10 Epic Offbeat Places in Meghalaya – A Detailed Guide
Meghalaya is one of the seven sisters of Northeast India with enchanting beauty and many hidden, offbeat trails. Even a good 21 days in the state felt like a short stay and was not enough to explore the state as much as I wanted to.
I travelled through Meghalaya for three weeks with the company, Our Guest, and discovered quite a few unknown and unexplored places in Meghalaya, hidden away from the tourist sights.
The best part? Since most of these places are relatively unknown to the average tourist, you will have these places all to yourself to explore. If you are planning to visit Meghalaya, this is the best time to do so, before you lose out on the window of visiting the roads not taken.
So, which are these places in Meghalaya? Where should you go and who will help you to visit such hidden gems which are difficult to reach?
Read on and you shall know all the unexplored and offbeat places in Meghalaya you should not miss.
Ten Hidden Gems of Meghalaya That No One Talks About
Mawryngkhang Village
For me, this place will always be the best offbeat destination in Meghalaya. This is one of the best places to visit near Shillong if you are looking for an offbeat trek and crave adventures. Considered one of the scariest treks, Mawryngkhang won’t just give you a unique experience, but also offers breathtaking views.
How to Reach Mawryngkhang?
Reaching Mawryngkhang is tricky. You need to reach Wahkhen first, to start the trek to Mawryngkhang. The availability of public transport to Wahkhen is close to none and therefore, your best bet would be to hire a private cab or vehicle from Shillong or opt to reach with a private tour agency.
What is Special About this Place?
Mawryngkhang is a bamboo trail built by the locals on the Umrew River, which depicts the cultural expertise of the Khasi community. You will be walking on the bamboo trail to reach the end of the trek, taking you to the ridge of the mountain rock. It feels as if you are walking mid-air if you look downwards.
People who are cremnophobic should avoid this trek. The trek is not just thrilling but worth it since the trail will lead you to one of the most breathtaking views of Meghalaya, with deep valleys and high, green hills. The view of the gorge from Mawryngkhang Peak is absolutely stunning.
Folklore Behind this Place:
The place is famous for its tale – the tale of two stones who fell in love with a girl from another kingdom. Due to this, a battle emerged between the two stones where Mawryngkhang succeeded in beheading Mawpator. His head fell into the river gorge, which can be seen from the viewpoint.
Kongthong Village
Being 56 km away from Shilling, Kongthong Village is another great place to visit near Shillong. Interestingly, located in the East Khasi Hills district, it is known as the Whistling or Singing Village.
Folklore Behind This Place
But why exactly is it called a Whistling Village?
In this village, a tradition follows where the mother composes music or a tune for her children known as jingrwai ïawbei in the local language, or ‘the mother’s love song’. This tune forms a unique ID for each villager. Thus, the villagers here have two names; one is their regular name and the other is their unique tune.
The village has around 650 people which means there are 650 unique jingrwai ïawbei or tunes. The place is so unique and every individual tries to safeguard this Intangible Cultural Heritage. This practice is also one of the reasons that attracts so many tourists. After all, it is not everywhere that you can see people singing to each other as a method of communication.
Mawlyngbna and Mawsynram
If you are looking for fun activities and adventures, you must visit Mawlyngbna. The Mawlyngbna Traveller’s Nest remains one of the most picturesque and unexplored places in Meghalaya.
Over here, you can go kayaking, visit the hidden holes of Meghalaya, enjoy Kshaid Umdingkain Falls and walk amidst a giant split rock on Earth. This is your cue to satisfy the adventure-thirsty soul in you.
The village is located on a hilltop. From atop the hill, one witnesses the dramatic sequence of the rolling Khasi hills merging into the Bangladeshi plains.
You can also find the land where animal folklore is still alive – Ka Iew Luri-Lura, a market believed to have been run by animals. You can find impressions of animal footprints on the rocks.
Ialong Park, Jowai
Many people often visit Jowai for the scenic Krang Suri Falls. However, there is a particular region in Jowai which is still untouched – Ialong Park, overlooking the Myntdu River. Just a few kilometres away from the town of Jowai, the park gives you quite a scenic view of the entire valley of Pynthorwah. The river cuts through the valley which makes the sight even more enchanting.
The government currently is trying to make Ialong Park a major tourism hub and build infrastructure in the district. Being the site of a sacred grove, the park is an example of the symbiotic relationship between man and nature.
Tyrshi Falls, Jowai
Another region you must explore as a part of your offbeat places to visit in Meghalaya, near Jowai would be the Tyrshi Falls. Located in the Jaintia Hills district of the state, the Tyrshi Falls offers stunning views of rugged terrain with a serene atmosphere.
How to reach Tyrshi Falls?
