Magical Meghalaya

Special Places to Stay

Orchid Lake Resort, Umiam

Designed by Charles Correa, this resort offers both accommodation and water sports facilities. Set in peaceful surroundings and the Lam Nehru Park known for its aviary and orchid centre is right next door.

17 Kms from Shillong.

Tel (0364) 257 0258/0296

Tripura Castle Royal Heritage

Treat yourself to the first heritage hotel in the North east, situated over 9 acres of sprawling forest. Each room has wood interiors, a brass fireplace. Along with the regular 5 star amenities, check out the renowned Therapy Centre offering holistic and indigenous herbal treatments.

Cleve Colony, Shillong

Tel (0364) 250 1111/ 1149

Hotel Pinewood, Shillong

For the budget traveler, the state run Hotel Pinewood is a great choice. Wake up in the morning to the sound of gentle temple bells next door ; and take a short walk down the street to find yourself in the midst of a bustling bazaar that sells just about everything.

Rita Road, Shillong

Tel (0364) 222 3146/3116

Must Visits in Meghalaya

Krem Kotasati Umalawan Cave

Dark, spooky, damp but full of adventure. Ualawan in Lumshnong village is the largest of the state’s 1000 identified and recorded caves. It is also the largest cave in the entire sub-continent with a surveyed length of 21.5 Kms, which would keep any enthusiastic caver busy. It has 24 horizontal and vertical entrances, there are several dangerous and intresting passages, clausterphoia inducing crawls, tricky climb and even an 11 metre waterfall. Watch your steps.

60 Kms from Jowal.

Living Root Bridges

Nowhere else in the world will you see living tree roots pulled across rivers and streams to make bridges that are surprisingly strong. The Living Root Bridge at Tyrna Village near Laitkynsew is actually a whooping Double Decker bridge measuring 59 ft and 84 ft in length. To see it, you will need to go on a tough trek for about 90 minutes, but it will be worth the aching muscles you nurse later, for it is a wondrous sight. There are other such bridges in the area as well, some of which have taken more than a century to grow.

Slight Diversion form the Shillong- Cherrapunjee Route