This is a travel newsletter where every week I help you discover two offbeat weekend getaways across India. So, you can escape the crowds and create unforgettable experiences.

Whenever we think about spending a lovely weekend, our minds usually go straight to places like Manali, Kasol, Gokarna, or Ooty.

But how about I show you some crowd-free alternatives instead, so you can truly relax and enjoy? 🙂

I’m a Bengali, and Bengal has given us so many great writers. One of them is Hemendra Kumar Roy.

He wrote a lot of amazing stories and novels, but there’s one that really changed the way Bengalis see their lives, Jokher Dhon. Tagore had already written Guptodhon, so the idea of a hidden treasure was already in our minds.

While reading Jokher Dhon, I came across the name of a place in Meghalaya, the Khasi Hills.

And today, we’re talking about the whistling village of India, Kongthong, a beautiful village in the East Khasi Hills.

Before I even tell you why it’s offbeat, let me tell you why it’s known as the whistling village. The people of Kongthon use unique, melodic tunes as their names for communication. It is known as "Jingrwai Iawbei" in the local Khasi language, which translates to “the song of the clan’s first woman” or “ancestral mother’s song”. It is a tradition that has been preserved for centuries due to the community's pride in its heritage. How fascinating, no?

Kongthong is offbeat because it is a remote and less-visited village, far from the main tourist areas of Meghalaya. It is not well connected by roads and doesn’t have many tourist facilities, so only a few people go there.

To save time and make the most of the weekend, start your journey on Friday night. Leave Shillong around 9 or 10 pm and drive towards Kongthong. It is better to hire a car or SUV as the roads are narrow and hilly. Keep water, snacks, and a flashlight for the night drive. Reach a nearby town or roadside resting point for a short break if needed, and continue early Saturday morning.

Arrive in Kongthong by early morning.

Check into a local homestay.

Enjoy a traditional Khasi breakfast: rice, dal, vegetables, and chicken curry or fried fish.

Afternoon:

Explore the village and learn about the unique whistling tradition, where each resident has a melody instead of a name.

Visit the living root bridge near the village, a remarkable natural structure formed by intertwining tree roots.

Take a walk through the village's paddy fields and bamboo groves, experiencing the serene rural life.

Evening:

Engage with the locals, listen to their stories, and perhaps learn a few traditional tunes.

Have dinner at your homestay, featuring local dishes like rice, dal, chicken curry, or fish.

Night:

Rest early to rejuvenate for the next day's adventures.

Morning:

After breakfast, go for a short trek to nearby spots:

Mawkdok Valley: Known for its views and greenery.

Nohkalikai Falls: The tallest plunge waterfall in India.

Nongriat Village: Famous for its double-decker living root bridge.

Afternoon:

Return to your homestay for lunch.

Pack your belongings and prepare for the journey back to Shillong.

Evening:

Depart from Kongthong and reach Shillong by evening.

Optionally, have dinner at a local restaurant in Shillong, such as in Police Bazar or Laitumkhrah, where you’ll get a variety of cuisines.

Check this video by Khan.isa→ link

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I hope I sorted out your plan for this weekend.

Thanks for reading.

Well, do let me know if you'd like me to find any particular state’s offbeat weekend travel spots.

I’ll see you on Sunday with another great spot.

See ya till then,

Anirban ‘helping you travel to Kongthong’ Das.