meghalaya was Umiam Lake, also known as Barapani. Surrounded by endless greenery and gentle hills, the calm waters reflected the sky like a mirror. Built in the early 1960s by damming the Umiam River, the lake was originally created for hydroelectric power generation.

Today, Umiam Lake is also a popular destination for water sports like kayaking, boating, and water cycling. While returning later, we got an elevated view of the lake from the hills — an absolutely surreal experience.

Krang Suri Waterfalls – Turquoise Beauty

Our first major stop was the breathtaking Krang Suri Waterfalls, located in the Jaintia Hills near Amlarem. After a short walk of about 10 minutes, we reached a stunning sight — turquoise-blue water cascading through lush green cliffs.

Swimming is allowed here, but wearing a life jacket is mandatory, which costs around ₹100. Krang Suri is famous for its jewel-toned waters, though as we arrived closer to sunset, the intensity of the blue gradually reduced.

Standing there, surrounded by mist and flowing water, it truly felt like we were in the abode of clouds. Interestingly, sunset in Meghalaya happens quite early — around 4:15 PM — due to India following a single time zone, while neighboring Bangladesh is about 30 minutes ahead.

Camping at Shnongpdeng – Night by the River

After about an hour’s drive, we reached Shnongpdeng, situated on the banks of the Dawki (Umngot) River. For the night, we stayed in tents near the famous Shnongpdeng suspension bridge.

Once we settled in, we took a short walk across the bridge, enjoying the cool breeze and the sound of the river below. After dinner, we gathered around a small campfire session where everyone introduced themselves and shared stories. As the night grew quiet, we returned to our tents, resting up for the next day’s adventure.

Morning at Dawki – Pure Magic

We woke up around 6 AM, greeted by a surreal scene — the calm Dawki River flowing right in front of our tents. Morning at Dawki is pure magic. The silence, gentle breeze, and soft ripples of water create an unforgettable atmosphere.

We could see fishermen rowing quietly, boats gliding over the water, and reflections so clear that the boats seemed to float in mid-air. The Umngot River, known as one of the cleanest rivers in Asia, forms a natural border between India and Bangladesh.

Although recent construction upstream has caused some turbidity, the water was much clearer during our visit, especially a crystal-clear stream joining the river from the left.

Dawki River Boating & Cliff Jumping

By 9:45 AM, it was time for boating — an activity included in our package. Gliding through the river felt surreal, surrounded by rocky shores, tiny waterfalls, and lush greenery. Along the banks, we could see tents that are removed before the monsoon season when water levels rise.

The boats dropped us near the cliff jumping area, where we tried a bit of adventure before heading back. Optional kayaking was available for an extra cost, but we chose to return by boat. By noon, we were back at the starting point, rested for a bit, and then continued our journey.

Indo–Bangladesh Border Experience

After lunch, we visited the Indo–Bangladesh border, a place that quietly reminds us how close cultures can be, separated only by lines on a map. We could see the Indian welcoming arch, Bangladesh’s gate, and the flag posts of BSF India and Border Guard Bangladesh.

Later in the afternoon, we visited another Dawki boating point right at the border. A rope clearly marked the boundary between the two countries. On one side, Bangladeshi families enjoyed picnics, while boats moved gracefully on the Indian side.

Watching the sunset over Bangladesh while standing on Indian soil was a rare and humbling experience.

Night at Pynursla

As daylight faded, we continued our journey and reached Pynursla for the night. Our stay was at Deli-Baiar Guest House, Pongtung, where we rested well, preparing for the next day’s big adventure.

Mawryngkhang Bamboo Bridge Trek – Adventure Begins

The next morning, after breakfast, we headed to Wahkhen Village, the starting point of the legendary Mawryngkhang Bamboo Bridge Trek. By 10:30 AM, we began our trek into one of Meghalaya’s most thrilling landscapes.

The trail led us along steep ridges, roaring streams, and narrow bamboo bridges clinging to cliff faces. Below us flowed the pristine Umrew River, and along the way, we crossed waterfalls, caves, bamboo ladders, and vertical climbs.

After several ascents and descents, we finally reached U Mawryngkhang, the “King of Stones” — a massive cylindrical rock standing tall in the middle of the river, connected by bamboo bridges. Local folklore tells the story of Mawryngkhang and Mawpator, two rocks that battled for love, leaving visible scars still seen today.

This bamboo bridge trail is a collective effort of the village community, reflecting the Khasi people’s deep respect for nature and their sustainable way of life.

Journey Back & Conclusion

After spending time at the rock, we began our trek back, stopping for a traditional Khasi lunch served on banana leaves near the first bamboo bridge around 2:30 PM. We reached Wahkhen village by 4 PM, just in time to witness another beautiful sunset.

From there, we drove towards Cherrapunji (Sohra), one of the wettest places on Earth. Tomorrow’s adventure would take us to waterfalls, caves, and the iconic living root bridges — which I’ll cover in Part 2 of this series.

This marks the end of Magical Meghalaya – Part 1.

Part 2 coming soon