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India.com
3 days ago
- India.com
From Cloud-Kissed Hills To Secret Waterfalls—Here's How To See Meghalaya All On A Budget
Not Just Shillong – How to Explore the Abode of Clouds Without Draining Your Wallet Beauty doesn't have to be expensive. It just needs to be real. When you first step into Meghalaya, the silence is louder than the cities you left behind. The hills roll gently into the sky, waterfalls fall like whispers, and the roads curve like unfinished thoughts. Most tourists land in Shillong, tick off the top 5 attractions, and head back with pictures. But what if we told you that Meghalaya isn't about the checklist? It's about the feeling. The stillness. And yes — it can be done on a shoestring. Let's walk into the wild green of this state, not as luxury seekers, but as slow travelers. Backpackers. Dreamers on a budget. What makes Meghalaya special for budget travelers? It's not just the views. It's the vibe. Unlike many touristy states, Meghalaya still feels raw. Villagers wave at you. Homestays welcome you with hot rice and a smile. Shared cabs are the norm, not a last resort. And if you're willing to slow down and stay curious, this state gives back more than it takes. From free hikes to meals under ₹100, here, your money stretches like the valleys below. 1. Choose homestays over hotels – and not just to save money In places like Mawlynnong, Dawki, and Nongriat, skip the polished resorts. Go local. Homestays often cost between ₹400 and ₹800 per night. You get a clean room, home-cooked food, and stories you'll never find on Instagram. Aunties will serve you jadoh and black tea without asking for a tip. Some may even guide you to hidden spots that no travel app knows about. These aren't just stays. They're chapters. 2. Travel like the locals do – in shared sumos In Meghalaya, 'shared sumo' is more than a ride. It's an experience. These rugged vehicles run on fixed routes connecting Shillong to places like Cherrapunji, Dawki, and even remote villages like Tyrna. A solo cab might cost you ₹2,000 for the day. But a shared sumo? Just ₹200. You squeeze in with strangers. You share smiles, snacks, sometimes even life stories. And your budget stays intact. 3. Eat where the locals eat – and eat what they eat No fancy cafes. No overpriced menus. Just warm plates at roadside kitchens. Try rice and dohneiiong at a market shack in Cherrapunji for ₹60. Or sample puffed rice with tea at the bus stand for ₹20. Even in Shillong, the best food isn't at fancy restaurants — it's at Police Bazaar's tiny stalls. Street food here is clean, tasty, and unbelievably cheap. 4. Trek freely – no tickets, no queues, just trails Meghalaya rewards those who walk. Nongriat's double-decker living root bridges don't need tickets. Just sturdy legs and a heart for adventure. The bamboo trail near Mawryngkhang, or the blue pools hidden around Krang Suri — all are free if you're willing to walk. While other destinations charge for every view, here, nature comes without a price tag. 5. Skip the peak hours, skip the peak prices Want the cleanest photos, emptiest roads, and cheapest stays? Travel on weekdays. Most tourists pour into Meghalaya on weekends. Homestay prices rise. Cabs fill up. Crowds gather at every popular point. But on a Tuesday morning, you might have an entire waterfall to yourself. And the auntie at the homestay might drop her price — just because. 6. Learn a few Khasi words – save more than just money Say 'khublei' (thank you) and watch faces light up. Say 'nga kwah bam' (I want food) and you'll often get a better rate or an extra helping. Locals appreciate effort. And sometimes kindness is returned with discounts, tips, or even a free ride down the Meghalaya, respect is the best currency. 7. Carry essentials – not just to save money, but to stay ready Pack light, but smart. Water bottle. Power bank. Snacks. Basic meds. Once you're in remote areas, there's no convenience store on every corner. Being prepared means you don't pay extra when you're desperate. It also means you move like a traveler, not a tourist. Where to go without going broke? – Shillong: Stay in hostels like Isabella or The Travellers Nest for under ₹600. Walk around Ward's Lake, Laitlum Canyon, or stroll down Lewduh market. – Cherrapunji: Camp at eco lodges or stay at a village guesthouse. Skip the touristy caves and explore local waterfalls on foot. – Nongriat: Home of the famous living root bridges. It's a 3-hour hike from Tyrna, but stay overnight for less than ₹500 and wake up to silence you'll never forget. – Dawki: Yes, the river is clear. But the village life around it is even more beautiful. Pitch a tent near Shnongpdeng for ₹300 and spend the evening watching fireflies. – Mawlynnong: Known as the cleanest village in Asia. But beyond the label, it's a place where you can sit under a tree with homemade food and just be. How to keep costs low while keeping experiences high Use local guides only when necessary — not every hike needs one Avoid packaged tours — they rush and overcharge Carry cash — cards often don't work in rural areas Group up — share rides and meals with fellow travelers Stay longer in fewer places — it saves both time and transport costs What Meghalaya teaches you about value You'll come thinking about money. You'll leave thinking about meaning. Because here, budget travel isn't just about cutting costs. It's about traveling deeper. Slower. More soulfully. In Meghalaya, you're not just a guest. You're a quiet observer of life lived differently — and walk more. Talk more. And realize that sometimes, the best parts of a journey don't cost anything. Final Thought Don't just visit Meghalaya. Let it change your pace. Forget luxury. Forget itineraries. Travel here like you're chasing stories not selfies. Because the real magic of Meghalaya doesn't come with a ticket. It comes when you sit on a quiet hill and breathe in the silence for free. And in that stillness, you'll realize — budget travel isn't less. Sometimes, it's more.
