Meghalaya with Kaziranga Private Trip (7D/6N)

Duration: 7 Days, 6 Nights
Group Size: Minimum 2
Best for group of Friends, Family & Couples
Starting/End Location : Guwahati

Gallery

Overview

Hello travelers!

There are many amazing things about Meghalaya state like the floating clouds (that’s the first thing comes to mind), the high rise mountains, rainforests formed by wettest places on earth, stunning deep valleys, crystal clear waters of rivers and streams, gigantic waterfalls, mystical caves, living root bridges that act as harmony between humans and nature over centuries, some of the cleanest villages, diverse spread of food, colorful locals and unique culture.

As part of this private trip, we at Muddie Trails handpicked destinations in the abode of clouds that will refresh your body, mind and awaken your soul. We will experience Meghalaya in full glory, create memories, and sketch beautiful stories to tell even long after.

We will start the trip with Shillong, the capital city of Meghalaya, which is also the highest point of the state. It boasts a cold climate most of the year. It has a unique cuisine with tasty food, friendly locals, great for shopping especially the winter wear. After enjoying thrilling views of Laitlum Grand Canyons, we will move deeper into East Khasi Hills towards the crystal clear blue waters of Krang Suri waterfalls, explore the transparent Umngot river of Dawki and indulge in adrenaline-pumping water activities at Shnongpdeng.

We will then head towards some of the wettest places on earth like Cherrapunji, stop by at viewpoints, cleanest villages, underground system of Mawsmai caves, pristine valleys, and numerous waterfalls like Nohkalikai. We will set off on a wild & wet trek to fascinating Double Decker Living Root Bridges and magical Rainbow Waterfalls. After soul-soothing dips in the natural swimming pools of lush blue waters, we will end the trip with Shillong cultural museum or Cathedral, and a mind full of beautiful memories.

Kaziranga National Park offers arguably the best safari in North East India. One can indulge in two kinds of safaris – Elephant and Jeep. Elephant safari, that needs one to book well ahead in advance, starts usually early in the morning and is shorter in duration but one gets to experience of riding an elephant. Jeep safari offers the benefit of covering a vast expanse in a short span of time.

The national park is open from November through out the winter & summer. It is closed with the onset of monsoons in North East – usually by end of April. The rhinos, the elephants and the migratory birds simply make it an outstanding experience. It’s a place worth ticking off the bucket list.

All in all, Meghalaya & Kaziranga is a great combo that cannot be missed in ones lifetime. Come, join us to experience life at its fullest in this backpacking trip.

Highlights of the trip:

The Double Decker Living Root Bridges
Laitlum Grand Canyons
Crystal clear Umngot River
Dawki expedition
Shnongpdeng Water Activities with Camping
Lush Blue Krang Suri Waterfalls Dip
Cherrapunji – Wettest place on Earth
Trek to pristine Rainbow Waterfalls
Mawsmai Caves exploration
Nohkalikai Falls – World’s 4th largest Waterfalls
Mawlynnong – Asia’s cleanest Village
Don Bosco Museum or Shillong Cathedral
Umiam Lake view point – beautiful sunset
Dress up in Meghalaya traditional attire
Kaziranga National Park Jeep Safari
Elephant Safari (Optional).

Why choose Muddie Trails? 😃

👉 Trusted by 14,000+ travellers over past 8 years, the number keeps growing day by day with numerous new travellers joining our family 🤗
👉 We focus on quality over quantity. We simply cannot compromise on quality of the travel experience. Our itineraries are also considered ‘value for money’ by our guests. The phrase ‘Paisa Vasool’ is a common word we hear on our customer feedbacks ✅
👉 Whether it is South, North or North-East, our team is well equipped with in-depth knowledge on local destinations that enables us in providing a more authentic experience. It’s not just about ticking bucket list of places with Muddie Trails, but also about making memories that will last forever ❤️

Inclusions

Travel (Guwahati to Guwahati)
Stay for 6 nights
6 times Breakfast
6 times Dinner (Veg & Nonveg)
Dawki River Boating, Cliff Jumping
All permits
Kaziranga Jeep Safari
Local guide for Double Decker, Rainbow Trekking
Bonfire (at least 1 time)
Expert Driver
Once in a lifetime experience visiting all places mentioned in Highlights section

Exclusions

Lunches
Any kind of expenses for additional activities, entry tickets, tribal dress, life jackets, and/or insurance, shopping, party, medical expenses
Any reimbursements for cancelled activities, or extra cost arising due to any change in the itinerary/stay/route on account of bad weather, traffic-congestion, landslides/roadblocks, natural calamities, political disturbances and/or any other factors beyond organizers control.

