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NOHWET LIVING ROOT BRIDGE

EAST KHASI HILLS

KYNREM FALLS

JAINTIA FALLS

NOHKALIKAI FALLS

SOUTH WEST KHASI HILLS

KRANGSHURI FALLS

WEST JAINTIA HILLS

DAWKI - SHNONGPDENG

Get lost in the magic of meghalaya.

A place where ancient customs and stunning landscapes coexist in perfect harmony.

Cozy Up in Nature's Lap

Book Your Dream Stay in Meghalaya. Discover Unmatched Serenity Amidst Nature's Bounty

Amazing Places to Visit

Dainthlen falls, nohkalikai falls, lum sohpetbneng, events you should not miss.

The Best Experiences

Nongstoin to ranikor, hike to mawkynrum, living root bridge, synrangringai lake.

• Shnongpdeng

Get to Know Meghalaya

Start planning your adventure, destinations, itineraries, plan your trip, watch us on youtube, important notice.

Tender Notice for Development of Tourism Infrastructure for Adventure Tourism and Hospitality Complex

Re-development, operation and maintenance of orchid hotel, scheme for community led tourism infrastructure.

Directorate of Tourism 3rd Secretariat Nokrek Building, Lower Lachumiere, Shillong 793001, Meghalaya, India Tel Fax : +91-364-2502580 Phone No : +91 76400 03050 E-mail : [email protected]

USEFUL LINKS

• SAATHI – Ministry of Tourism
• NIDHI – Ministry of Tourism
• Images Credits

Important Updates

• Applicants selected for the interview of the ‘Meghalaya Luxury Tourism’ Vehicle Scheme
• Meghalaya Draft Tourism Policy 2022
• Empanelment of professional firm for supply and setting up of Prefabricated containers/structures around the state

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© Department of Tourism, Government of Meghalaya.

• Chandigre Rural Tourist Resort
• Nokrek Biosphere Reserve
• Siju Caves and Rock Formations
• Dawki – Shnongpdeng
• Krangshuri Falls
• Ialong & Syntu Ksiar
• Nartiang Monoliths
• Nongriat Root Bridges
• Mawphlang Sacred Groves
• Mawlynnong Village
• Don Bosco Museum
• Elephant Falls
• Phan Nonglait Park
• Ward’s Lake
• Eri Silk Village
• More Experiences
• Behdienkhlam Festival
• Shad Suk Mynsiem Festival
• Wangala Festival
• Other Festivals
• Hikes and Treks
• More Adventures
• Indigenous Cuisines
• Shillong Heritage Walk
• Strawberry Festival
• Cherry Blossom Festival
• Other Events
• Accommodation
• Tourist Spots
• Tour Operators & Packages
• MTDC Bus Conducted Tours
• Meghalaya Helicopter Services
• Suggested Readings
• History of Meghalaya
• More Resources
• Shillong 1 Day Itinerary
• Through Mountains and Clouds
• Landscapes and Scenic Routes
• Shillong 3 Day Itinerary
• Shoppping Centers
• Restaurants

Meghalaya Tourism

Advertising made simpler for you. Read about new Advertising Trends, Campaigns, and Strategies.

Dissecting Meghalaya Tourism’s World Cup 2023 Sports Campaign with Disney+ Hotstar

Table of Contents

Product/Service

Landscapes, misty hills, and abundant cultural heritage are sure to catch every traveler’s heart when traveling on a tour of Meghalaya. It is a paradise for adrenaline junkies who can jump into caves, hiking and water sports, whereas the environment admirers have to visit its peace loving streams and living root bridges. The state’s cultural identity epitomized through the Khasi, Garo & Jaintia festivals relate to the local everyday way of living for instance. Thoughtful Meghalaya eco-tourism shows that tourists can have exciting activities and a peaceful environment that is only found in Nature which is beautiful.

The primary objective of Meghalaya Tourism’s campaign was twofold: To build brand awareness and to increase the sale from a business perspective By exploiting the huge platform Disney+Hotstar, Meghalaya Tourism sought the purpose of influencing a large number of prospective travelers with rich impressions not only through the advertisement but individualized relationship building process.

Target audience

The campaign aimed for most viewers from Odisha, Assam and the seven northeastern states as the northeastern population in Meghalaya have special appeal to these regions. The target audience selection was based on the principle that they are targeting tourists who are located from closer range to Meghalaya and are supposed to be tourists from various parts of India.

How Did  Meghalaya Tourism Aim to Boost Brand Visibility by Sponsoring World Cup 2023

Meghalaya Tourism planned to expand the brand’s visibility through the World Cup 2023 sponsorship by means of utilization of the worldwide character and consequences of the drama. Considering the fact that the World Cup, one of the most watched sporting events, is global, it has given the chance to the tourism of Meghalaya to display its brand before a substantial as well as diversified audience.

• With its support to the World Cup, Meghalaya Tourism captured the attention of the watching world which has an estimated number of millions of viewers that watch matches on the CTV. Through this partnership, the Meghalaya brand was perceived and appreciated at the same level as the internationally recognized event strengthening its visibility and its reputation.
• Concerning Meghalaya Tourism, one of the best ways to reach its target audience was through the World Cup broadcasters because this enabled the organization to reach an engaged wide audience. Utilizing 10 seconds scroll ads on Disney+Hotstar effectively created visibility during the competition’s critical moments, keeping an eye on the spectators.
• The ultimate goal of sponsoring the World Cup was to build long-term brand recognition for Meghalaya Tourism. By consistently presenting the brand throughout the event, Meghalaya Tourism aimed to embed its image in the viewers’ minds, making it more likely for them to consider Meghalaya as a travel destination in the future.

What Strategies Did Meghalaya Tourism Use to Identify and Engage Their Ideal audience? 

The campaign was meticulously designed to target specific demographics within designated geographic locations – Odisha, Assam, and the seven northeastern states. This targeting was based on research and data indicating these regions’ potential interest and proximity to Meghalaya, making them ideal candidates for tourism marketing.

• Choosing Disney+Hotstar as the advertising platform was a strategic decision. As a popular streaming service with a diverse and large viewer base, Disney+Hotstar offered the potential to reach a wide array of audiences across the targeted regions. The platform’s advanced targeting capabilities allowed Meghalaya Tourism to deliver its message to the right people at the right time.
• The content of the ad was likely crafted to resonate with the target audience’s interests and preferences, showcasing Meghalaya’s unique attractions and experiences. By highlighting the state’s natural beauty, culture, and adventure opportunities, the campaign aimed to spark interest and curiosity among potential tourists.
• The timing of the campaign, coinciding with the World Cup 2023 , was a strategic move to leverage the increased viewership during the event. Associating Meghalaya Tourism with a major global event helped in creating a buzz and ensuring higher visibility for the campaign.
• Meghalaya Tourism probably utilized data analytics to monitor the campaign’s performance and gather insights on audience engagement. This data would allow them to refine their strategies, optimize ad placements, and ensure that their message is reaching the intended audience effectively.

Campaign Execution

The primary goal for this campaign was to increase brand awareness and boost sales while narrowing down our target audience to Odisha, Assam, and the northeastern region. 

The campaign had around ‘52,49,602 impressions’ which signifies the total number of times that the ad was displayed on the Disney+Hotstar platform to users. The display of the ad would result in your browser fetching it and displaying it on the user’s screen. If the ad was clicked or not, it counts as an impression. This figure no doubt signifies considerably wide circulation, testifying that the message was available to a huge number of people. High impression scores mean that the ad is well received and has reached a considerable percentage of people within the target audience.

The campaign had an impressive impact, the advertisement did more than just the high number of impressions, on the other hand it efficiently captured the viewers’ attention. However, the exact numbers of engagement receptors which aren’t provided in the study definitely refer to positive audience attitudes and behavioral attitudes, e.g, high view rates, increased brand searches, or positive sentiment in social media mentions and comments.

The impressive results certainly leave no doubt concerning organizational efficiency and effectiveness of the campaign. Indicatively the platform choice, defining the right audience and applying an attractive type of the ad campaign helped Meghalaya Tourism gain a wide access to the selected areas. Through this branding strategy the destination was not only visible to thousands of potential tourists but also it became the base for future bookings and visits to Meghalaya.

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MEGHALAYA TRIP – How to Plan and What to do? A Complete Guide

Meghalaya , Northeast India

Last Updated on: Jan 30, 2023  

About this blog: Meghalaya in Northeast India is one of the most beautiful destinations in India. We have visited Meghalaya time and again and are totally in love with the place. We have extensively travelled Meghalaya and are here to share our experience and expertise so that you can plan a perfect Meghalaya trip . This will be one of the most comprehensive Meghalaya Travel Guide that will help with your Meghalaya trip.

