There is another Meghalaya deep inside the recesses of the Meghalaya that we know. The wilder and more gorgeous and sometimes a tad spine-chilling Meghalaya, who can be found only when you are walking into her wilderness. We have curated our program weaving in some of those trails. The David Scott trail, The Rainbow Waterfall trail, The Mawryngkhang trail.
The David Scott trail dates back to the first half of the 1800s when a British administrator, named David Scott, discovered this trail in the form of a mule track to travel to Bangladesh from Assam. The entire trail covered a distance of 130 kms from Assam to Bangladesh after it was developed. The current trail, which is about 16 kms from Mawphlang to Lad Mawphlang, meanders through some of the most beautiful terrains of the Eastern Khasi hills.
For the Rainbow waterfalls, you hike down to the famous Double Decker living root bridge at Nongriat and proceed further, going beyond the blue lagoon to reach the Rainbow waterfalls. We stay a day there, in a homestay, close to the Double Decker Living Root Bridge. How can we miss taking a dip in the pool at the base of the stream?
In the last leg of our program, we are going to walk on a trail of bamboo attached to the steep surfaces of gorges as we see a beautiful river course right underneath it. There you have the scariest trek in Meghalaya. The Mawryngkhang Bamboo trek. Just so that you know, the entire trail solely built by the villagers, is sometimes a continuous walkway traversing near vertical cliffs with dizzying drops at the left. And the entire length of the trail, which circumnavigates the huge rock , U Mawrungkhang, is made by piecing together bamboos.
Our itinerary also includes the cave systems of Mawsmai and Arwah, The first one known for its subterranean labyrinth of amazing stalactite and stalagmite formations and the second for its rich deposit of fossils and limestone formations which are millions of years old and a rivulet that always runs under your feet sometimes sinking your ankles.
We have curated the program keeping in mind that you might want to see the cherry blossoms blooming all over Shillong and the adjacent places.
ITINERARY
09/11/24
- We pick you up from LGIBA airport ( Guwahti) at 10 am.
- Travel to Shillong via Deepor beel and Umiam lake
- Visit Wards lake and Golfcourse
- Overnight stay at Shillong.
- Travel time : 6 hours
10/11/24
- Today we leave for David Scott Trail trek at 7 am. Packed breakfast and lunch will be provided. Please carry a sturdy and spacious lunchbox.
- Travel time from Shillong to Mawphlang : 1 hour
- Visit Mawphlang Sacred forest
- Trek from Mawphlang to Lad Mawphlang on the David Scott trail
- Trek distance : 16 kms approx
- Trek time : 4 to 6 hours approx
- Pick up by transport to homestay in Cherrapunji : 1 hour ride distance
- Overnight stay at Cherrapunji
11/11/24
- Post breakfast, visit Mawsmai caves, Arwah caves and Nohkalikai
- Overnight stay at Cherrapunji
12/11/24
- Post breakfast we leave for Nongriat
- Trek down to Rainbow waterfalls
- Overnight stay at basic homestay with khasi tribes at Nongriat
13/11/24
- Leave Nongriat at 6 am for Wahkhen village
- Trek Mawryngkhang : 3.5 kms approx
- Trek time : 4-5 hours
- Ride back to Shillong
- Overnight stay at Shillong
- Travel time : 5 hours approx
14/11/24
- Post breakfast leave for Shillong
- Drop at LGIBA airport ( Guwahti) around 1 pm
THINGS TO TAKE
The list given here is only for the trek. You can of course take a couple of additional clothes for the travel part. Please make sure that your clothes are lightweight and fit into your rucksack .
Trekking Gear:
- A 50/60 ltr rucksack lined with plastic liner /covered with rain cover.
- Two numbers of one litre capacity, lightweight water bottles
- A Hand/Head Torch with spare batteries.
Clothing:
- Quick Dry Warm lower or Track Pants- 2.
- Full sleeves T-shirts/ Sweatshirts- 2.
- Thermal Bodywarmer Upper and Lower- 1.
- Fleece jacket/a light warm woollen sweater- 1.
- A padded jacket
- Windcheater -1.
- Rainwear (Jacket and Pants) -1 OR poncho-1.
- Woollen socks - 2 pairs.
- Sports socks- 3 pairs.
- Undergarments - 1 for each day of travelling and trekking
- Pair of Warm Gloves - 1.
- Woolen cap - 1.
- Sun cap or Biker Scarf for protection from sun- 1.
Footwear:
- Non-skid deep trod hiking shoes (Preferably ankle high) - 1 pair.
- Lightweight Slipper/Sandals/kitos - 1 pair.
Toiletries:
- Sunscreen lotion, lip balm, toothbrush, toothpaste, hand sanitizer, toilet roll, cold cream, soap paper strips, small quick dry towel.
- For women:
- Tampons or sanitary napkins,
- 2-3 zip pouches to dispose of non-biodegradable waste.
Utensils:
- A reasonably big sized, lightweight, leak-proof lunch box that can bear handling.
- A spoon.
- An steel glass/mug to drink from.
Miscellaneous:
- Camera (optional).
- Personal medicine kit. Though our trek leaders carry a fully equipped first-aid kit, make sure you consult your doctor before the trek in case you have any special ailment.
- Dry fruits, energy bars.
FAQ
- What is your pick up point ? Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport. Guwahati
- What will be your pick up time from airport ? 10am.
- What time will you drop me/us at the airport at the end of the journey?
Within 1 pm
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What is the experience required for the treks?
