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Fancy a holiday away from people for a change? A place where nobody is there to interrupt your thoughts, not even hordes of tourists? If you want that for yourself then a trek through the Laitlum Canyon in Shillong is the perfect choice for you.
Situated at the edge of a cliff, this canyon offers a unique glimpse of the beauty of Shillong from a bird’s eye perspective that you will enjoy. Much like the lakes of Meghalaya, the Laitlum Canyon is one of the best lakes of India which reminds one of the Scottish Highlands for their ethereal beauty. Situated in the Smit Valley, this canyon is almost always shrouded in fog which adds to the mystery and sublime beauty of this place.
The Laitlum Canyon is open for visits throughout the year. But if you are not a seasoned trekker, it’s advisable to not undertake the hike during the monsoon season as the heavy rainfall makes for a perilous climb. You must take extra care to look out for the slippery steps at the summit. However, you should make sure that you reach the summit or the adjoining village well before 5 PM since it is dangerous to be out on the trails after that time.
The last motorable point before the canyons is about 23 km away from the city of Shillong. The route goes through the MDR32, NH44, Jongsha Mawkinrew Road and Unmed Road till its end. The end of Unmed Road is the last motorable point. From here, one has to hike for about two hours to reach the summit.
The term Laitlum literally translates to ‘end of hills’ and does poetic justice to its name. The hills on which the canyon lies, end right here, leaving a jaw dropping drop over the edge which presents an exhilaration and dangerous trekking experience. The dangerous positioning of the canyon makes it all the more alluring as a destination.
The picturesque valley presents a scene of never ending lush green forests along with vibrant meadows of brown and green, characteristic of the mountainous terrain. The breathtaking 360 degree view is a characteristic of the Greek and Roman amphitheaters back in the day. The sprawling greenery and the surrounding mountains give you a feeling what it was like inside those humungous amphitheaters of old days (if you were not a slave or a gladiator fighting for your life). Apart from the tricky ridges and perilous terrains, everything the canyon has to present is a pure gem for your reminiscence in the future. This valley is one of the foremost sunset points in Shillong.
All treks are beautiful, passing through amazing natural terrains and presenting beautiful views all round. They make for the single best adventure yet discovered by mankind. Same goes for the trek to Laitlum Canyon. The short trek passes through some of the most rigorous terrains that Meghalaya has on offer. But it also shows some of the most amazing landscapes ever in India. Trekking in Shillong doesn’t get any better than this.
Whenever you hear this phrase all you can imagine is an adventure junkie going from place to place and doing some daring stunts, the thought of which itself is frightening. However, this time, we are not going for the metaphorical meaning. We mean the subsect of the Khasi tribe settled here who literally live on the edge of the cliff. With a steep drop on the side, they carry out farming, build houses and sustain their lives on the very edges of the same cliffs which would make some people’s minds numb with vertigo. The mist shrouded edges appear to be the edge of the world as the dense fog at times obstructs everything else. This has to be one of the best hilltop viewpoints of Shillong
Remember how in your childhood whenever you were asked to draw a river or stream it’d be flanked by hills on both sides as the stream flowed a meandering course? Well the Laitlum River looks as if someone picked it right out of a child’s drawing and placed it there for the world to enjoy. The stream has a quaint wooden bridge which allows you to stand on it and be spellbound by the sheer magnificence of the view which engulfs you.
The steep climb to the top is rewarded with a view of the beautiful Rosong village which has a measly total of 300 villagers. The village uses the age old pulley system for the ropeway which they use to bring up the essentials like fruits, vegetables etc. The excess crops are supplied downhill through this same pulley system. It’s the single most important means of communication that this village has with the outside world.
As cryptic as it sounds, 3000 is the number of stairs between the nearest market and the village of Rosong. The exhausting climb to the village is going to take you through lush green meadows, verdant bamboo plantations, colourful bursts of orchids and what not. The point is, never for once throughout the climb will you regret the decision to take the stairway. And the ideal tune to listen to during this climb? Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin (just kidding!).
The quaint sleepy hamlet atop the misty hills resembles a land straight out of a kid’s storybook where nothing could go wrong. The scenery, greenery and above all the hardworking, polite and humble people of the village are everything that you need to have a great vacation. Moreover, these people are some of the most gracious hosts you will ever come across. So go pack your bags and start climbing the stairway to heaven while enjoying the beauty of nature along the way.
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April 15, 2024 