There is no doubt that Meghalaya is one of our favourite places. Situated in the hills of the eastern sub-Himalayas, Meghalaya is one of the most beautiful states of India. In Sanskrit, Meghalaya translates into ‘abode of clouds’ and it is rightfully called so. Claimed to be one of the wettest places on the earth, Meghalaya sees the hide and seek played between the sun and rains.

Surrounded by the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo Hills, Meghalaya offers simple and unspoiled beauty to its visitors. The state boasts of incredible natural beauty, cascading waterfalls, sparkling clean rivers, natural caves and a colourful cultural heritage. From the gorgeous waterfalls of Cherrapunjee to the clear waters of Umngot, Meghalaya is literally a place halfway between heaven and earth.

We love to visit Meghalaya over and over again and want you to visit the state also. Read on to know more about this place and how you can plan a perfect Meghalaya trip.

Where is Meghalaya?

Meghalaya is located in the northeastern part of India. Meghalaya was carved out of the state of Assam and shares its borders with Assam and Bangladesh in the west and south.

Meghalaya Trip – Is it safe to visit Meghalaya?

Meghalaya is perhaps one of the safest states that we have visited. The people are friendly and will always be ready to help you.

Meghalaya is also one of the safest places for women to travel. Being a matrilineal society, crimes against women are not much seen here. I have travelled solo in Meghalaya in remote places like Tura without any fear. Meghalaya is one of the states where I feel quite at home during solo travel as well.

How to Reach Meghalaya?

Just like the other northeast states, Guwahati forms the entry point of Meghalaya as well. Shillong is the most important and the capital city of Meghalaya. Your Meghalaya trip will probably start from Shillong itself.

Shillong has a domestic airport that is connected by flights from Kolkata, Guwahati and New Delhi. However, the best way to enter Meghalaya would be to arrive at Guwahati and then move on to Shillong.

READ OUR COMPLETE GUIDE ON REACHING FROM GUWAHATI TO SHILLONG AND THEN TO CHERRAPUNJI

The nearest railway head is Guwahati. You will get shared jeeps and cabs just outside the Guwahati Railway Station at Paltan Bazar. You will also get shared jeeps and cabs from Khanapara in Guwahati.  Buses are also available from the ASTC Bus Stand outside the railway station. Regular buses are also available from ISBT, Beltola in Guwahati.

Helicopter services are also available from Guwahati to Shillong. But we recommend you to take the road. Shillong is only 100 km from Guwahati and the roads are pretty good and scenic as it follows an uphill drive through lush greenery.

Tentative fare from Guwahati to Shillong

• Guwahati Airport to Shillong (small car): INR 2200
• Guwahati Airport to Shillong (big car): INR 3000
• Guwahati Railway Station to Shillong (small car): INR 2000
• Guwahati Railway Station to Shillong (big car): INR 2700
• Shared Sumos from Guwahati Paltan Bazar to Shillong Anjali Stand: INR 200-250.
• Shared Cabs (Swift) from Guwahati Paltan Bazar to Shillong Anjali Stand: INR 300-350.

Local Transport in Meghalaya

Your first stop in Meghalaya trip will perhaps be Shillong. From Shillong, you have to visit different places.

Moving around Shillong

Buses and Yellow Taxis are available for travelling to various destinations in the city. Tourist Taxis are available in Shillong for local sightseeing as well as for long-distance tours.

The Main Taxi Stand is at the Police Bazar Stand. From here you will get shared yellow taxis to different destinations in the city. City buses are also available for going around in Shillong.

The Meghalaya Tourism Office is located at Police Bazar itself. You can book city tours and various other sightseeing tours from there. They conduct tours to Cherrapunjee, Mawlynnong, Dawki and other places as well. You can also hire cars for going around from the Tourism Office.

Moving around towns in Meghalaya

You can hire cars for travelling to various destinations in Meghalaya from the Police Bazar Taxi Stand.

If you want to travel by shared vehicles, the Sumos are available from Bara Bazar Sumo Stand near Ïewduh. Shared Sumos to other destinations like Dawki, Kongthong, Nongstoin are also available from there.

For offbeat places, the number of shared jeeps is quite less. So if you want to travel around Meghalaya by shared vehicles, keep some time in hand and get to know about the vehicle timings beforehand.

Bike Renting at Shillong

You can explore Meghalaya on a bike just like we did and enjoy the adventure on the road. The main roads are quite good in Meghalaya and riding is quite enjoyable. Shillong has a number of bike rentals from where you can get scooters and motorbikes for hire.

The rental agencies usually take a deposit amount depending on your ride and you also have to submit one of your Identity proof in original there. They will return the ID once you return the bike. They also provide one helmet with the bike. You can also ask for another helmet at a nominal extra cost.

The rate for scooty or scooter is INR 600-800 per day (without petrol)

For Bikes, it is INR 1000-1200 per day, and for Royal Enfield, the rental is usually INR 1500-1800 per day.

What is the Best time to visit Meghalaya?

Meghalaya has a tropical climate. The best time to visit is the winter months from October to March. But if you want to see the waterfalls in their full glory, visit at the end of the rainy season or just after it, i.e between August to the beginning of October.

Meghalaya is one such place in India that is beautiful in all the seasons. While our favourite time to visit is during the monsoon, the other seasons are equally enchanting. When you want to go for a Meghalaya trip actually depends on what you want to do.

April to June (Summer)

The weather is agreeable during this time and the temperature remains cool. Summer is definitely a peak season for a Meghalaya trip. This is a good time to go outdoors and explore. This is also a good time to do caving. However, the waterfalls will have less water. The Seven Sister Waterfalls in Cherrapunjee can be hardly seen during this time. It looks like small strips of water cascading down the mountain cliff, during the summer.

July to September (Monsoon)

Monsoon arrives in Meghalaya in June itself. However, from July it is peak monsoon. Since Meghalaya is one of the wettest places on earth, it receives a lot of rainfall. Monsoon in Meghalaya is simply beautiful. Everything looks lush and green and the waterfalls get a life of their own. The clouds and fod renders a mystique and charm to the place.

Cherrapunjee and Mawsynram are particularly beautiful during this time. However, you will probably not get the clear water at Umngot River at Dawki during this time. Caving is also not recommended during this time.

In short, if you love to travel during the rain, we would definitely recommend you for a Meghalaya trip. However, be prepared for bouts of showers every now and then. Also, do carry your rain wear during this time.

October to November (Autumn)

This is one of the best seasons to visit Meghalaya. The rains have stopped, but the after effects of rain are still there with greenery everywhere and lively waterfalls. The weather is sunny and cool, perfect for outdoor activities and treks.

December to February (Winter)

The weather remains comfortably cold; however, the days are a bit warm. The mornings are usually foggy. Winters are also a good time to explore and do all the outdoor activities like trekking and caving. This is also a good time to visit Dawki. You will see the crystal clear waters of the river for which Dawki is so famous for.

Places to visit in your Meghalaya Trip

1) shillong.

Shillong, the capital of the state is a busy, trendy and energetic city with a vibrant population. There is a lot of British influence in the architecture of Shillong. With the beautiful hills around and the number of lakes, Shillong is referred to as the ‘Scotland of East’ . Police Bazar is the busiest point in Shillong with a busy marketplace. Most of the major hotels in Shillong are found around Police Bazar. You can use cozycozy to find a cheap accommodation for your trip to Meghalaya. Shillong has some fine cafes that also offer music. Shillong is the place of music lovers.

Attractions in Shillong:  Plenty of places to visit here – Ward’s Lake, Lady Hydari Park, Shillong Peak, Elephant Falls, Shillong Golf Course, Smit, Laitlum Canyons, Bishop & Beadon falls and Umiam Lake.

2) Cherrapunji

Cherrapunji or Cherrapunjee , also known as Sohra is located around 60 km from Shillong. You can visit Cherrapunji from Shillong and come back in a day. There are tours conducted by the Meghalaya Tourism for Cherrapunji. But we recommend a night stay at the place. Shared cabs to Cherrapunjee are available from Bada Bazar in Shillong. The Yellow Sumos take you to different places in  Meghalaya.

Cherrapunjee was said to be the wettest place on earth before Mawsynram took over. Naturally, the place is amazing during the monsoons.

Attractions in Cherrapunji: The Nohkalikai Waterfalls is the fourth highest waterfall in the world and makes for a grand sight. The Seven Sister Falls, Wei Sawdong Falls and Dainthlein Falls are also worth visiting. The Mawsmai and Arwah caves are other places that you should visit. Amazing stalactites and stalagmite formations are found in these caves.

From Cherrapunji, you can visit Mawsynram, the wettest place on the earth and the Khasi monoliths.

