Trip to Cherrapunji - Trekking+Caving - Help needed

Hi,

I'm planning a trip to Cherrapunji along with my friends - a group of 10 or more - sometime in Nov-Dec. The focus of the trip will be the treks to Double-Decker Living Root Bridge and Caving (similar to ones done by samjrin).
We all are avid trekkers in the Sahyadris - we are from Mumbai - so physical fitness wont be an issue. The planned itinerary for the trip is as under:

Day1: Arrive at Guwahati - Proceed to Cherrapunji
Spend the day with some casual site-seeing around the city
Day2: Local site-seeing
Day3: Trek to Double Decker Living Root Bridge
Day4: Caving - Horizontal - moderate difficulty
Day5: Caving - Vertical - easy/moderate difficulty
Day6: Proceed to Mawlynnong - overnight in Mawlynnong
Day7: Return to Shillong for a flight to Mumbai

Queries:
1: A reliable caving tour operator - names/contact details
There's a mention of Gregory in samjrin's thread - any contact details
2: Estimated expenses for Caving
3: Stay options in Cherrapunji and Mawlynnong for a group of 10 or more and estimated expenses (dormitories/youth hostels are welcome)
I gather from Karikor's posts that the expenses can be around INR1000 for a basic room - is it valid for a group of 10?
4: Weather in Nov-Dec?
5: Availability of local transport - especially the buses (crowds?)
Karikor had posted the contacts of the Taxi stand, so thats a backup.
6: Local recommendations if any?

Thank you.
Kapil Pilankar

P.S.: Karokor's postings in other forums got me to Meghalaya; samrjins's thread ensures that I'll be there ...

@ kapilankar,

Thank you for noticing my efforts to help here. I do appreciate it.

Now coming to your proposed trip. Can you add another few days more? I can make your trip much more adventourous.And given your physical fitness, I can suggest more trekkking trips. Nov-Dec is the best time for trekking. Give me 10 days and I will help prepare a proper adventourous iterinary trip for you. And best part is we have time to make a fool proof plan and get all the details in order.

Regards,

Karikor Kharkongor

@Karikor ... thanks for the reply ... 10 days trip might not be possible .. comin from Mumbai you will need to add atleast 3 more days to include the travelling (we plan Mumbai to Guwahati by train) .. this brings the total to 13 days = 2 weeks almost ... that kind of leave may not be available for everyone ... but lets see what we can do ...

Well do try your best. Once you have confirmed the no. of days, then maybe we can decide on a iterinary. And well, if you book early, you can get cheaper flight tickets and save up 3 days. Those 3 days can be precious. And i can even suggest you places which rent out tents for 200 bucks a tent, so more savings and even more adventure.

I send you the private message having Gegory phone no. I hope you got it. ( I don't know posting mobile no. is valid or not)

Please tell him about the two guys who came in Bike and did both the caving. He probably don't remember our name or faces.

Horizontal caving costed us 1900 for two people
and Vertical caving costed us 2200 for two people.

But his expense may increase or decrease according to season or other factors.

I afraid it would be chilling cold at that time. But Karikor have better idea about it.

I won't prefer taking buses, better take 2-3 shared taxi.

Adding my name with Karikor is really a great Honor .
Karikor work is really commendable and the hospitality he is showing for other stranger strengthen our belief in " Atithi Devo Bav".

And thanks Kapil, for noticing and giving us credits

Well end of November start of December will not be as chillingly cold as End December Beginning Jan, but evenings you will need some woolens. Day time will be pleasant and sunny, not dark and raining like in monsoons. Since there are 10 of you, you might as well book one Tata Sumo. However in cases where the local transport can be taken, you may think of that too. But also keep in mind of getting stuck somewhere trying to connect transport.

Mod note: It is perfectly acceptable for established members to post contact details for any travel or tourism business provided they have no connection with that business. The very purpose of Indiamike.com is to share information in an open and public way.

So please do post the details of Gregory the caving guy here in the thread so that other members can benefit too.

Thanks Mod for replying.
Gregory no. is 09863060368

@samrjin ... thanks for the details, will speak to Gregory about it .. thanks for the added info as well ...

@Karikor ... prospect of tented accommodation seems mouth-watering ...

Hey Kapil,

SO now have you decided to take the flight rather than wasting time on the train and give me those 3 days more?

@Karikor ... i think it be better for now if we consider a 10 day trip ... i will have to convince the guys though which may take some time ... Can we plan a 10 day trip and then chop-n-change as per requirement? .. i guess that will be better ... what say?

- Kapil Pilankar

@ Kapil,

I guess that sounds more like it. I'l try to start on it later once I get back from office.

Karikor Kharkongor

Can we get to the 10 day planning?

10 day planning = Yes! we can begin ....
Just checked the airfare. It makes economic sense to fly in and out from Guwahati instead of Shillong. This means we will be covering the 100 odd kms between the two cities by road.

Let the fun begin!!!!
-Kapil Pilankar

Well Out of the 10 days 2 days are minus for Flight from Mumbai to Guwahati and back. SO we are left with 8 days . SO now here are your options for 8 days

Cherra Local sightseeing - 5-6 hours
Double Decker Living root bridge in Nongriat - 4-5 hours
Horizontal Caving - 4-5 hours
Vertical Caving - 5-6 hours
Mawlynnong Asias cleanest village (including travel) - 8 hours or 1 day 1 night (if staying)
Scuba Diving and Zip Lining and Rock Climbing etc in Dawki - 1 day/1night camping (if staying) else 1 day
River rafting - 1 day
David Scott trail trekking + Mawphlang Sacred Forest- 5-6 hours
Nongkhnum River Island trek - 1 full day
Mawthadraishan peak trek - 1 day
Mawsynram + Jakrem Hot springs - 6 hours+
Shillong Local Sight seeing - 1 day
Smit & Laitlum - 4-5 hours
Thadlaskein + Nartiang + Jowai - 1 day/1 night
Places in Amlarem subdivision - 1 day
Umiam lake - 3-4 hours or 1 night (if staying)
Paragliding (if possible) - 1 day
By the way some of the longest caves in Asia are in Jaintia Hills district . Some upto 30 kms long

Other tidbits we can always accomodate later.

Now I have given you the options, you can clarify further from me before shortlisting anything. You can even google on some of the places.

Regards,

Karikor Kharkongor