The land of many natural masterpieces and home to simple Khasi and Jaintia clan Meghalaya is a wonderland filled with bountiful natural wonders. A place with extraordinary thrill and adventure Meghalaya will not set back to surprise you in every moment. You can visit the remote locations and explore many living root bridges, hidden caves, and waterfalls no one set foot on it before. In Meghalaya, you can rejuvenate yourself by discovering many surprises on your trip. There are plenty of choices for off the beaten track seekers in Meghalaya which are still far away from commercialization. Check the list of the top 10 unexplored places to visit in Meghalaya.
1. Konthong village
Can you guess a place where each villager has a name which can be called by whistling? Yes, such a place exist in Meghalaya in the Northeastern states of India. This is one of the newest addition in the hidden gems of Meghalaya.
When a kid born his mother gave him a whistling tune to call him. It is a tradition which is carried on since time immemorial. The village has around 600 – 700 villagers which are very simple and untouched by the modern world. They leave a simple and sustainable life practicing old customs and traditions.
If you wish to stay a few days in this mystical place then stunning Kongthong Traveller’s Nest is the best one for you. It offers basic facilities in a traditional house. For offbeat seekers its a once a lifetime experience. It has two cottages, built entirely of bamboo and wood.
How to reach Konthong village
Kongthong village is located 55 km away from Shillong. Shared sumo’s are available from Badabazar in Shillong to reach Konthong. You can also hire an exclusive taxi to the village. Due to bumpy and bad shaped road, it took around 3 hours to reach Kongthong from Shillong or Cherrapunji as well.
2. Phe Phe falls
Phe Phe falls or Phea Phea falls is the most photographed and most discussed place in the tourist map of Meghalaya in 2019. Located 20 km from Jowai on the way to Karengsuri falls it is a fabulous two-tier waterfall. The first glimpse of Phe Phe fall is capable of taking your breath away. It is one of the tallest waterfalls in Meghalaya. One can also walk to the top of the fall and see the 2nd part of it. Since there is not any proper route to the fall it is good to accompany a guide.
You can also stay near the fall at Paradise Adventure Camp and spend the whole day enjoying nature. Paradise Adventure Camp is located in a place named Jarin from their trekking trail to Phe Phe falls started which include around 30 minutes of walking and hiking.
How to visit Phe Phe falls
Shared taxis are available from Jowai town to a place named Jarain which is 20 km away from Jowai. From there it’s a 30 minute walk and hike to the fall.
3. Nohwet Village
Located adjacent to Mawlynnong village, Nohwet is another must-visit place in Meghalaya. Though it was missed easily but still, it is one of the most stunning places in the close vicinity of crowded Mawlynnong. Jingmaham living root bridge is located here. Several natural stream and waterfalls dotted the village. There are plenty of things to do in Nohwet.
The village has an amazing baboo made viewpoint known as the Bamboo Kingdom on the top of a tree much larger and bigger than the treehouses in the Mawlynnong village. Surprisingly but true that Nohwet the Bamboo Kingdom is constructed by a single man named Drongwell. He took 2 years to complete it. You can have amazing views of the nearing valley from the viewpoint.
It is a wonderful place to enjoy the natural beauty. You can spend the day trekking in the hidden trails and discover many lively streams and waterfalls.
A 200 years old homestay is also open for tourists recently along with many other lodges and homestays. Stay here and feel the essence of village life and carry loads of memory back home. One can also spot the traditional antique home of native tribes here.
How to reach Nohwet village
Nohwet village is located 32 km away from Pynursla and 81 km away from Shillong. Before reaching Mawlynnong village a T point leads to Nohwet. You can also reach the village by walking from Mawlynnong.
4. Leshka Dam
Leshka Dam or Lechka Dam is a stunning offbeat destination in Meghalaya. It is such an awe-inspiring place which is hard to believe that exist in Meghalaya. A zig-zag curvy road takes you to the dam. You can catch breathtaking views of surrounding places from the dam. A charming waterfall is also located near Lechka Dam.
How to reach
It is located in Amlarem division of Jaintia Hills district of Meghalaya at about 130 km from Shillong town and 70 km from Jowai town. You need to hire a private taxi from Jowai to reach this place. One can visit Leshka Dam through one of the following routes.
1. Dawki-Nongpdeng-Amlarem-Pdengshakhap
2. Jowai-Dawki road- Pdengshakhap
3. Jowai-Lad Rymbai-Rymbai-Lapmala
5. Kudeng rim village
Kudeng-rim or Kudengrim is a beautiful hamlet located in the Jayantia hill of Meghalaya. A small road after crossing Jowai town towards South takes you to Kudeng-rim. It is located about 25 km from Amlarem and 50 km from Jowai. It is one of the fresh addition in Meghalaya tourism map. Kudengrim village is perched in the slope of a hill in between scenic surrounding amidst enormous hills.
