Lilabari to Shillong Flights

  About Lilabari

Located in the North Lakhimpur district is the small and quaint town of Lilabari. The town is close to the Brahmaputra river and has good connectivity with other cities in Assam. The city also has its own airport.

Best time to visit Lilabari

Thanks to being nestled up at an altitude, Lilabari witnesses cold winters and pleasant summers. Winters in Lilabari are between November to February and see quite extreme cold. Although it doesn't snow in Lilabari, the temperature does drop to below 10 degree Celsius. In fact, the months December and January see quite low temperatures as it ranges between 6 degree Celsius and 10 degree Celsius. Lilabari is not a typical tourist destination as it does not have many places to visit or things to do. However, the quaint weather in the city often attracts many people to come over for solitude and relaxation. The place is usually shut during winters as it doesn't experience a lot of tourists. The hotel prices in Lilabari are not too high as well. In fact, during winters, you might be able to find some cheap hotels in Lilabari. Even the expensive accommodations in Lilabari witness a drop in the prices as tourism is at its low. It becomes easier to book hotels in Lilabari during this time. However, with fewer accommodations open, it is best to book in advance.

Summers are considered to be the best time to visit Lilabari. The temperatures are perfectly balanced during summers in the hill station. The months March to June are when the town witnesses summer. Interestingly, the days in Lilabari are quite hot. Simultaneously, the nights are cold in summers. During summers, the town witnesses a good footfall of tourists. Many do flock over to enjoy the hot and cold days and nights in Lilabari. The hotel prices do see a surge during this time. You might have to make prior hotel bookings in Lilabari to avoid the exorbitant costs. Not to mention how the town has fewer accommodation options available. Hence, before the rooms get occupied, you should make your hotel bookings. While the summers and winters can be perfect for tourism, monsoon should be avoided at all cost. In fact, the floods actually become too difficult and risky for tourists to deal with. The rivers also get flooded as the area is low-lying. Airports and roads also get shut, and it becomes next to impossible to step out for sightseeing.

Places to visit in Lilabari

Lilabari does not have many tourist attractions. The places to visit here are hardly one. The odds of finding something with historical and cultural significance is profoundly low. Towns close to Lilabari such as Jorhat and Dibrugarh have more tourist attractions. However, the city does have the Namdapha National Park. This park is located on the banks of the fierce Brahmaputra river. The park is famously known to house various rare and exotic species of Leopards, elephants, gaur and the famous black beer. Much like the best time to visit Lilabari, which is between October to April, the National Park can also be visited at around these months. The place is gorgeous and has been maintained perfectly well by the park authorities.

Things to do in Lilabari

The best thing about Lilabari is the fact that the exquisite hills and gorgeous greenery make it possible for various activities. You can actually indulge in some of the best adventure sports that do not require any equipment. Trekking is easily the best activity to take up in Lilabari. You can easily find a trekking trail and go exploring. While you are at it, you can further carry your cameras and take up photography. The place is easily the best to capture beauty in its natural habitat. Aside from these, you can also take up rafting by the Ganga and Sela lake. Interestingly, there are some chill rafting activities that do take place in Lilabari. The locals of the area will help you with rafts for rafting. You can also take up boating as another activity in the small town along with fishing. The best way to go about would be to team up boating and fishing. You can easily take the boat to a silent spot and enjoy the serenity of Lilabari while you engage in fishing. A lot of people actually take up this activity in Lilabari as it is the perfect getaway from the noise that big cities have.

Food and Restaurants in Lilabari

Lilabari celebrates Assamese cuisine, much like the rest of the state. From the cooking techniques to the fresh ingredients used to make the dishes, the Assamese way of culinary is interesting and certainly delicious. Much of their dishes have pork and bamboo shoots. However, these are not the only two ingredients that they resort to when they get down to making food. From doi-chira to fish cooked in banana leaf, there are a lot of interesting dishes that you should indulge in. Pitha, especially, is a delicacy that you will find in Bihu, their annual harvest festival. If you do visit Lilabari during winters, you might actually get hold of this luscious delicacy.

No matter what, do not miss the exquisite fish which has been cooked in banana leaf. The meal is actually garnished with fresh chillies, coriander and chopped onions. It is quite amazing. Bengena pitika is also a popular food that you can find in Assamese thali. It is basically a twist to boiled and mashed potatoes. It is mixed and garnished with chillies and coriander. The Assamese also make water snails, also known as pani hamuk. If you are in the mood for some experimenting, you should definitely opt for this dish. They get the freshwater ingredients for the same and are cooked with pumpkin.

