Assam – Meghalaya – Arunachal Pradesh Tour – 9Nights-10Days (Ex-Guwahati)

Detailed Itinerary

Day 01: ARRIVAL GUWAHATI – SHILLONG (100 kms / 3 hrs)

Welcome to Guwahati. Meet and be assisted by our representative at the Airport & proceed to Shillong, also called “Scotland of the 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.

 

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.

 

Lady Hydari Park: Nestled in the heart of Shillong, Lady Hydari Park is a serene oasis that offers a delightful escape from the city’s noise. The park, now known as Phan Nonglait Park, is a favourite spot for locals and tourists, as it is known for its beautifully manicured gardens, vibrant flower beds, and lush greenery. But beyond its tranquil environment, Lady Hydari Park holds a special place in Shillong’s history and heritage.

 

Arrive Shillong and check in at hotel. Overnight at hotel.

 

Day 02: SHILLONG – CHERRAPUNJEE (60 Kms 1 way, 1 ½ hrs drive)
Morning after breakfast full day excursion to 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:

 

Shillong Peak: 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.

 

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 inquired 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.”

 

Nohsngithiang Falls (also known as the Seven Sisters Waterfalls or Mawsmai Falls) : The Seven Sisters Waterfall, also known as Nohsngithiang Falls, is a segmented waterfall in Meghalaya, India, and is a popular tourist destination. It’s known for its seven distinct streams cascading down a cliff, creating a mesmerizing spectacle, especially during the monsoon season.

 

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.

 

Eco Park: The Eco Park has been designed by the Meghalaya government to facilitate tourist to enjoy the ‘Green Canyons” ofSohra as well as the waterfalls that lie around it. There is a stream inside the park and one has to cross a bridge to get near the edge of the canyon.

The scenic beauty from the edge is awe inspiring. On the other side of the Eco Park is a view point to see the Bangladesh plains. The Eco Park also houses a wide variety of orchids, courtesy the Shillong Agri-Horticultural society.

 

Overnight in Cherrapunjee.

 

Day 03: CHERRAPUNJEE – MAWLLYNNONG VILLAGE – SHILLONG (80 Kms / 2/3 Hrs Drive)
After breakfast visit the cleanest village in India.This cute and colorful little village is known for its cleanliness. It is situated 90 kms. from Shillong and besides the picturesque village, offers many interesting sights such as the living root bridge and another strange natural phenomenon of a boulder balancing on another rock. It is along the Indo-Bangladesh border.

 

Evening we will return back to Shillong. Overnight in Shillong.

 

Day 04: SHILLONG – GUWAHATI (100 Kms, / 3 hrs drive)
Morning after breakfast depart for Guwahati to explore the following attractions:

 

Kamakhya Temple: The origin of Kamakhya Temple is pre Aryan situated atop the Nilachal Hill. The formost shrine of Assam, The Kamakhya is an ancient seat of Tantric and shakti Cults of Hinduism. The original temple was destroyed by the invading Muslims in their crusade against Hindu temples and idols in the early part of 16th century. Ultimately it was restored from ruins by King Naranarayan of the Koch dynasty and rebuilt in its present forming 1665 AD.

Shankardev Kalakshetra: a place where Assamese history and culture is depicted in a sprawling open enclosure. It has a beautiful museum where they preserved the masks (these masks are made in Majuli island), the traditional dresses and jewellery of the entire North East India. A Namghar (Assamese prayer Hall) and an open air theatre has been constructed to perform the plays and other cultural activities during festivals.

 

Assam State Zoo and the Botanical Gardens: The landscape of the Zoo is very interestingly planned with the locational advantage, it spreads over an area of 85 hectares. Hilly ribbon like roads encircling the Zoo for easy visits to the cages of animals make the visit worth remembering for quite some time. All the animals with world famous endangered one horn rhino, snakes, tigers etc really have been kept in a very well maintained manner. Its clean and the staffs concerned are helpful.

 

One of the main attraction of this place is the Orchid House which boasts of a collection of more than 40 varieties of rare orchids gathered from the entire North East region of the country. The gardens are open on all days except Fridays.

 

Alfresco Grand Sunset Cruise : A good Boat cruise experience on mighty Brahmaputra River. Beautiful sunset view with arrangement of DJ and good refreshments.

 

Overnight at hotel of Guwahati.

 

Day 05: GUWAHATI – BOMDILA (330 kms/6 Hrs Drive)
After Breakfast transfer to Bomdila. Check in the hotel on arrival. Evening visit Gontse Rabgyaling Monastery (Upper Gonpa), Thub-Chog Gatsel Ling Monastery (Lower Gonpa). Bomdila offers wonderfully panoramic view of Himalayan landscapes and snow-clad ranges. Evening you can visit the local market. Overnight stay in Bomdila.

