Meghalaya Overview: 

One of the best India vacation packages, it’s also known as "the abode of clouds". Meghalaya was formed on 21 January 1972 by carving out two districts from the state of Assam “the United Khasi Hills and Jaintia Hills” and the “Garo Hills”. Meghalaya covers an area of approximately 22,429 square kilometres, with a length-to-breadth ratio of about 3:1. Meghalaya, part of the Seven Sister States in northeastern India, boasts a landscape characterized by mountains, valleys, and highland plateaus, offering rich geological diversity. Predominantly comprised of ancient Archean rock formations, the region harbours abundant reservoirs of valuable minerals such as coal, limestone, uranium, and sillimanite.

Meghalaya has majestic rivers, Most of these are rainfed and seasonal. The important rivers in the Garo Hills region are Ganol, Daring, Sanda, Bandra, Bugai, Dareng, Simsang, Nitai and the Bhupai.

Temprature Of Meghalaya (Every Month)

Jan - 13.04°C | 55.47°F                                  July - 22.13°C | 71.83°F

Feb - 15.79°C | 60.42°F                                  Aug - 22.27°C | 72.09°F

March - 18.93°C | 66.07°F                              Sep - 21.64°C | 70.95°F

April - 20.63°C | 69.13°F                                Oct - 19.66°C | 67.39°F

May - 21.53°C | 70.75°F                                 Nov - 16.77°C | 62.19°F

June - 22.3°C | 72.14°F                                  Dec - 14.0°C | 57.2°F

Languages:

English is the official language of the state. The most spoken languages in Meghalaya are Khasi (33.82%) and Garo (31.60%) followed by Pnar (10.69%), Bengali (6.44%), Nepali (1.85%), War (1.73%), Hindi (1.62%), Hajong (1.40%) and Assamese (1.34%).

People of Meghalaya:

The people of Meghalaya, known as Meghalayans, comprise diverse ethnic groups, each with its own unique culture, traditions, and languages. The three major tribal communities in Meghalaya are the Khasis, Garos, and Jaintias. Apart from these major tribes, Meghalaya is also home to smaller ethnic communities such as the Pnar, Biate, and War people, each contributing to the state's cultural mosaic.The people of Meghalaya are known for their warm hospitality, strong community ties, and reverence for nature. Despite the diversity in cultures and traditions, there is a sense of unity among the people, who take pride in preserving their heritage while embracing modernity. Education is highly valued, and the literacy rate in Meghalaya has been steadily improving, contributing to the socio-economic development of the state.

Must Visit Sightseeings Of Meghalaya:

1. Shillong

2. Cherrapunji.

3. Dawki.

4. Mawsynram.

5. Double Decker Living Root Bridge.

7. Elephant Falls.

8. Umiam Lake.

9. Nohkalikai WaterFalls.

10. Garo Hills.

6 craft spirits, wines and beers from northeast India to add to your bar

1. Naara Aaba Wine, Arunachal Pradesh

Crafted by Tage Rita Takhe, a 43-year-old agricultural engineer from Arunachal Pradesh, Naara Aaba was born out of her love for wine and her husband’s vision of setting up a kiwi winery to utilise surplus fruit. Locally known as anteri, wild kiwi grows in abundance in the Ziro Valley and received an organic certification in 2020. It is here in the Hong village that the couple established India’s first kiwi winery in 2014. Clear and deep gold in appearance, Naara Aaba wine is sweet and acidic on the palate, making it a well-balanced drink with a lingering finish. “Our wine is made of fresh fruits sourced from the rural households and farmers. Since launching the first batch of wines in 2017, we’ve scaled up to 60,000 litres per batch presently,” Rita says. Their portfolio also includes plum, wild apple and pear wines. Their commitment to local development empowers rural households, employing 20 regular and hundreds of seasonal workers, many of whom are women. This success story has garnered international attention, with Naara Aaba becoming a case study in global business schools such as the Richard Ivey School of Business and University of Western Ontario.

2.Castle Hill Dark Knight Whiskey, Assam

This whiskey took a decade to be perfected under the guidance of Scottish Master Blender John McDougall. The Castle Hill Dark Knight is made from a grain mash of corn sourced locally from the Lower Brahmaputra valley and neighbouring Nagaland, which is among the biggest producers of maize in India. The whiskey is fermented and distilled using water from the Dhansiri, a tributary of the Brahmaputra, in a multi-stage process. Bamboo charcoal filtration helps absorb impurities from the spirit, while lending it a unique flavour profile. “It’s then matured in charred new American oakwood casks for two-year and four-year expressions. Ours is a small batch whiskey, which means we don’t do more than 4,000 cases annually,” says CEO Vicky Chand. A rich, deep gold whiskey with good oiliness, it presents fruity notes of blackberries and coffee on the nose, with a rounded and complex sweet and slightly spicy taste that lingers long after a sip.

3. Cherrapunji Eastern Craft Gin, Meghalaya

Made of rainwater from one of the rainiest places on earth, Cherrapunji Eastern Craft Gin blends the essence of Cherrapunji’s abundant rain with 12 native botanicals. “The northeast is home to many heritage liquors, so tapping into native knowledge has a lot of potential,” says founder Mayukh Hazarika. “The region has unique spices, botanicals and grains—the source materials for craft beverages.” Harvested at a facility in neighbouring Mawsynram, the rainwater undergoes a double filtration process sans harsh chemicals. Locally-sourced botanicals include peels of the GI-tagged Khasi mandarin and rare forest peppers of Meghalaya. With zesty citrus notes on the nose and creamy juniper undertones teasing the palate, each sip of the gin reveals a symphony of flavours—pungent peppers, spices, and a subtle smokiness. Packaged in reusable stainless steel bottles adorned with vibrant artwork depicting the northeast’s natural beauty, Cherrapunji Gin also embodies a commitment to sustainability.