Price Chart:

Guests	Vehicle	Standard Package Cost (Per Person)	Deluxe Package Cost (Per Person)
2	Hatchback	₹32450	₹37450
3	Hatchback	₹26450	₹31450
4	SUV	₹25750	₹30750
5	SUV	₹24450	₹29450
6	SUV	₹22450	₹27450
7	Tempo	₹22450	₹27450
8+	Tempo	₹20450	₹25450

*Important Notes:

A 5% GST is applicable for all the costing given above.
Tour Guide Extra Cost = 2000 per day.
Standard package will have comfortable Homestays & Guest houses.
Deluxe package will have 3 Star properties & Resorts (Applicable only in Shillong & Cherrapunji).
The above Price Chart is not applicable for peak/holiday season (like end year, summer holidays, festival holidays). The cost may increase by 1000 to 2000 per person based on the season.
Contact Bookings Team on 9880539183 for more details on all the above points.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Umium view point, Shillong Police Bazar

Pick up at Airport or Raiway Station as per your choice (one of them).
Journey towards the mountain town of Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya.
Cross Meghalaya check post and break for Lunch at a restaurant.
Continue our journey to the extremely pretty Umium Lake viewpoint that gives a sneak peek of how beautiful Meghalaya is!
Time permits, we can even go down to the lake and spend some time.
If lucky, one can get to experience a beautiful sunset over here.
Reach Shillong town late evening after buying some snacks and drinks (if you wish to) at Police Bazar, check into our stay and freshen up.
Hot Dinner. Rest for the night on cozy beds.

Day 2 - Grand Canyons, The Clear Blue Waterfall, Riverside Camping

Start the day early with Breakfast.
Visit Laitlum Grand Canyon, which offers a spectacular view of East Khasi Hills with a great sudden dip. We can go down the stairs of the valley and pose for pictures.
Head towards Jaintia hills of Meghalaya to visit most beautiful and lush bluish Krang Suri Waterfalls.
Break for a quick Lunch at a local food joint on our way.
Take a dip in the chilling water of Krang Suri with life jackets that are mandatory.
The water is so cold that going in the water pool itself is a dare! But there are some crazy people in every group, who will take this challenge.
Continue our journey to Shnongpdeng on the banks of the Umngot river.
River side Camping with Bonfire (weather permits).
Dinner, rest in your assigned Tents.

Day 3 - Transparent River Adventures, Dawki, Cleanest Village

Good morning at the crystal clear waters of Umngot river. The first rays of the sun reflecting on the flowing waters is mesmerizing. There is also an eye-catching suspension bridge if you wish to explore.
Breakfast at our camp.
Indulge in Shnongpdeng Water activities – Boating &Cliff Jumping (already included in the package).
Take a pit stop at Dawki where the transparent Umngot river leaves our country, peek into the border areas, and say hi to our neighbors from Bangladesh 😉
Post another quick Lunch, take a stroll in Asia’s cleanest village Mawlynnong. This village boasts interesting things like a bamboo watch tower, cleanest roads, sense of calmness and beautiful people.
Head towards the next destination Cherrapunji by night.
Dinner & rest.

Day 4 - Trek down to Heaven, Walk on Double Decker Living Roots & Spot a Rainbow!

Start the day with Breakfast in the misty town of Cherrapunji.
Head to base village Tyrna and trek down to Nongriat Village Double Decker Living Root Bridges.
The 3641 steps into the valley to the Nongriat village will take us to the most offbeat place of Meghalaya where we will spend the rest of the day and night.
After marveling at the huge Double Decker Living Root Bridges structure constructed by generations of humans by carefully bending roots of Rubber trees for centuries, continue trekking into the jungle another 1.5 hours to reach breathtaking Rainbow Waterfalls.
Trekkers are expected to carry ample snacks like – Bananas/Dry fruits/Biscuits/Energy bars – today as there is no special place for Lunch at this remote place.
If sun shines around 1 to 2 PM, there is every chance to spot a beautiful Rainbow in front of the Ranibow waterfalls!
A dip in the chilling water of Blue Lagoon is absolutely delightful and refreshing after a long trek.
Trek back to Nongriat village and overnight stay.

Day 5 - Trek back to Earth, explore Caves, Waterfalls, Dress up!

Early Breakfast, take 3600 steps back up towards the base point. It takes usually 3 hours to climb up.
Explore the breathtaking maze of caves formed of limestone called Mawsmai caves.
Dress up in Meghalaya Khasi tribe traditional attire and pose for cameras.
Have leisurely Lunch at a restaurant.
Visit Nohkalikai Waterfalls viewpoint, one of the biggest falls in India.
or
Any other waterfalls (based on season).
Get back to the Cherrapunji homestay and have a Bonfire (weather permits).
Finish Dinner.
Well deserved rest in the assigned rooms.

