AIR
Since the airport at Shillong is more of a helipad, Guwahati provides the all-important airlink with the rest of the country. IA and Jet fly regularly from Kolkata and Delhi.

Airport
The newly renovated Gopinath Bordoloi Airport (25 km) at Guwahati has better facilities including a booking counter for helicopter services to Shillong. Taxi transfers to Shillong (4 hrs) cost around Rs 600.
The Umroi Airport (30 km) near Shillong is served by regular helicopter services from Guwahati (30 mins).

Heli fares from Guwahati to Shillong
Rs 725 for a one-way trip from Guwahati.

RAIL
Guwahati (104 km), the headquarters of the Northeast Frontier Railway, is the nearest railhead. A Rajdhani connects it with Delhi, the Kamrup Express links Kolkata and the Dadar Express plies from Mumbai. Meghalaya Transport Corporation (MTC) buses run in co-ordination with the train arrivals and departures at the Guwahati station. However, the last bus for Shillong leaves around 5 pm. You can also hire a share-taxi (Rs 150 per person)for the 4-hour journey from the station area.

Railway station
With a host of user-friendly features like snack bars, tourist information counters and even a chemist shop, Guwahati Railway Station is conveniently located near the Paltaan Bazaar Bus Stand. There is also a railway extension counter at the MTC Terminus in Shillong.

ROAD
Frequent buses, both government and private, and tourist taxis ply on the all- weather NH 37 connecting Shillong with Guwahati. NH 44 links Shillong with Silchar (Assam), Aizawl (Mizoram) and Agartala (Tripura).

Bus stand
Leaving from the Paltaan Bazaar Bus Stand in Guwahati, buses pull up at the MTC Bus Stand near Police Bazaar in Shillong. Meghalaya Tourism Development Corporation Information Centre is conveniently located at the bus stand itself.

CLIMATE
Moderate for best part of the year with summer temperatures varying from 15°C to 24°C and winters from 4°C to 16°C.

STD CODE
0364

Area
22,429 sq km

Population
2 million

Ward s Lake
During the heyday of the Raj it was the lake that lent character to the thriving European settlement coming up all around. Now, it s the Raj Bhavan that dominates the scene. With tiny islands and a footbridge over it, this horseshoe-shaped lake now attracts visitors who come here to feed the fish, stroll along the undulating greens, go boating and or even to have a bite at the cafeteria. A quiet place to spend a lazy afternoon.

Crinoline Falls
Dense foliage hides the swimming pool near the Lady Hydari Park, at the place where the waters of the Crinoline Falls plunge down. With orchids and bonsai plants in full bloom on its paved banks, and water lilies floating in a rock pool at the entrance, it resembles something of a tiny tropical paradise. For a swim in the pool, you have to carry a medical certificate and pay a Re 1 membership fee to The Shillong Swimming Club and Health Resort. Swimming lessons at reasonable rates and ladies-only services are also available. For those who prefer to remain dry, the pool is still worth a visit.

Beadon and Bishop s Falls
Off the Guwahati Road, towards the north of the city (3 km), you will come across these two streams gushing down the dark, wooded valleys. It makes for a somewhat sinister setting on days when the mountain mists rising up the valley envelop the area in a dirty grey.

On a diversion from the Cherrapunjee Road lie the Elephant Falls (12 km) that drop down the mountainside in two long steps. Wooden stairs and bridges leading across the falls and down to the lowest pool, offer a wonderful fish-eye-view of the wilderness.

Butterfly Museum
To the north of Police Bazaar, on Jaiaw Road, stands this one-of-a-kind museum run by Wankhar and Co. They have been breeding and supplying butterflies to conservation organisations all over the world for 40 years now, and also on display is a rare collection of their mounted cousins. Not to be missed.
Timings: Open from Monday to Friday 10 am to 4:30 pm and Saturday 10:30 am to 1 pm. Entry fee: Rs 5

Bara Bazaar (Iewduh Market)
This bazaar in the heart of the city is all that remains of the old market town of Shillong. Arguably the largest of its kind in the whole of the North-East, small time local merchants descend here on Iewduh, the first day of the eight-day Khasi week, trading in everything from live chickens to bows and arrows. The array of exotic spices on sale, however, takes the cake. While a colourful pandemonium reigns supreme in the marketplace, you can always relax with some exotic local dish in the quiet corner of a nearby dhaba.

Meghalaya State Museum
Located in the State Central Library building, it is more of a visitor s guide to Meghalaya than a museum in the proper sense of the term. However, with exhibits that include local handicrafts, handlooms, jewellery, coins and weapons, it definitely makes for a good visit. Don t miss the interesting section on local flora and fauna. Timings: Daily from 10 am to 4 pm, except Sundays. Entry free.

Shillong Peak
Traditionally believed to be the abode of gods, this 1,960 m high peak in the Khasi Hills (10 km) has lent its name to the town. At sundown, drive up the serpentine road that winds up the hillside to get a fabulous view from the top.

Umiam Lake (16 km)
Locally known as Barapani, it is set against a beautiful valley flanked by wooded mountain slopes. Apart from being a popular picnic spot it is also an angler s paradise. MTDC plans to develop the place into a modern water sports complex are also on the anvil.

Cherrapunjee (54 km)
It is the rain, or too much of it (averaging 1,150 cm a year), that put this otherwise insignificant place on the tourist map, but you do get a glimpse of the lemon coloured sunshine on the wet greens once in a while. Peep into the ancient Khasi church or sniff the aroma of freshly picked bay leaves by the roadside, but don t bypass the place at any cost. Some of the most beautiful waterfalls in the northeast ? the Nohsngithiang (Mawsmai), the Dainthlen and the Nohkailikai Falls ? also lie within short distances of Cherrapunjee.

Mawsynram (55 km)
Until recently, the wettest place on the earth, having exceeded nearby Cherrapunjee, it is also famous for an unusual cave formation. The huge stalagmite block, rising from its base like a Shivlingam with water dripping on it from an over hanging stalactite, surely makes for an awe-inspiring sight.

Jakrem (64 km)
A popular health resort with hot sulphur springs that are believed to possess healing qualities

Mounted butterflies and black mushrooms, orange honey and handwoven shawls, and bamboo handicrafts ? now, how many places in India will offer such exotic bounty for the avid shopper! Skim through the colourful stalls at Bara Bazaar and GS Road, Police Bazaar and Jail Road, and you could fish out stuff you ve so far only envied on the walls of your rich neighbour s house.

For the less adventurous, there is the standard state emporia fare at Purbashree (near the Meghalaya Tourism Office), Tantuja (West Bengal Government Emporium), Assam Emporium, Nagaland and Meghalaya Handloom and Handicrafts, and Khadi Gram Udyog. Bara Bazaar comes alive on Iewduh, the first day of the eight-day Khasi week, with local saleswomen pouring in from the neighbouring villages ? so watch out for a steal!