Through Mountains and Clouds

Start with Ward’s Lake, a horseshoe-shaped artificial pool, lying near Raj Bhavan and the accountant general’s office. The lake provides shelter to grass carps and gaggles of geese, and you can feed them standing on the bridge that passes over the lake. You can also take a stroll amidst flowerbeds and fairy-lights, and enjoy the greenery in the surrounding. The lake is supplemented by a cafeteria and has boating options for tourists.

Spend at least one hour to soak in the attractions and serene scenes here.

Continue with the journey and reach Elephant Falls. This scenic two-tier fall is enveloped in lush greenery and is a popular picnic spot. It is locally called Ka Kshaid Lai Pateng Khohsiew.

An hour here is a good time.

Evening activities in Shillong could include browsing around in the Police Bazaar or hitting one of the city’s burgeoning night spots.

On the way to Cherrapunjee and about six-minutes away from the caves lies the Mawkdok-Dympep Valley View Point. Sloping hills carpeted in green from either side joining in an almost ‘v’ shape make for spectacular sightings and photographs.

Half an hour is good here, even more, if you want to try out the ziplining.

Hidden amidst green foliage, this limestone cave boasts stalagmites, stalactites and fossils. The caves are easily accessible by demarcated pathways. It surprises everyone that such a fascinating cave is barely a few kilometres off the busy state highway.

90 minutes is a good time to dedicate to Arwah (including tea in the nearby canteen). Many sections can be explored along with unique formations and fossils to study.

Your second day in Sohra should begin with a cup of tea, some local rice-based snacks and a trip to the most storied cascade.

The descent to Nongriat should be timed early. As you walk down the slopes from the roadside village of Tyrna, you will enjoy the spectacular scenery of green mountains embracing you like a wall. Rivers and bridges ambush you at many turns and in the base of the valley, one will find the iconic double-decker root bridge. Chill by the cool pools (you deserve it) or if you have some more energy left and it is the right season – head further into the forest trails and visit the Rainbow Falls. Visitors can stay back overnight – that is usually recommended, but if you have a schedule to keep, you can climb back up the same day.

Alternatives

If you are not up for the steep hike down to Nongriat Village, there are several other places around Sohra that you can explore to fill in the day. Seven Sisters Falls with its viewpoint is a nice detour. The short hike to the head of Nohkalikai Falls promises excellent views and diverse landscape.

It is difficult to not include Mawkyrnot as a special detour in this experience. The root bridges here are also legendary – there are around four or five bunched together in what seems like an old primaeval forest – straight out of a Jurassic Park scene. And the climb down and up is not tough.

Take it easy on Day 5. It starts with your last tryst with the scenic mountain roads of East Khasi Hills. Head back north from the borderlands, leaving behind the tropical settings.

After all the winding roads, the treks and waterfalls of the previous days – top up your itinerary with gentle views of the Umiam Lake. It is hard (impossible) to miss, located just outside Shillong on the highway to Guwahati. You may even be tempted to add another day to your itinerary just to spend more time by the shimmering lakeside and watch the hills beyond.