Nov 14, 2019 10:17 AM
12761 Views
(Updated Mar 27, 2022 12:24 PM)
I and my wife took IRCTC Magical Meghalaya trip ex Hyderabad from 07 Nov to 12 Nov 2019.I did online booking.Ticket per head cost approximately Rs 33500/.I paid money throgh net banking.Though the amount was deducted from my account, I got a message "Transaction Faied." Talking to IRCTC customer care didn't resolve the issue.I visited IRCTC office in the Oxford Plaza near Secunderabad Watch Tower and learnt that booking has been done.
I kept scanned copies of the Aadhar cards of myself and my wife in my mobile and sent the same to IRCTC representative through Whatsapp. Three days prior to my departure, I got flight tickets and detailed tour programme/brief which I took print outs.We were advised to carry originals of Aadhar cards or any other card with photo and address alongwith six xerox copies.We also took passport size photos four each but didn't use them anywhere.
We went to airport on the appointed day, completed check in and security check on our own.We met other tourists in our group - we were total twenty six - and our tour coordinator from IRCTC, Mr Pavan Kumar in the security lounge.We reached Guwahati by by 1200 and collected our baggage by 1245.We travelled in two mini buses to Shillong and reached Don Bosco Museum, Shillong by about 1645.The museum closes at 1730, hence thehurry to finish seeing it.It is a good museum and the visit is worth it. Then we headed to our hotel Sapphire located in Police Bazar which is the heart of the city.It gets darkkby 5 PM here.Hotel accommodation, service and food arrangement were good.
Next day we visited Elephanta Falls, Nohkalikai Falls at Cherrapunjee and Mawsami lime stone caves.Some people discouraged us saying that at one place the passage was too narrow to pass in the caves. Don't get disheartened.These caves are like Borra caves of Araku, Belum caves of Kurnool or Kutumsar caves of Bastar.By the time we got back to our hotel it was 2000.
Next day we headed for Dawki river where excellent boating experince we got.There is a boatmen union, rates are controlled( Rs 700 for four of us for one hour) and life jackets are to be worn.That is the place you see border with our friendly neighbour Bangladesh. Next we headed for the most unique Living Root Bridge.The path to the bridge is partially road and major portion is stone steps.The descent as well as the ascent are quite demanding but you need to go through it, if you don't want to miss the only one of its kind in the world. Thereafter we went to what is called the Cleanest Village.By that time it was already dark.So, really speaking it was waste of effort.
On the fouth day we checked out and left for Kaziranga.Enroute we saw Ward's Lake and Umium lake. Very clean and beautiful lakes.We couldn't go for boating for want of time.We reached Kaziranga at about 1830 and put up at Bonhabi Resort.There are two types of rides in the sanctuary: Elephant ride and Jeep Safari.Book your Elephant ride on line in advance or you may not get at the booking counter.Most of the Elephant ride tickets are sold by middle men in black.Elephant rides slots are 0530-0630 and 0630-0730.Elephant ride takes you in to the tall grass where you can see Rhinos, Wild Buffaloes, Deer, Wild Elephants and if lucky a tiger( we could't see any).You need to take the help of your resort or hotel manager to organise a vehicle to reach the Safari starting point.Elephant ride is a unique experience.
We took both the Elephant ride as well as the Jeep safari.That was on the fifth day. Sighted many animals and enjoyed to the hilt.After returning to our hotel, we had our breakfast and commenced our journey to Guwahati. Reached the outskirts of the city by around 1700.
Most of the group members were keen to visit the famous Shakti Peeth temple of Kamakhya Devi. We were told that heavy rush of people and darshan takes at least five hours.Special darshan Rs 500 ticket counter was already closed.Some ardent devotees among our group decided to go to the temple and take a chance.We could manage Mukha Darshan as the garbhalay was closed. Yet it gave us immense happiness because we are unlikely to come to this place again.Reached Syggnet Hotel in Paltan bazar by about 1930 for our stay.
Next day, the sixth day, we had breakfast, checked out and headed towards the Brahmaputra river.Some people took bath in the river.We happened to be there at the time of Brahmaputhra Pushkar time( Kumbhmela).Divine coincidence! We visited the Balaji temple and then to airport.back at Hyderabad by 1830 and home by 2030.
This IRCTC tour is a well organised activity.Our tour coordinator Mr Pavan Kumar did his best to make the event a grand success and a memorable one.We are grateful to him for this.
Shopping, we didn't do much.Most of the places which we visited have shops selling the ethnic garments and local made items.
It is a trip woth the money.
