Whispers of the Wild: Meghalaya Unveiled

Updated: May 10, 2025

  🧳 Chapter 1: Of Goodbyes & Brave Beginnings

    🗓️  3rd February | Mumbai ✈ Guwahati

Our first trip without our parents — two sisters, a suitcase of nerves, and a pocket full of wild dreams.

Just when we thought it would be the driver dropping us off, surprise! Our parents appeared at the gate, holding back tears and faith. After tight hugs, chilled instructions, and the precious chilly spray for self-defense, we were off to the skies.

The Heena Tours group met us mid-air — our co-travelers, all sweet… and all 50+. We were the only youngsters. At first, panic. Later? Purpose.

  🕌 Chapter 2: Temples, Teardrops & River Tunes

    🗓️  3rd February | Guwahati

Kamakhya Devi’s temple was mystical, but we were still misty-eyed. Nothing matched. Not the age, not the vibe.

So we told ourselves:

And just like that, things changed. The Brahmaputra river cruise arrived like a dream — coffee, cold breeze, live music, and a boatful of laughs. That moment danced in moonlight.

Later that evening...
Back at the hotel, we freshened up, sipped hi-tea, and headed out. No big buys, but oh, the Assamese sarees were a delight! We navigated Guwahati’s streets in a local bus, then returned by the cutest little 2-seater cycle rickshaw. It felt like a film scene.

  🦏 Chapter 3: Rhinos, Reels & Realizations

    🗓️  4th February | Guwahati ➝ Kaziranga

The hotel room? A tiny luxury capsule with the quirkiest bathroom design ever. Loved it.

Started our morning with muffins, fruit juice, and stories from our fellow travelers. The highlight? Two 75-year-old besties — enjoying life, posing for selfies, and proving age is just a number.

We posed like influencers beside rhino statues and swings, then headed to a tea factory. Bought Assam tea for our chai-loving dad.
On our way back — a tiny bus accident. But all safe. Phew!

Dinner with Heena was a spread — food, laughter, warmth, and the chill breeze saying goodnight.

  🐘 Chapter 4: Of Safaris & Selfies

    🗓️  5th February | Kaziranga

Woke at 5 AM. It was darker than dark, colder than cold — but the elephant safari awaited.

Let’s be honest: riding an elephant wasn’t as romantic as imagined. But it was our only way through the wild. We spotted deer, turtles... even met my sister's “friend Rino” (wink!). Film-style photo session? Done ✔️

Later, we were joined by a new group of 15 from Maharashtra, adding some youth to the mix.

At the Orchid Garden, we got decked in traditional Assamese outfits.

My sister? Mistaken for a local beauty queen! Every uncle & aunty asked for a selfie with her — and she delivered, queen-style.

We then danced along to Assamese folk beats, laughed till our stomachs hurt, and posed endlessly.

Jungle Safari (Part 2):
The evening took a wild turn. We were the only two in the jeep with our fun tour manager — no rules, no restrictions. Speeding through the jungle like a rollercoaster, we spotted birds, elephants, rhinos… but the tiger remained a mystery.

Still, the ride was thrilling, the cold breeze slapping our faces like ice creams flying in the wind.

But the real madness? Elephant safari at dawn followed by a jeep safari at dusk — our personal F1 driver gave the jeep wings and our souls frostbite. We were half-ice, half-laughs.

  🌼 Chapter 5: Shillong Shenanigans

    🗓️  6th February | Kaziranga ➝ Shillong

After breakfast and tons of photos, we hopped onto the last seat of the bus — our designated throne.

Made a pitstop at a handcraft shop and bought a cute handwoven bag.

Arrived in Shillong, where our room was surprisingly separate. But oh — what a room! Big, cozy, garden-facing, with a TV like the ones in rich uncle's homes.

It was our fairytale suite.
That night? Movie marathon, snacks, and fairy lights from the balcony garden. Bliss.

  💧 Chapter 6: Dawki Dreams & Living Roots

    🗓️  7th February | Dawki – Mawlynnong – Shillong

We hit the road early — headed to Dawki River, brushing cliffs, trucks, and twists. A nerve-wracking drive... but the view? Spellbinding.

A river so clear, boats looked like they floated in the air. Clicked reels, laughed with aunties, and posed till memory cards cried.

Then came Living Root Bridge — straight out of a fantasy book. We reached early, had the whole bridge to ourselves, and captured every angle with zero photobombs.

Later visited Mawlynnong – the cleanest village in Asia. It lived up to its name — silent, respectful, and sparkling clean. Bought handmade gifts for cousins.

The sun dipped at 5:30 PM. Dinner, memories, and another dreamy night in Shillong.

  🌦️ Chapter 7: Cherrapunji – Where Clouds Kiss the Earth

    🗓️  8th February | Cherrapunji

We woke up with the scent of chai and mist on the glass. It was time for Cherrapunji, the wettest place on Earth — and boy, it lived up to its fame.

First stop: Elephant Falls — not one, not two, but three cascading layers of water. The third one? Picture-perfect. We had to wait in line to take a photo, but the view made every second worth it.

Next up, Seven Sister Falls — a panoramic beauty singing through the valleys. Lunch was served with a view and a gentle drizzle. Everything felt like a living postcard.

We shopped a little and then braved the wildest part of the day — Mawsmai Cave. Only 9 of the 40 dared enter, and yes, your two favorite sisters were in that daring list. Ducking, crawling, laughing — it felt like an Indiana Jones moment with aunties behind us.

We returned soaked, sore, and smiling.

  💌 Chapter 8: A Goodbye with Guwahati & a Glamour Twist

    🗓️  9th February | Shillong ➝ Guwahati ➝ Bangalore ➝ Pune

The morning arrived quietly, like a soft hug. We had our breakfast, took one last dreamy look at our garden-view room, and began the bittersweet drive back to Guwahati..

Packed lunch and dinner boxes ensured we never had to say “Bhook lagi hai” again. Stopped for a quick leechi cold drink and landed in Guwahati airport’s waiting lounge, where our travel fam reunited for one last session of laughter, card games, and promises to meet again.

But wait… life had one last surprise: We met Nia Sharma! Yes, the Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behna Hai star — how perfect is that? A trip of sisters ending with the “Behna” icon herself!

Snapped a selfie. Smiled hard.

We boarded our flight to Bangalore — planned to stay up and enjoy the ride, but tired eyes won. At midnight, we sat in a quiet, chilly Bangalore airport sipping our first (and last) Starbucks coffee —
Spoiler: It was the worst coffee of our lives. 😅

At 2 AM, we caught our final flight home to Pune. Slept like babies. Landed like warriors.

🕓 Reached home at 4:30 AM — a little colder, a lot braver, and forever changed.

  ✨💭 The Afterword: What This Trip Taught Us

• That fear is only at the start line.
• That sometimes your best memories are made with aunties in sarees and uncles with dad jokes.
• That laughter speaks louder than age.
• That nature doesn't need filters — Meghalaya already comes in pastel.
• That every sister deserves a story like this.