3) Nongriat Trek

The fascinating experience of Cherrapunjee is the visit to the Double Decker Root Bridge in Nongriat village. The route from Tyrna is the easier one to reach Nongriat, but you have to descend as many as 3500 steps to reach the village. Once you are at Nongriat, the trouble will seem nothing compared to the views and hospitality you will receive there. It is advisable to stay for a night at Nongriat if you wish to do the Double Decker Living Root Bridge Trek .

4) Mawlynnong

Mawlynnong is declared to be the cleanest village in Asia . The place is around 80 km from Shillong and a trip to Mawlynnong and Dawki can be done in a day keeping your base at Shillong. Like Cherrapunjee, Meghalaya Tourism conducts tours to Mawlynnong as well. Mawlynnong has a number of homestays as well where you can stay for the night.

The village is extremely clean and well-maintained, having bamboo dustbins at places. With greenery all around and colourful flowers and orchids blooming, Mawlynnong simply looks amazing.

Attractions in Mawlynnong: There is another single decker Living root bridge in Riwai village. There is a balancing rock that you can visit. The Skywatch is a tall bamboo structure that allows you to climb atop and have gorgeous views of the Bangladesh plains from there.Mawlynnong Asia’s cleanest village

5) Mawphlang

Around 45 km from Shillong, the Mawphlang Sacred Groves is situated in the East Khasi Hills. Once you reach the place, you can see rolling green plains, dense forests amidst the backdrop of blue skies. You can get a shared sumo to Mawphlang as well. There are accommodation options at Mawphlang in case you want to stay there for the night. A sacred grove is a small forest area considered sacred by the Khasi tribe. The sacred grove usually has a number of medicinal plants and herbs and exotic plant species.

Attractions in Mawphlang: The sacred grove, Khasi Heritage Village.

Mawphlang is also the starting point of the David Scott Trail .

All the beautiful pictures of reflections of country boats on crystal clear water that you have seen are probably taken at the Umngot River in Dawki. Situated on the border of Bangladesh, Dawki is the last town on the Indian side before the Bangladesh border. You can reach Dawki by a shared Sumo from Bada Bazar in Shillong.

You can stay at Dawki or move forward to Shnongpdeng, another beautiful hamlet on the banks of Umngot River. There are a number of homestays at Shnongpdeng and camping options are also available at both Dawki and Shnongpdeng .

Attractions at Dawki & Shnongpdeng : A number of water activities like country boat ride, scuba diving, cliff jumping and fishing.

Offbeat places to visit in Meghalaya Trip

There are a number of places that are unexplored and offbeat. Here we are writing about a few. More more detailed guide, read our article on Offbeat and Unexplored Places in Meghalaya .

1) Mawlyngot

Mawlyngot is a beautiful village amidst green tea gardens and a serene atmosphere. The tea gardens, tea factories are places of interest here. Read more about our experiences at Mawlyngot.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: LANGKAWET – AN OFFBEAT DESTINATION IN MEGHALAYA

2) Mawlyngbna

Mawlyngbna is a place for adventure seekers. The Travellers Nest is the only place of accommodation here. Situated amidst the forests, the Travellers nest has only two cottages. Camping can also be arranged here. You can go trekking, visit the waterfalls and go kayaking in the lake.

3) Kongthong

Kongthong is a very interesting place in Meghalaya. Situated between two famous ridges, getting to Kongthong is an adventure in itself. The unique culture of Kongthong’s inhabitants is they do not call out to each other using their names, they instead sing out names that are given to every individual of the village at childhood. Kongthong is also known as the Whistling Village of Meghalaya.

Umden is situated in the Ri-Bhoi district and is known for its eri silk production. Here you can witness all the steps in sericulture starting from rearing of silkworms to spinning and reeling of silk to yarn production and dyeing and finally to weaving. The village itself is really beautiful nestled in a serene valley.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: MAWRYNGKHANG TREK – THE SCARIEST TREK IN MEGHALAYA!

5) Nongkhnum Island

The road to Nongkhnum Island is long, but the view that you get here compensates all your trouble. It is the largest river island in Meghalaya and is situated near Nongstoin. The island with clear waters of the river is a serene place with hardly any soul. You can also go camping on the river island.

6) Tura, Garo Hills

Tura is the second most important city in Meghalaya after Shillong. Located in the Garo hills, Tura offers great eco-tourism options and the wildlife sanctuaries in this area have interesting wildlife. Siju Caves, one of the longest cave systems in India, also lies close to Tura.

Overnight Buses to Tura are available from Shillong Polo Ground. Sumos are also available in the morning. Tura is also accessible from Guwahati. Hotels and homestays are available in Tura.

Attractions in Tura: The entire Garo Hills are full of many interesting places. The Tura peak, Nokrek National Park, Rongbang Dar Waterfall are few of the places near Tura worth visiting. Other interesting places include the majestic Balpakram National Park and gorge, Pelga Falls, Siju Caves and Naphak Lake.

Know the People of Meghalaya

Places become livelier because of its people. Meghalaya is no exception. The place is the home to three tribes – Khasi, Jaintia and the Garos. The Khasis occupy the Khasi hills of central Meghalaya, the Garos occupy the western Garo Hills while the Jaintias occupy the Jaintia hills of eastern part of the state.

At present most of the tribes have embraced Christianity, but they have not forgotten their age-old customs. A common trait of the three tribes in Meghalaya is that they predominantly follow a matrilineal system where lineage and inheritance are passed through women of a family. The state has a liking to music and that can be seen in numerous rock bands.

All the three tribes are quite close to nature. They have preserved their ancient forests and groves. Their harmony with nature can be seen in the numerous root bridges that are found across the state.

The people are also quite fond of music and dance and that can be reflected in their festivals. The Khasi and Jaintia tribes praise nature, land, waterfalls, hills and rivers in their songs. The Garo folk songs are mostly based on agriculture, marriage, daily life and special events.

What to Eat in your Meghalaya Trip?

If you are a foodie, then you will definitely love Meghalaya.  Jadoh is the staple food in the Khasi region and is easily available. Various preparations of pork, fish and chicken are also available here.  If you want some great Khasi cuisine in Shillong, I would recommend you to head to Trattoria. This is a small eatery in Police Bazar and serves delectable Jadoh and other Khasi dishes. Food is relatively cheap in Meghalaya.

You can also check out the cafes in Shillong. They serve great coffee and food items.

For the rest of the tourist destinations, there are small restaurants and eateries all along where you will get good food. Do not expect fancy restaurants in these places other than Shillong. In the smaller places and villages, you will probably stay at homestays and your food will be arranged by your homestay.

Vegetarian fares are also available in Meghalaya. Please note that Meghalaya, like the other northeastern states, are predominantly non-vegetarian. So in most of the places, you will get a variety of non-veg items. Vegetarian items will be present, but you might not get a variety there.

Rice is an important part of their diet. They make a preparation of sticky rice and have it for breakfast. Lunch and dinner also comprises of rice.

Where to stay during the Meghalaya trip?

You can stay at hotels or homestays in your Meghalaya trip.

Shillong and Cherrapunji have a number of hotels of various budgets. You will also find homestays and hostels in Shillong. Homestays are also available in Cherrapunji.

For places like Mawlynnong, Dawki, Kongthong and others, you have to rely on homestays.

How much does it cost on a Meghalaya Trip?

Meghalaya, in general, is quite cheap and it is easy to backpack across the state spending as less as INR 800-1000 per day. You can even spend less. Hostels are available in Shillong. Local transport and food at local eateries are cheap.

If your budget is higher, there are high end hotels for stay and you can travel in luxury by car.

Meghalaya Travel Guide (FAQs Answered)

Meghalaya is famously known as the “Abode of clouds” and is mainly famous for being the home to the wettest place on earth. Meghalaya is also famous for its waterfalls, caves, living root bridges and colourful festivals. The state is also famous for its large variety of orchids.

5 days are ideal for a Meghalaya trip where you will visit the major attractions of the state. You can spend 2 days in Shillong, 1 day in Cherrapunji and another day in Mawlynnong (the cleanest village in Asia) and Dawki. You can compress your Meghalaya trip to 3 to 4 days by planning efficiently, but it will be a rush.

Meghalaya is one of the safest places to travel in India, especially for solo women travellers. Meghalaya follows a matrilineal society, which means that the family lineage is taken from the mother’s side. Women are empowered and crimes against women are not usually seen. The locals are helpful to tourists and so is the local police force.

Meghalaya is an all-weather destination. However, the best time to visit is during the summer (April to June) and during the Autumn (October to November) when the weather remains cool and sunny, perfect for outdoor activities.

