Chasing Clouds: Meghalaya Cycling Tour Documentary
The full film from the Meghalaya tour, shot across the Khasi hills in the monsoon.
India · the Khasi and Jaintia hills
Meghalaya Cycling Tour
Bike, clouds, adventure: Meghalaya Calling
- Days
- 7
- Distance
- 271
km - Climbing
- 5,261
m - Group
- 8–15
- Grade
- Advanced
Dates to be announced
Advanced
The ride
About this tour
Our journey through Meghalaya began in 2022 with the inaugural edition of “Chasing Clouds,” an experience that left a mark on many of the riders, ranking it as their most scenic bike tour to date.
Yet, we believe what sets Meghalaya apart extends beyond its breathtaking landscapes. And much of it is about the fact that outside the touristy towns of Shillong and Cherrapunji, Meghalaya remains quite untouched. As you venture out of the town, your linguistic skills will be challenged unless you speak Khasi. The street-side eateries serve simple rice and curry, along with tea. Young men start their day with Jadoh, an equivalent of pulao made with short-grain red rice called joha rice. Local Khasi women are seen wearing Jainsen, a traditional robe. A cycling adventure in Meghalaya is truly adventurous, with unrivalled scenery and extraordinary cultural experience.
However, to truly grasp the essence of Meghalaya, one must venture beyond cycling alone. Root bridges, cascading waterfalls, and mysterious caves are integral to its allure, yet often overlooked on traditional cycling holidays. Hence, we’ve crafted a tour that blends cycling with leisurely hikes, ensuring you uncover every facet of Meghalaya’s charm.
Please note that while the majority of the roads on our route are suitable for road bikes, certain sections may pose challenges due to rough terrain. Therefore, we recommend using a gravel bike or a road/hybrid bike equipped with tyres wider than 35c. This will ensure a smoother and more comfortable ride throughout the journey.
The shape of the week
271 km
5,261 m up
Each bar is one day's climbing.
Metres climbed
2,000
1,500
1,000
500
0
- Arrive
- 840m 840m
- 1,539m 1,539m
- Rest
- 1,732m 1,732m
- 1,150m 1,150m
- Depart
- D1 — —
- D2 53 km 53 km
- D3 98 km 98 km
- D4 — —
- D5 70 km 70 km
- D6 50 km 50 km
- D7 — —
Highlights
What you'll
remember
01
Explore Cherrapunji, the rain capital of the world, and its surrounding Khasi hills on the bike.
02
Trek to living root bridges. These are simple suspension bridges formed by the roots of rubber fig trees across a stream or river.
03
Ride out and explore some stunning waterfalls around Cherrapunji. Jump into crystal clear water of naturally formed pools.
Day by day
The itinerary
Day 1 Arrival at Guwahati, Transfer to Cherrapunji No riding
- Distance
- —
- Climbing
- —
- Night stay
- Sai Mika Resort
- Meals
- Dinner
The day
Cherrapunji, the “Rain Capital of the World,” is a lush paradise in the Khasi Hills of Meghalaya. Known for its stunning waterfalls and vibrant landscapes, it’s perfect for cycling enthusiasts.
Destination
You will be greeted at the Guwahati Airport and swiftly transported to Cherrapunji, a scenic 4.5-hour drive away. The initial stretch of the journey unfolds over level terrain until we cross into Meghalaya, where the landscape transforms into rolling hills. By late evening, we arrive at Cherrapunji, our home base for the upcoming days, as we explore the surrounding Khasi hills on foot and bicycle.
Highlights
- Arrive at Guwahati, take the transfer to our resort at Cherrapunji
- Meet and greet your fellow riders
- Set up your bikes and prepare for the adventure ahead
Day 2 Waterfall Ride 53 km840 m
- Distance
- 53 km
- Climbing
- 840 m
- Night stay
- Sai Mika Resort
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The day
Nestled in the untouched hills of Sohra, our resort spans 69 acres of pristine land. Early risers can join our guide for a casual walk through nearby streams and waterfalls.
Later, we’ll hop on our bikes and head to one of the region’s popular waterfalls. After parking our bikes, a short trek will bring us to the waterfall, where we can spend some time exploring before returning to the resort for lunch.
Back at the resort, you’ll have free time to relax and enjoy at your leisure. Gather with us over some local red tea, as our guide shares intriguing stories about Khasi culture and traditions. It’s a relaxed opportunity to delve into the rich heritage of the region and gain insights into its unique way of life.
