Meghalaya
Meghalaya, the very term denotes ‘Abode of Clouds’ in Sanskrit, is a north eastern state that largely accommodates a plenty of aquatic elements that include undulating rivers, waterfalls, sparkling mountain streams, emerald-green lakes and gorges as well as precipitous ravines to woo tourists from other parts of India and outside the country. Besides, Meghalaya also draws tourists’ attraction because of the existence of large green valleys, hilltops and thickest surviving forests. Scenically Scottish and culturally Indian, the state of Meghalaya has succeeded in flourishing its tourism industry with Shillong, the state capital, is a major attraction. There are three indigenous tribes settled in Meghalaya, namely, the Khasis, the Jaintias and the Garos whose main occupations are weaving, pottery, wood and stone carving, metal work and basketry. Like other north eastern states, Meghalaya is also a multi cultural, multi ethnic and multi religious land showcasing an extraordinary fusion of traditional and modern lifestyle.
Meghalaya Tourism
Bestowed with plentiful natural elements and landscapes, Meghalaya has earned a place in the global map as one of the must-see destinations in the world. The presence of subtropical forests, rare plant and animal species, longest and deepest caves and a series of landlocked water bodies contributes immensely to the growth Meghalaya tourism industry, even though the state is still considered as an untapped and unexplored land on the Earth. Of late, Meghalaya Tourism Department has launched cost-effective and effective travel packages to entice more domestic and international tourists so as to improve the economic condition and boost employment generation. Meghalaya tourism is highly inclined towards nature, culture, health resorts and art and craft and as a result of which the state Government gives emphasis on the improvement of infrastructure and public facilities at all tourist spots. In addition, Meghalaya tourism also covers adventure tourism to let tourists enjoy and experience trekking, caving, and water sports. Rock climbing and Hand gliding will be promoted with recognized adventure and sports associations.
At Myluit, you can get an opportunity to view a wide range of holiday packages and vacation tours to Meghalaya at different price ranges. Approaching us helps you collect comprehensive information about Meghalaya tourism covering details of travel spots, hotels, transport, and treks, history, culture, and fairs and festivals.
Beautiful Forest of Meghalaya
The forests of Meghalaya are notable for their biodiversity of mammals, birds, and plants. Meghalaya is predominantly an agrarian economy. The important crops of the state are potato, rice, maize, pineapple, banana etc. The people of Meghalaya are known to be hospitable, cheerful and friendly. The state’s area is divided in Khasi hills, Jaintia hills and Garo hills. The forests of Meghalaya are notable for their biodiversity of flora and fauna.
How to reach
By Air : To reach the state by air the nearest airport is Umroi, 33 km from Shillong. LGBIAirport, Guwahati, is 128 km from Shillong. Helicopter service is also available between Guwahati-Shillong-Guwahati, Shillong-Tura-Shillong and Guwahati-Tura-Guwahati.
By Road : For road journey, network of road connects the state capital Shillong with all neighbouring states and major cities of the country.
Best Time to visit
Meghalaya is an all-year-round tourist destination, where even the monsoon provides the exhilaration and experience of being on the wettest place on the planet. Yet the best time to visit Meghalaya is on the months of March and July, when the weather is uniquely pleasant and caressing.