Day 6 - Don Bosco Museum or Shillong Cathedral, Journey to Kaziranga

Breakfast at our stay. Check out before 8 AM.
Move towards Shillong to visit very interesting Don Bosco Museum that showcases culture, colors, tools, clothing and artifacts of North Eastern states or Shillong Cathedral (depending on the season & availability).
Finish Lunch enroute Guwahati.
Continue jurney towards Kaziranga.
Reach Kaziranga camp/stay by night, have Dinner, rest for the night.

Day 7 - Kaziranga Elephant, Jeep Safari, Drop at Guwahati Airport

The day starts really early at Kaziranga around 4 AM.
(Optional) Get ready for Elephant safari that has 2 slots – 5 AM slot and 6 AM slot. Based on our booking, one of the slots will be assigned to you.
Head back to the camp, refresh and have Breakfast.
Around 8 AM: Gear up for Jeep safari that covers quite a distance and goes for more deeper into National Park.
Rhino sighting is quite common as Kaziranga is home to worlds largest population of one-horned Rhinos. Same is the scenario with Elephants, Wild Buffalo, Deer and different species of migratory birds. But sighting a Tiger is very rare. One needs to be lucky.
Pack your bags, check out of Kaziranga stay and return journey to Guwahati with a Lunch break.
Drop at Airport or Railway Station by 6 PM. You are safe to book flights starting 9 PM or later.

What to Expect

Travel:

Trip starting/ending point: Guwahati Airport or Railway Station.
Vehicle type:
> Hatchback (2-3 people),
> SUV (4-6 people),
> Tempo Traveller (7 and more people)

Stays:

Shillong 1 Night, Cherrapunji 2 Nights
Standard Package: Homestays & Guest Houses at Shillong & Cherrapunji.
Deluxe Package: 3 Star Hotels & Resorts at Shillong & Cherrapunji.
Nongriat Village: 1 Night (Homestay near Double Decker Living Roots)
Shnongpdeng: Camping for 1 Night (Stay in Tents)
> Common washrooms by Meghalaya Tourist Board
Kaziranga: Camping for 1 Night (Stay in Tents)
Contact Booking Team on 9880539183 if you wish to see stay photos.

Food:

Breakfasts & Dinners included.
Lunches are self-sponsored
How much you have to spend for good food?
150 – 200 per Lunch

Misc. info:

Trek Difficulty: Moderate (This is subjective person to person).
Max altitude: Shillong at 5,200 feet above Sea level.
Climate:
Cold at Shillong, Cherrapunji & Nongriat (Double Decker Living Roots).
Warm at Shnongpdang.

Special Notes:

Expect seasonal variations in Meghalaya depending on the month you are travelling.
During rains, the waterfalls will be in full flow but water contains mud & sediments from the mountains.
During winters and summers, we may get crystal clear water in the rivers and streams, but water will be less
Travelers are expected to come with open heart by appreciating complexities of Mother nature based on seasonal variations, monthly or even daily weather fluctuations.

Kaziranga National Park Info:

If you wish to do Elephant Safari, you can contact Booking Team to check availability and book. It usually costs 1300 per person.
Why is Elephant Safari optional?
Many people do not like to ride on Animals.
Muddie Trails do not support or oppose use of Animals for tourism purpose. We respect individual choices.

Booking Procedure:

There are 2 ways of booking this trip

Directly book through Book Now option.
> Full payment.
Book with Partial Payment
> Booking amount of INR 7000 + taxes shall be made.
> Send screenshot to Booking Team on 9880539183. An e-mail confirmation will be sent after acknowledgement.
> Remaining trip amount shall be paid 1 month before trip start date.
> Booking amount is non-refundable if cancelled later or failed to pay balance amount on time.
Note: Within 1 month, ONLY full payment option is applicable.

Seasonal Variations:

Feb to May: Summers are pleasantly in Meghalaya which pull tourists in good numbers. There’s still a good amount of water to play in rivers and waterfalls (Umngot, Krang Suri). However, those giant waterfalls meant for viewing are usually quiet (Nohkalikai) this season.
Jun to Sept (Monsoons): The rains hit the mountains starting from May. Meghalaya has a long monsoon season. They start slow in April/May, consistently increase during June, peak around July/August and reduce by mid of Sept. Thick clouds all around interrupt views. With the brute force of water, one cannot take dips/play in water anywhere.
Mid Sept to Jan (Post monsoon): The giant waterfalls (Nohkalikai) are at their best post monsoons with enchanting views. End of the year (Nov, Dec, Jan) is good to play in the clear waters of rivers and waterfalls (Umngot, Krang Suri, Blue Lagoon). Temperature may drop to single degree towards the end of the year.