Highlights
- Explore the pristine hills and waterfalls of Sohra with a guided morning walk through serene streams and natural beauty
- Embark on a picturesque ride through misty valleys with winding roads and stunning panoramic views of the valley along the way
- Stop at a local waterfall, where you can take a refreshing dip amidst scenic surroundings
Day 3 Laitlum Loop 98 km1,539 m
- Distance
- 98 km
- Climbing
- 1,539 m
- Night stay
- Sai Mika Resort
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The day
The Laitlum Loop takes us on a scenic hour-long journey towards Shillong, where we turn onto a charming country road leading to Laitlum, meaning ‘end of hills’. Enjoy breathtaking valley views as we pass through quaint villages, hillocks, and valleys. Upon arrival, we’ll explore on foot before returning via a different route to Cherrapunji.
Highlights
- Traverse a picturesque country road towards Laitlum, passing through quaint villages, hillocks, and lush valleys
- Wander through Laitlum on foot, immersing yourself in its serene atmosphere amidst stunning natural beauty
- Pause for an authentic Khasi-style thali at a local spot, savoring traditional dishes that highlight the region’s flavors
Day 4 Hike to Root Bridges and more No riding
- Distance
- —
- Climbing
- —
- Night stay
- Sai Mika Resort
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The day
Ever heard of growing a bridge? In Meghalaya, the indigenous people have mastered this art with living root bridges, where rubber fig tree roots are trained over decades to form sturdy natural bridges. To the extent that some of the living root bridges in Meghalaya, particularly those in the Khasi and Jaintia hills, have been recognized by UNESCO as a part of the cultural landscape.
Today, we take a break from cycling to trek to these remote wonders, exploring their rich history and natural beauty firsthand!
Highlights
- Begin your day with a relaxed hillside breakfast buffet before embarking on a memorable trek to Meghalaya’s living root bridges
- Trek to lesser-known living root bridges, witnessing nature’s marvels and local craftsmanship away from the mainstream tourist crowds
- Indulge in a delightful lunch at a favorite local spot, renowned for its unexpected culinary excellence despite its remote setting
Day 5 Wild Butterflies 70 km1,732 m
- Distance
- 70 km
- Climbing
- 1,732 m
- Night stay
- Sai Mika Resort
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The day
This is possibly the most scenic route of the tour, completely away from any tourism activity. Without a doubt, our favourite. This will give you a glimpse of what Meghalaya must have been like decades back before the tourism boom started.
While doing the recce, we were fascinated by butterflies of varied colours and types, which you will notice during the climb. Hence the route name ‘Wild Butterflies’. The road surface is beautiful except for 3.5 km right after the first snack station. And yes, if it’s clear, you will see the plains of Bangladesh as you ride down the hills.
We end the ride at a family house for a simple home-cooked meal. Post lunch we’ll wind down our cycling adventure with a leisurely bus ride back to the resort.
Highlights
- Experience Meghalaya as it was decades ago, away from tourist activities, in what is considered the tour’s most scenic route
- Navigate through dense rainforests and fluttering herds of butterflies on a challenging 30 km continuous climb
- Marvel at stunning vistas of the Banglad
Day 6 Thangkharang Park Loop + Mawsmai caves 50 km1,150 m
- Distance
- 50 km
- Climbing
- 1,150 m
- Night stay
- Sai Mika Resort
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The day
Today, we venture along a different route, offering a mix of exciting descents and serene vistas. As we zip down past the high cliffs on one side, on the other side we have breathtaking views of distant mountains. These mountains and sprinkled with multiple waterfalls. The long downhill soon ends, as we gradually start climbing through the forest canopy. After a therapeutic ride, we head back to our resort for lunch.
Early evening, we have the option to visit the Mawsamai cave. Meghalaya is home to some beautiful caves including Krem Liat Prah, a 31 km long and the longest sandstone cave in the world. Mawsamai caves just give you a glimpse into the world of caving.
Highlights
- Enjoy exhilarating descents alongside breathtaking vistas of distant mountains and cascading waterfalls
- Visit Mawsmai Cave to explore Meghalaya’s unique cave systems and natural wonders
- End the day with a resort bonfire and barbecue, perfect for sharing stories and reminiscing about our memorable Meghalaya adventure
Day 7 Check Out No riding
- Distance
- —
- Climbing
- —
- Night stay
- —
- Meals
- —
The day
The tour officially ends post breakfast, after which we will drop you back at Guwahati airport. In case you would like to stay over an additional day at the resort, please let us know.
Dates & pricing
Dates to be announced
Meghalaya: Chasing Clouds
Pricing for this tour is confirmed when dates are announced. Tell us you're interested and we'll come back to you first.
·
No dates on sale at the moment. This tour has run before and will run again; tell us you're interested and you'll hear first.