Tour operators in Meghalaya
Meghalaya Adventure Tours :
Contact: Gregory Diengdoh
Ph: 0364-2545621/2548059
(M) 098630-60368
email: briandaly@rediffmail.com
Cultural Pursuits Adventures :
Hotel Alpine Continental
Thana Rd. Shillong 793001
Ph No : 98560 41205/ 94363 03978
email – cp@culturalpursuits.com
web- www.culturalpursuits.com
Van Rap Tours & Travels
Police Bazar, Shillong – 793001
Ph: 0364-2220954 (M): 9863028787/9436103247
Fax: 0364-2220954
e-mail: vanrapch@hotmail.com
Nakliar Tourist Info Centre
G.S.Road, Police Bazar(for Mawlynnong Circuit),Shillong-793001
Contact: D.D. Laloo Ph : 0364-2502420
Mobile: 9436104844
email: nakliartours@gmail.com
Tourist & Travels Information Centre
Meghalaya Tourism Development Corporation
Police Bazar, Shillong – 793001
Ph No : 0364-2226220
Meghalaya House, 9 Aurangzeb Road,
New Delhi 110001
Ph No : (011) 23014417
Meghalaya House, 120 Shanti Pally,
Behari Connector, Kolkata – 700107
Ph No : (033) 24411937, Fax: (033)24411930
Meghalaya House, A.K. Azad Road,
Rehabari, Guwahati
Ph : (0361) 2544343/632174
Hotel & Resorts
HOTEL POLO TOWERS
Polo Ground, Shillong
Ph No.: 0364 2222341, 2222342
Fax: 0364 2220090
e-mail: enquiry@hotelpolotowers.com
website: www.hotelpolotowers.com
HOTEL BROADWAY
G.S.Road, Shillong 793001
Tel : +91 364 2226996 / 2220815
Fax : +91 364 2501892
Email: hotelbroadway@live.in / hotelbroadwayshillong@gmail.com
web site : www.hotelbroadway.net
HOTEL PEGASUS CROWN
Ward’s Lake road, Police Bazaar,
Shillong 793001
Ph. No.: 0364 2220667, 2220668,2220669, 2220665, Fax: 0364 2228835
e-mail: pegasuscrown@gmail.com
HOTEL ALPINE CONTINENTAL
Thana road/Quinton road, Shillong 793001
Ph. No.: 0364 2220991, 2223617
Fax: 0364 2220996
e-mail: alpineshiilong@hotmail.co
Website: www.alpinecontinental.com
HOTEL ORCHID
Oakland Road, Polo Grounds, Shillong
Ph. No.: 0364 2224935, 2222664
Fax: 0364 2224176
e-mail: hpt@vsnl.com
HOTEL CENTRE POINT
Police Bazaar, Shillong 793001
Ph. No.: 0364 2225210, 2220480, 2229839
Fax: 0364 2220100
e-mail: center_point91@rediffmail.ccm
HOTEL PINEWOOD
European Ward, Rita Road,
Shillong – 793 001,
Meghalaya, India
Ph No : (0364) 2223116, 2223146, 2223263,
Fax : 0364 – 2224176
E-mail : pinewoodhotel@dataone.in
Website : www.meghalayatourism.org
ORCHID LAKE RESORT
Umiam, Barapani
Ph. No.: 0364 -2570258, 2570296
Rl KYNJAI RESORT
Umniuh Khwan, U.C.C Road
Ri Bhoi, Meghalaya
Ph. No.: + 91 98624 20300 / 20301
Fax: 0364 2220100
e-mail: info@rikynjai.com
Website: www.rikynjai.com
STARVALLEY TOURIST RESORT
Ri-Bhoi District
13th MILE, Byrnihat
Ph no: 9863081629/ 9856823338/9856743040
ORCHID INN
Thadlaskien, Jaintia Hills
Ph. No.: 9856003662/9863600078/9863101231
e-mail: ctc_orchid_inn@indiatimes.com
HOTEL RIKMAN CONTINENTAL
Tura 794001, West Garo Hills
Ph. No.: 03651-220744-45
Fax:03651-223611
e-mail: rikman_tura@hotmail.com
ORCHID LODGE
Tura, Arai Mile, West Garo Hills
Ph. No.: 0986-2202772
Fax: 03651-224176, 222731
WILLIAMNAGAR TOURIST LODGE
Williamnagar, East Garo Hills
Ph. No.: 03651-232394
Tourist Attactions
Shillong : The capital of Meghalaya , also known as the Scotland of the East , has its own charm with natural scenic beauty enhanced by waterfalls, brooks, pine grooves and gardens. The place, the people, the flora and fauna and the climate all combine to make Shillong an ideal resort throughout the year. Ward’s Lake is one of the most popular tourist spots and adjacent to the lake is the Botanical Garden and BotanicalMuseum. StateMuseum exhibits the anthropological and cultural life of the people of Meghalaya and opposite the meseum is the All Saints Cathedral, one of the oldest churches in Shillong. LadyHydariPark is named after the wife of Sir Akbar Hydari and close by to the park is the Crinoline Falls & Swimming Pool. Don Bosco Centre for Indigenous Cultures houses a world class seven storied museum showcasing the rich cultural heritage of north eastern states of India. The skywalk provides the visitors 360 degree view of the city.