Interestingly, Lilabari has some good range of Indian cuisine that you can choose from. At the Rajasthan Hotel and Fast Food, you will find some of the best dishes from the desert state. Their fast food with the classic paos are a big seller. Close to the airport is Hotel Gungun. Here, you can actually find some classic Assamese food such as pani hamuk, dhekia xaak and kol-phool. Pakghar is another food establishment in Lilabari where you can find authentic Assamese cuisine. For a quaint fine dining experience in the little town of Lilabari, Manash Restaurant is the place to visit. Also check out Dokpun restaurant, Dulal hotel, M2 Fast Food N Restaurant, Juti Hotel Cum Restaurant, Heritage Naga Kitchen, to name a few.

How to reach Lilabari (Transportation)

By Air

The Lilabari airport is recognised as one of the most popular and important airports in the North East. Situated in the Lakhimpur district in the North of Assam, the airport sees tremendous tourist action after the Guwahati, Dibrugarh and Silchar Airport. There are two dedicated airlines, namely, Alliance Air and Air Asia, that have regular flights to Lilabari. The flight connectivity to Lilabari is not very strong. You will need to get connecting flights from Guwahati, Delhi and Kolkata airport if you need to reach Lilabari from other metropolitan cities of India. The most popular route to reach Lilabari is from Guwahati airport. The Lilabari airport is touted to be the fourth aviation hub in India, after Allahabad, Hyderabad and Delhi. The airport is only 8 km away from the town of Lilabari. It has been announced that Air Asia will be offering dedicated flights to Lilabari from Delhi. Lilabari airport is also known as North Lakhimpur Airport so you will have to make sure of the name when you start looking for flight deals online to Lilabari. Travelling by air is considered to be the most comfortable way to reach Lilabari.

By Rail

Lilabari has no dedicated airport, and the closest one is in Dibrugarh. There are trains that travel to Dibrugarh from Guwahati. It is advised that you make prior bookings for the train as reserving a seat would be tough. Since not many trains travel to Dibrugarh and Jorhat, the best way to go about it would be to book them before time. Even though it is a cheap option for travelling to Lilabari, it is not the most comfortable mode of transport. Due to the change in modes of transport to reach Lilabari is train and renting a vehicle, train is not a viable option to choose for travelling to the small town.

By Road

After flights, the second-best way to reach Lilabari is via road. The road network that connects Lilabari to the other towns in the state is quite excellent. Hence, it is often chosen by many. There are intercity buses and vehicles that can reach Lilabari from Dibrugarh, Jorhat and other small cities in Assam. In fact, there are services of buses to reach from other cities in the North East such as Aizawl, Dispur and Imphal too. Avoid using roadways as the mode of transport to reach Lilabari during monsoon. The towns in Assam are susceptible to floods and torrential rains. Hence, flight would be ideal.

  About Shillong

The capital of Meghalaya, Shillong, is also called Scotland of the East. Shillong also means The Abode of Clouds and the city complements Nestled between pine trees, the hill station is also home to a lot of waterfalls. Not just waterfalls but you also get a picturesque view of the mountains and lakes in the city. The climate is pleasant throughout the year, which makes any time of the year suitable for you to plan your trip to Shillong. The warm hospitality, the scenic view and the weather will leave you impressed and in awe of them. The city is also popular for hosting a lot of music festivals and giving the country a lot of talented musicians. Shillong is one of the places in the North-East that you must visit. It is one of those hill stations which you can visit throughout the year. The summer is not too hot, but the winter is chilly and perfect. You wouldn't have to worry about your plans as they won't be affected during this season. Not just summers and winters but even monsoons paint a beautiful picture and only makes the hill station look more attractive.

Best Time to Visit Shillong

Even though the weather is quite pleasant throughout the year, September to May is considered to be the ideal time to plan a vacation to Shillong. It does rain slightly, but it doesn't necessarily have to put a damper on your outdoor plans. March to June is summer in Shillong, but the climate is pleasant. It doesn't get too hot, but it does get slightly cold at night. You can book a hotel in Shillong that has a view of the hills and the beautiful sky. You can also opt for a quaint homestay, which is a popular option that people choose when they visit Shillong. Getting around the city is not that difficult, too. The people are quite friendly and will help you with whatever you need.

October to March is when Shillong experiences winter. The hill station also begins its celebration of The Autumn Festival and the Nongrem Dance Festival. It is the ideal time to visit Shillong. You can either take a flight to Shillong or take a train. Since it is also considered to be a peak season, you might get good flight deals with hotel accommodation combos. You can join the celebrations of the locals during their festivals or be a spectator.

Monsoon is from July through September, and it is during these months that the hill station sees heavy rainfall. But the torrential downpour does not really ruin your vacation. Since it is off-season, there are chances you might get cheap flight tickets. In fact, even booking a hotel in Shillong might be less expensive than it is during other seasons. This is also the best season for backpackers and nature lovers to visit. A lot of them take off to Shillong during this time to enjoy the picturesque view of the hill station.

