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Q.
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Visit to Shillong & Kaziranga
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We (a group of six adults & six children) are going to Shillong & Kaziranga on 7.11.08 & wiil be returning on 15.11.08. reaching Guwahati on 7th, & proceeding to Shillong the same evening. starting from on 13th & proceeding to Kaziranga, probably staying 13 & 14 night at Kaziranga & then coming to Guwahati in early morning to board 4 PM flight back to Delhi. This is my tentative iternary. I will like the details for how to reach kaziranga, where to stay & what special things to do & whatever. And secondly what specialities places, things to do etc. can we do at Shillong. Also can we get an early luxury bus out from kaziranga to Guwahati in time to see kamakhaya temple & board the 4 pm flight. Also any suggestions are welcome Thanx.
Answers to travel information on
Shillong in Meghalaya
This is the best time to go to Shillong. It will not be extremely cold and it has stopped raining. Must see places in Shillong: Ward's Lake, Shillong Peak, Police Bazaar for shopping, Bada Bazaar or Iwe Dah market for the exotic local merchandise on sale. There are good museums and waterfalls around the city. You really have to take your pick. It is a good idea to just take a walk around the city. It really lends itself to a stroll.
Hire a car and take a day trip to Cherrapunji. (Rs.1500 for a round trip.) The drive itself is extremely beautiful. The drivers usually double up as tour guides. Visit the caves. There are waterfalls along the way and beautiful scenery. Keep in mind that Cherapunji or Sohra (as it is more popularly known) is a small town but the drive is more than worth it.
On the way back to Guwahati, you will cross the Umiam reservoir. It is worth spending a whole day there. It is a huge water body, beautiful lake and lots of water sports are organized here.
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The Kamakhya temple only opens at 3 in the afternoon and then you have to buy a ticket and stand in line for the darshan. This might not be possible if you have to catch a flight at 4 pm.
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If you have the time, then book for both safaris. The elephant safari takes you through the grassland and you can get really close to the rhinos, buffaloes and deer. Only a small area is earmarked for this kind of an adventure so unfortunately it never seems to last that long. Though being on top of an elephant and moving through the huge elephant grass is an experience not to be missed.
The jeep safari covers a 35 km perimeter along a fixed route. You can experience the changing nature of the jungle from grassland to woodland and it takes you really deep into the jungle. Both the safaris have their own attractions and one can not make up for the other. e really contemplated going on multiple jeep safaris in the various ranges. (The elephant safari only takes place in the Central range.)
After sunset the only option is to come back to Kohora and explore the village. There are multiple souvenir shops along the highway which sell reasonably priced articfacts.
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In Kaziranga, village Kohara is a good stop. Try and stay in the government run Bonani Guest House. They have comfortable rooms and hot water (very important in the North-east). There are several guest houses located on this stretch.
The elephant safari needs to be booked a day early. They take place at 5 am and 6 am. Organized only in the morning, it is better to join the 5 am safari. Sunrise is the best time to join this group as the animals are up and going about their morning business. Charges are Rs. 300 per person along with a few extras like guide fees, road development fees etc. It is a hour long safari with 4 people per elephant.
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Kaziranga is 5 hours away by road from Guwhati. Alternatively, from Shillong, you can take a bus to Jorabhat on the Assam-Meghalaya border (instead of coming all the way back into Assam) and then take another bus to Kaziranga. This would save you an hour of travel time. Buses leave every 15 min from the Police Bazaar bus stand in Shillong. I would recommend that you leave early enough in the morning (preferably at 9) because that is when you get the more comfortable long distance buses. Otherwise you will be at the mercy of the local inter-city buses. The drivers are usually quite helpful in giving travel directions. Guwhati to Kaziranga bus fare: Rs. 150 per person.
Since you are a large group, ask around the various travel agencies located at Police Bazaar in Shillong. Maybe they can help arrange a mini bus for you. You should negotiate the price beforehand. To give you an idea, we hired an Alto for Rs. 765 from Guwhati to Shillong. The journey was close to 3 and half hours.
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..looking at your detailed query, and seeing it unanswered.. gives me a feeling you must already be having a fair idea of the place
..a fairer idea than say an average guy, who hasnt yet had an opportunity to visit the north-east region ..n that includes me... Lol ...hope you get someone experienced to answer to ur query soon..all the best..chao..
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