Time of India
20-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
The great thrift valley: How the Northeast became India's style underground
LINE FROM MANIPUR Live Events NE LINE TO MAINLAND (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Online thrift is not for the faint of heart. In the fastest-fingers-first world, you have to call dibs on an item the moment it is released on the Gram. The drop is announced via Stories. You set the alarm, turn on notifications and still you might miss what you had set your heart on after seeing it in a sneak-peek. There are no pre-bookings and no favourites. But that is the thrill of thrifting—the one that got thrifting—a common term for buying second-hand, preloved goods—gains traction in India, the Northeast is emerging as the hub. A lack of retail shops in the past has created a culture of thrift in northeastern states where secondhand goods arrive in bales. Add to this their unique sense of style— and urban audiences in the rest of the country can't get enough of thrift lines from the north eastern states have secondhand markets—from Fancy Bazaar in Guwahati and Police Bazaar in Shillong to Bara Bazaar in Aizawl, Sunday second-hand market in Imphal and Hong Kong market in Dimapur Manipur-based Ngahon Tungshangnao , who set up his store Mirinwon in 2019, says it takes days to find the right products. He visits every thrift store in his hometown Ukhrul and travels to Imphal city and even other states to source. The clothing usually arrives in bales of 80-100 kg. 'I do drops twice or thrice a week on Instagram , sourcing items according to the seasons.'Tungshangnao, who loves his bucolic life with a side of high fashion, says it is convenient to start an online thrift store in the Northeast , but it has not been easy of late. 'Political instability poses challenges. And the internet gets banned whenever there's a riot. With no private couriers, one can't make quick deliveries either,' he Rachel Gwanile Thong started her store Assortments2.0 in 2016. 'I began by selling pieces from my wardrobe that I didn't wear anymore. To my surprise, people were interested. That encouraged me to start thrifting and sourcing pieces,' she says, adding that the interest has only grown of who runs the operation with her partner Limatenzuk Ozukum, sources everything from Nagaland—mainly Kohima and Dimapur. 'In the early days, I used to go around second-hand shops and dig through everything myself. Now, we have vendors who give us a heads-up when they open a new batch and we get the first pick. We source in bulk,' says says logistics is a challenge, but her customers have come to realise that quick shipping and fast deliveries are not possible from does two-three drops a week. 'I don't always follow themes, unless I happen to have a good collection of similar pieces. Otherwise, it's more of a 'what caught my eye' approach,' she contrast, Folkpants, run by the sisters Linno and Lumri Jajo, from Ukhrul, puts out thematic drops. Lumri Jajo says thrifting was a natural progression of their love for clothes and fashion. 'During college, we organised successful garage sales at our home in Delhi,' she says they observed a lack of quality and unique clothes at affordable prices for conscious consumers. As they sourced for their personal wear, they decided to curate items that didn't fit their style but were too good to pass up. Folkpants has recently done an all white edit for summer, a linen edit and even a vest edit. Jajo says, 'There are many thrift shops but some sell cheap items without quality or authenticity, while others have high prices but less curated selections. We stand out by offering quality products at reasonable prices.'With thrift shops launching on Instagram on a daily basis, curation, quality control and deliverables are the way risk analyst Aparna Balaji has thrifted from shops in Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh, and says they understand the meaning of thrifting. 'They carefully choose the pieces they put up. So, it's unique. It is sent through India Post , making it even lighter on the pocket and truly sustainable, what thrifting is meant to be,' says bag designer Sudha Sekhar has faced some issues. 'I am particular about the cut and fabric. These pages mostly get products from East Asian countries that almost always have smaller sizes. But some experiences have been good, like my footwear picks. I have been wearing some for three years,' she says. An abundance of polyester also bothers Shaingam Mashangva who runs The Mellow Lane says she tries to curate according to her clientele. 