The detail
What's included
Included
- Accommodation for 6 nights
- 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 6 dinners
- Curated cycling routes
- Support vehicle carrying water and snacks during the ride
- Service of a technician in the support vehicle and during the tour
- Airport pick up and drop off
Not included
- Flights or other form of transportation to Guwahati airport and back
- Bicycles
- Alcohols and other beverages not mentioned above
Before you come
Practical
information
Repairs & safety
Basic spares and tools are carried by the guide and on the support vehicle, though we cannot guarantee having spares for every conceivable problem. Carrying a basic tool kit, a spare tube and a pump while riding is recommended.
Wearing a helmet is required on all our biking adventures and is non negotiable. If you do not wear a helmet you will not be allowed to cycle. Your tour leader is trained in first aid and emergency rescue, but to a large degree you must be responsible for your own safety while riding.
Planning a tour abroad after this one? Here is what an Indian rider needs to know before riding abroad.
Questions
Asked before
you book
If yours isn't here, ask us directly.
Is it suitable for beginners?
Not quite. This is a fairly challenging tour due to the amount of climbing and descending involved. Riders should be comfortable with 60-80 km rides. They also need to be comfortable with climbing and descending. If you’re not there yet, we’re happy to provide training tips to help you get ready.
Are there a lot of climbs?
Yes, we have climbs every day, with day 5 being the hardest.
How are the road conditions?
The roads are generally good, except for some short sections that can be rough (10% of overall ride distance).
What kind of bikes do you recommend?
Road bikes or gravel bikes with 700*32c+ will be ideal.
I am not sure if I can keep up with the group. Can I ride it at my own pace?
Certainly! You can ride at your own pace. Our groups often naturally split into smaller groups based on pace. Just remember, riding too fast means potentially missing out on the breathtaking scenery and cultural highlights along the route. This tour isn’t a race, it’s about enjoying the journey together.
Where do I fly in for the tour?
We will pick you up from Guwahati Airport and transfer you to Cherrapunji, our base for the tour. We drop you back to Guwahati when the tour ends.
Riders
Who has ridden
this one
The rides were very well mapped out, with grand vistas and ever-changing peaceful scenery every day. The routes were impeccably recced, with stop-points for tea and food. Add the perfect support from the crew during the rides and we were well taken care of.
Balaram Krishna
Meghalaya, 2022
Watch
The film
from this tour
Shot on the road, on this route.
No dates yet
Be told first
about Meghalaya
This one does not have dates on sale yet. Leave your name and we will email you when they are confirmed, before they go on the website.
Usually ridden in September
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We will email you when the dates are confirmed, before they go on the website. Nothing else is sent to you.
Usually ridden in September
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Usually ridden in September
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Private groups
Bring your own
group of eight
8 riders or more and we will run Meghalaya on your dates rather than ours, with the week built around what your group actually rides.
Dates
The week that suits you
Not the departures listed above. Tell us roughly when, and we will work back from the season.
Difficulty
Set to your riders
Daily distance and climbing pitched at the group you are actually bringing, not at an average.
Duration
Longer or shorter
The itinerary here runs 7 days. Yours can run longer if you want more of the country, or shorter if the time is what it is.
We scout every route ourselves, so a change to the itinerary is one we plan rather than pass to somebody else. Corporate groups, clubs and friends riding together are all the same job to us.
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Difficulty
What the grades mean
Climbing sets the grade, not distance. Measured per riding day, averaged across the tour, with rest days excluded.
Beginner
- Climbing
- Under 500 m
- Distance
- Varies with the terrain
Flatter terrain with fewer challenging inclines. A more relaxed ride, suitable for those not yet accustomed to frequent climbing.
Intermediate
- Climbing
- 500 – 1,200 m
- Distance
- Usually 48 to 88 km
A mix of flat sections, rolling hills and occasional moderate climbs. A more diverse range of landscapes and challenges through the week.
Advanced
This tour- Climbing
- 1,200 m+
- Distance
- Usually 68 to 99 km
For experienced cyclists after a genuinely demanding week. Steep ascents and descents, and a real test of climbing.
On Meghalaya: Chasing Clouds the average riding day is 68 km with 1,315 m of climbing, across 4 riding days.
Not sure it's for you? Read the full guide or ask us. We will tell you honestly.
Booking
What happens after you pay
PayPal confirms the payment to us straight away, so your place is held the moment it goes through.
You get an email with your booking reference immediately, and we call you within a day to talk through fitness, bike and logistics. There is nothing further for you to send us.
The balance is arranged with you afterwards, on the schedule shown beside the prices. Nothing is taken automatically; every payment is one you make yourself.