East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya

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/ Meghalaya India
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Caving / Spelunking in East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya, Meghalaya India

Skill level:
Beginners and advanced
Best season:
November to March
Necessary gear:
Provided on spot
Duration:
5 to 6 days
One of the most majestic and extraordinary places in India is Meghalaya state. Located on the northeast side of the country, Meghalaya means "the adobe of clouds" and boasts a panorama of fertile valleys, thick tropical forests, amazing waterfalls, meandering rivers, 250 different species of orchids, an incredible variety of mammals and birds and endless, impressive caves. For the nature and adventure enthusiasts of the world, this is the ultimate destination.

Meghalaya is influenced by the southwest monsoons that start from May and last until October. Receiving one of the heaviest rainfalls in the world, and with an abundance of limestone mountains with elevation that exceeds 3280 ft/1000 m, the area has the ideal conditions for the formation of caves and is home to more than 500 caves with a network that spreads more than 621.3 mi/1000 km.

East Khasi Hills is a hilly district located close to Shillong, in the central part of Meghalaya. As it is part of the Garo-Khasi range, it is bounded on the west by the West Khasi Hills District and on the east by the Jaintia Hills District. Receiving a great amount of rain water, the area is one of the most impressive hill stations in India and is surrounded by dense forests, exotic flowering plants and an array of wildlife, as well as the famous Nohsngithiang falls and many interesting caves.

Some of the major caves in the region include the widely known Krem Mawmluh cave, with a total length of 2.7 mi/4.5 km and five river passages, Krem Dam cave, which is the largest sandstone cave in the country with a large entrance and a stream running through the main passage, having a total length of 0.7 mi/1.2 km, Krem Phyllut cave, with three entrances, two stream passages and many fossils to admire and Krem Soh Shympi cave, with a pothole entrance that goes 65.6 ft/20 m deep and has a wide variety of rock and stalagmite formations at the end of it.

Keep in mind that the caves are not located at the same spot and it is important not to go alone. Many schools use as a base, Shillong town or Cherrapunji hill station, from where they organize guided tours toward the caves, as well as transportation. The caving activities include free hand rock climbing, swimming, crawling through narrow passages, rappelling and endless exploration. Guided tours provide all the necessary gear and make sure your caving adventure will be something you will never forget.

So prepare yourself for a unique adventure and you will witness with your own eyes nature’s true wonders in a place that is considered to be heaven on earth for the cave lovers and adventure seekers!