Available in Meghalaya for Rs2,500 and in Assam for Rs2,800.

4. Tsüipu Heritage Beverages, Nagaland

Founded in 2014 by Lovi Achumi, Tsüipu Heritage Beverages emerged from a desire to rescue the wild gooseberries that grow in abundance in Nagaland and often go to waste. The range of fermented brews encapsulates the state’s rich agricultural legacy. “In an industry dominated by grape wines, our vision is clear and definite—to introduce and elevate the richness of fruit beverages from the hills,” says the young vintner. Fruits that currently find their way into the bottles include gooseberry, kiwi, passion fruit, peach, strawberry, dragon fruit and mulberry, all of which grow in the region. Using wild honey sourced from hidden hives in forests and rock honey from hives hanging off mountain cliffs, the fruits are fermented for 12 months without yeast and aged in imported white oak barrels, culminating in the production of mead. Depending on the fruit used, the wine can be red or white in colour with some golden tint due to the casks; their fruity bourbon taste is accentuated with hints of the herbs used for fermentation—varieties of native basils, wild olives and more. Driven by a mission to empower local farmers and gardeners, Tsüipu is also committed to community development.

5. 7 United Rice Brew, Meghalaya

Every tribe of northeast India has its own brewing culture. 7 United derives from the bitchi brew of the Garo tribe of Meghalaya and is made in black clay pots using locally-sourced sticky rice from the Garo Hills. The rice is cooked, sprinkled with a locally-made starter culture of yeast and medicinal herbs, and kept in clay pots at room temperature. The pots are periodically smoked from the outside, and the fermentation process takes a week to a month depending on the season. The brew is further aged in the pots for another two months, before being filtered through a bamboo tube. The handcrafted carbonated rice beer with a distinct sweet and smoky aftertaste is available in a sleek can, introducing a unique blend of tradition and modernity to northeast India’s brewing heritage. “We outsource 30% of our brewing to local farmers and brewers, to not only support rural livelihoods but also strengthen social ties and promote shared prosperity,” says founder Keenan K Marak.

Available in Meghalaya for Rs120

6. Xaj Rice Wine, Assam

A representation of the diverse cultures and a testament to the age-old brewing techniques of the indigenous communities of Assam, Xaj Rice Wine is what its founder, Akash Jyoti Gogoi calls a ‘heritage brew’. Sticky rice with a high gluten content and a natural sweet taste, locally known as bora saul, is sourced from the farms of Titabor in the Jorhat district. A starter cake or xaj pitha is prepared by grinding the rice with a traditional wooden pounding tool operated by foot. It is mixed with 18 medicinal herbs, shaped into cakes with a little water, and dried by a fireplace for eight days to infuse a smoky flavour. This starter cake is then mixed with cooked rice and kept in food grade steel tanks for 18-31 days for fermentation. The wine formed is extracted by a three-stage filtration unit, pasteurised and aged for 4-5 months. With a high probiotic content known for its therapeutic effect, the sweet and smoky drink with a light golden colour is not only representative of a social and cultural staple, but also reflects the holistic connection between indigenous traditions and wellbeing in the northeast.

How to Reach Meghalaya:

To reach Meghalaya, you have a few options depending on your starting point and preferred mode of transportation. Here's a general guide:

By Air: The nearest major airport to Meghalaya is the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (also known as Guwahati Airport) in Guwahati, Assam. From there, you can travel by road to reach various destinations in Meghalaya. Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya, is about a 3-4 hour drive from Guwahati.

By Train: Although Meghalaya doesn't have its own railway station, you can travel to the nearby Guwahati Railway Station, which is well-connected to major cities across India. From Guwahati, you can take a bus, taxi, or shared cab to reach Meghalaya.

By Road: Meghalaya is accessible by road from various neighboring states. You can either drive yourself or hire a taxi. The roads leading to Meghalaya are scenic but can be narrow and winding in some areas. It's advisable to check the road conditions before planning your trip.

Local Transportation: Once you're in Meghalaya, you can use local taxis, buses, or shared cabs to travel within the state. Keep in mind that some areas may not have extensive public transportation networks, so it's a good idea to plan your itinerary in advance and arrange for transportation accordingly.

|| Best Time To Visit Meghalaya: April – June ||

Documents  you neeed to carry on trip:

Identification Proof: Carry a valid government-issued photo identification document such as:

Passport

Aadhar Card

Voter ID Card

Driving License

PAN Card

Permits (if applicable): Some areas in Meghalaya, especially those close to the international borders, might require special permits for entry. Examples include:

Inner Line Permit (ILP): Needed for certain areas like Shillong and areas bordering Assam.

Protected Area Permit (PAP): Required for certain areas near the Indo-Bangladesh border.

Hotel Reservations: It's a good idea to carry printed or electronic copies of your hotel reservations or accommodation details.

Travel Itinerary: Have a copy of your travel itinerary, including details of transportation bookings, sightseeing plans, and contact information of local guides or tour operators.

Emergency Contact Information: Carry a list of emergency contact numbers, including local authorities, embassy or consulate, travel insurance provider, and family or friends.

Medical Information: If you have any specific medical conditions or allergies, carry relevant medical documents, prescriptions, and health insurance details.

Travel Insurance: While not mandatory, having travel insurance can be beneficial. Carry a copy of your travel insurance policy or details of coverage.

Cash and Cards: Carry sufficient cash in the local currency (Indian Rupees) and keep your debit/credit cards securely. ATMs may not be readily available in remote areas.

Photocopies: Make photocopies of all your important documents, including your passport, identification proofs, permits, and itinerary. Keep these copies separate from the originals.