Offbeat Meghalaya: Backpacking Trip (6D/5N)

• We will start the day early with Breakfast at our stay & keep our bags packed. 
• Prehistoric Fossil Trail: Step directly onto 200-million-year-old rock beds to touch real sea creature fossils preserved in stone from when these mountain heights were ocean floors.
• Umkhakoi Lake Adventure: Paddle across clear, calm waters surrounded by giant stone boulders, or jump off rock ledges into refreshing natural river pools.
  • Have packed Lunch in the middle.
• Luriah Canyon & Split Rock: Trek through pine forests, squeeze through the narrow stone walls of Split Rock canyon, and unwind in naturally bubbling mountain streams.
• Evening Journey to Kongthong: Take a scenic late afternoon drive to the famous Whistling Village, arriving in time to experience local hill culture and warm village hospitality.
• Finish Dinner & take good rest.

• We will start early 
• Before Breakfast: Explore the Kongthong village where mothers compose a unique melodic tune for every newborn child, and neighbors call out to each other across green valleys using these custom tunes instead of names.
• Have hot Breakfast at our home stay & start 2 hour journey to Wakhen village which is the base village for thrilling Bamboo trek. 
• Mawryngkhang Bamboo Trail: Take on India’s most thrilling cliff side trek, walking along handcrafted bamboo ladders and bridges pinned right onto vertical rock walls high above the roaring river gorge below.
  • Early evening, we will go on a drive to Nongjrong village. Check into our cozy village homestay, resting early to get ready for a sunrise like no other.

• 4 AM wake up alarm to witness magic!
• Nongjrong Cloud-bed Sunrise: Stand on the ridge at dawn to watch the first rays of sunlight break over a vast, smooth ocean of fluffy white clouds filling the entire valley beneath us.
• Start journey to our next destination – Jowai in Jaintia hills of Meghalaya.
• Tyrshi Waterfalls Walk: Cross an arched footbridge spanning bright green rice paddies near Jowai and walk down to the base of a grand waterfall cascading down raw cliff faces.
• Krem Chympe Base Arrival: Arrive at our quiet Jaintia village base. Check into the homestay and spend a relaxed evening. 
• Finish Dinner & rest for the night.

• Good morning from one of the remotest part of country!
• After having Breakfast, we will meet our Krem Chympe Guide and start wild Jungle Trek.
• Hike through untouched, lush jungle trails to reach Krem Chympe, a massive river cave hidden behind a curtain of cascading waterfalls. 
• Underground River Boating: Step into a small boat inside the dark cavern mouth to float down a silent subterranean river, passing giant limestone formations and hanging stalactites.
• Evening in Jowai: Head back to Jowai town for a comfortable night’s rest, swapping stories over a hot meal after an incredible day of exploration.
• Gather around socially one last time. Finish Dinner.
  • Well deserved rest with beautiful dreams.

• Scenic Jaintia Drive: Begin our return journey out of the hills, soaking in the last views of rolling countryside and pine forests.
• Umiam Lake Pitstop: Stop by the calm, wide blue waters of Umiam Lake to grab hot tea and snacks while enjoying sweeping views across the water and surrounding pine hills.
• Journey towards Guwahati with memories, stories, and photos from an offbeat side of Meghalaya that very few travelers ever get to see.
• We should comfortably arrive at Airport by 6 PM or earlier.
• Booking your return flights after 8 PM is recommended.

• 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).
• 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.
• A photo identity proof with address (Aadhar/Passport/Voter ID) – will be collected online before the trip through Google forms.

• 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.

The best part of the year to travel to Meghalaya depends on individual perspective. Some people feel traveling in the wild & wet season of monsoon (Jun to Sept) is best. Some others love the winter season – mid-Sept to Feb. Winters are refreshingly cold in Meghalaya (unlike the extreme climate of Himalayas) and because of the huge rainfall it receives, water remains all year around.
Some people find Meghalaya more appealing in Summer months (Mar to May). All in all, Meghalaya is an all season destination and a true wonder of nature.

• 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.
• Note: In case of flight delays, cancellations, or reschedules, Muddie Trails will not be responsible for missed connections to the trip starting point. Travelers are requested to make their own arrangements to reach the destination, as per the itinerary. We recommend booking flights with sufficient buffer time to avoid any last-minute issues.
• 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.
• This is a budget, backpacking group trip. The facilities are shared between all group members. By default, all the stays and vehicles are Non-AC. No special preference shall be given to anyone.
• 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 by Traveler

• 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 by Muddie Trails

Muddie Trails may decide to cancel the event if there are less than 3 travelers signed up for the trip/trek.

What if we don’t get the minimum number of people for the trip?
We have 2 options in this case:
Option 1: Complete refund.
Option 2: Switch to any other long trip of the same dates or future dates. The difference amount will be collected from you or paid back according to the new trip cost.

Note: We do not recommend to book flight tickets until the trip is confirmed with atleast 3 travelers signed up.

Cancellation due to external factors

Muddie Trails may have to cancel the event in case of external factors that are beyond our control like Natural Disasters, Extreme Weather Conditions, Red Alerts, Political Disturbances, Bandh/Curfews, Local Issues, Road Blocks, Train cancellations, Covid-19 or any other disease outbreaks etc.

In these scenarios:

• No Refund is allowed.
• 100% trip amount can be used for any other new trip of the same weekend or future weekends. The difference amount will be collected from you or paid back according to the new trip cost.
• Once you confirm your participation on the new trip, all the above Cancellation policies will apply for the same.