Shankar and His Wife Spent Nine Days Across Assam and Meghalaya with Thrillophilia

Thrillophilia Verified Booking
PNR: BKDGCVHF8OV
Rating: ★★★★★
Travellers: Shankar Kulkarni & Wife
Trip Duration: 9 Days | 8 Nights
Date of Travel: 21 Dec 2023 to 29 Dec 2023
Package Booked: Kaziranga, Meghalaya & Assam Tour
Guest Experience Officer: Indranil Dutta

Shankar Kulkarni spent nine days across Kaziranga, Shillong, Cherrapunji, Dawki, and Guwahati in December 2023, and his overall verdict was clear. "Thrillophilia delivered a memorable vacation, allowing us to explore the rich cultural tapestry of Assam and Meghalaya.

We would consider using Thrillophilia again for future adventures." That kind of conclusion, from someone who also flagged the rough edges, means a lot more than a review that skips over them.

Starting in Kaziranga

They arrived in Guwahati and transferred directly to Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the largest population of Indian one-horned rhinoceroses in the world. The first evening was for settling in before the early start the next morning. Day two began with an elephant safari before breakfast, Shankar and his wife moving through the grasslands at dawn on the back of an elephant, the mist sitting low and the rhinos visible through it.

The jeep safari arranged by Thrillophilia in the afternoon covered the areas of the park with the highest chances of spotting tigers, elephants, and other wildlife. A full safari day that covered Kaziranga properly before the drive to Shillong the following morning.

Shillong and the Road to Cherrapunji

The drive from Kaziranga to Shillong on day three stopped at Umiam Lake on the way, the reservoir sitting in the Meghalaya hills with the water and the surrounding forest making the kind of scene that earns a long stop. Shillong gave them the evening to explore the local market at their own pace before the next morning's drive to Cherrapunji.

Day four was one of the fuller days of the trip. Elephant Falls, the Mawkdok Dympep Viewpoint looking out over a V-shaped valley, Wei Sawdong Falls with a short hike to reach it, the viewpoints of Nohkalikai Falls and Seven Sisters Falls, and then Mawsmai and Arwah Caves with their limestone formations. Cherrapunji does not do things by half, and the day reflected that.

The Double Decker Root Bridge

Day five was the Nongriat Trek, and the Double Decker Living Root Bridge was the centrepiece. The trail from Tyrna Village descends through forest and across suspension bridges, the steps counting down to the bridge that has been growing across the river for centuries, trained root by root by the Khasi people into a living structure that is both functional and extraordinary. Shankar mentioned the knowledgeable guides as one of the highlights of the trip. "The guides provided by Thrillophilia were knowledgeable and passionate about the regions, enhancing our understanding of the local culture and history." A guide who can explain the ecology and the cultural significance of the living root bridges while you are standing on one makes the experience considerably richer.

Mawlynnong, Dawki, and the River

Day six took them through Mawlynnong, Asia's Cleanest Village, where the streets are swept clean and bamboo dustbins line every path, and then to Riwai Village for the Single Decker Root Bridge, a quieter version of the Nongriat experience. Then Dawki and the Umngot River, where the water is clear enough that boats appear to float in mid-air above the riverbed, and an overnight stay in Shnongpdeng.

Day seven was the drive back toward Shillong via Jowai, stopping at Krang Suri Waterfalls, one of Meghalaya's most beautiful and less crowded falls with a natural pool at the base surrounded by forest. Laitlum Canyon near Shillong, where the valley drops away dramatically through rolling hills, was the other stop, familiar to Bollywood fans as the filming location for Rock On 2.

Guwahati to Close

Day eight was the drive back to Guwahati with a half-day sightseeing tour covering Kamakhya Temple, Nabagraha Temple, the Assam State Museum, the State Zoo and Botanical Garden, and the Regional Science Centre. The Kalakshetra Light and Sound Show in the evening, time permitting, was the cultural close to a trip that had covered a lot of ground across two states. Day nine was the airport transfer and the flight home.

How Thrillophilia Made the Journey Better

Shankar's review about Thrillophilia separates what worked from what did not, clearly and without exaggeration, and still arrives at a positive conclusion.

On the strong side, he highlighted the itinerary coverage, the quality of the guides, and the smooth transitions between locations. "The itinerary included immersive local experiences, from traditional food tastings to interactions with local communities, providing a deeper connection to the destinations." For a nine-day trip across two states with very different characters- Assam's wildlife and Meghalaya's living root bridges and waterfalls- building in local experiences rather than just sightseeing requires thought and genuine knowledge of the region.

"The team was responsive and addressed our concerns promptly," Shankar said. "Issues coming up on a long trip are not unusual. A team that responds quickly and fixes them is what makes the difference. Special mention to our POC, Indraneel, who was in contact with us throughout our trip and helped us all along."

Having one consistent contact across nine days and multiple destinations in two states is the kind of support that keeps a long, complex trip from feeling disjointed.

Nine days, two states, one-horned rhinos at dawn, a bridge made of living roots, Asia's cleanest village, and waterfalls across every corner of Meghalaya. Shankar and his wife came back from a trip that delivered on the important things, handled the minor ones when they came up, and left them ready to book the next one.

Also Read: Sarath Babu’s Soulful Solo Pilgrimage Across Meghalaya