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Meghalaya

Cherrapunji

Experiences, Meghalaya, Unique Places & Experiences

Have you ever clambered over bridges made of roots that are ALIVE in the middle of an otherworldly forest?

Have you trekked for hours in the middle of the jungle, observing spiders the size of your palm and spotting butterflies with never-before-seen colours?
Cherrapunji can offer that, and much more in just a single day.

Amazing, right, earth’s natural wonders?

After spending 3 nights in Shillong, Meghalaya’s capital, me, mom, and dad were off via car to the Wettest Place on Earth (2019): Cherrapunji about 4-hour drive from Shillong.

On the way we stopped at several waterfalls; and my favourite were Dainthlen Falls and Seven Sister Falls, which we observed from afar.

At Dainthlen, we were actually standing on a platform directly above the waterfall! The drop to the bottom was death-defying, even though we were protected by a barrier.

The views from the top of the cliff were also amazing; we could see the vast mountainous landscape spilled out before us like a huge green carpet.
How fantastic!

When we finally reached the hotel, it was dark and raining outside. No doubt! After all, it was the wettest place on earth!

We headed into our room to freshen up, and soon after a delectable dinner, we fell asleep with fond memories of the day.

The next morning, I was woken up very early for the root bridge trek. Root bridges are bridges which are made out of rubbery tree roots (which are ALIVE), which have been stretched across rivers and small waterfalls by the locals of nearby villages to help them travel around the forest with ease.
We drove a little way to a place where several other vehicles were parked to meet our guide.

He said that we would need to climb down and up 3,000 steps to reach the double decker root bridge (what was that?), but we’d be detouring a little to see yet another root bridge on the way.

Before we set off, uncle handed mom and dad long bamboo sticks to help them climb when they got too tired.

The entire trek to the first root bridge was breathtaking.

We passed by rivers with spectacularly blue waters, spotted several rare species of birds, huge spiders, several butterflies, and all throughout our guide was explaining every little thing we saw.

After a lot of toil and fun, we reached the first root bridge.

It was an indescribably phenomenal experience to walk across it. To be walking on a living bridge, to be touching tree roots hundreds of years old, coupled with a beautiful scenery and a butterfly on my hand; all this was just superb.

It was pretty sturdy and a little slippery. The roots were made of rubber fig trees, and the imposing trees themselves flanked either end of the bridge.

After a few more mesmerising moments at the bridge, we headed off to the double decker root bridge, which our guide explained was two root bridges, one on top of the other, like a double decker!

An hour or two later, we had learnt about several birds, spiders and butterflies and also about several different types of plants.

We took some more breaks to rehydrate, sitting on the rocky landscape with a leafy canopy above us.

Then, finally, we reached the double decker root bridge!

There were a few people to climb on the two root bridges, and when our turn came, we climbed on both bridges, taking our time to soak in the wonderful atmosphere.

We then ventured into the little natural pool under the bridges; which was a bit cold and it took getting used to.

There were also pedicure fish there, so it really tickled when they nibbled at our feet. Overall, it was pretty cool.

We soon got out and changed again. We stood on the bridges again and clicked more pics, then we undertook the terrifying mission of climbing back up all the way again.

Uncle said this was a 6-hour trip, but it was turning out to be 7. I was the most tired I had ever been, but it was worth it.

Me and dad got on ahead, and once, dad told me we were just 4 staircases away from the top. Really???? Lady Luck was shining on me?

Well, after 4 staircases, we were nowhere NEAR to the top. And that, believe me, was the biggest disappointment of my life. I completely lost any hope of getting back with both my feet intact now.

But I miraculously returned to the hotel with not a scratch on me! 

Even though the last part of the trek was tiring, I simply loved the experience. I wish I could come back one more time!
Enjoy Cherrapunji!!!

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