Beauty of Shillong,Scotland of the East
SmitVillage is an administrative headquarters of the Khyrim Syiemship and in the centre of the village there is the ING SAD where the queen mother (Syiem Sad) lives.
ShillongPeak : It is generally believed to be the abode of a powerful deity known as U Lel-Shyllongmeaning Shyllong god and also exotic natural view. AwesomeElephantFalls lies on the way to Cherrapunjee. Law Duh is a wonderful place for tourist in search of local colour EntomologicalMuseum(ButterflyMuseum) is the only known museum in India devoted to moths and butterflies. Bishop & Beadon Falls can be seen from Nongkwar hill at Mawlai. Shillong Golf Course is considered as one of the best country. Archery Stakes run every day at Saw-furlong, Polo Grounds.
Cherrapunjee : The beautiful place of Meghalaya , renamed as Sohra, is famous for being the heaviest rainfall area in the world and
Fascinating Water falls of Cherapunjee
it is dotted with a number of waterfalls such as Nohkalikai Falls, Nohsngithiang (Mawsmai Falls) Kynrem Falls, etc.Root bridge,double decker root bridge are special attraction of the place.
Lawkyntang : Also known as Law Lygdoh (Mawphang Sacred Grove. It is a dense forest grove where the Lyngdoh (chief) used to offer sacrifices and prayers.
Jakrem Hot Spring : This hot spring is believed to possess therapeutic qualities.
UmiamLake: Also known as BarapaniLake, is at present the biggest artificial lake in Meghalaya located at a distance of 17 km from Shillong. This is a very popular place for picnics, fishing and water sports. Meghalaya Tourism Development Corporation(MTDC) had started operating water-sports in the area. Also the OrchidLake resort run by the MTDC caters to the need of the visiting tourists.
Mawjynram cave : Here one can see water dripping from a breast-shaped stone hanging from the ceiling and falling down a stone resembling the shiv linga.
Ranikor : It lies to the south of Mawsynram(56 km from Shillong),a fishing spots where huge golden mahaseers, the pride of the anglers, are available. The dark blue deep water of Jadukata offers ample scope for water sports.
Mawlynnong Village : The picturesque village located a distance of 90 km from Shillong has earned its reputation as one of the cleanest village in India. The main occupation of the villagers is agriculture and about 82 families living in the Mawlynnong village are responsible in keeping the village surrounding clean.
Root (tree) Bridge of Meghalaya
Mairang : It is well-known for being the headquarters of U Triot Sing Syiem, Syiem of Nonghklaw (Raja of Nongkhlaw) who raised the battle cry against the British on April 4, 1829. A beautiful memorial is constructed here. Close by to the town lies Kyllang Rock a massive rock of granite that rises 5,400 ft above sea level the surrounding plains located distance of 78 km from Shillong.
Nongkhnum Island : It is the second largest island in the Asian continent’ after MajuliIsland in Assam . It lies 14 km from Nongstoin, which is the district headquarters of West Khasi hills. The Island is approximately 20 to 25 sq km in area and it is formed by the bifurcation of KyunshiRiver into the PhanliangRiver and NamliangRiverThadlaskeinLake traditionally believed to have been made by the army of U SajarNangli by digging their bows and scooping out the mud.
NokrekPeak : This place offers an interesting range of orchids including wildlife.
Jowai : located at64 km from Shillong is the headquarters of Jaintia hills and commercial centre.
Nartiang : Nartiang is known for its summer palace of the Jaintia King, the palace is located on a hillock with the DurgaTemple, believed to have been constructed by the King on his conversion to Hinduism. The biggest collection of megalithic stones in single area is found here.
Syndai Cave : It once served as a secured place where Jaintia Kings used to keep their families during strife or war. In around Jowai town one can visit the Monumant of Kiang Nongbah and SyntuKsiar meaning golden flower.
Bhaitbari, (Garo hills): A place renowned for its historical and archaeological importance. SijuCaves known as Dobahkolor Cave of Bats is located near the Simsangriver.
Balpakram : National Park offers a variety of Wildlife.
