Garo hills known for its abundance of flora and fauna should interest naturalists and photographers to capture the variegated facets of life, of a unique range of flora and fauna.
Two mountain ranges, the Arabella range and the Tura range, pass through the Garo hills, the headquarters; town of Tura is situated 323-km via Guwahati from Shillong at an altitude of 657m. The highest point is Nokrek Peak with an elevation of 1,412m.
HOW TO REACH
By Road:-
Busses both Government and Private and Taxis ply regularly from Shillong and Guwahati , and most parts of the Garo hills are negotiable through day-trips from Shillong. Conducted tours are available through M.T.D.C. as well as private operators, between Shillong and Tura.
By Air:-
Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, located in Guwahati is the nearest International Airport from East Garo Hills,
roughly 3 hour drive from the district. It is connected with the major cities like Delhi, Imphal, Kolkata, Agartala, Aizawl, Dibrugarh, Lilabari, Silchar,
Dimapur, Jorhat and Mumbai.
WHAT TO SEE
Tura:-
Tura has a picturesque landscape of hills against a backdrop of low-lying plains. A sunset view can be best seen from Tura Peak at 1,400m and its summit can be reached by a 5-km trek, partly by hiking and also by rock-climbing.
Siju Cave:-
Located on the cliff overhanging the right bank of the Simsang River in south Garo Hills district, the cave is locally known as Dobakhol or the cave of bats. The cave consists of innumerable internal chambers and labyrinths, which have not yet been fully explored. The depth of the cave is yet to be fathomed. The cave is totally dark with a perennial stream flowing out of it, which abounds with different forms of aquatic life. The formation of stalagmites and stalactites in these caves resemble those of blue grotto in the isle of Capri.
Siju Bird Sanctuary:-
Just across the Siju Cave on the other side of simsang river in the south garo hills- where you can spot many rare and protected wild birds-during winter some migrating birds have been visiting this places, which will be an added attraction to wild life lovers.
Nokrek:-
Garo Hills, MeghalayaThe highest point of the Garo Hills region of the state is the Nokrek Peak. A virgin canopy of thick, tall and lush green forests cover Nokrek and its environs. The Nokrek National Park has been established at Nokrek and it abounds in various wildlife including herds of wild elephants, rare varieties of birds and pheasants, beside rare orchids.
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Imilchang Dare:-
It is a waterfall of immense visual beauty. The deep green environs full of large ferns, tall creepers and elegant climbers complete the desired effect, making Imilchang Dare a memorable sight. The deep wide pool at the bottom of the falls with its wide and expansive surrounding make it an exciting natural swimming pool, full of fish of varied size and colour, besides being an ideal picnic spot.
Williamnagar:-
Headquarter of East Garo Hills district encircled by the Simsang River – has been named after the 1st chief minister of Meghalaya Captain Williamson A. Sangma.
Bhaitbari:-
Located on the western frontier of the state, Bhaitbari is a small village of West Garo Hills district. The site is renowned for the archaeological finds having been uncovered after protracted ‘excavations’ on the area. The finds are of artifacts, which reveal the existence of planned places of worship. The Bhaitbari excavations are certainly of immense historical and anthropological interest and importance.
Rongbang Dare:-
This sprightly fall though perennial, is at its best during the monsoon months. It presents motorists deriving from Asanangre towards Willaimnagar, a romantic visual of lasting satisfaction. Clustered on either side by vast evergreen hills of Bamboo, the falls itself appears to be on the sway, leaving the viewer with memories of ecstatic joy.
Chibragre:-
Meaning confluence of 2 rivers is just 25 minutes drive from Tura, a veritable picnic spot with its lush green surrounding and breath taking beauty. The traditional hanging bamboo cane bridge suspended over the Ganol River from bank to bank lures many picnickers to try this swinging bridge.
Rongdang Falls:-
Just above the famous Siju Cave in the midst of green thick jungle one can see a beautiful waterfall cascading down.
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SHOPPING:-
The most popular of these are Rongbang Dare in Tura and The Lounge Bar in Guwahati.
FOOD:-
The staple cereal food is rice. They also eat millet, maize, tapioca etc. Garos are very liberal in their food habits. They rear goats, pigs, fowls, ducks etc. and relish their meat. They also eat other wild animal like deer, bison, wild pigs etc. Fish, prawns, crabs, eels and dry fish also are a part of their food. Their jhum fields and the forests provide them with a number of vegetables and root for their curry but bamboo shoots are esteemed as a delicacy. They use a kind of potash in curries, which they obtained by burning dry pieces of plaintain stems or young bamboos locally known as Kalchi or Katchi.