There are 3 hikes in this program and 2 cave explorations. Two hikes are moderate grade. One is relatively easy though sometimes hair raising. A good level of fitness is required. The best part about this program is that you do not have to carry your rucksack at any point of time. But you do need to carry a small backpack, about 20 ltrs volume, which will contain your immediate requirements. You should be able to carry your small backpack during the walks. Those coming for the first time should prepare and read extensively about treks. Basic knowledge of mountain mannerisms will come in handy.
- What is the level of fitness required for the trek?
You should be able to
1. Jog/Run for 3 kms within 20 mins
2. We will give you a range of exercises to follow after you register for the trek.
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Are trekking poles necessary ?
Trekking poles, preferably two, will be great for this trail
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Will you give certificates on the completion of a trek ?
Yes, you will get certificates on the completion of the trek.
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What will the temperatures be like during the trek?
12 degree celsius to 25 degree celsius.
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What kind of food will be provided on the trek?
Both vegetarian food and non vegetarian food will be served during the program. Breakfasts will be Veg and non veg. Dinners will also be both veg and non veg. Our menu is designed to fulfill your nutritional requirements. Packed lunch and breakfasts will be provided to you on the days you are trekking. You are requested to carry your own tiffin box, spoon and mug/glas to consume food.
- What kind of accommodation are availble? Accommodations are on shared basis in all homestays. They are either double or triple occupancy.
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What are the cellular network connectivity for this trek ?Mobile connections are not available on the trekking trails. Most networks are available at the bases and in the towns where we will be travelling . Connectivity of Vodafone is very poor though.
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What is the minimum and maximum age limit? The minimum age limit of children, if accompanied by parents is 10 years, without parents is 14 years. If you are above the age of 50, kindly provide a medical certificate from your doctor that deem you fit for adventure activities like trekking.
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Which is the nearest railhead ? Kamakhya and Guwahati
TERMS & CONDITIONS
- Cancellations will be subject to cancellation charges.
- Cancellations will have to be intimated to Soma's Camps by email. Email address is somascamps@gmail.com
- 25 % of the total trek fee is not refundable on cancellation at any point of time. If you fail to pay your trek fees( in case of part payments) within the scheduled date and ignore repeated intimations, your registration maybe cancelled and the booking amount forfeited.
- Treks have to be booked at least 50 days prior to the date of actual trek.
- Cancellation between 50 to 31 days prior to departure : 75% of the trek fee will be refunded.
- Cancellations made between 30 to 22 days prior to the trek date, 50% of the trek fee will be refunded
- Cancellation between 21 and 11 days prior to departure : 30% of the trek fee will be refunded.
- Cancellations made from 10 days to the day of departure or no show up: no refund.
- Cancellation by Soma's Camps in the unforeseen eventualities of riots, political or industrial unrest like Railway operators strike, Airlines strike, it may be necessary to cancel the tour in the best interests of our clients. In such an eventuality our clients will be informed as soon as possible. The trek fee paid by the clients will be refunded in full OR we will provide you with an alternate set of program dates.
- Cancellation by Soma's Camps in the unforeseen eventualities of pandemic, epidemic, any other long term natural or biological disaster or man made disasters like war and others, it may be necessary to cancel the tour in the best interests of our clients. In such an eventuality our clients will be informed as soon as possible. 70 % of the trek fee paid by the clients will be refunded.
- Please understand when we say 'trek fee', we mean the full amount not partial payment.
Other Terms & Conditions
- Drinking and smoking during the trek is strictly prohibited. If found flouting the rules, your participation on the trek will be cancelled with immediate effect. Please understand we will not accept any negotiation or debate on alcohol consumption.
- Payment: Payment for the trek can be done online through credit/debit card or net banking or NEFT or by account payee cheques or by G-pay or via UPI. No cash deposit please.
- Non-liability: Soma's Camps is not responsible for any loss/damage of your gears/equipment or other belongings on the trek.
- Please be aware that if your trek leader deems it unsafe for you to continue trekking at any time, he may arrange for you to descend to a lower altitude.
- Regarding proper disposal of non bio-degradable waste: At Soma's Camps, we to prefer to leave nothing other than footprints behind. Kindly help us to maintain that by taking care of your non bio-degradable wastes.
- Emergency during trek: If for any reason you are sent back to the road head from the trek, then Soma's Camps will make arrangements for your return at an additional and actual cost. Evacuation or dealing with emergencies is extremely difficult and time consuming in such dense and difficult trails. Moreover, a sick or injured person is not easy to evacuate. We do not have doctors accompanying with the team . Doctors are not available at the base camp or nearest road head either. Soma's Camps trek leaders are trained to administer first aid and know how to deal with issues related to the mountains. However, they are not doctors.
- Program may get modified/cancelled in case of inclement weather.
- Cost escalation during the trek, due to change in itinerary owing to natural reasons or unforeseen conditions like Landslides , Road Blockage, Bad Weather, Social or Political Unrest, Strikes, sudden shut down of any govt office etc, will have to be borne by the participant.
- Soma's Camps do not own the stays . Maintenance of the stays are solely with the owners.
- Please note that the minimum batch strength is 5. If we fall short of the requisite number, the trek will be called off and your trek fees will be refunded in full without any cancellation charge deducted. However, if you still want to go ahead with the trek, it will be our pleasure to conduct it for you. In such a case your trek fees will be a little higher and the amount will be disclosed to you well before the journey.
