ChaloHoppo on Ancient Trails

through a Hidden Meghalaya

Time to explore the Hidden Meghalaya

Travel on the roads less taken to meet the whistling communities. Trek on the ancient Khasi trails to explore the hidden Living Root Bridges. Jump and Kayak in the transparent waters of Umngot River. Relax to

the mist of Sohra(Cherrapunji).

Explore the other side of Meghalaya.

Trek on ancient trails to discover Hidden Living Root Bridges

A sense of travelling comes when you explore the less explored places in a known surrounding. Ever wanted to take the roads less taken? Ever wanted to trek to Living Root Bridges with no human insight? Ever felt like jumping in the transparent waters? Ever wanted to wander in a hidden Meghalaya?

Join us to live all the answers!

View from the unique Kongthong Village

You may not be visiting the famous double-Decker living root bridges of Nongriat. But you have the chance of seeing and interacting with a man who is building the first quadruple decker living root bridges! On this trip, you get to explore the legend of the living root bridges from the highest root bridge to the longest in the state (as claimed by the locals) while trekking through pristine forests.

Swing Along!

Travel further to live among the unique whistling community of Meghalaya, where each villager has a unique whistle as a name. Enjoy your time in Meghalaya's very own natural water park with famous transparent waters.

The Transparent Umngot River

The brief Itinerary

5 nights and 6 days

Day 1 Step in the Abode of Clouds!

Your trip starts from Guwahati Airport at 9 am. Meet your ChaloHoppo Guy and board your vehicle. Enter the East Khasi hills of Meghalaya, enjoying the scenic views on the way to Sohra (Cherrapunji). If there are still signs of hunger left, have lunch at a known restaurant of Sohra.Check in your cosy abode of the day and leave for to visit the triple decker waterfall, Wei Saw Dong. Enjoy the views on offer and spare time to take down the thoughts that pop up.Return to your abode and head to the world of English Classic Rocks with the talented local band, Tenny & Boi.

Highlights:Drive Time- 5 hours.Stay- Sai Mika Resort, Sohra.

Day 2 Whistle your way to the Whistling Village

Wake up to the cold misty morning of Sohra(Cherrapunji), post breakfast prepare yourself for a rough road trip. It will take you about 3-4 hours to reach the Kongthong. The last 2 hours will give you the worst Meghalayan road experience but with a surreal view outside the windows.Enjoy the serene property in the village overlooking at mountains all around. Greet the friendly tail wagging hosts while you enjoy the lunch to the eye-pleasing views. Leave for a village walk accompanied by an English speaking local guide. Take a walk around the village echoching with whistling names. Get hosted by a local to enjoy some tea and know about the history behind this unique practice. Make your way to a hidden spot below the village to witness surreal sunset of Meghalaya.Make your way back to dine at your abode with some bonfire around.Highlights:Drive Time- 4 hours.Stay- Kongthong Traveller’s Nest, Kongthong.

Day 3 Camp by the Transparent River

Wake up early and go for a small hike to the nearby hill to greet the rising sun. This will take you about 2 hours till you reach back for breakfast at the Traveller’s Nest. Post breakfast prepare yourself for a long road south. Cross the busy Dawki catching glimpse of Bangladesh on the way to reach Shnongpdeng. Your lunch will be on the way, at a dhaba. It will take us about 6 hours today on the winding roads through green valleys to small villages surrounded by Betel Nut Trees. Reach the small village settled by the Umngot river and check in your campsite by the river.Prepare your songs and gather around the bonfire to spend this night under the stars.Highlights:Drive Time- 6 hours.Stay- Camping in Shnongpdeng.

Day 4 An Adventurous Day in Transparent Water

Unzip your tent to the view of free flowing transparent Umngot river. Freshen up and change into your swimwear to experience the natural water park in Meghalaya. Boat in traditional Khasi boats on the transparent waters of Umngot River and cliff jump into the water. You can even try swimming and kayaking. Come back to have lunch and pak up to leave for your next destination, Langkawet.Reach your resort surrounded by hills built by the side of a lake. Spend time with your thoughts around the secluded setting, capturing another magical Meghalayan sunset. Settle in your cottages and get some much needed rest in the cosy beds. Highlights:Drive Time- 3 hours.Stay- Langkawet Resort.

Day 5 Trek to Explore the Living Root Bridges

Wake up early and prepare yourself for a trek to remember. Post breakfast we leave for Rangthilliyang, 30 minutes away from the resort. Tie your laces and check your shoe grips for this trek will be a rugged, rocky trail with no concrete steps. We will be going from one village to the other through the dense forest. On the way, we will explore 5 root bridges, from the highest in the state to the longest. It will take us about 5 hours to complete the trek. Our local guides are the ones who are working to save the root bridges and will not be guiding you narrating the history and info on these wonders of man-nature architectures. Post trek we will have tea and snacks at a local’s house. A half an hour drive back and you end your tiring but memorable day in your cosy beds at the resort.Highlights:Drive Time- 1 hour.Stay-Langkawet Resort, Langkawet. Trek Time- 4-5 hours, depending on the group’s pace.

