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-   -   To Meghalaya, via two hill districts of Assam (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travelogues/214597-meghalaya-via-two-hill-districts-assam.html)

Background:

I was home for a few days this October and while I enjoyed lazing around, I soon felt like missing out on something by not going for a road trip. I have always been fascinated by state boundaries and how little is known of small places/ towns lying on interstate boundaries. Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao are the two hill districts of Assam which share boundaries with Meghalaya. A quick call to my friend Pahar and we were ready to travel to Meghalaya via these two less travelled districts of Assam. We were not expecting anything extraordinary but we were pleasantly surprised. Some opening pics:



We searched for a shoreline and found it


Where ancient relics are still to be found


Witnessed sunsets among fields of gold


At times alone but never really lonely


A journey with trusted friends


We found some much needed solitude


A place to ruminate



A long cherished dream to visit this place



Capping off the trip with this view

Day 1: Samelangso, Karbi Anglong, Assam to Jowai, Meghalaya

Distance: 220 kms

Route taken: Samelangso-Dokomoka-Kathiatoli-Kampur-Baithalangso-Tika-Hamren-Khanduli-Jowai

Road conditions: Acceptable

We started early in the morning through the golden rice fields of Karbi Anglong. We planned to have our breakfast at Hamren, the district Head Quarters of West Karbi Anglong.


A view point along the way.

We had a quick breakfast at a small hotel in Hamren. The food was surprisingly good and quite cheap. Around Rs.120 for a plate of rice, vegetables, dal and pork.

After Hamren, the drive gets a little bumpy with some broken patches. Also, the route is almost desolate with very thin traffic which was just fine with us.


A waterfall on the roadside


Bolero 4wd and a desolate route

We crossed over to Meghalaya at Khanduli. Almost immediately, we could see the road conditions improving.

We crossed Nartiang and decided to visit the monoliths there. I had read about the monoliths in Nartiang but had never been able to visit them earlier. The monoliths were erected by the Jaintia Kings. I believe the place can be better maintained.

Some pictures from the monoliths:














We soon reached Jowai and booked a room in a new guest house which was still under construction. As there was still some day light left, we went roaming around a little.


Gold!



Jowai rice fields.


Trusted steed


We had dinner at a nearby dhaba and called it a day.

Day 2: Jowai to Wahrashi Falls (Syntung Village) and back to Jowai

Distance: 107 kms one way

I had wanted to visit Wahrashi falls for a long time. We finalised our plans the night before in Jowai and started early in the morning. I had heard about bad road conditions from Smit to Syntung and wanted to cover as much distance as possible. We had breakfast in a small hotel near Smit. The puris were hot and fresh.

The road conditions were better than we had expected and construction is underway at many places. With some careful driving, I think any car will make it to Syntung village without much problem.

Some pictures on the way:


I can sit and meditate here


My partner in adventures







Some peaceful roads


Posing

There is a dedicated entrance to the waterfall with concrete steps. One can easily spend the whole day exploring and trekking the area. There are many levels of waterfalls here and one needs to trek a bit to see all of them.

On that day, there were hardly any other visitors apart from a small group of students and we had whole place to ourselves. There are life jackets available at the entrance and is recommended if one plans to swim.

A group of local people were fishing at a tiny pond using fishing rods. Pahar suggested to get a net and get it over with :D

Some pictures from Wahrashi falls:


Steps leading to the falls







The many levels of falls


Trekking around

We must have spent over 3 hours trekking, getting tired and taking dips in the clear waters. A place to stay here would have been great. I saw a Travellers Nest signboard in one of the villages, Jongksha but was not able to check it out.

Heavy rains lashed at us while returning and followed us till Jowai. We had lunch of chicken and rice at a small hotel which was very good and cheap.




Fresh!


Hot tea on a rainy afternoon


Thing has solid axles- front and rear with steering (manual)

We booked a room at one resort and retired for the night.

Day 3: Jowai, Meghalaya to Samelangso, Assam (via Umrangso)

Distance: 220 kms

Road conditions: BAD

We started early from Jowai. Pahar was not being his adventurous self and suggested going back the way we came from. I coaxed him to go via Umrangso, Dima Hasao, Assam by promising many wonders along the way. In any case, I was the driver so he didn’t really have many options.:D




Good morning Jowai!

The roads were decent till the Meghalaya border. As soon as we entered Dima Hasao district, Assam the roads literally vanished. It was all dust and broken roads till we exited the district many back breaking hours later.

Our first stop of the day was at Umransgo dam. Just looking down from the bridge gave me shivers. It is a long way down.





Umrangso dam over Kopili river

We spotted the Umrangso lake (Reservoir) and really wanted to go close to the water. NEEPCO has put signboards everywhere advising and warning everyone to do the opposite. Pahar was undeterred. He went asking around everywhere and soon found a place where we were allowed to go near the water. The place is called Golf Links for any future visitors.

I will let the pictures do the talking:


Entering via golf links


A bench set up in the memory of a dear one


Forest camp


It is quite something





Umrangso lake


A place to get lost


Lake beach















Lost in thoughts

After walking around and simply taking in the views for a great while, we continued our journey through broken and dust filled roads. Only trucks could be seen plying on these roads and I thanked my Bolero for getting us out of such roads in quick time.

We made a brief stop at Koka Panimur falls. The Kopili river divides the two districts of Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao.


Koka Panimur

We reached our destination late in the evening with some body aches and awesome memories. Thanks for reading.:)

Thread moved to the Travelogues section. Thanks for sharing!

Lovely places, beautiful pictures and a capable vehicle! As people have mentioned so many times, North East India is beautiful and you are exploring it in style.

This is stunning! Definitely added to the bucket list to visit!

Awesome tlog as always bro...the road not taken, often...good one��

Stunning scapes, thanks for bringing another log with hidden gems from northeast.

Superb travelogue Gunin. It was such a pleasure to read & glance through your pictures. Blackpearl & I had gone to Meghalaya in January this year. Next time, we will take tips from you regarding the locations.

Keep travelling & writing such beautiful tlogs.

Cheers,

Pawan

The roads less traveled and non-touristy places are the mystic places that throw in surprising thrills. I enjoyed going through your TL and could gauge the immense satisfaction you'd have got.

Thank you for letting us know about these lesser-known destinations.

Thanks a lot Blackpearl! Great to see you a moderator :).

Thanks a lot!

Thank you bro!

Thank you for the encouragement.

Thanks a lot Pawan. I remember your trip with Blackpearl to Meghalaya. I will be only happy to help whichever way I can.

Thank you for the kind words :).

Wow! These are amazing pictures. Meghalaya is indeed a beautiful place that most people from other parts of India miss to visit.
I've been in Shillong since past 1.5 years owing to my MBA and I am definitely going to miss the breathtaking views and fresh air that this place has to offer. In addition, IIM's campus is a beauty in itself.

Great travelogue Gunin your write-ups are always enthralling to read. Pahar is such a funny person from what I experienced in our Sandakphu trip. Which also reminds me to poke you again for writing the same:)

You are a lucky person to be staying in Shillong and must make the most of it :). Thanks a lot for the appreciation.

Thanks a lot Jajabor. Yes I am guilty of not penning our Sandakphu adventure yet :D but it must be done. Pahar is hilarious in his own way and there are always unexpected outcomes with him as the chief navigator.