Searching for Paradise: Tejeswi's Thrillophilia Review of a North-East Trip
Nishant and I had been planning to explore the Northeast for a while, and when we finally decided to make it happen, I started searching for travel companies that could offer us a unique experience. That’s when I found Thrillophilia. Their itineraries felt perfectly tailored to adventure and nature lovers like us.
The customer reviews were full of positive experiences, which made me feel confident about booking through them. I found their booking platform to be very user-friendly, and before we knew it - we were ready to kick off our adventure.
Whispers of Shillong
We’d been talking about it for months, and it was finally happening. I felt a mix of excitement and curiosity as we made our way from Guwahati to Shillong. I could already tell this was going to be a memorable journey. The drive from Guwahati to Shillong was unbelievably scenic, and we had a great time admiring the lush green hills along the way. But the highlight of the drive was stopping by Umiam Lake.
As we approached the lake, the sight of the dazzling waters surrounded by misty hills took my breath away. Nishant and I spent a good half-hour just soaking it all in, taking pictures, and talking about how peaceful it felt.
“Can you believe this is just the beginning of our trip?” Nishant said, his eyes wide with amazement.
“I know, right? It’s so dreamy!" I replied, already falling in love with the place.
We finally reached Shillong, and after checking in, we decided to explore the town a little. We went to Phan Nonglait Park, a lovely place to unwind, with its gardens and trails, and then wandered around the Rhino Heritage Museum. It wasn’t huge, but it gave us a good sense of the area’s wildlife and culture. Nishant jokingly asked, “Do you think we could spot a rhino on our way back?”
I laughed, replying, “If we do, I’ll be the first one to scream and run away!”
It was a relaxed evening, and we just enjoyed each other’s company, taking it slow.
From Falls to Caves
The next day, we were off to Cherrapunji. We started with the majestic Elephant Falls. Honestly, it was way more beautiful than how we had imagined it to be. The falls, cascading in three different steps, looked like something straight out of a nature documentary. The sound of the water splashing down into the pools was soothing, and I couldn’t stop clicking pictures. Meanwhile, Nishant came up with the perfect caption for an Instagram post: “Me trying to keep up with life, and life just keeps cascading ahead.”
I rolled my eyes but couldn’t stop laughing. We spent some time there, and I felt like I was in another world. Nature’s beauty was just all around us, and everything seemed so untouched.
After that, we went on a sightseeing tour of Cherrapunji, visiting the Mawsmai and Arwah Caves. Now, I’ve been to a few caves before, but these were something else. The Mawsmai Caves were especially fascinating with their winding paths and dark corners. Nishant was having a great time exploring, but I was just a little too cautious with the slippery floors.
“This place is like something from an adventure movie!” Nishant exclaimed, climbing onto a large rock to get a better view.
“Yeah, if the movie was called ‘How Not to Fall in a Cave,’” I quipped back, watching my step.
The whole day felt surreal. We were constantly surrounded by stunning natural wonders. When we reached the hotel for a check-in, I remember asking Nishant, “How can tomorrow top this?”
From Root Bridges to Glass-like Rivers
The next day was all about trekking. The Nongriat Trek to the Double Decker Root Bridge was something I’d read about for a while. The trek itself was no joke - 3,500 steps! But the journey through the thick forest, the fresh air, and the fantastic views of the hills were worth every step.
When we finally reached the Double Decker Root Bridge, it felt like we had stumbled upon a hidden gem. The ancient roots of trees, intertwined to form a natural bridge, were beyond words.
“This is amazing! I’m so glad we did this,” Nishant said, as we stood on the bridge, taking in the view.
“I’m just glad we made it without collapsing!” I joked, trying to catch my breath. The hike had been tough, but every second of it was worth it.
After the trek, we headed to Mawlynnong, and let me tell you – that place is as clean as they say. It was almost unbelievable how tidy everything was! We walked around, taking in the village’s simplicity and beauty, and then went for the trek to the Single Decker Living Root Bridge in Riwai village. This one was slightly less intense but still beautiful and unique.
Later, we headed to Dawki and witnessed the Umngot River, which I had heard so much about. The water was so clear, you could see straight through to the bottom. Nishant and I took a small boat ride, and I swear, I felt like I was floating on glass.
As we made our way back to Shillong, I couldn't help but reflect on the sheer beauty of Meghalaya. The landscapes, treks, and crystal-clear rivers felt so pure, untouched by time. Every moment of this journey, from the cascading waterfalls to the beautiful root bridges, will forever be etched in my memory.
Thanks to Thrillophilia, I’ll cherish these memories forever, especially with the perfect support from Ankit and Riya, who made everything so effortless and enjoyable.
Read More: Thrillophilia North East Reviews