Northeast has recently grabbed the attention of tourists due to its serenity, diversity, and beauty. People from all over the world want to explore the Seven Sisters of the Northeast which is why it can now be seen in the bucket list of nature enthusiasts, trekkers, wildlife lovers, and more. The same was the case with Saurabh Mirkar who fell in love with Northeast destinations with only a glimpse of a postcard which reflected the beautiful Dawki River. Since then, he wanted to explore this part of India which led him to plan a trip to Meghalaya with friends. He is back with all the experience that he had in the state and would like to share it with other travelers. Let us now read the feelings that he has penned down for us.
Traveling to less-explored places that have not been ruined by industrialization is my passion. This time my heart was clung to Northeast destinations that ooze with natural beauty and serenity. They have been on my list for some time now so I decided to pick Meghalaya this time and go for it. I wanted to see the scenery come out alive from the postcards that I once saw and got hooked. So, I called my friends and started to make an outline of our trip. I didn’t have to look much for an organizer as I already had prior experience with TravelTriangle, that too, twice. So, I booked a package with them for a 10-days itinerary to explore North East places. This is how our package and the experiences looked like.
Details Of Our Trip To Meghalaya With Friends
Trip Type: Friends Trip
No. Of People: 8 Adults & 1 Child
Cost: INR 1,27500
Duration: 10 Days & 9 Nights
Inclusions: Breakfast, Dinner (Darjeeling & Gangtok), Transportation, Parking, Accommodation, Transport Tax, and GST
Exclusions: Lunch, Dinner (other places), Insurance, Entry Fees, Guide Charges, Airfare, Train Fare, Jeep Safari, Cruise, and other things not inclusive in the itinerary.
Travel Agent: HolidayAlong – A Registered Trademark Of Brook Vacation Private Limited
An Outline Of Our Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival In Guwahati; Sightseeing
Day 2: Jeep Safari; Transfer To Shillong
Day 3: Drive To Mawlynnong; Sightseeing
Day 4: Explore Cherrapunjee
Day 5: Sightseeing; Personal Transfer To Sikkim
Day 6: Arrival In Gangtok; Local Sightseeing
Day 7: Tsomgo Lake, Baba Mandir
Day 8: Enchey Monastery, Nam Nang Viewpoint, Etc.
Day 9: Sightseeing
Day 10: Departure
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Weather In Sikkim & Meghalaya
I must say that the weather caught us by surprise as we did not expect such cold weather and snowfall in the month of February. We were lucky to see snowfall in Sikkim which led us to buy some warm clothes from the local market. The whole place was covered with a sheet of fresh snow which converted Sikkim into a magical land.
On the other hand, the weather in Meghalaya in February was moderate and perfect to explore tourist places. The temperature was between 10 to 20 degrees Celsius which was ideal for us.
Places We Visited On Our Northeast Tour
Here is the list of places that we covered on Northeast vacation. From lakes to temples, we tried to visit all the famous places. So, check out our experiences here.
1. Kaziranga National Park
First on the list is the popular Kaziranga National Park where we opted for a jeep safari and got to explore wildlife from close. We got to know that it is sprawled in an area of around 430 sq kms and is home to one-horned rhinoceroses. It is a World Heritage Site which is why we made sure that it was on our itinerary. I can never forget this experience as it was my first wildlife experience.
2. Dawki River
If anyone is wondering what to do in Meghalaya then you must head to Dawki River, also known as Umngot river. A postcard picture enticed me to include this place in our itinerary and I must say that the place did not disappoint me. We opted for boating in this beautiful lake and it taught me how to remain calm. Apart from this, we also explored Lady Hyadri Park, Ward’s Lake, and the local market to get to know Meghalaya closely.
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3. Double Decker Living Root Bridge Cherrapunjee
One of the famous places to visit in Meghalaya with friends is the age-old Double Decker Living Root Bridge. It is a natural phenomenon where roots have connected together to form a double-decker bridge. We were eager to see it and so was the little one in our group. She was thrilled and excited to see the bridge. We clicked an amazing picture there for memories.
