Offbeat?! The Best - Meghalaya Series #7
You will never regret doing this? Don't miss this in Meghalaya
Yes, officially the trip was over from Zostel’s side. All newly made friends left in different directions, it was hard to say bye.
I with other 2 people whom I had met in the trip, we planned something extra, to explore something offbeat, suggested by many other people to not miss this!
I literally postponed my flight for one more day to witness this.
Phew, what on earth is this place, why this hype??!!
Cool, lets reveal slowly
We started from Zostel Shillong, around 7 AM, as it was close to 4 hours drive from our place to reach the base camp for trekking. When we reached the place, it was easy to understand that we were the only people there due to the climate and distance.
Meghalaya is known for having the most number of Maruti Suzuki ALTOs, I guess xD. They have a unionised rate, per day Rs. 4000, includes all charges. So, we were cramped with luggages and had to take a guide (MANDATORY) with us.
It was such a rough ride, the roads in the outskirts are not well maintained; and also the place where we were going is surrounded by cement factories - entirely polluting with manufacturing and filled with lorries and horns and smoke.
We finally reached the place, and to be honest, the climate at this place was contrast from what I had been facing all these days. It was so hot and humid.
We started trekking through the hot sands where lorries and trucks moved to the cement factories till we reached the trail inside forests. Hot sun was dehydrating all of us too much.
I was too tired after the 4 hour car drive and also the sudden temperature shift caused migraine too. I was not ready for this.
Krem Chympe - The River Cave❤️
The forest was lush green, peaceful and fresh. But I was not ready for this, I was silent, didn’t talk to the people accompanying me, I was in my own vibe.
Krem Chympe is not yet government recognised tourist spot. It is still controlled by the villagers there and only they can take us there. So, the prices here are set by them, so be ready to pay a hefty price for this.
BUT, it is 100% WORTH IT, TRUST ME. You would have never been to such a place.
After a tiring trek, ACTUAL HARD TREK, where you have to climb using rocks and trees, no defined trail, we reached the spot.
IT WAS SURREAL, MAGICAL, WHAT NOT🥰
India's 5th Longest Cave - Krem Chympe
It is a stunning river cave that would need over 3.5 km of swimming over a sequel of extremely large and deep lakes, shaped by the existence of further than 50 natural blockades or gours, 6 to 8 m elevated.
The cave has an extremely vast colony of bats and perhaps cave-adapted fish. With 10.5 km of investigated length, the cave has various heads yet to be examined.
It was an absolute offbeat I have ever done in my life😍 The cave is so long, that you go in that bamboo raft for some distance, and based on water levels, you will have to walk deep inside.
I suggest to go a bit early, as you can explore the cave fully!
You will be given life jackets, torches, inside the cave; just three kids, not even 18-20 year olds, took very good care of us in the place.
I still can’t explain what I enjoyed, I was stunned. and it was totally worth all the silent and tough trekking I went through in the hot sun for 1-2 hours.
Honestly, Krem Chympe made me decide that I have to come back to Meghalaya for the CAVING🧿 The best and memorable place in the whole trip!
Yes, Meghalaya is known for the best cave exploration in India
We came back to parking around 5 PM, and reached back Shillong around 9.30 PM. We reached the Guwahati Airport and took our flights back.
Culture, Tradition and Learnings from Meghalaya
Yes, I learnt a lot from Meghalaya, and it was truly fascinating to how these people maintain their culture, and how amazing traditions they have, contrast to the whole world out there, so happy to be at such a place.
Meghalaya has 3 tribes - Khasi, Jaintiya, Garos. They still follow a local kind and rule system, which happens through local voting in tribes
95% of Meghalaya is only LOOKED AFTER by government, but CONTROLLED BY LOCALS
No outsider can buy land or property there, it only comes through family and marriages.
Meghalaya has a MARTIARCHAL system. Females in every house are revered the decision maker.
No arrange marriages in Meghalaya, parents expect their kids to take care of themselves after a certain age - and only LOVE MARRIAGE is expected❤️
The last daughter gets the highest share of land, as she spends more time caring for her parents - so, boys here look for the last daughter in every family😂
Western culture is more into Meghalaya - almost everyone knows English, hear only English songs, play only football
Meghalaya doesn’t have a script - they use English alphabets with 23 letters
They consider cheetah/leopard as god and snake as devil/negative sign. If they see a leopard during a ritual - it’s god’s approval, but a snake, it is considered disapproval from god
The best - people here have very less expectations from life - simple lifestyle, not going behind fashion or modern purchases - almost everyone I met had a smile in their face all the time.
I had so much respect for this place and I really added this place to my retirement locations. I really wish I get a house (RENTAL ofc) to spend my time.
At least, I wish to have a happy life like these people over here❤️
And, Meghalaya Series comes to an end here.
Bliss is the only word to describe my experience.
I urge people to visit Meghalaya before it gets commercialised and crowded, to enjoy the natural beauty.
Thanks a lot. Will catch you all in a different series💖
Keep reading, happy travelling.
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