Guwahati Shillong Day Tour: An Elephant Falls Adventure Assessed

Guwahati Shillong Day Tour: An Elephant Falls Adventure Assessed

Guwahati Shillong Day Tour: An Elephant Falls Adventure Assessed

Guwahati Shillong Day Tour: An Elephant Falls Adventure Assessed

So, you’re probably thinking about a day trip from Guwahati to Shillong, possibly, just to tick Elephant Falls off your list, is that right? Perhaps it’s almost just to get a taste of Meghalaya’s beautiful scenery, just for a day, too? Maybe you have limited time and really want to see what all the fuss is about, just like many people do, it could be? Well, let me walk you through my experience and hopefully it gives you a slightly better idea if this quick getaway is actually a good idea for you, you know?

The Allure of Shillong and Elephant Falls

Shillong Cityscape

Shillong, often referred to as the “Scotland of the East,” it seems, really has that picturesque charm that draws visitors from across the country and apparently even beyond, actually. Very rolling hills, certainly with quite lush greenery, it’s got that serene atmosphere that’s, in a way, fairly appealing, I feel, right? Then, Elephant Falls; a popular spot not too far from Shillong, it’s celebrated for its tiered waterfalls and interestingly enough, those big, elephant-like rock that was ultimately destroyed by an earthquake many years back. As a matter of fact, this day trip kind of gives you a glimpse, sort of, of what Meghalaya has to offer, even if it’s actually brief, that’s quite true.

What to Expect from the Day Tour

Elephant Falls, Shillong

Ok, so a typical Guwahati to Shillong day tour usually begins rather early, right about 6 or 7 AM, actually. In other words, get ready for that alarm clock, that’s pretty much it. The drive, very scenic in its own way, that part is undeniable, yet also potentially quite long – often taking somewhere around 3-4 hours, that is something I can attest to, as a matter of fact. You’ll mostly be travelling on somewhat decent highways that winds up through the hills, really, and you will notice, anyway, how the scenery gradually transforms as you get closer to Shillong, right? Once in Shillong, the tour normally includes, say, visits to spots like Elephant Falls, maybe Shillong Peak for pretty sweeping views, and sometimes Ward’s Lake for just a brief leisurely stroll; all these being things you may be expecting, that’s right. Be sure to actually confirm all the specific inclusions with your tour operator ahead of time, alright?

Reaching Elephant Falls

Elephant Falls Pathway

Okay, so the access point for Elephant Falls is, well, in a way, rather straightforward but also involves some amount of walking down, a little bit, to get to each of the various levels, okay? Like, the steps could be just a little steep for maybe older adults or someone that actually isn’t too keen on, say, steps, okay? That being said, there are, of course, railings at various places which makes climbing a bit less tasking, you see. Each level gives like a different view of the falls, truly, with the lowermost one being seemingly the most impressive. The pathways, quite damp and maybe slippery; just wear really appropriate shoes that have a decent grip if that’s possible, isn’t it?

Experiencing Elephant Falls

Elephant Falls View

At the Falls, that’s really where you can take your time actually appreciating the force and the sound of the cascading water, which can get actually really intense especially during the monsoon season, that’s right, yeah? Many vendors surround the areas and you will notice the various things like, for example, snacks, tea, and interesting local crafts, you know. Taking that cup of hot tea on a rather colder day while actually listening to the rumble of the falls, so it’s basically creating a very multisensory experience, and many seem to attest to that. Remember, very politely haggle a bit when you’re possibly buying souvenirs, just for better prices. Be respectful in all your communications, I guess.

Is the Guwahati-Shillong Day Tour Worth It?

Scenic Road Trip

Alright, now here’s, too it’s almost like the big question: is that tour seriously worth spending the long day? Well, in a way, it kinda really depends on what you might be wanting. If you’re possibly very pressed for time, yeah, it does, maybe give you a little peek into Shillong’s main appeal, certainly. Nevertheless, spending several hours driving actually means you’ll probably only get to see some of Shillong, okay? I would definitely say if you’re potentially the sort of person that loves a really relaxing trip or deeply dives into various destinations, right, you may wanna consider actually staying overnight in Shillong, alright? Then you would probably get so much more time to potentially discover all that it offers, which will be so cool.

Pros

  • It’s a very time-saving option for travellers that just want a very brief experience.
  • Basically, see main attractions with an itinerary already planned out for you and, basically, saving some potential planning hassle.
  • Possibly it’s good for experiencing Meghalaya scenery even while potentially travelling, and possibly quickly.

Cons

  • Many hours might possibly be spent driving rather than basically sightseeing and doing fun stuff, very true.
  • That limited time may, in fact, stop you from completely exploring Shillong at your desired leisurely tempo, okay.
  • Sometimes you don’t control how your tour might flow. And your tour might be very time strict, really, sometimes it happens.

Tips for Making the Most of Your Trip

Travel Essentials

So, should you actually decide this day trip seems perfect, just remember some helpful tips and tricks: First of all, okay, start pretty early and basically try to miss the big city traffic within Guwahati – this part basically cuts down on travel hours, very crucial. Bring maybe some cozy clothes, it’s really wise to wear comfy shoes because it is definitely cooler compared to Guwahati; basically checking weather conditions before basically deciding on the perfect fit clothes is kinda smart, alright. Just hydrate regularly by drinking water throughout the whole journey; carry snacks for the potential trip especially given potentially limited food break options which definitely is a concern. Remember, actually be respectful of that local culture which possibly contributes in better communication while travelling somewhere entirely, like really somewhere completely new and potentially unknown in some areas; potentially take only those things which might really be useful for yourself not basically creating any major waste while sightseeing. With almost careful prepping comes greater enjoyment, trust.

Other Attractions Near Shillong

Look, Shillong has almost lots more to offer past only the spots you might see within a day trip, like seriously so much more. Could be exploring other awesome spots like, let’s just say, Mawlynnong (often promoted for supposedly being Asia’s cleanest village, which can definitely impress some people), and Double Decker Living Root Bridge by Cherrapunjee – doing so might be a great idea should time perhaps be potentially available that maybe encourages overnight stays. A lot many just adore that chance possibly seeing far greater sites by dedicating greater exploration time there.