4. Tsomgo Lake
How can a trip to Northeast miss out on the famous Tsomgo Lake? So, we also included this oval-shaped lake in our itinerary. The beauty of this place gave me goosebumps. We heard that the color of this lake changes from season to season. In winter, the lake freezes due to low temperature and in summer it gleams with greenish-blue color.
Hotels We Stayed In Northeast
Since our trip to Meghalaya from Mumbai was a long one, we went to different Northeast states and stayed at different hotels. First was Tesco Resort which is located in Kaziranga, La Kupar Inn in Cherrapunjee, Hotel Debjyoti in Siliguri, Hotel Salatress in Darjeeling, and Hotel Retreat Alpine Crest in Gangtok. All the hotels and resorts provided amazing services and we were satisfied with the facilities. Since we did not want to splurge on our accommodations, we did not go for lavish resorts or hotels.
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Food We Had On Our Trip
In terms of food, we tried street food as well as had proper meals in the restaurant. In Gangtok, we hade a sumptuous meal at Keventers and tried several snacks. Apart from this, we decided to stick to vegetarian food at all places as the produce was fresh so the dishes were fantastic.
Shopping In North East
We went shopping at a few places like in Gangtok we explored MG Market where we bought a few warm clothes like a shawl, stall, jacket, and more. Since we traveled from Mumbai, we were unaware of the chilly weather which led us to shop a little for us. If you do not wish to buy these clothes, then Sikkim also gives you a chance to rent jackets and gym boots in the snow. Apart from this, we were more inclined towards exploring than shopping so we did not splurge.
Personal Expenses
We wanted to make the trip worth it so we tried to opt for all the thrilling activities like paragliding, boating, and more. All these activities were not included in our package and we had to spend our own money here. Along with this, the transfers from Mumbai to Guwahati were also not included and the cost was incurred by us only. The total came out to be around INR 20,000 per person which was reasonable considering the flights, trains, shopping, and activities.
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Tips For Travelers
Keep these tips in your mind to have a butter-smooth vacation.
- If you are coming from a place like Mumbai where the weather is moderate throughout the year then pack 2-3 layers of clothes as the temperature in February in Northeast can dip anytime.
- If you do not want to carry many clothes then you have a chance to rent jackets and gumboots also.
- Some people can face breathing problems in the Northeast due to high altitude, so it is advised to carry proper medicines or you can keep kapur that will help you breathe properly.
- Make sure that you are carrying your camera so that you can capture amazing pictures.
Our Experience With TravelTriangle
I have had prior experience with TravelTriangle so did not doubt their services. Earlier, I booked my honeymoon trip to Croatia with the company and their service was commendable. They did not disappoint me this time also as all the planning was in the budget. Even if I had a query, it was resolved in the given time. I would recommend my relatives, friends, and fellow travelers to book their packages from TT and relax till they get the work done for you.
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Saurabh Mirkar fell in love with Northeast India after his trip to Meghalaya with friends. Are these pictures and experiences making you jealous? Then, what are you waiting for? You can also plan your vacation to Northeast with TravelTriangle and get a customized itinerary, that too, in your budget. What could have asked for more? You can relax at your place and let us do the work. And like Saurabh, you can also share your experience with us after your vacation. So, hurry up and don’t let this chance go in vain!
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Frequently Asked Questions About North East India
What is North East India famous for?
North East is mainly famous for its bucolic nature, untouched beauty, and calm surroundings which is why people come here to relax their minds. Apart from this, the place is dotted with monasteries, lakes, and temples.
What is the best time to visit North East India?
The ideal time to visit North East India is from October to mid-May. So, you can plan you vacation at any time in these months.
Is North East India safe to travel?
Yes, North East is declared as a safe place to explore by tourists. People from all over the world arrive here to witness the beauty of this place.
What kind of food do people eat in North East India?
A wide variety of food is eaten by the locals and tourists here. In the non-veg section, they have pork, chicken, mutton, deer, crab, etc. Apart from this, there are thukpa, momos, noodles, and more.
Why are they called seven sisters of India?
North East is referred to as the ‘Seven Sisters of India’ due to the similarity in their geography, religion, and cultures.
Which is the most beautiful state in North East India?
It is hard to pick one place that is the most beautiful one in North-East India. Having said that, travelers usually choose Meghalaya for its scenic beauty.
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