With a rich cultural heritage and beautiful landscapes, Meghalaya – The abode of clouds, is a blissful state full of heavenly hills, charming lakes, enchanted valleys, mysterious caves and magnificent waterfalls. On the western part of this state lies the hilly town, Tura. It is the administrative headquarters of the West Garo Hills district and is the eco-tourism hub of Meghalaya. Tura boasts undisturbed biodiversity and is shrouded with the fragrance of mountains and greenery. Keep reading to know more about places to visit in Tura, Meghalaya.

Top 9 places to visit in Tura

The town of Tura in Meghalaya has a myriad of attractions waiting to get explored. Here’s a list of the top 9 tourist places that you shouldn’t miss when visiting Tura.

Tura Peak
Siju Caves
Balpakram National Park
Nokrek National Park
Pelga Falls
Rongbang Dar Waterfall
Siju Wildlife Sanctuary
Naphak Lake
Garo Hills

Tura Peak

At about 872m above sea level, the Tura peak lies to the east of the Tura town. This range was declared as a reserve forest and it also houses a tourist bungalow, a cinchona plantation and an observatory. The locals believe that the Tura peak is an abode of God. From the peak, you get a magnificent view of the lower Bramhaputra River and also the yellow plains of Bangladesh. There exists a pathway that can be used by tourists to reach the peak.

Siju Caves

Located at about 132 kilometres from Tura, the Siju caves is one of the longest caves in India and is popularly known as Dobakkol or the cave of bats. The Siju caves contain some of the finest river passages and also have several chambers forming unexplored mazes. Close to Siju caves is the Siju Bird Sanctuary. This bird sanctuary is home to rare and protected species of birds. If you are planning on visiting the Siju Caves, make sure you pay a visit to the Bird Sanctuary as well.

Balpakram National Park

At an elevation of 3000 feet above sea level and sprawling across 200 square kilometres, the Balpakram National Park is well known for its pristine beauty. This Park was established by the Government of Meghalaya after realising the importance of the rich flora and fauna available here.

Gorge at National park — Source: Google Images

The most popular place within the National park is the deep gorge, much similar to the Grand Canyon of the United States. It is one of the most beautiful places one must visit in Tura. This gorge is believed to be the land of the dead. If you are brave enough, visit some of these mysterious sites such as Boldak, Matchru, Chidimak and Goncho and then dare your friends to visit them.

Also read: Top National Parks in Meghalaya

Nokrek National Park

Listed as UNESCO’s Biosphere Reserve, This National Park is located very near the Tura Peak. It houses the famous Red Pandas, Asian Elephant, Capped Langur, Clouded Leopard, Leopard Cat, Python, Tiger and many more. It is also home to very rare species of Citrus indica or the endemic Memang Narang. This Park is easily accessible and is one of the most important attractions in Tura. This is also one of the top things to do in Tura.

Also Read: Nokrek National Park, Meghalaya

Pelga falls

Located at about 7 kilometres from Tura, lies this beautiful falls. It is a perfect picnic spot and also is a hotspot for angling. The best time to visit is during the monsoon season. It is when you get to see the flow at its peak. The Belga falls come along with a viewpoint and a bamboo bridge (Ganol Bamboo Bridge). Most of the local people enjoy fishing here, at the foot of the falls. And so, this is one of the most gorgeous place in Tura if you badly wanted to get along with the locals and understand their culture. Interact and have fun with them, while you fish at the foot of the falls.

Rongbang Dar Waterfall

The Rongbang Dar Waterfall is situated in the vicinity of the Siju caves. Just like the Pelga Falls, this waterfall is another thrilling waterfall in Meghalaya. It is also one of the most popular picnic spots in Tura. Unlike the other waterfalls in Meghalaya, the Rongbang Dar Waterfall has a wading pool adorned with bamboos at its base. To get the most fascinating view of the waterfalls, visit the falls during the monsoon season when the flow is high and speedy.

Siju Wildlife Sanctuary

As the name suggests the Siju Wildlife Sanctuary is located near the Siju caves. Situated in the district of South Garo Hills at about 120 kilometres from Taru, this sanctuary is home to endemic birds and some other species. It is also called as the Siju Bird Sanctuary. The migration of the Siberian Months during the winter months is one of the most popular events in the Siju Wildlife Bird Sanctuary. The Pheasant Peacock in this sanctuary has also gained the attention of tourists.

The Siju Wildlife Bird Sanctuary — Source: Google Images

Naphak Lake

Naphak Lake is an ideal place for bird watching and fishing. It is located near the Simsang River, at about 112 kilometres away from Tura. Yes, you got it right! It is located near the Siju caves and Siju Bird Sanctuary. Since it’s located near the bird sanctuary, you may also get to see those migratory birds.

Garo Hills

Spanning across more than 8000 Square kilometres are the Garo hills which are part of the Patkai hill range. They are blessed with a variety of flora and fauna and are decked with marvellous waterfalls, enriching the environmental integrity of the place. The culturally rich ethnic group – the Garo tribes inhabit these hills.

These hills are located close to the Indo-Bangladesh Border and offer magnificent views of the densely populated forests and rare endemic species.

FAQs

When to visit Tura?

The best time to visit Tura is during the summer season. However, the winter months aren’t bad as well. If you aren’t able to visit Tura during summer, then you can plan your visit in the winter season.

Note: Avoid visiting Meghalaya during the monsoon season. This is because during monsoon Meghalaya experiences landslides.

How to reach Tura?

Tura is easily accessible through bus from Guwahati. Take a train or flight to Guwahati and get transferred into a local bus or a cab. You can also go on a road trip from Guwahati while admiring all the natural beauty in the way. The town of Tura is only about 5 hours drive from Guwahati.

With splendid waterfalls and with elegant tourist spots, Tura is a heaven for adventure seekers and wandering souls. Unlike the fast-paced lifestyle of the cities, the steady yet tranquil daily life of the people in Tura is a treat to our eyes. Are you looking for such interesting places to visit in India? Consult our travel experts in Pickyourtrail and check out some interesting Meghalaya Packages and book a trip to your favourite destination. As simple as that! For more suggestions on tourist places to visit in Tura, Meghalaya, keep reading Pickyourtrail Blogs.

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