From Anxiety to Adventure: My First Solo Trip to Meghalaya Changed Everything

“Are you sure it’s safe?”

That’s the first thing my mother said when I told her I’d booked a solo trip to Meghalaya, a state I could barely place on the map a month ago. Located in northeast India, Meghalaya is often called “the abode of clouds,” and trust me—it lived up to that name in more ways than one.

This story isn’t just about breathtaking waterfalls or forest treks. It’s about how a quiet girl from Pune, terrified of flying alone, found strength, stories, and strangers who felt like old friends.

How It All Began

It started with burnout.

After months of working overtime in a marketing agency, I felt hollow. My energy was drained, my creativity was gone, and I dreaded waking up. One evening, a YouTube recommendation changed everything—a drone video of Cherrapunji after the monsoon. Green hills, misty cliffs, waterfalls gushing like veins of the earth. I felt something stir.

I booked my flight the next day.

Day 1: Arrival in Shillong – A City That Breathes Music

Flying into Shillong Airport was like landing in a valley carved by clouds. The air felt different—cleaner, softer.

I stayed at a homestay near Police Bazaar, the city center. My host, Aunty Elina, greeted me with homemade tungrymbai and a warm smile. That night, I strolled the streets alone for the first time in my life. A group of local musicians played blues on the sidewalk. I sat for an hour, no phone, no plans—just me and music.

That’s when I stopped being scared.

Day 3: Living Root Bridges and My First Panic Attack

The trek to Nongriat, home to the double-decker living root bridge, is no joke—3,000 steps one way. Somewhere around step 800, I almost gave up. My legs shook, the humidity drenched me, and my backpack felt heavier with every breath.

But a local boy, maybe 10 years old, saw me struggling. “Slowly-slowly,” he said with a toothy grin. He walked beside me for a while, humming a Khasi tune. His presence calmed me.

By the time I reached the bridge, drenched in sweat and tears, I cried for a different reason: I had made it.

Day 5: Dawki – The River That Reflects Your Soul

If you Google Dawki River, you’ll see photos of boats floating on crystal-clear water. It’s no camera trick. I took a solo boat ride, and for the first time in years, I felt still. The kind of stillness that heals.

I didn’t post anything on Instagram that day. I just sat, feet in the water, watching the pebbles below shimmer like stories waiting to be told.

The Lesson I Didn’t Know I Needed

People often ask me, “Weren’t you lonely?”

Here’s the truth: I was never alone.

I met a woman from Mumbai traveling post-divorce, an artist from Nagaland sketching waterfalls, and a retired army officer rediscovering the country on his Bullet. We were all on our own journeys but walked side by side.

Meghalaya Travel Tips for Solo Travelers

If you’re thinking of visiting, here are some practical tips from my own experience:

• Best time to visit Meghalaya: October to April (avoid peak monsoons unless you love rain)

• Must-visit places: Cherrapunji, Mawlynnong (Asia’s cleanest village), Dawki, Shillong Peak, Nohkalikai Falls

• Transport: Shared Sumos or hire local taxis; public transport is limited

• Safety: Extremely safe, even for solo women travelers

• Food to try: Jadoh, Dohneiiong, Tungrymbai, and local pineapples (they’re divine!)

Why You Should Travel Alone—At Least Once

This trip wasn’t just a break. It was a reset. I came back with more than souvenirs—I came back with courage, clarity, and connections I never imagined possible.

Solo travel isn’t about being alone. It’s about finding yourself in places where no one knows your name but everyone welcomes your story.

Final Thoughts

If you’re waiting for a sign to take that solo trip, let this be it. Meghalaya taught me that adventure begins where your comfort zone ends—and that sometimes, the best journeys start with fear.

Let the clouds take you.