Northeast India has always been a dream for me. I have heard of several tales of just how beautiful the landscape is from many people I had interacted with growing up. As a family, we have planned vacations every summer break and have covered several parts of India over the years. However, given the distance, we had never planned a trip there. So in 2017, when we got the chance to do another trip the 4 of us, it was no surprise that we ended up selecting the northeast as our next destination.
The seven states including Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Tripura, Nagaland got their names given the great interdependence these states have with each other. The seven states are connected by road to India by a narrow stretch of 22kms called the Siliguri Corridor or the Chickens Neck. Siliguri is the central node that connects all North East India states, Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh. The connectivity within the states is also majorly by road as air/rail connectivity is restricted.
Given the logistics constraints and time restrictions, we decided to restrict our expedition this trip to only Assam and Meghalaya. The best part about family vacations is that it is not so much about the places you visit. But more the journey of experiencing new places together. It is a way of reconnecting again especially when life has taken each of you onto separate paths. It is an opportunity to go back in time, be a child, reminisce those good old memories again. It is a time to be grateful with all the lovely folks who always have your back no matter what. The pace of travel is much slower than other trips and revolves more around comfort and ease. And the trip was just all that and more.
A quick look at the itinerary
Brief points to remember
1.A trip to the northeast will definitely involve a lot of road travel as the connectivity by rail/air is very restricted to select pockets within the states. So please ensure those traveling are comfortable with long road journeys
2. Do check the dates of monsoon and opening and closing of Kaziranga National Park. We had to make a lot of last minute changes to our itineraries since we found out after reaching Guwahati, that the park had flooded earlier than expected. It was already shut for visitors. We made use of the additional day by staying back in Cherrapunji another night, a decision which I think none regretted
3. If you are planning to travel to Cherrapunji, a stay (preferable) or a visit to Sa-I-Mika Park is a must. They have the most lovely property! It has to be the most random hotel booking I would have ever made for it was done over a phone call and a 100 rupee deposit. But the simplicity of the process works and the rooms are lovely and so close to nature that you would not even need to step out of the hotel fences to take in Cherrapunji. Just walking up and down the meadows in the park is therapy enough.
Watch out for those clouds in Meghalaya. They are playful little things there. You will be walking in what you think is clear skies on those Khasi Hills only to find yourself surrounded amidst clouds within seconds and you can hardly see the ground where you want to keep your next step. Driving is equally risky and road congestions are natural with such limited visibility.
For all those digital nomads and mobile phone addicts, the restricted cellular coverage and intermittent data should help to have conversations with your co-travelers rather than your social media stalkers J
Why you should plan a trip to Cherrapunji?
1.Disconnect with technology and reconnect with nature
If you are one of the many who has been feeling undue stress in life, a trip to north-east India is a quaint reminder of quieter and simpler lives. Life thrives so close to nature that it can be all-consuming.
2.To explore another facet of India’s beautiful landscapes
If you have traveled enough in India, by now, you must be aware, there is no other country in the world that can boast of having all these varied landscapes. Right from the deserts of Rajasthan, to the mountains in Uttarakhand, to the beaches in Goa and temples in south India. There is simply too much beauty to see. And when we went to Meghalaya, we realized that there are more feathers to this cap. The Khasi Hills and the gorges in Sohra were stunning. One lush green hill behind another. A natural canopy like no other. Just catch one golden sunrise or sunset in these hills. Believe me, it is worth it.
3.You get to walk amidst the clouds
Now, come on you don’t need any further explanation for this. Where else in the world can you claim to do that!
Life is quieter. The scenery around you is wonderful and distractions limited. Soak in that slow life, let them permeate as much of your membranes as possible before you jump back to the hustle of metro cities. Breathe, dance on top of those beautiful hills, hug those loved ones, converse and come closer to each other and watch the setting sun by the grass and just be.