Meghalaya is quite cheap to travel. You will find hostels in Shillong and homestays at cheaper rates. Food and local transport are also quite cheap. For a backpacking Meghalaya trip, you can spend as little as Rs800-1000 per day or even less.

Meghalaya is famous for bamboo handicraft items. Shillong has a number of shops where you will find handicraft items. You can also buy stoles and shawls. Various organic products like spices, honey and tea are grown in Meghalaya that you can buy.

For spring and summer, wear light cotton clothes preferably during the day. For monsoons, you must carry your raincoats and rain jackets and proper shoes. Winters are quite chilly, so carry your woolens and jackets. Meghalaya is quite a fashionable state. Men and women are tuned into the latest fashion trends. So you can wear anything within the range of propriety.

More pictures to convince you for a Meghalaya Trip

I can only reiterate that we absolutely love to explore and travel to Meghalaya. Hope this blog will help you plan your Meghalaya trip. If you need any help, drop us an email or comment below. We will be happy to help.

If you liked this post, please share this with your family, friends and neighbours. Do let us know in the comments below when you are planning your Meghalaya trip and where you want to visit.

Pin it for a later read!

Agni Amrita

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97 comments.

I really liked the way the guide was provided.the explaination was short but top notch.As a solo traveller i always like to explore offbeat places.Since i was planning my next trip to meghalaya so this informative guide will be very helpful.Thank you

Wow, what an incredibly detailed and informative guide to planning a trip to Meghalaya! The descriptions of the natural beauty, cultural richness, and safety aspects of the region make it all the more enticing.

I love how it highlights both popular tourist destinations and offbeat places, catering to various interests. It’s clear that Meghalaya has something for everyone, whether you’re an adventure seeker, nature lover, or food enthusiast.

Thanks for sharing this comprehensive guide; it’s sure to inspire many to explore this “Abode of Clouds.”

Lovely and very informative writeup on Meghalaya. Thanks a lot , it is very helpful. I am planning a trip to Meghalaya in Jan 2024 1st or 2nd week, will it be a perfect time to visit there.

Thank you! Have a wonderful time in Meghalaya!

Thanks for nice blog on Meghalaya. Is it possible to cover Meghalaya by Scooter/bike, rented from SHillong for entire trip of 5 days. Are roads comfortable in driving around ? or shared cabs/tour package is best option?

Hello! Thanks for writing to us. Yes, you can cover Meghalaya on rented scooty or bike. The r oads are pretty good between Shillong and Cherrapunjee. There might be some bad patches, but it is not difficult to ride and drive around Meghalaya.

Thank you very Much for this! What a crazy detailed write!

Just 1 question though: do you suggest we book a cab for the entirety of the trip from Shillong itself? Or, do we book different cabs at different points? For example, 1 cab for shillong sight seeing and dropping to cherrapunji, 1 cab for cherrapunji Sight seeing and to transfer to Mawlynnong and then a separate sight seeing cab there?

What would the cost and comfort implications be? We have a 1 year old of a friend travelling with us, so want clarify.

Thanks again for this wonderful blog.

Hello Darshan, Thanks for reading our blog. I think it will be good to book a cab for your entire trip. The cost will come up almost same if you are on move every day. In that way, you do not have to think of the next transport option. Just a suggestion, try to book cabs from Meghalaya, and not from Assam. Have a wonderful trip!

Thanks so much for replying back and I will definitely explore Facebook to meet new exciting travellers.

Can you help me with your email id or contact so that I can ask a few queries about local guides and stays?

Please contact us at info[@]taleof2backpackers[.]com (Ignore the brackets!)

I loved the way you have written this guide .. it is a big, big help… but I need a little more help from you guys.. I am a travelling solo to Meghalaya soon and I want to visit it like locals do. So if I don’t want to opt for any government tourist agencies then can you guid me how can I arrange the treks and campings at unexplored places? Like are there any solo travellers groups which I can join or in someway I’ll get information about it ?

Hi Kalpita! Thanks for reading our blog and your comment. We are glad that you are planning to visit Meghalaya. If you are looking for other like minded travel partners, facebook is th ebest place to search. There are many groups on FB that will help you. If you have any specific queries, you can ask here right away. we will do o ur best to help you. Thanks again!

Research, set goals, create an itinerary, consider budget, prioritize attractions, and leave room for spontaneity to make memorable experiences.

Hi, I need 7 days itinerary can you please help

Please drop us a mail with your queries.

Thank you for the amazing details and giving a perfect plans to chose from.

Wishing you many more wonderful travel stories to both of you!

Thank you so much for the kind words!

Amazing and very informative article. After watching your wonderful vlogs ; i planned a trip to Meghalaya for 10 days in the month of may (end) and june (1st week). Can you tell if it rains heavily in may end, and trek to krem chympe is possible ?

I dont think it is going to rain a lot at May end. But these days, weather is pretty unpredictable. Have a wonderful trip!

Very detailed information and nice pictures. I am planning a 9 day trip for a group of 7 folks from Bangalore and wanted to check for similar itineraries you have suggested for folks.

Thank you for your comment and we are glad that the blog helped. Hope you have a wonderful trip.

Hi Agni and Amrita, have you visited Wari Chora ? If yes, can you let me know about the tansport and stay there ?

Hey Swathi! We have not yet visited Wari Chora. But are planning to visit there this January. Let’s see what comes up!

This is one of the best blog I came across. I wanted to ask one thing, can we do the entire trip on bike? If we rent one from Shillong for 4-5 days and explore around, is it allowed to do so? and are their any permits?

Thanks in advance 🙂

Thanks for stopping by our blog. Yes, you can rent a bike from Shillong and do your trip, if you are comfortable enough to ride for long. Have a wonderful trip.

I am planning tour to meghalaya house n dec Just I want to know how to book car there and our stay Kindly guide

You can book your stays in Meghalaya from the various hotel sites. As for car, you will get many options in Shillong Police Bazar area.

Thats an amazing “one stop for all” article. Thank you for this 🙂

Thank you so much for your kind words.

Wonderful article! Was looking for authentic piece of information for a travel in Dec’22. Got it here! Thank You!

Thank you so much! Hope you have a great trip!

thats an amazing article

What a blog!! How beautifully you have given all the details. I think this is all anyone should know before planning their trip

Thank you so much for your lovely comment. Do visit Meghalaya. It is a wonderful place.

We are planning a week long trip to Meghalaya and I was looking for a comprehensive guide. Your article is perfect. It covers mostly everything like when, where, how and why. Superb! Is there a way I contact you in case I have some specific queries? Thanks.

Thank you so much! You can contact us by dropping a mail to us or ping us on Instagram!

Wanted to travel from gowhati, shillong and chirpunji and back . How to travel by flight from mumbai. Days 8 days. Most probably in the month of October.

Hello, thank you for your comment. Please drop us a mail if you need detailed information.

How do I get transport from Shillong to cherapunji at cheap rates?

You can take the shared cab from Shillong to Cherrapunjee.

Beautifully written with a lot of details. I would like some more information since we are planning a trip from 10 April to 18 April 2022. Please share your email id.

Thank you very much for the wonderful article. I am planning on visiting this beautiful state in May with my wife and a few friends – a total of 5 people. We have set aside 9 days for the trip. We live in Bangalore and are planning to fly to Guwahati.

We would like to rent a car and explore the state on road on our own. Would you know of any place where we can rent a self driven car, preferably in Guwahati, for 9 days? Any help or guidance you provide will be most appreciated. Thank you very much.

Thank you so much for your comment. Please drop us a mail with your queries. We will be happy to answer them.

Thanks for the blog! Can I travel to all the places on scooter? Can you share home stay number or contacts?

Hi Rahul, you can travel across Meghalaya on scooter.

Thanks for the beautiful and comprehensive Blog Agni n Amrita. Breathtaking scenic pics too. Planning a Family Trip to Meghalaya in january If you can share me some contacts for hotel/home stay there As we are vegetarian would prefer places where we can get some good vegetarian food. Thanks in advance

Thank you so much!

Thanks for the information for Meghalaya. It the best and most detailed one. I have a question as per guidelines for SOP do we need to take any e invite from Meghalaya tourism and have to book hotels through them ?

Thank you so much Adarsh. Yes, you need an e-invite from Meghalaya tourism and hat can be easily obtained through their app. Hotel booking from their website/app is not really required.

Thanks for the beautiful and comprehensive Blog Agni n Amrita. Breathtaking scenic pics too. Planning a Family Trip to Meghalaya in December. If you can share me some contacts for Home stay there. As we are vegetarian would prefer places where we can get some good vegetarian food. Thanks in advance

Hi Sarita, Thank you so much for the kind words. Can you please send us a mail or msg us at Instagram or Facebook? We will be glad to help you in any way.

