If you are looking for an offbeat destination around Shillong/Cherrapunjee, then Shnongpdeng is the place to go!
Location: 20 minutes from Dawki and 2-3 hours from Shillong and Cherrapunjee.
Mode of Transport: I traveled by a yellow Sumo from Shillong to Dawki (Rs. 130 approx.) and a shared taxi (Nano) for Rs. 30 from Dawki to Shnongpdeng. You can always opt for a private taxi too.
Attraction: Stay by a riverside, go boating, cliff jumping, fishing, swimming, zip lining, kayaking and snorkeling (though this is seasonal) too. The crystal clear water and green mountains, the tranquility of the place, and the lovely villagers are a welcome relief from the hustle bustle of the city.
Ideal for: All! familes, couples, friends and solo travelers too.
Accommodation: There are cottages and tents which you can rent out. I also noticed a few groups who brought their own tents and camped by the river.
Safe for women? Yes! I couldn’t have felt more comfortable and welcome!
Network coverage: Aircel, Airtel and BSNL. Then again, no network coverage is an absolute relief unless of course, you are a first-time solo traveler and have friends and family concerned about your safety which was true in my case. I had an Airtel dongle, thankfully, that helped me keep in touch with my near and dear ones.
Food: There are food stalls around, so finding food is not an issue. Try their fish curry and rice at Rs. 50.
Best time to visit: Preferably any time except the monsoon. Though I was told that people do visit during the rains too, especially for fishing.
Contact:
Lasting – 9612116712 (Riverside tents and cottages)
Ailam – 8132011420
Mode of communication: English works better than Hindi.
Worth a second visit? A third and a fourth too! Especially if you have a creative bent of mind. It sparks your imagination and the silence is just perfect.
Nestled among the mountains, it is one of the most peaceful places I have been to…completely cut off from urban life.
Not an overly touristy place but with enough stalls for snacks around.
The famous hanging bridge
The boat ride, the only sound that I could hear here was ithe gushing sound of water.
One of the best places to sit and meditate, introspect or just be grateful for everything,
They are cleanliness conscious and it is an absolute delight to see their dedication towards preserving nature. Swach Bharat Abhiyan in action!
The water was crystal clear…I could see right to the bottom!
And if you enjoy watching nature and its miracles, there’s an abundance of small and big creatures, plants you can observe.
Trying my hand at steering the boat, one of the best forms of exercises for your arms.
A waterfall hidden away…
That’s the cottage I stayed in the first day. No attached washroom but they had a usable public toilet nearby.
Fishing in style!
The green tent there…that’s the one I stayed in the second night. It was an amazing experience.
That’s Johnathan who guided me through the entire trip!
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