FAQ

Things to carry

Toiletries, moisturizer, light towel, lip balm, wet wipes, toothbrush, toothpaste etc.
A lightweight large Backpack for the entire trip (50-60 liters). Strictly no trolleys. Please remember this is a Backpacking trip.
A small backpack for basic items (to carry valuables, water bottle, snacks, etc. for outdoor activities).
Photo identity proof with address (Aadhar/Passport/Voter ID).
Thermal inners and warm clothes in winter (cold climate).
A rainproof jacket with a hood during monsoons (to protect from cold winds, sudden rain).
Thick socks, track pants, full sleeve t-shirts (to keep your body warm).
Cap/Hat/Sunglasses (to protect from harmful sun rays).
Sunscreen (SPF 50 or more).
Power bank, charger, camera, binoculars (if you wish to).
Hand sanitizer and liquid hand wash for Camping and outdoors.
Proper water bottle for your trip. You may fill at our stays.
Disposable garbage covers (To separate used/unused, wet/dry clothes).
Water-resistant good grip shoes for travel, extra slippers to use at stays.
Personal medications, any drugs that you may feel necessary (remember ghat roads, cold climate), basic first aid kit.
No need to carry snacks/chocolates. You may buy at local shops to support local people in Meghalaya.

What's next after booking your trip?

Organizers will get in touch with you, or vice versa.
Once minimum number of people book this trip (at least 4 members), Organizing team will give a green signal to book your flights.
A Whatsapp group will be created for all the registered folks 5 days before the event.

What is the best time to travel to Meghalaya?

The best part of the year to travel to Meghalaya is from the post-monsoon season – mid-September to mid-Feb. Winters are refreshingly cold in Meghalaya (unlike the extreme climate of Himalayas) and because of the huge rainfall it receives, water remains till mid March.
It starts raining again from the month of April, which is also considered a good time to travel.

Terms & Conditions

The itinerary is fixed. No special requests to change itinerary/schedule shall be entertained. Travellers are not allowed to advice/instruct the Organizers (Driver or Trip Leader or Operations Manager) to change the itinerary.
Cooperate with the Organizers in following the schedule set for the day (especially getting up and getting ready in the morning). This will ensure travellers won’t miss out on the real fun part that is traveling and visiting all places in itinerary.
Every traveler is responsible for his/her for your own safety. Do not indulge in any illegal or silly activity that causes harm to self or fellow travelers.
Do not wander into the forest away from the designated trail for treks. There may be snakes, scorpions, and dangerous animals.
Unexpected situations: In rare scenarios, we might not be able to cover all the places mentioned in the itinerary because of unpredictable reasons like bad weather, landslides, wild animal presence, abrupt blocking of sites by the police/forest/local authorities, delay in travel because of an issue with our group itself, traffic conditions, etc. In most cases, if the time permits, the Organizers will take travelers to an alternative place. But in some cases, we may have to skip places altogether.
No alcohol & smoking during travel, treks, and other outdoor activities. There would be a separate window and space (usually at night) to have these at the stays for interested people.
Travelers are expected to respect each other and help one another. Avoid discussing sensitive matters like sex, politics, and religion/caste/race.
Using foul or abusive language, eve-teasing, arguing with fellow travelers/Organizers, and/or involving in the physical assault will not be accepted and will stand a chance of being deserted by the group then and there.
Every traveler is expected to digitally fill & submit a liability/waiver form given by the Organizers before the trip. This liability form will discharge Muddie Trails of any unexpected incident like injury/death/theft etc.

Cancellation & Refund

Cancellation by Guests

80% refund if a cancellation request is sent 30 days before the trip start date.
50% refund if a cancellation request is sent between 30 to 15 days before the trip start date.
An email has to be sent to muddietrails@gmail.com to raise a cancellation request.
No refund within 15 days of the event start time whatever is the reason (Health, COVID, Accident, Family crisis, Office issue, or anything else).
No refund during/after the event.
No refund on the partial payment (advance) done to block your seat for the trip.

Cancellation due to external factors

If the event has to be cancelled due to external factors that are beyond our control like – Natural Disasters, Extreme Weather Conditions, Red Alerts, Political Disturbances, War, Bandh/Curfews, Local Issues, Covid-19 or any other disease outbreaks etc..

In such scenarios:

No Refund is applicable.
100% trip amount can be used for future dates.