November 2025 NE trip

  Day 12 : None of us were too thrilled about it being the last day of our trip. We roused ourselves at the unholy hour of 5:30 am in magical Sohra ( sense of Déjà vu ) , freshened up, and Girnar masala readymix was already on tea duty. By 7:30 am, our faithful guide-cum-driver Rajesh arrived, and we bid goodbye to the mesmerizing landscapes as we headed back to Guwahati. Along the way, soulful music floated through the car (courtesy our Saarthi’s love for Zubin Garg playlist) ; some of us caught sleepy moments while others soaked in the winding mountain trails. A quick tea stop at a Punjabi dhaba kept spirits (and caffeine levels) high. Upon arrival in Guwahati, we visited the iconic Kamakhaya Temple, ancient but unmistakably commercialized like many popular temples in India. The beauty of the temple was undeniable, though the sight of ritual animal sacrifices took some time to get used to. After soaking in the temple ambiance for about 30 minutes, airport-bound we went....

  Day 11 : The adventure-meter hit its peak today! Morning began with refreshing tea and K’s amazing Maggie noodle creation , plus a veggie-stuffed sandwich featuring the undisputed king  - potatoes (an inside joke we’ll leave to the legends). Cathy popped by to say hello, and we handed over some dry fruit ladoos crafted by our resident super chef (you know who). By 9 am, we set off for Sohra, aka Cherapunji, the land of rain and wonders. Our first stop featured fresh pineapple juice served by an adorable local kid’s mother - a sweet start to a day filled with mesmerizing views that words (and camera) can hardly capture. We ventured into the Garden of Caves, snapping loads of photos and enjoying the mystery of multiple beautiful caves. Sandwiches were devoured en route to Arwah Caves, a dark, long cavern where S  took the first "head bump" of the day (rookie moves indeed !). The real thrill began on the rugged route back, as S , knowing K  and V’s fondness for ...

Day 10 : We kicked off our day with another shot at K's legendary poha and a refreshing cup of adrak tea brewed by V  - the perfect fuel for what lay ahead. Our gracious host Cathy guided us on the day’s itinerary. First stop was the peaceful and breathtaking Laitlum canyon in Smit, just a short drive from Shillong. The serenity was profound and while S  and Vaidy  were made the most of it , K was multi-tasking with his office calls. Vaidy managed his mandatory tea ritual here too, this time opting for lemon tea. Next up was Shillong Peak, but as fate would have it, the peak was closed on this Wednesday, despite Rajesh’s insider tip. No worries  - Rajesh improvised by taking us to the Airforce Museum, an unexpected detour that filled us with pride as we learned about the valiant efforts of India’s defense forces. Chance to get selfies with the fabulous models and of course Rafale Frig magnets. In a funny turn of events we also managed some very City style ...

  Day 9 : We officially crossed state lines today  - bye-bye Assam, hello Meghalaya! Breakfast was a nutritious mix of upma and the last bits of yesterday’s kichdi, fueling us for an adventurous day. A thrilling side note: finally nailing two PNRs within the tough 60-day booking window on the IRCTC site, a small victory virtually celebrated with high fives all around. The morning kicked off with lazy glimpses of rhinos and wild buffalos along the route, a charming wildlife greeting for inter-state travelers. Our reliable saarathi Rajesh decided to gift us a divine stop at the Maha Mrityunjay temple, setting a spiritual tone for our journey ahead. Crossing the state border, the hills welcomed us back with open arms and winding roads. The serene Umiam Lake and its surrounding lush lawns offered a perfect pause, where photographs and of course a cup of hot tea added to the charm. Shillong’s roads lived up to their reputation - narrow, winding, and nestled among quaint archi...