Preparing to First Travel to Shillong, India
India is one of the most famous travel destinations for its fascinating beauty. Your first journey to India can be troublesome if you don't know where to start. There are numerous places where a few days' visits are not enough. So, preparing for your first travel to India is more hazardous.
Things You Should do Before Travelling
Passport Validation
Passport validation is the central part of going abroad. For going to India, your passport should be a minimum of six months validity. Your name, address, and occupation should be the same as your NID. After that, you are good to go for any procedure depending on your purpose of travelling.
Meet the Document Requirements
After having a valid passport, you need to meet the document requirements. India has their official visa application service center or embassy in every county. To get the precise information, you can visit - https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/.
Fees and Bank Endorsement
For every visa application, you need to pay some fees required to get a visa. This amount for India may vary based on the countries you are applying to. However, you must show a minimum of 150 dollars in your bank account as an endorsement. But this also may differ according to the type of visa.
Choosing Routes
India is one of the most suitable travel destinations for travellers who enjoy moving around. Visitors can choose any way either roads or airways to India. They have all sorts of facilities for foreigners. If you stay in India's neighbouring countries like Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka and choose to visit India you are sure to get an incredible thrill of visiting by road.
I know this information is the primary part for any traveller, but this can be useful for a person planning to travel to India for the first time.
Experience of the Author
I thought it would be great to share some real stories of mine about travelling to India so that you can get a piece of first-hand knowledge.
Once I decided to travel to India, a curiosity arose in my mind. Maybe this happens to everyone who chooses to go abroad for the first time. As with the gloomy morning in Sylhet, Bangladesh, my wife and I went to the bus stand near Subhanighat. The excitement increased as long as our bus reached Jaflong Point. It took only three hours to reach, and eventually, we were heading towards Dawki, the roads that go along in Shillong at Meghalaya. The breeze reminded us of the clouds that float over the hills.
After finishing all the legal requirements at Jaflong Customs Office, Bangladesh, we were free to start our journey ahead towards Indian Customs, Dawki. Going from one country to another becomes more adventurous when you go on foot. However, I had that experience, and I cannot stop myself from expressing it to my reader.
As the journey started it is better to know a little about Dawki. It is one of the few road border crossings between India and Bangladesh. It is located on Dawki-Tamabil in the West Jaintia Hills district of the Indian state of Meghalaya; the Tamabil post in Bangladesh is comparable. Stones and charcoals are other goods carried through Bangladesh via this road. Hence it is also an important port for a businessman and a traveller as it connects Shillong located to Meghalaya, India.
After finishing our customs part at Dawki, India, we hired a local car. There is a bridge that is needed to pass to cross Dawki. It was a suspension bridge close to Dawki Boating Point in 1932. This bridge is essential because it serves as a highway for international trade between Bangladesh and India. One must cross this bridge to the border regions and Dawki village. Jaflong Zero Point appears immediately after passing over the suspension bridge. The international boundary across the river is close to the Zero point.
The road starts from the Dawki Bazar are bit unsteady. But seeing bunches of tiny waterfalls that drenches the roads will make you enthralled with its natural beauty. We thought these floras of beauty would stop as we moved to the main roads, but we proved wrong. India is a place of never-ending natural attraction. The hills and cliffs beside the roads catch your inner mind asking why she is so beautiful, and you cannot believe it if you don't look by yourself. The clouds and the mist went side by side as we moved towards Shillong. It took only three to four hours to reach Shillong, the heart of Meghalaya. The place Shillong has always been a more significant attraction for people who love the mountain, falls, lakes, trees, gardens, and villages. You can find all of them here.
The next day it was to visit Cherapunji, locally known as Sohra, located near Meghalaya, which satisfies the thirst of travellers. Although the temperature was a bit colder, the fascination and the adventure toward nature heated the mind and body.
Waking up early in the morning, we started preparing to roam around Cherapunji. We hired a car and told them to get us to all the famous tourist locations. Rains were expected as usual, but that would give us much trouble as we were lucky to have found few drizzles around in regular intervals. We visited some top spots like Nohkalikai Falls, Mawsynram, Mawsmai Cave, Dainthlen Falls, and Seven Sisters Waterfall. After all day’s visit, we were tired as we came late.
Hotels in Shillong
Shillong has different hotels and lodges for staying days and nights. An average hotel can be a bit pricy based on the time you choose to visit. Foreigners prefer to stay there due to the amenities and transportation from other places in India. You can find all types of hotels near the Police Bazar.
Foods in Shillong
If you are a big food lover, Shillong can be a great place to give it a try to your taste bud. There are foods flavoured with thousands of Indian masalas, which may make you hesitant to take what to taste first and what not.
Transportation in Shillong
The transportation of Shillong is average. But this also varies according to your transport choices and the destination you like. There are facilities available both for private and public vehicles. Tourists like a car for solo or group travel. You can hire a car from beside hotels and grab them after bargaining.
Places to Visit in Shillong and Meghalaya
Nature lovers and thrill seekers will adore this location. The area experiences a monsoon season that lasts the entire year, with an exceptionally high peak during the whole monsoon season. Not to mention how Cherrapunji is a place worth visiting with its rich culture and events. Here are some of our favourites:
Nohkalikai Waterfalls
One of Cherrapunji's most famous tourist destinations is Nohkalikai Waterfalls, located about 5 kilometres from the town. It spilt down to make a puddle right out of the hill's virgin trees. Nohkalikai Falls are at their most beautiful during the monsoon season, but you can admire their magnificence all year round.
Seven Sisters Falls
A stunning seven-segment fall is called Seven Sisters Waterfalls. All seven of the falls, perched on the broad rock and filled with water during the monsoon season, produce a spellbinding sight. These falls are also one of the tallest waterfalls in India and among the most popular places to visit in Cherrapunjee Meghalaya.
Mawsmai Cave
India's most extended cave systems can be found in Cherrapunji, Meghalaya, in the Jaintia Hills. One of the must-see attractions in Cherrapunji is the Mawsmai Cave, one of the most easily accessible. The 150-meter-long tunnel is a beautiful illustration of the cave network and a great place to start exploring the fascinating caving world.
Mawkdok Dympep Valley View
The Mawkdok Dympep Valley View, situated toward the start of the Sohra circuit, is a mandatory visit for sightseers making a trip to Cherrapunji. The perspective is a short stroll not too far off and offers vast displays of the verdant valley. It's a stunning sight, particularly in the storms when the mists play finds the stowaway! It is one of the prominent Cherrapunji vacationer places.
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