Hi, How to book a car for the whole trip ie from Shillong. Ie we would like to visit sohra, Dawki and would like to stay in sohra for two days. Can we hire a car for the whole trip of 5 /6 days.

Yes, you can hire a car for the entire trip. You can book car from Police Bazar, or you can drop us a mail for more details.

your post is so amazing and this places was good for stay & traveling, thanks for this information.

such a quick read blog that covers all the aspects.. would love to visit after the pandemic ends. Can’t wait, thanks for sharing!

Thanks for the blog about the Meghalaya travel guide.

Hii i love these place want na visit it one day

Such a beautiful blog. It’s very informative.

Great versed used about this Beautiful North-Eastern state. Me being a North-Eastern would like to thank you for this detail description which you have provided for the tourist interested to visit this region. I also, would like to extend my helping hand to the upcoming traveler if they need any assistance to explore this divine beauty of mother nature. Will always be grateful .. Thank you 🙂

Could you please let me know whether entry to any waterfalls will be blocked due to rain? I’m planning to visit August 15th… Well it be pouring whole day or in bits and pieces… because I’m into photography and thinking whether I will get chance to take out my camera if rain god’s allow me

Hi Harsha, the most waterfalls do not remain blocked during the rains. It is going to rain in bits and pieces. and that is the beauty of Meghalaya in monsoons.

Thanks for sharing this information with us. This information is really interesting and good . keep sharing this type of information with us.

Shillong is one of the most exciting travel destinations in India.

I wish to visit that awesome place.

Thanks for your amazing travel post and photos are mind-blowing.

Can you inform about camping in nongkhum island? Should we arrange it or the facility is available there? And your stories are really to the point and provides everything what one needs to go to meghalaya

Thank you Supriya! If you want to camp at Nongkhnum Island, you have to arrange it beforehand. The island is totally barren and you need to arrange everything before if you want to stay there for the night.

This place looks great! Some awesome photos too!

This is the first time I’ve heard of Meghalaya. Your photos make me want to go. Along with the beautiful scenery, it looks like there’s a rich food culture, which is always high on my list.

Thanks Nancie! Meghalaya is truly magical with nature, culture, food and everything nice. You would definitely love the place.

Wow, this is a side of India I’ve not see before! It looks magical, a place I really want to visit (I’ve only been to Delhi, Agra and Jaipur so far). Maybe one day… 😉 x

Thanks Becca! This side of India is often ignored by her own people. But northeast India is a wonderful place.

Everytime I see a post from North East , I feel that very less people has written in such details like you guys have done it . Great summary , wouldn’t call this as detailed as the readers should go to all your other north east post to know each places you have written before.

Thanks Debjani!This post was meant to be such. Planning to write a detailed guide soon.

We would definitely be on board to see the water falls. They are always so nice to see and leave us in awe. It is incredible that so many of these cities are ranked among the highest in average rainfall. I don’t know if I could live somewhere that rained that much. The whole area does look beautiful though.

Wow what a beautiful region in India! Meghalaya is so beautiful, I’m particularly inspired by your photos too. I’ve read about Shillong and would like to see it for myself one day! A very interesting region and people too by the looks of it.

Thank you for the kind words. Whenever you come to this part of the world, just give a shoutout to us. 🙂

I heard about Shillong so much growing up but never visited. Meghalaya really looks really amazing! That waterfall looks stunning!

Thanks so much! Meghalaya is full of such stunning waterfalls.

Just from your pictures, I can see why It’s one of your favorite places, and yes they are giving me a serious case of wonderlust – especially that waterfall – it looks incredible. I’ve not yet ventured out to this part of the world but it seems like I should. I can imagine I would fall in love with Meghalaya and the locals.

Thank you Amit for the kind words. You will surely fall in love with Meghalaya and its people!

Agni and Amrita, Meghalaya is on my list and this would be such a great itinerary to follow! Thanks.

And that photo under Cherapunjee is breathtaking!

Thank you, Deepika! Please do visit Meghalaya. You will love it.

It’s good to see bloggers providing an honest opinion about places. Instead of things do to, places that are not to be missed and lesser known places. I do value it a lot, that is why we read travel bloggers.

That is true Alexander! Thank you so much. I am also a great fan of your Finland posts! 🙂

Meghalaya looks like a fantastic place to go! India is a place I have not explored at all, but if/when we do, this state seems like someplace to spend a lot of quality time. And your pictures are lovely!

Thanks Kristie! Please do visit India and explore this part of the world!

There’s a whole world out there in the east of India which remains unexplored by me and it is such a pity! I can’t believe I have been around the country, from the North to the West to the South but never made it to Meghalaya. I have, of course, heard a lot about Shillong and Cherrapunji but Mawlynnong also looks like a great place to go, especially the living root bridge! Also, the river in Dawki looks so beautiful, I’d love to take a boat ride across it.

Thanks Medha! It is true that north-east India is often overlooked by travellers and tourists. Things are gradually changing now and we are really happy to be a part of this change, however small it may be.

The food seems amazing, when I saw the food part I forget the rest haha. Looks really delicious and I would like to try it. I hope you had an amazing time there! Is it expensive to organize all that by your own?

Yes, the food is amazing there and really cheap! We had a great time there and Meghalaya is not that expensive. It is definitely a budget friendly place.

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Meghalaya aims to boost tourism to attract visitors from around the world

Meghalaya is known for its stunning landscapes and diverse tourist attractions. The state government anticipates an increase in the number of domestic and international tourists who will visit the state in the near future.

In an aim to boost the tourism industry , Meghalaya aims to establish it as a regulated sector. The Meghalaya Tourism Department is working to create conditions that will attract visitors from around the world who will experience the unique culture of the region.

The state government has planned to invest more capital in the tourism industry and strengthen ties with financial institutions, besides focussing on capacity training for stakeholders. (Also Read | India, Spain, Malaysia add travel curbs on tourists from China as Covid-19 rises )

The state's tourist industry is expected to see an increase in visitors, with an estimated 15 lakh tourists expected by 2024, up from 12.7 lakh in 2019.

The government is working to improve facilities and infrastructure in a sustainable manner, including initiatives such as ecotourism and promoting locally-made products. A study of the tourism industry has identified that lack of accommodation is one of the main issues in the slow growth of the tourism industry.

In order to attract visitors, the government has also organized several events like the Cherry Blossom Festival and the Shillong Literary Festival.

Recently, the state also hosted the Megha Kayak Festival, attracting renowned kayakers from worldwide.

The government has also launched a number of programs to improve the tourist industry's infrastructure and train workers to serve visitors better.

On the other hand, if the proper training is provided, the tourism industry may be a significant source of new jobs. The department's mission of training partners includes IL&FS Education, B-ABLE, Avenues, ETPL India, IHM & FCI, etc.

In the last few months, nearly 1,410 young people have been taught these skills by the training partners. Among them and 574 have been put in various roles within and outside the state. The education and development of 2,000 young people is the objective for the current year.

The Homestay Scheme was launched with the objective to provide an opportunity to skilled citizens to start their own venture by constructing and managing a homestay.

The scheme was designed in convergence with the PMEGP Program to facilitate the construction of 2500 Homestays across the state in order to give an impetus to the tourism ecosystem of the state. With the government providing a subsidy of upto 70% as part of the scheme, it is expected to facilitate faster creation of tourism facilities within the state.

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Meghalaya set to reopen for tourists on Dec 21

CM Sangma added that it would be mandatory for the tourists to download the Meghalaya Tourism app and follow SOPs put in place by the government.

Meghalaya is set to reopen for tourists nine months after the Covid-19 pandemic brought one of its growing industries to a halt.

“We are reopening #Tourism in #Meghalaya for tourists from outside the State from 21st December 2020. The #HomeOfClouds looks forward to welcoming you” tweeted Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma on Friday.

Meghalaya’s hill capital Shillong is a popular tourist destination and sees visitors through the year, particularly during the summer. The tourism sector — which has been steadily growing in the past decade — took a hit through last year, first, with the anti-Citizenship Amendment Act protests in December 2019, followed by violence related to the Inner Line Permit-demand in February, and then the Covid-19 pandemic in March.

It is time to Check Back into Nature! #meghalaya #meghalayatourism #incredibleindia #weareopen #safetourism pic.twitter.com/DjuubcW8Kp — Meghalaya Tourism (@meghtourism) December 8, 2020

As per a notification from the Commissioner and Secretary, Tourism Department, Government of Meghalaya, all tourists would need to register on the tourism app (available on both Google Play Store and Apple Store, and the Meghalaya tourism website) and generate an E-Invite.

