Nov 8 – 18
Cherry blossom in Shillong
India's only wild Himalayan cherry bloom, a four-day pine-cottage stay, jam sessions with Khasi musicians, and a Mawphlang sacred-grove walk.
The Himalayan cherry flowers in autumn rather than spring, which is why Shillong has a bloom in November while the rest of the world associates the tree with April. The window is short and the trees line ordinary streets rather than a park.
Shillong is also among the most musical cities in India, with a live scene that long predates the festival built around the blossom. The Mawphlang sacred grove nearby is protected by Khasi custom rather than by law, and nothing may be carried out of it — not even a fallen leaf.
The shape of it
Day 1
Into the pines
Arrive at the cottage. The bloom is on ordinary streets rather than in a park, so the city itself is the first walk.
Day 2
Mawphlang
The sacred grove, protected by Khasi custom rather than by law. Nothing may be carried out of it, not even a fallen leaf.
Day 3
Jam sessions
An evening with Khasi musicians, in a city whose live scene long predates the festival built around the blossom.
Day 4
Down the hill
The last of the bloom on the way out.
Reserve dates
Every stay is confirmed by a person, not an algorithm. Tell us your dates and we will come back to you on this offer and what is available around it.