 

Day 06: BOMDILA – TAWANG (180 Kms, 6 hrs drive)
Morning after breakfast depart by car for Tawang.

En route visit:

 

Jaswant Garh: The war memorial is located 14 kms from Sella Pass on the way to Tawang. The memorial pay homage to Jaswant Singh Rawat, Mahavir Chakra Awardee posthumous (the second highest award from the Indian Army). In the famous battle of Nuranang against Chinese in November 1962, Rawat and two other soldiers from 4th Batallion Garhwal Rifles were instrumental in killing 300 Chinese soldiers in 72 hours.

 

Sella Pass: The entry point into the Tawang Valley is Sela pass at an elevation of 13700 ft above the sea level.. Legend says that a monpa woman supported sepoy Jashwant Singh during his battle with the Chinese. She brought sepoy Jashwant supplies and used to heal his wounds. When Jashwant got martyrdom she killed herself as an act of loyalty.

 

The glimpse of Paradise Lake in the Sella Pass makes your visit worth. Most of the time the lake is covered with thick blanket of snow.

Arrive Tawang and check in at hotel. Evening free at leisure. Overnight at hotel.

 

Day 07: TAWANG
Morning after breakfast explore Tawang, visiting:

 

Tawang Monastery (Vihar): Tawang Monastery about 400 years old, situated at an altitude of approximately 10,000 ft. is the second largest Buddhist monastery in India. It also holds the distinction of being the birthplace of the 6th Dalai Lama. The monastery is the house of more than 700 monks. The monastery was founded by Merag Lama Lodre Gyamtso, in 1681 in accordance to the wishes of the 5th Dalai Lama, Nagwang Lobsang Gyatso. As per the legend, the site of the Monastery was chosen by the horse of Merag Lama. Merag Lama, who had been unable to decide a site to establish the monastery. One day he was praying in cave, seeking a divine guidance. When he came out after the prayers, he found his horse was missing. On search, the horse was located standing quietly on a hilltop. Considering that as the sign of divine blessing he decided to construct the monastery at the very spot. The monastery is also called Galden Namgey Lhatse meaning celestial paradise. There is a magnificent 8-meter-high statue of Lord Buddha. The ancient library inside the courtyard has an excellent collection of thangkas, painted with the blood from the nose of 5th Dalai Lamaand valuable Buddhist manuscripts mainly Kanjur and Tanjur numbering 850 bundles.

 

Urqelling Monastery: It is the birthplace of the 6th Dalai Lama who is the only Indian to have risen to such a high position in Gelupka Sect of Buddhism so far. Inside the monastery there are several Stupas (Vihar) and people from all walks of life visit this place during Buddhist new year to get the blessing for the coming year.
The Craft Center: The craft center in Tawang sells beautiful masks, hand woven carpets, jewellery in silver, coral and amber, ‘chubas’ the local dressand delightful affordable mementos.

 

Tawang War Memorial: The memorial is dedicated to the martyrs of the 1962 Sino-Indian war. The memorial is 40-foot-high and like a stupa in design. It is locally called ‘Namgyal Chortan’. The names of 2420 martyrs imprinted in gold on 32 black granite plagues.

 

Overnight at hotel.

 

Day 08: TAWANG – DIRANG (130 Kms, 5 hrs drive)
Morning after breakfast depart for Dirang. En route stop at the Nuranang falls.

Arrive Dirang and check in at the hotel.

 

Dirang: Dirang 40 kms from Bomdila is situated at an altitude of 1497 meters. It is an ideal hill resort in West Kameng district with beautiful Apple Nursery, Kiwi Farm, Yak Research Centre, Buddhist Gompa, Hot Water Spring and ancient Dirang Jong (Fort). It is the base camp for trekking to Gorichen peak and other bird watching trails.

 

Afternoon visit the natural hot spring, Apple gardens and the Yak Breeding farms. Overnight at hotel.

 

Day 09: DIRANG – NAMERI (140 kms, 5 hrs drive)

Morning after breakfast return to Nameri.

On arrival check in at Eco-Camp / Lodge / Resort. All are located on the banks of Kameng river on the Assam side in the middle of a countryside, surrounded by tropical jungle. We start the day with tracking inside the Nameri National Park which is the home of the near extinct white Winged Wood-duck. Besides, the park abounds in elephants, leopards, sambar, barking deer, wild boar, gaur, Indian wild dogs and a variety of birds including four species of hornbill.

Overnight will be at Nameri.

 

Day 10: NAMERI – GUWAHATI DEPARTURE (240kms. / 5hrs.)
After breakfast, check-out from Hotel and with everlasting memories transfer to Guwahati Airport/Rly Stn. for onward journey to home.

 

Tour Ends But Sweet Memories Always Reminds