The E-invite will be generated only if the tourist can show bookings for two nights’ stay. If the tourist is staying as a guest of any family or friend in Meghalaya, then the tourist should declare the full address and contact details of the family or friend and the complete itinerary, said the notification.

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The E-invite needs to be displayed by the tourists at entry points, along with an original copy of a Covid-19 negative RT-PCR/TruNat/CBNAAT report, tested within 72 hours of their arrival at entry point. The Rapid Antigen Test will not be considered valid. Symptomatic individuals, even those with a COVID negative report, will be mandatorily tested at the entry points.

Meghalaya has reported 12,314 cases, out of which 621 cases are active.

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Meghalaya tourism to grow to Rs 12,000 cr: Official

SHILLONG, Nov 22: The tourism industry of Meghalaya is expected to grow to Rs 12,000 crore, and the annual footfall of visitors is set to increase to 20 lakh by 2028, a senior official said on Wednesday. Tourism director Cyril VD Diengdoh, while speaking at the International Tourism Mart here, said that the state’s tourism industry was valued at Rs 1,600 crore in 2022 and is expected to grow by 10 per cent annually. He said the industry is receiving a boost with the state government making efforts to incentivise tourism-related investments by entrepreneurs. “We have a projection that the tourism industry in Meghalaya is set to grow to Rs 12,000 crore or USD 1.5 billion by 2028, with the state’s pristine environment and cool climatic condition welcoming 2 million or 20 lakh tourists annually by then,” Cyril said. Last year, the industry was estimated to be around Rs 1,600 crore, he said. From 2024, the state government expects 10 per cent year-on- year growth of the industry, he said.

The annual tourist footfall to the state has almost doubled in the last 10 years. It has increased from 6.9 lakh in 2013 to 12.7 lakh this year. “Statistics indicate that 9.38 lakh were domestic tourists coming mostly from Assam (43 per cent) and West Bengal (14 per cent), with the remaining from other states,” he said. The state has also welcomed 10,000 international tourists, with 79 per cent from Bangladesh alone, Cyril said. He said that the COVID pandemic had affected tourism to a large extent and the state received less than 2 lakh tourists in 2020 and 2021. In her address, Union Tourism Secretary V Vidyavathi said, “Northeast is a very sensitive region from the ecological point of view. Whatever we do in the region has to be mindful of the carrying capacity and not exploiting the potential beyond a certain limit.” Stating that “rural communities are not museum pieces”, she said, “They are a part of the ecosystem. We have to be careful while projecting rural tourism.” She said that the Centre is looking forward to bringing in more vista-dome trains in Northeast so that tourists can enjoy the scenic beauty of the region.

“Tourism is also about cuisine, handicrafts, culture, traditions, festivals and spiritual experience,” she said. She lauded the rural communities’ involvement in boosting tourism in the region. “Rural communities here are stakeholders with us,” she added. (PTI)

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Shillong, Mar 13 : Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Monday launched the ‘Meghalaya Trails’ App and coffee table book titled ‘Echoes of the Hills: Trekking Meghalaya” in presence of Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh on Tuesday evening.

The initiative aims to promote sustainable adventure and eco-tourism.

‘Meghalaya Trails’ App will serve as a central hub for travellers, providing access to information on certified guides, local homestays, and tourism packages.

The coffee table book ‘Echoes of the Hills: Trekking Meghalaya’ highlights new 25 multi-day trekking trails and 5 one-day city hiking trails that were mapped across Meghalaya.

As part of the initiative, Meghalaya Tourism has undertaken a significant initiative by providing extensive training to 113 volunteers of the State, who have undergone training at Darjeeling. The Trip Leader Training Program (TLTP), collaborated with local communities, to equip them with essential skills for guiding roles in adventure tourism.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma urged the trained guides, to be the brand ambassadors of Meghalaya and assist the tourist and enable them to experience the best of Meghalaya.

He also urged the tourism department to promote the stories of different treks and build amenities and facilities for a visitor to rural areas, where these treks has been identified.

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Exploring the Unlimited and Unexplored Rural Tourism in Meghalaya, North East India

• Conference paper
• First Online: 04 October 2022
• Cite this conference paper

• Haziel Mercy Buam 23 &
• M. A. Naseer 23  

Part of the book series: Advances in Science, Technology & Innovation ((ASTI))

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Northeast India is a region that boasts of various wonders that are classified under natural, cultural, and heritage which makes them unique from the rest of India. Among the seven states in the northeast region, the State of Meghalaya is also known for similar resources, and hence, tourists venture into these wonders throughout the year. Cherrapunjee in Meghalaya being branded as the wettest place on earth, it  became quite natural for the tourists to visit the State, especially during the monsoon season. Consequently, with this development, it started piquing the interests of the researchers and scientists leading to the discovery of the Meghalayan Age in 2018 and the recent discovery in 2019–2021 of the remains of fossils of sauropod dinosaurs dating back to about 100 million years. It is undeniably confirmative that Meghalaya has many more wonders to offer in the tourism sector. At present, the tourism sector of the State has explored adventure and nature tourism only. Meghalaya being a State with villages having unique characteristics, with unique agricultural produce and food preservation techniques, there is a tremendous opportunity for the State to explore rural tourism along with its unparallel cultural heritage. Being landlocked for several years in the past, and having a unique character in terms of demography, socioeconomic conditions, and the environment from the rest of India, tourism is one of the sectors yet to be explored in its entirety. Therefore, this study delves into the nuances of tourism in the rural areas of Meghalaya.

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Bank, T. W. (2020, November 19). The World Bank . (The World Bank). https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2020/11/19/world-bank-signs-usd120-million-project-improve-connectivity-in-meghalaya-india

Christoph Oberlack, P. L. (2015). Institutions for sustainable forest governance: Robustness, equity, and cross-level interactions in Mawlyngbna, Meghalaya India. International Journal of the Commons, 9 (2), 670–697.

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Acknowledgements

With great sincerity, the authors acknowledge the officials, faculty, colleagues, and friends who have contributed to this endeavor and place on record their encouragement and support for the study.

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Buam, H.M., Naseer, M.A. (2022). Exploring the Unlimited and Unexplored Rural Tourism in Meghalaya, North East India. In: Mandić, A., Castanho, R.A., Stankov, U. (eds) Cultural Sustainable Tourism. Advances in Science, Technology & Innovation. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-10800-6_8

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Cherry Blossom Festival announces full lineup for 2023

The headliner line-up for the Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival 2023 was revealed today.

The event will be held from November 17 to 19 at Madan Kurkalang in Ri-Bhoi. Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh today explained that the organisers have opted to move the event out of Shillong to accommodate the expected huge crowds.

The line-up includes internationally acclaimed sensations such as Ne-Yo, Ronan Keating, Sanam, Jonas Blue, SURL, Pink Panda, Kenny Musik and an array of local talents, including Meba Ofilia, Lou Majaw, Blue Temptation and many more credible artists from Shillong and the North East.

“This year the government is investing Rs 1.99 crore out of the total investment of Rs 9 crore. 30,000 tourists per day will be visiting and we are expecting huge benefits for the tourism industry through this festival,” Lyngdoh said.

Ne-Yo, the Grammy Award-winning R&B artist known for his chart-topping hits, and Ronan Keating, the iconic voice behind timeless classics, Sanam, the YouTube sensation and heartthrob, Jonas Blue and Pink Panda will keep the energy soaring with their electrifying performances.

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Meghalaya: Hospitality stakeholders meet, discuss tourism promotion

Tura:  A meeting of stakeholders in the hospitality business of Meghalaya was held at Circuit House in Tura on Wednesday to discuss the tourism potential of the Garo Hills and plan a roadmap of tourist locations in the region.

The meeting was attended by AVD Shira, senior additional deputy commissioner of West Garo Hills, and Anil Oraw, northeast regional director of the tourism ministry .

Although various tourism schemes and programmes have been launched in the past, the tourism sector of Meghalaya is not performing as expected, said AVD Shira while speaking at the meeting. She also hoped for guidance and support from Anil Oraw to make the state a popular tourist destination in the future.

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MPSC Recruitment 2023: Tourist Officer Vacancy [3 Posts]

MPSC Recruitment 2023 : The Meghalaya Public Service Commission invites applications for the posts of Tourist Officer under the Tourism Department . The last date for submission of the application is 1st September 2023.

Post Name:- Tourist Officer under Tourism Department

• No of posts:- 3 [UR:0, KJ:1, Garo:2, SC/ST:0]
• Age limit:- 21 to 32 years as of 01.01.2023. The upper age limit is relaxable by 5 years for SC/ST. No age bar in respect of regular Government employees who entered Government service within the prescribed age limit.
• The scale of Pay:- Level — 11 of the Revised Pay Structure
• Essential Qualification:- Graduate from a recognized University, Preference will be given to candidates having a Diploma in Tourism or Tourism related subjects as well as those having minimum 2 years in the field of activity in a recognized establishment.