'One needs to really do some homework for the business to thrive. Understanding the customer's choice is very important. Since 90% of my clients are from places that are hot and humid, I mostly source comfortable natural materials,' says Mashangva, a physics teacher-turned-thrift business says sourcing good pieces has become tough: 'Sometimes after going through 1,000-3,000 items, we end up with just 40-90 good pieces.' She does a drop of 20-25 pieces. She sells 30-50% of clothes on the day of the drop but ends up with a lot of unsold items, which are put on sale after a couple of says, 'When you are selecting from 100 kg bales, you end up with a lot of defective pieces.' Most thrift shops, while selling items, mention even a small defect in products and that is reflected in the owners confirm demand from the mainland. Thong, who is a lawyer, says that even though Assortments2.0 is a side hustle, she has seen steady growth and strong support over the years. 'With more people embracing sustainable fashion, we are seriously thinking of scaling this into something bigger, hopefully a full-fledged brand.' Most of her buyers—from teens to people in their 40s and 50s—are from metro Tungshangnao started Mirinwon as a side hustle, but now it's a full-time business, thanks to the growing demand. He says, 'Thrifting has become cool. My consumers are from all over India, and they are 18 to 45 year olds.'Yet challenges remain. Mashangva says that each year the price of thrifted clothes is increasing as bad-quality thrift bales make it harder to get good pieces: 'While it's easy to set up an online thrift store, it is difficult to build followers because of the Instagram algorithm. And the number of followers matters a lot for this business.'Jajo says that whether the thrift stores will succeed depends on the individuals running it. 'We started small but have grown into a sustainable business over the past six years. Demand and growth have been steady, with 80% customers returning.' Jajo says many find the process of searching for unique items interior designer Lorraine Kerr told The Cut in 2013 on why she thrifts: 'The chase is the most fun part…. It's about the hunting and gathering!' The thrill of discovery is just a fingertip away.
India.com
24-05-2025
- India.com
5 Amazing Hill Stations Near Guwahati For A Cool Summer Retreat
As the entry point of Northeast India Guwahati is celebrated because of its lively traditions alongside its remarkable historical legacy and close access to outstanding national wilderness areas. The activity-filled city of Guwahati serves as a convenient starting point to access nearby hill stations that help people escape from summer hot temperatures. These destinations offer excellent alternatives from summer heat because they allow visitors to combine exciting outdoor activities with peaceful relaxation while allowing experiences of local cultures. The following list features the top hill stations that are accessible from Guwahati for an extraordinary summer vacation experience. 1. Shillong Shillong represents the most esteemed hill station location within Northeast India where visitors can reach it by driving about 100 kilometers from Guwahati. Located at 1,496 meters above sea level the city presents everlasting cool weather throughout the year. Shillong earns its title 'Scotland of the East' through its misty hills combined with Elephant Falls and Seven Sisters Falls and the tranquil lakes Ward's Lake and Umiam Lake. The cultural atmosphere of Shillong becomes vibrant because of its active markets such as Police Bazaar. Adventure lovers have several thrilling opportunities through trekking adventures and caving activities and rock climbing challenges in this area. 2. Cherrapunji (Sohra) Tourists worldwide acknowledge Cherrapunji as one of Earth's most moist areas and it rests exactly 125 kilometers beyond Guwahati. The hill town of Cherrapunji exists at around 1,300 meters above sea level where it showcases its remarkable cliffs against abundant greenery and magnificent waterfalls which include Nohkalikai Falls and Dainthlen Falls. Living root bridges built by the Khasi tribe through centuries of bioengineering remain accessible for visitors to explore. The heavy rainfall in Cherrapunji does not deter visitors because they enjoy its relaxing environment and attractive scenery. 3. Mawlynnong Tourists commonly call Mawlynnong 'God's Own Garden' while the settlement lies 95 kilometers from Shillong and 180 kilometers from Guwahati. Through its dedication to cleanliness this village received recognition from global authorities as Asia's cleanest village. The small community of Mawlynnong presents visitors with breathtaking views that span between Bangladesh and the valley landscapes. A hanging bamboo path presents adventure seekers with a breathtaking view of the surrounding scenery. Nature lovers must experience the clean and environment-conscious practices of this village which makes it a necessary travel destination. 4. Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary provides ideal retreat grounds for visitors into wildlife where total silence and natural encounters are available. This sanctuary covers an area of 29 square kilometers and lies approximately 60 kilometers from Guwahati while providing sanctuary to elephants together with leopards and various bird species. People can find perfect moments of peace at Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary within its dense forests and winding hills to watch birds or trek through natural quietness. 5. Umiam Lake Although Umiam Lake is not officially recognized as a hill station it stands as an essential stopover because it lies on the journey to Shillong. The artificial reservoir created near Guwahati exists about 15 kilometers away among picturesque hills covered with lush vegetation. Barapani refers to the big water that shapes the name of Umiam Lake where boating and kayaking alongside picnics have become popular activities. Hot summer days call for relaxation at this spot because its gentle waters accompany a pleasant breeze. Final Thoughts The untouched tourist place status defines the Northeastern Indian region. A trip to these hill stations adjacent to Guwahati lets tourists escape summer heat while experiencing exceptional natural wonders and deep cultural heritage of the region. Travel to these Mother Nature havens that await you in this journey by packing up and driving away.
Time of India
03-05-2025
- Time of India
Chasing clouds in Shillong: A May to remember
Shillong, the 'Scotland of the East,' is one of the best and most scenic summer escapes in India. The hill town, set in the serene hills of Meghalaya, offers pleasant weather and a lush carpet of greenery. The people of Shillong are more than hospitable and have a strong sense of community. If you are looking for a silent and pleasant abode to escape May heat, Shillong is the best place to be! The city offers a refreshing break from the daily city hustle. These are the top 5 places that you should visit when in Shillong. Umiam Lake This lake is about 15 km north of Shillong and dates back to the 1960s. It is an absolutely stunning lake that is also known as Barapani. This lake is ideal for boating, kayaking, and picnics. If you want to witness this lake in all its glory, then early morning visits are a must. The place is nothing less than a paradise for photographers during the cherry blossom season. The morning mountain views and sunsets here are a sight to behold. Elephant Falls Elephant Falls is one of the must-visit natural wonders of Meghalaya. Trust me when I say this: your trip to Shillong is incomplete without a visit to this beautiful and natural wonder. The pearly white water flowing down those big rocks, cascading into the pool of fresh and cool water down below, makes it all worthwhile. This is a three-tiered waterfall, located just outside Shillong. This fall is accessible via well-kept stairs and offers great photo opportunities. Laitlum Canyons Laitlum Canyons means the 'end of the world' or the 'end of hills.' It is one of the most underrated and unexplored gems of northeast India. This place is about 45 km away from the main city. Its peak season starts from March to June, when the nights are cooler and the afternoons are misty. This place offers breathtaking panoramic views and is ideal for trekking and photography, especially on a clear day. If you are in Shillong, do not miss the chance to see this awfully beautiful canyon. Shillong Peak Located above the vibrant and bustling city of Shillong is this peaceful place that soars majestically. Visitors are astounded by its beauty and panoramic views of the entire Shillong valley. On clear days, the Himalayas can be seen in the distance. The peak is located within the Air Force area, so an ID proof is required to enter. Shillong Peak is a renowned tourist site in the East Khasi Hills and requires a two-hour hike to the peak's summit. Police Bazaar The bustling marketplace located in the heart of the city is ideal for shopping and trying local delicacies. From traditional Khasi handicrafts to street snacks and cozy cafes, it is the cultural hub of Shillong. The entry here is free; this market opens from 8 am to 10 pm. This place is known for its vibrant atmosphere and wide range of products for you to shop from. Shillong in summer offers the perfect blend of local weather, scenic beauty, and cultural charm. If you are looking for adventure, relaxation, and a taste of the local life of tribal people, these top spots promise an unforgettable experience. Pack your bags, breathe the fresh mountain air, and let Shillong do its magic. Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