Once you step in this village you can see many natural attractions such as Nongbareh living-root bridge, Kudeng-rim rock garden and many free-flowing streams. A beautiful treehouse is also constructed by villagers recently. Kundengrim falls is one of the thrilling and tallest fall and top unexplored fall in Meghalaya. You need to walk downward through dense forest and steep path to see the fall.
If you like remoteness and want to enjoy a few days untouched by the busy city life amidst nature then you can stay here in the village guest houses or lodge.
How to reach
You can reach Kudengrim village from Dawki or Krang Shuri fall. It is located 52km from Dawki and 25 km from Krang Shuri. It is located about 25 km from Amlarem and 50 km from Jowai. Shillong airport is located at a distance of 45 km. Local taxis are at hand from all these places to Kudengrim.
6. Nongbareh
Nongbareh is a stunning village located near Kudengrim. Nongbareh is one of the top unexplored place in Meghalaya known for many hidden caves. You can witness many surprises for which Nongbareh is rightly framed. Visitor can enjoy wonderful thickly forested and waterfall threaded tracking trails here.
Around10 caves are scattered around Nongbareh village. Most beautiful and amazing cave is this area is Am-Theri Cave(Am-chrai). It is a stunning cave perfectly framed for photography. You can glimpse water and fishes inside it. It is difficult to find these caves by outsiders since no proper road marks are added on the road. You can accompany a guide or local villager who help you to navigate the caves.
It is also the home to one of the ancient living root bridges. The root bridge of Nongbareh village has a gate or canopy-like structure made of roots in its entry point. It is well known as a community fishing point. This place is famous for chocolate mahseer and giant clouded mahseer. It can be reached by tracking upstream from Shnongpdeng village for about 1 to 1 1/2 hrs.
How to reach Nongbareh
Nongbareh is located around 21 km from Amlarem. Local taxis are handy from Amlarem to reach Kudengrim.
7. Syndai cave and village
If you are fond of history and craving for thrills then Syndai is the right place for you. A group of around 11 caves located adjacent to each other named as Syndai cave. If you love stories of gone by time you may spot many post-war remains of Jayantia kingdom here. Syndai is situated in Jaintia Hill district of Meghalaya 44 km away from the state capital Shillong.
A pool dated back to Jaynatia kingdom named Rupasor bathing ghat and a resort named Royal Hill Resort was found here. Syndai cave in the hiding place of royal families and locals during war. Ancient statues are still viewable in its original shape near Rupasor bathing ghat.
How to reach Syndai Cave
Syndai is located 44km away from the state capital Shillong.
8. Shella village
Shella village is another rustic and newest discovery in the list of unexplored place in Meghalaya. You can have awe-inspiring panoramas of the nearby hills from the base of Shella river. Located around 30 km from Cherrapunji towards the south it is a stunning hamlet close to Bangladesh border. This place has an impressive iron suspension bridge over Shella river from where breathtaking views of nearby hills can be seen.
9. Sohbar
Sohbar is a small hamlet tucked away in the pristine hills of East Khasi hill district. Located 65 KM towards South from District head quarters Shillong, it is just 33 km away from Cherrapunji towards Bangladesh border and 21 km from Tyrna village. It is one of the unique offbeat places in Meghalaya and stunning places away from the crowd where you can enjoy to the fullest with with your friends and family.
Half circle shape Wahrew Suspension Arch Bridge is the prime attraction of Sohbar. You can enjoy many adrenaline-infused activities such as camping, boating, kayaking, hiking and angling here. A cave is also located near Sohbar.
The crystal clear water near the Wahrew Suspension Bridge or rainbow bridge is the prime attraction of this place. You can spend a whole day enjoying a picnic and pamper yourself with many activities available here.
For once with a thrilling and adventurous mind, you can escapade for the whole day and discover various small waterfalls and hiking trails. You can venture the historic David Scott trail from this place.
10. Mawryngkhang Trek
When I talk about Meghalaya apart from natural beauty another word comes to mind is thrill and adventure. Mawryngkhang trek is one of the most thrilling treks you can try in Meghalaya. It is once a lifetime experience you can experience only in Wahkhen village of Meghalaya. Located in Pynursla Tehsil of East Khasi Hills district 42km away from Shillong, lies Wahkhen, a small hamlet. Located 20 Km from Pomlum Village on the way to Dawki from Shillong.
Mawryngkhang is believed to be a sacred place for the locals. Violation of any rules will be punishable by the villagers. This 3-hour trek (both side) is a complete package of thrill and adventure one looks for. The trail leads you through some scary bamboo bridges on the ridges of the rock for most of the trek. It passes through clear blue water natural pools and broomstick firm it reaches a point which is perched on the side of huge solid rock with deep valley down below. From there some astounding waterfalls and an amazing view of the valley can be seen. The whole bamboo trail is the hard work of the villagers who made this happened without the support of Government.