How to apply for MPSC Recruitment 2023: Tourist Officer Vacancy?

Candidates are to apply and submit their applications through Online mode only by clicking on the “Online Application” icon appearing on the MPSC website viz Applications received through any other mode will not be accepted and will be summarily rejected.

Apply Online for MPSC Tourist Officer 2023: Direct Link

For candidates applying for the first time through online mode, a one-time registration process is required to enable them to apply for the advertised vacancies/posts.

The last date for online application is 17:00 hrs on 1st September 2023.

Application Fee

Rs. 350/-. Half the rate for SC/ST who are permanent residents of the State of Meghalaya. For Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PWDs). Application Fee is exempted subject to furnishing of the Disability Certificate to the Commission.

Candidates who wish to apply may pay the application fees using any one of the following modes of payment only:-

• e-Challan (Cash Payment)
• Debit cum ATM Cards/Credit Cards/Net Banking.

Selection Procedure

The final selection/recommendation of suitable candidates shall be made by the Commission through the following processes

Screening Test: shall be conducted by the Commission for this post. The Screening Test shall be of Multiple Choice OMR-based Test. The subjects for the same shall be as follows:-

• General English: 100 marks
• General Awareness: 100 marks, & Aptitude Test: 50 marks
• Arithmetic Class X Level: 50 marks.

Personal Interview: The number of candidates who will be called for the Personal Interview

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Meghalaya tourism to grow to Rs 12,000 crore, annual footfall to reach 20 lakh by 2028: Official

Tourism director cyril vd diengdoh, while speaking at the international tourism mart here, said that the state's tourism industry was valued at rs 1,600 crore in 2022 and is expected to grow by 10 per cent annually..

The tourism industry of Meghalaya is expected to grow to Rs 12,000 crore, and the annual footfall of visitors is set to increase to 20 lakh by 2028, a senior official said on November 22. Tourism Director Cyril VD Diengdoh, while speaking at the International Tourism Mart here, said that the state's tourism industry was valued at Rs 1,600 crore in 2022 and is expected to grow by 10 per cent annually.

He said the industry is receiving a boost with the state government making efforts to incentivise tourism-related investments by entrepreneurs. "We have a projection that the tourism industry in Meghalaya is set to grow to Rs 12,000 crore or USD 1.5 billion by 2028, with the state's pristine environment and cool climatic condition welcoming 2 million or 20 lakh tourists annually by then," Cyril said.

Last year, the industry was estimated to be around Rs 1,600 crore, he said. From 2024, the state government expects 10 per cent year-on-year growth of the industry, he said.

The annual tourist footfall to the state has almost doubled in the last 10 years. It has increased from 6.9 lakh in 2013 to 12.7 lakh this year. "Statistics indicate that 9.38 lakh were domestic tourists coming mostly from Assam (43 per cent) and West Bengal (14 per cent), with the remaining from other states," he said.

The state has also welcomed 10,000 international tourists, with 79 per cent from Bangladesh alone, Cyril said. He said that the COVID pandemic had affected tourism to a large extent and the state received less than 2 lakh tourists in 2020 and 2021.

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Agro Tourism Villa Scheme

The Agro Tourism Villa Scheme is a component under the Chief Minister’s Elevate Program launched by the Government of Meghalaya which aims to employ, engage, and empower the youth of Meghalaya by promoting entrepreneurship and by providing easy access to credit through onboarding of various banks as financial partners of the program. To minimize the risks associated with the credit flow, Government is providing front end subsidy in the form of down-payment and backend subsidy in the form of EMI co-payment.

Through this program, the entrepreneurs including individuals, collectives, village organizations, various business entities and traditional institutions etc. will have easy access to various schemes on a single online portal. The program encompasses several sectors such as agriculture, horticulture, veterinary and animal husbandry, tourism, entertainment, sports, wellness, and any business venture of economic interest for the people of the State .

Scheme Details

In recent years, Meghalaya’s natural beauty, rich cultural tapestry, and vibrant festivals have attracted tourists globally, leading to a surge in tourist footfall. To meet this rising demand and promote high-value tourism, the Meghalaya government is investing in luxury tourist facilities and infrastructure. However, there’s a need to enhance accommodations to meet high-value tourists’ expectations and preserve the state’s heritage.

Scheme rationale: High-value tourists demand top-tier accommodations, which the current government homestay scheme, limited by a ₹20 lakh budget, fails to provide. To address this, the ‘Agro Tourism Villa Schemes’ are introduced, offering funding for projects up to ₹1.5 crore, making Meghalaya a more appealing destination.

By prioritizing upscale lodging, Meghalaya can attract more tourists, boost revenue, and ensure visitor satisfaction, maintaining its competitive edge in the tourism market.

The Scheme: Under this scheme, eligible individuals can receive a significant subsidy of 35% of the project cost (25% upfront and 10% as a co-payment of the EMI). This subsidy applies to projects ranging from ₹50 lakhs to ₹1.5 crore, with a maximum subsidy of ₹52.5 lakhs , incentivizing investments in villa-type accommodations.

To ensure a well-balanced and controlled implementation, the scheme initially limits participation to a maximum of 30 individuals in its inaugural year. The government prefers these villas to be developed in rural areas, scenic agricultural fields, orchards, or tourist attraction sites. Priority clusters have been identified through a rigorous exercise by the State Tourism department. This strategic focus on rural regions and picturesque destinations aims to foster sustainable tourism growth, uplift local communities, and showcase the state’s natural beauty and cultural heritage to a broader audience of travellers.

The objectives of the scheme are as follows:

• Enhance Tourist Experience: 

Elevate the experience of high-value tourists by providing them with superior amenities and comfortable accommodations.

• Stimulate Private Investment: 

Encourage private investment in villa-type accommodations through substantial subsidies.

• Attract Discerning Travelers: 

Target high-value tourists, both domestic and international, by offering upscale accommodations.

• Promote Sustainable Tourism: 

Foster sustainable tourism practices to responsibly preserve Meghalaya’s natural beauty and cultural heritage.

• Boost Local Economy: 

Contribute to the local economy by offering quality accommodations that attract more high-value tourists and increase spending.

• Drive Rural Development: 

Promote rural development by constructing villas in tourist sites, scenic agricultural fields/orchards, benefiting local communities and lesser-explored areas.

• Showcase Meghalaya’s Beauty: 

Highlight Meghalaya’s unparalleled beauty and rich heritage to travellers, establishing it as an alluring destination.

• Priority clusters:

Promote the development of Tourism in the priority cluster identified by the Tourism department

Villa Design and Aesthetics

A design consultant or consulting firm (preferably local to Meghalaya) will be empanelled specifically for designing or enhancing the designs of the villas under the Agro Tourism Villa Scheme.

• The design consultant, in collaboration with the Tourism Department, will present sample model designs as the foundation for constructing luxurious villas.
• Entrepreneurs will initially propose basic design concepts for the villa-type tourist accommodations, which will undergo evaluation during the qualification process.
• Upon selection for the scheme, the Tourism Department will assign a design consultant to work with and enhance the initial design.
• The designs can also be tailored to suit the specific region and topography where the accommodations will be built, whether in rural areas, agricultural settings, or popular tourist sites.
• The villa designs will harmoniously blend ethnic elements with modern aesthetics, ensuring a balance between cultural authenticity and contemporary comfort.
• Preserving the inherent aesthetics of the location will be a primary focus in the design process.
• Sustainability will also be a key consideration, incorporating eco-friendly elements to enhance the beauty and minimize the environmental impact of the accommodations.

Note: The Tourism Department will cover the cost of design consultant/architects to assist in the villa designs.

Priority Clusters

The Tourism Department has identified priority clusters based on tourism potential, the need for government intervention in the region, and other factors. The indicative list of the 14 priority clusters along with the name of the villages are as follows:

• The priority list may be updated as needed by the Tourism Department, and notifications will be provided accordingly.
• The list of the villages may not be extensive, hence, villages that falls in the 14 clusters will be considered.

Eligibility

Individual entrepreneurs.

• Any resident of Meghalaya, above the age of 18 years and below 58 years.
• Applicant should not be a defaulter at any financial institution.
• Assistance under the scheme is available only for new projects sanctioned specifically under the scheme.
• The entrepreneur should own the land for the project and should possess valid land documents. In case the applicant does not possess own property, a notarized lease agreement for minimum period of 15 years needs to be obtained.
• Applicant should not be a government employee.
• Only one person from one family is eligible for obtaining financial assistance for setting up of projects under this Scheme and should not be an immediate family member of a government employee.

