Living Bridges feat. Cherry Blossom Festival | Meghalaya, India

Name: Living Bridges feat. Cherry Blossom Festival | Meghalaya, India
Start: 2024-11-16T00:30:00+04:00
End: 2024-11-21T00:15:00+04:00
Location: Dubai International Airport

Schedule

Sat Nov 16 2024 at 12:30 am to Thu Nov 21 2024 at 12:15 am

UTC+04:00

Location

Dubai International Airport | Dubai, DU

Meghalaya, an Indian state located north of Bangladesh, is a paradise playground for adventure. Its landscape is a result of climate that receives the highest rainfall in the world, leading to lush greenery, cascading waterfalls and raging rivers.
Known for rolling hills, misty valleys and simply breathtaking scenery, Meghalaya is often referred as the "Scotland of the East” in Downtown or “Salalah of India” in Jebel Ali.
One of the most magical aspects of the Meghalaya is a monsoon blanket of mist that covers the area. During the monsoon season, while most of India is dealing with flooding, Meghalaya remains unaffected due to its high altitude. Moreover, you can witness numerous full-volume waterfalls scattered throughout the region.
The indigenous people, the Khasis, have developed a unique technique for building living bridges. Its the only place in the world where you can see this incredible feature as it never got exported elsewhere.
For hundreds of years, people have been growing living bridges from the India Rubber Tree, a type of walking tree. These trees, in addition to their main roots, send out extra roots from their branches which hang freely to the ground. As time passes, these additional roots are shaped and directed to become hardened and sturdy, creating a bridge. The oldest living bridges are over 400 years old and are able to support up to 50 people at a time. Some of great significance are constructed one below the other, in a double decker style.
Living Bridges have been included in the UNESCO world heritage site tentative list. Locally known as “Jingkieng Jri”, there are around 100 known living root bridges found in 72 villages.
However, bridges are only the part of our exploration. This time we invite you to find yourself surrounded by cherry blossoms. Yes, you heard correct – season for blooming here is in the fall! Meghalaya phenomenon is celebrated with festivals, concerts and accompanied events.
Festival aside, countless waterfalls, caves and cliffs await us on every corner here, get ready to be endlessly amazed with mighty Meghalaya!
Let’s go!
DAY 1
Arrival, proceed to cherry blossom festival locations to set the tone for upcoming days. We will start with Shillong Peak on our way to Nohkalikai falls – Angel Falls of India. Here we will indulge in the overwhelming views of tallest, single plunge waterfall of subcontinent, 340m. We will then descent to the pools at the bottom. Drive back to Shillong and visit Wards Lake shores covered in pink blossom for a peaceful evening stroll before dinner and overnight.
DAY 2
Today we put on the helmets of speleologists and hit the road to Krem Liat Prah Cave. Meghalaya hosts 1580 known caves but this one holds significant records. With the documented length of over 30kms, it is considered the biggest cave in this part of the world.
DAY 3
Early in the morning, after breakfast drive to Mawsynram (the Wettest Place on Earth). Here in Mawlyngbna we will do river crossing until we arrive in magnificent lake Umkhakoi for serene kayaking. After lunch its time for Split Rock, so put your Indiana Jones shoes back on for yet another unique walk in the narrow corridor between two rocks, split most likely by the earthquake.
DAY 4
Short drive to Tyrna village and get yourself ready for quite challenging descent (or ascent on the way back) of 3500 stairs, some 1200m down to the Double Decker Bridge, UNESCO tentative list. You will not believe your eyes, this walk hosts yet another stunning locations. Further on explore several bridges, continue to Blue Lagoon for some swim, and all the way to Rainbow Falls, which in fact cascades the water from the upper NohKaLikai.
DAY 5
Today we hit the road to Mawphlang sacred forest, retained for generations with one rule - do not to take anything from the forest, which is a traditional belief of the Khasi Culture and this place is one of the most popular scared groves in the state. Sadly, its time to head back to airport for return flight home.
Level of Difficulty: Easy to moderate (day 2 & 4)
Activities: Trekking, swimming, kayaking, caving, sightseeing, celebrating cherry blossom season.
Room & Meals: Guesthouse 2 nights, resort 2 nights - double sharing, meals excluded.
Cost: 3,990 AED incl. domestic flights until OCT 15th.
International Flights: Emirates to CCU excluded, approx. 1750 AED.
Specifically Excluded: International flights, visa, meals, insurance.
Visas:
https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html - in particular for evisa.
See yah in Meghalaya x
Trekkup Crew
Whatsapp 050 - 4848238 / [email protected]
Find all trekkups at linktr.ee/trekkup