Day 6 ‘Khublei!’

Our transport will be waiting to get us to Guwahati airport post breakfast. Bid your goodbyes to this other side of Meghalaya until you come back.

*Please book you return flights post 3 pm.

Drive Time- 5 hours.

Tenny performs!

The Band profile Tonight you will be joined by the amazing talent of Tenny Gregory and Banpynshai Thabah. Tenny and Boi as we call them came into our lives on 31st December 2016, when we were welcoming the new year in Cherrapunji. A night of relentless jamming with these boys made us realise the dedication these folks have towards music. All they know is Music. Tenny and Boi aren't well to do, in fact Tenny is a mason laying bricks and works in a construction site of sorts, but if you speak to him, you will find him no less intriguing than a learned philosopher. Boi is quite and the only language he speaks is music. Some of our guests have already met them, interacted with them and lauded their skills. They don't like to be paid for music, but if people willingly give tips, then they use it to invest in small things like mics, guitars etc. In 2017, it was the first time ever they ever stepped out of Cherrapunji, and first time on a train when we took them along to be our camp band at the Ziro festival of music.

Please note a few things:

1. They are not comfortable taking requests and no they can't sing hindi songs.

2. The music they cover mostly are from the 1970s to 1980s .

3. They smoke and drink while they play.

Trip Inclusions

● All accommodations on a twin sharing basis in tents, homestays and resort.● Transport from Guwahati Airport and back.● Breakfast on all days except Day 1.● Lunch on Day 2, 4 and 5.● Dinner on Day 2 and 3.● Transport in an Innova/Dzire/Tempo depending on the number of people on the trip.● ChaloHoppo Guy to lead the trip.● Local English Speaking guides at Kongthong, Shnongpdeng, Mawrynkot.● Boating at Shnongpdeng.● Local vehicles to travel to Kongthong.● Village Fees and tokens given to local hosts.

Trip Exclusions● Airfare charges.● All food & beverages cost apart from the ones mentioned above.● Any camera fees.● Hotel & driver tips (if any)● Lunch on Day 1,3 and 6.● Breakfast on Day 1.● Dinner on Day 1, 4 and 5.● Activities at Shnongpdeng.● Any personal expenditure (Toiletries, medicines, etc.).● Cost incidental to any change in the itinerary/ stay on account of flight cancellation due to bad weather, ill health, roadblocks and/or any factors

beyond control.● Anything not specifically mentioned under the head "Inclusions".

Review of our other Meghalaya Trips

Review of our other Meghalaya Trips

Review of our other Meghalaya Trips

FAQ’sQ. Which airport do we have to come to and fly out from?A: The tour begins from Guwahati Airport and ends at the same.

Q. What time should we land and what time should we book the return flights?A: Ideally you should land before 9 am and fly out post 3 pm.

Q. Do I need a Visa, inner line permit or any other kind of identity proof to enter northeast India?A: No you won't require any permits to enter Meghalaya.

Q.I am a solo traveller, can I come on this trip?A: A most definite yes, as long as you are okay travelling in a mixed group of other solo travellers or small group of friends.

FAQ’sQ. I am a vegetarian, I hear that people only consume meat there. How will I manage?A: Though vegetarians may not have the luxury of tasting all the local foods as these are mostly meat-based. You have nothing to worry you will get all kinds of basic sabji, dal, rice, roti, papad, salad etc. Your cravings for butter paneer or mushroom Manchurian may not be fully satisfied but you will do just fine. You must ensure that you are trying out all the available seasonal fruits and local wild leaves.

Read this blog to know about the food hacks that vegetarian travellers can try in Meghalaya.

Q. How will the roads in Meghalaya be?

A: The roads in Meghalaya are the best you can come across in the country. Although, the road journey to Kongthong will be rusty with bad roads.

Q. Can I book extra nights of hotel accommodation before or after my tour?

A: Extra nights can be booked based on availability. You can also visit our Custom trip section to plan a different trip.

FAQ’sQ. Is it safe to travel to Northeast India? I have been warned about Naxalites, ULFA and other terrorist groups.

A: The sources of such warnings should be checked and speaking from the perspective of locals living in the region we can say that though some parts of Northeast India do have cases of groups clashing against government forces from time to time, it doesn’t affect a tourist as long as the route is chosen wisely and hours of commute are decided smartly, much like travelling in any other part of the world.

If you have seen warnings in the advisory pages of governments, then we would like to remind you that governments (of different countries)will always take precaution and not be in sync with the real situation. Northeast India is absolutely safe with warm and welcoming locals. You should have no issues even going to the most interior places. As with any other tribal dominated region, respect the local culture and don't hurt their sentiments, and you will have a great time in a beautiful place.

Because so less is known about the region in general, it may be a wise idea to get in touch with some travel experts before you plan your trip.

Cost of the experience per person

Rs. 24,500/-

For further details email experiences@chalohoppo.com

AND EXPECT A PROMPT RESPONSE.

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