Meghalaya

Meghalaya means 'abode of clouds'. It is a state in India's north-east, formed in 1972 from the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo hills of Assam. The plateau holds some of the wettest places on earth, including Cherrapunji (Sohra) and Mawsynram. Shillong, the capital, is the usual base. It is a colonial hill town with lakes and markets. From there, trips lead to Sohra's waterfalls and caves such as Krem Mawmluh. You can also see the double-decker living root bridge at Nongriat, the clean Umngot river at Dawki, and the village of Mawlynnong. The Khasi and Garo peoples are matrilineal. Their food, festivals and music give the region its character. The best weather is from October to April, with clear skies for views and caving. The monsoon brings dramatic waterfalls, but also landslides and slow roads. Guwahati is the main gateway, around 100 km from Shillong, and most routes can be driven in a few hours. Five days covers the highlights. The Nongriat walk has steep steps, so wear good footwear.