Place to Visit in Shillong

Shillong is a hill station that has a lot of waterfalls amidst the lush green trees. The Elephant Falls is a popular tourist location in Shillong. There is a stone that resembles an elephant at the foot of this waterfall, which is one of the primary reasons why it has been bestowed the said name. The Shillong Peak is 1965 m above sea level and is the highest point in Shillong. The view of the entire city from atop is breathtakingly beautiful. You can even opt for a trek up the hill to capture the best views.

The David Scott Trail is a popular trekking route in Meghalaya. The path was laid by British officer David Scott in the 1800s. Mawlynnong, a village which is 90 km away from Shillong, was declared as the cleanest village in Asia in 2003. It is a very famous tourist site and is also called God's own Garden. This is also one of the best places to take pictures. Jaintia Hills is another place you must visit when you travel to Shillong. You'll find the Krang Suri Falls and the Nartiang Monoliths here. The lovely expanse and scenic beauty of the place will leave you in awe. While you're here, you must also visit the Mawjymbuin Cave in the Mawjymbuin village in Cherrapunji. The cave is like paradise for all geologists or everyone interested in geology. Since it also has religious significance, it attracts pilgrims, too.

Things to do in Shillong

If you are a water baby, visiting all of the famous waterfalls in Shillong is a must. The Spread Eagle Falls, on the outskirts of the city, is a top-rated tourist spot. Nohkalikai Falls of the Sweet Falls, about 8 km from Shillong, is another destination that you must visit. The place looks far more beautiful when it is raining. Shillong's Lewduh Bara Bazaar is a popular place for you to go on a shopping spree. Clothes, shoes, accessories, you'll get everything you need. Don't forget to buy tea that has dried orange peels in it. You can also buy souvenirs that you can take back home from your trip. If you are planning to spend more time in the city, try and learn the language to communicate better with the locals.

You can go boating in the magnificent lakes of Shillong to soak in all the beauty of this hill station. Visit the Butterfly Museum if you have a keen interest in zoology. The museum has a massive collection of different types of butterflies, and some of them are rare species, too. Go on a food crawl and try out the local cuisine of the hill station. Learn more about their lifestyle and cuisine. You will definitely not regret it. All you adventure and nature lovers can opt for several trekking options that are available here. You can either go alone or join a group. You'll find something worth trying even if you decide to go trekking at the last moment.

You can opt for nature camping or even take a trekking tour. You will find a lot of camping and trekking packages, too, in Shillong. You can either book them online or find a local tour guide who can help you with your camping trip. Visit a wildlife sanctuary or go to a Museum to get to know the hill station better. If you are visiting the scintillating hill station during a festival, make sure you try to blend in and celebrate it with the locals. If meeting new people and learning more about the culture is your motive for the trip,

Food and Restaurants in Shillong

Shillong is known for its seafood cuisines, its variety of Momos, Tarumbai and Tungtab. You must also try Kyat, a beverage that is prepared from rice. You will also find restaurants that have Chinese, Tibetan and Indian food in their menu. Cafe Shillong is one of the most popular cafes in Shillong. The delicious shakes and vegetarian momos are the highlights of this place. Ginger is yet another place you will love. It is one of the trendiest restaurants and quite affordable, too.

Head over to Delhi Mishtan Bhandar for some lip-smacking desserts. The lassis, halwas, jalebis and other snacks will leave you satiated. Don't hesitate to try the local street food here. Shillong is also one of the only cities in India where you get alcoholic beverages for the cheapest price. Don't forget to stop by the City Hut Family Dhaba and La Galerie for some delicious Indian and Continental cuisines. You can stop by any one of these restaurants or even try all of them depending on the duration of your stay.

How to reach Shillong

By Air

The Shillong Airport or Umroi Airport, as it is called, is approximately 30 km away from Shillong. It is also the nearest domestic airport. The flight connectivity to and from Shillong is quite limited. The next nearest airport is the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, popularly referred to as Guwahati International Airport. Though it is 120 km away from Shillong, it connects all domestic flights to Shillong and all international flights from Shillong, too. The domestic routes from Shillong are connected to cities such as Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi, Bangalore, Imphal, Singapore and so on. You will come across great flight deals and cheap flight tickets to Shillong, provided you book at the right time.

By Rail

Guwahati Railway station is the closest and best way to reach Shillong. You will have to take a taxi or a bus to Shillong from the station. From the station, you can hire taxi cabs or private rentals that will reach you to Shillong. In fact, there are state-run buses that take the domestic routes to Shillong from Guwahati. Guwahati railway station is well-connected with major cities through Gorakhpur and Kolkata. Besides, you can also get down at the Bagdogra railway station and opt to travel via road.

By Road

Government-run and private buses to Shillong are quite frequent. The NH40 highway connects Shillong to other major cities in the country. Though flights do seem like the most convenient option to reach Shillong, trains and buses are no less. Road and Rail are also great options to get to Shillong. The panoramic view of the lush green valleys and mountains will rejuvenate you.