Located at about 70 km from the city of Shillong and 5 km from the town of Jowai, it lies right off NH 6.
First, you have to cross an expanse of green paddy fields, followed by a pretty arch bridge. Thereon, you reach the mouth of Tyrshi Falls up here. However, if you want to get the entire view of the falls, get down the spiral stairs to see the length and wild flow of this massive vertical drop.
Also, on the bridge, the view that you will be facing is of Pynthor Nein. This place is truly breathtaking. If you are lucky as I was, you will find the place relatively empty.
Weinia Waterfalls
This is probably one of the most breathtaking falls I have ever seen. Plummeting from a height of a thousand feet, this waterfall is one of Meghalaya’s best-kept secrets.
The flow during the monsoon season is massive and because of that, the vapour that rises from the bottom of the falls makes the entire landscape look as if out of a movie. Moreover, a double-arched bridge in the background of the waterfall adds to its charm and the spray from its pool fills up the entire valley.
Weinia Falls lies on the river Kynshi. During the monsoon, the drop is intense, but, if you are visiting during the summer, you might be lucky to watch a rainbow.
Nongkhnum
Nongkhnum is the largest river island in Meghalaya and the second-largest river island in the Asian continent. The place is so offbeat and unconventional that as soon as I entered, I was in complete awe. Nongkhnum Island is located around 15 km from Nongstoin, the district headquarters.
This is where the Kynshi River splits into two, to form the Phanliang and the Namliang rivers, thereby forming a pristine river island. The island has nothing but masses of green all around. There are no inhabitants here but just a few shepherds working and cows grazing the land. This is one of the best places to camp during the winter or spring, due to less crowd and the low pollution which makes it a great place to stargaze.
The entire area is quite peaceful and quiet. The island is spread about 20-25 square km with only trees all around. You can also go for a waterfall hunt here and sit on the beach to admire the blue water right in front of you.
Mawphanlur Village
If you want to relax and lay around while watching beauty all around you – Mawphanlur Village is for you. The place is surrounded by many ponds and lush green hillocks. If you have read the classic novels describing the English countryside, you would know what I am talking about. The village offers panoramic views of undulating hills, grazing calves and chirping birds with starlit skies and a cool temperature.
We chose this place as a relaxation point after a week of adventure. Believe me when I say this, if you are looking for unexplored places in Meghalaya, this should not escape your list.
The place is tranquil with dogs running and people chilling! Spend your evening watching children playing football and stargazing at night in the clear sky.
David Scott Trek
David Scott was a British administrator who built a 16 km horse-cart track that connected Cherrapunjee to Bangladesh. The trail is named after him. Later on, a war emerged between Tirot Singh, king of the Khadsawphra Syiemship and the British. Thus, the trail is visited by tourists not only to experience the lush meadows but also to understand the history of Meghalaya.
David Scott Trek is gaining popularity lately, but, it is still not as crowded or famous as the Cherrapunjee area. The trek stretches from Mawphlang to Ladmawphlang, both of which should also be visited to understand Meghalaya a little better.
Mawphlang Sacred Forest
If you want to understand the indigenous culture and religious beliefs of Meghalaya, visit the Mawphlang Sacred Forest. Nothing is allowed to be taken out of this Mawphlang Sacred Grove. Not even a leaf, stone or a dead log’. It is said if you take anything out of this forest, bad luck will follow you. It is believed that whoever attempts this, is punished with illness.
Mawphlang Sacred Forest covers some 192 acres. The locals have been protecting the forest for a thousand years now. The entry to the forest is marked with lush green branches and as soon as you enter the forest, you can feel the difference in the air. The environment is cooler and the air feels purer. You will also come across several plants, believed to cure tuberculosis and cancer. The locals also sacrifice bulls here to make the deity happy.
The Map I Followed with Our Guest
Below is a route map of all the ten places. Most of them are very close to each other. You can plan your itinerary on the basis of this.
How to Plan and Whom to Go With?
Most of the places mentioned above are not easily accessible. There is no public transport available and some of them are so remote that, at times you will reach a no-network zone. It is better to plan ahead.
If you prefer backpacking through these offbeat places in Meghalaya, I would recommend you to hire a private vehicle or rent one, if you are confident of driving in the hilly areas. Public transport is not available in such offbeat places and thus, the commute can be really nerve-wracking.
Make sure that you rent a cab or book one of the local tour operators who will help you with the commute.
Meghalaya still remains one of the roads (states) not taken. If you are someone who loves to discover new places, cultures and cuisines, Meghalaya can surprise you wonderfully.
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Embark on a journey to discover Meghalaya’s untouched beauty with this detailed guide to its hidden gems. From the tranquil Dawki River to the mystical Nongkhnum Island, these unexplored destinations promise an adventure of a lifetime for intrepid travelers.