Registered Entities

• Any registered entity such as societies/cooperatives etc. involved with tourism related activities and legally registered with the government of Meghalaya are eligible to apply for the scheme.
• Must provide an incorporation Certificate or a registration certificate whichever is applicable.
• Should not be a defaulter at any financial institution.
• Any of the Members should not be a government employee or immediate family members of a government employee.

Application Process

Document Requirements

As proof of eligibility, the entrepreneurs are required to provide proof of their eligibility for the scheme by submitting the required documents mentioned below

• Tourism Department will be the implementing agency for the Scheme.
• State Level: Directorate of Tourism
• Coordinating Officers: District Tourism Officer (DTO) at the district level will help in identification of the entrepreneurs and verification of location and handholding in application process, wherever required.
• State level Committee: A committee will be constituted to oversee the progress of the scheme’s implementation.

Every recipient of the program must consent to the conditions set by the Tourism Department of the Meghalaya Government, which will be determined by the subsequent criteria. A three-way contractual arrangement will be signed involving the Tourism Department, the Bank providing the financing, and the Entrepreneur.

• Entrepreneur will not transfer the ownership of the project or the establishment which includes the building and the land on which it is built to any person within the contract term of 15 years without being issued a ‘No Objection Certificate (NOC)’ or release letter jointly signed by Department of Tourism, Government of Meghalaya, and the Bank.
• Entrepreneur must repay the Loan on time as per the bank guidelines.
• The Villas should maintain minimum standards in terms of infrastructures, service, and overall guest experience. Besides accommodation the villa should have proper dinning and recreational area.
• The villa should remain operational for the tenure of the scheme i.e., a minimum period of 15 years.
• Tourism Department, Government of Meghalaya holds the authority to terminate the contract in the event where the entrepreneur fails to adhere to the stipulated terms and conditions outlined in the contract agreement.
• In the event of contract agreement termination by the Tourism Department, the department is empowered to request the reimbursement of all monetary benefits provided to the entrepreneur. Should the entrepreneur default on the required payments, they will be categorized as a defaulter and shall not be eligible for any other benefits of the government in the future.

Financing Plan

Financing of the Villa to the selected entrepreneurs of the scheme shall be done through and empanelled bank in a credit linked subsidy model.

Evaluation of the shortlisted applications:

• The Tourism Department will constitute an evaluation committee for shortlisting the entrepreneurs.
• Availability of the land, location, and tourism potential
• Concept including design concept/Business Plan
• Number of Jobs expected to be created, including local job
• Environmental sustainability and waste management plans
• Innovation and Uniqueness
• Benefit to the community

Personal interviews:

After the initial assessment of the applicants through the documentation provided during the application, the candidates will be shortlisted and called for a presentation cum interview. Based on these, the entrepreneurs will be shortlisted.

Note: The top 30 applicants based on the evaluation process will be awarded the grants of 35% of the Project cost capped at ₹1.5 Crores.

The Entrepreneur will be required to participate in a mandatory training program within six months following the loan sanction from the banks. This comprehensive training will cover various aspects, including hospitality management practices and bookkeeping. These training sessions will be a collaborative effort between the Tourism Department and established training institutes or renowned hotels within Meghalaya. The specific duration and content of the training course will be determined later by the Tourism Department, ensuring that it effectively equips entrepreneurs with the necessary skills for successful participation.

Employment Opportunity through the Scheme

With the creation of at least 30 Villas, it is expected that a minimum of 10 employment will be created per Villa. Hence, creating a minimum of 300 direct employment opportunity.

The boost in tourism through the scheme will also create hundreds of indirect employments. Thus, in total the programme is estimated to create at least 1,000 employment opportunities for the people of Meghalaya.

Economic benefit

Summary of the financing plan:.

The figure above shows the overall summary of the financing of the project.

Financing Partners

Entrepreneurs can choose to go with any bank listed below to apply for loan based on their choice.

• Meghalaya Rural Bank (MRB)
• State Bank of India (SBI)
• Northeast Small Finance Bank (NESFB)
• The Shillong Co-operative Urban Bank Ltd.

 Quantum and Nature of Assistance:

• Subsidy from Government

The total subsidy will be 35% of the total Project cost with a maximum project cost of ₹ 1.5 Cr (Rupees One Crores Fifty Lakhs). The subsidy will be divided into two parts

• 25% as upfront payment to the bank
• 10% as EMI support, where the government co-pays the EMI with the bank for a period of 24 months after the moratorium period of 18 month.
• EMI support: 

To reduce the burden of the operational cost on the entrepreneur in the first three and half years of business, Government of Meghalaya will support the entrepreneur by paying 10% of the total project cost (not exceeding Project cost of Rs 1.5 Crores) over that period of 24 months after the moratorium period of 18 months.

• Beneficiary Contribution:

The entrepreneur will contribute a minimum of 5% of the project cost (Can contribute more as per preference)

Bank disbursal of Loan

The banks shall disburse the loan in three instalment or tranches in the ratio 40:30:30 over a period of 18 months (moratorium period) during the construction phase. The table below shows the details of bank loan disbursement and checks/verification required.

Illustration for payment terms

Let’s consider an example to understand the various financial components .

Disclaimer:  

• The total project cost considered for the table above is for Rs 1,50,00,000 (One Crore fifty lakhs). The EMI and other amounts will change according to the project cost. 
• Annual interest rate may differ at the time of sanction of the loan and prevailing rate of the bank will be applicable.

The tables below show the details of shared EMI between the Government of Meghalaya (GoM) and the entrepreneur.

Financial Aid Disbursement

• Within 15 days of the bank sanctioning the loan, the 25% upfront subsidy of the GoM will be credited to the entrepreneur’s loan account.
• The remaining 10% of the subsidy will be contributed as EMI over a 2-year (24-month) period, following an 18-month moratorium or upon the successful completion and certification of the project by the Tourism Department, whichever comes first.
• EMI support is contingent on
• Aesthetic Villa Creation as per guidelines.
• Successful construction completion and certification by Tourism Department.
• Timely EMI payments by entrepreneur for continued government co-payment.

Economics of owning a Villa

The following are the assumptions taken for the calculation

• Number of Rooms: 6 Nos
• Average room rate: Rs 5,000
• Occupancy Rate: 60%

Note: As per the assumptions, the Entrepreneur begins generating positive income in the second year (after an 18-month construction period), and the breakeven point is reached in the tenth year (nine years after initiating EMI repayments).

The Agro Tourism Villa Scheme is a program launched by the Government of Meghalaya as a part of the Chief Minister’s Elevate Program. It aims to promote entrepreneurship and provide financial support for the development of luxury tourist accommodations in the state.

The scheme is implemented by the Tourism Department of the Government of Meghalaya.

The main goal of the scheme is to promote entrepreneurship, stimulate private investment in high-value tourist accommodations, and boost sustainable tourism in Meghalaya.

The scheme benefits Meghalaya by attracting high-value tourists, creating jobs, boosting the local economy, and showcasing the state’s natural beauty and cultural heritage.

The overall program which is the CM Elevate program covers various sectors, including agriculture, horticulture, veterinary and animal husbandry, tourism, entertainment, sports, wellness, and any business venture of economic interest for the people of the state. Please refer each scheme under the Programme for more detailed information.

Yes, the scheme is open to residents of Meghalaya, including individuals, collectives, village organizations, business entities, and traditional institutions.

You can get more information about the scheme by contacting the Tourism Department of Meghalaya or visiting the official government website. You may also go through the scheme guideline available in these portal for the detailed information on the scheme.

While the scheme primarily focuses on supporting entrepreneurs, it indirectly benefits tourists by providing them with superior accommodations and enhancing their overall experience in Meghalaya.

Eligibility:

Eligible applicants include individuals, registered entities (such as cooperatives and societies), and other organizations involved in tourism-related activities in Meghalaya.

Individual entrepreneurs must be between 18 and 58 years of age.

No, government employees are not eligible to apply for the scheme.

No, only residents of Meghalaya are eligible to participate in the scheme.

Registered entities, such as cooperatives and societies, must be legally registered with the government of Meghalaya and should not have any defaulters among their members.

Yes, only one person from one family is eligible to obtain financial assistance for setting up projects under this scheme, and they should not be an immediate family member of a government employee.

To prove eligibility, individuals and entities need to provide various documents, including government-issued photo identification, land documents, registration certificates, and other relevant documents.

An applicant can only apply for one project.

Planning, Investment Promotion & Sustainable Development Department, Government of Meghalaya, 

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• Tourism Department
• Animal Husbandry & Veterinary
• Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare
• Meghalaya Basin Management Agency, MBMA

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