Wari Chora - A Mysterious River Canyon Of Garo Hills

Deep canyons, Waterfalls and gorges with swift-flowing rivers are synonymous with Meghalaya.Few offbeat destinations accessible to adventure junkies, among them is the Wari Chora, a outwardly river canyon located in Garo hills is a place to visit.If you love adventure.

Wari Chora - A Mysterious River Canyon Of Garo Hills
View of Mouth of Canyon - Wari Chora

           Myths and Legends do co-exist as perennial rivers flow in the dark deep canyons of Meghalaya since time immemorial. Known as A.Chiks, the Garo tribes have a deep connection with the land, and their way of life is deeply rooted with nature and revolves around it.
Garo hills are home to the Garo tribe, which is known for its unique culture and tradition.

After spending, a weekend in the wilderness of Balpakram, in our weeklong adventure sojourns in the South Garo hills, a few of the places were highly recommended by our local guides. Irrespective of discomforts comforts, tiring dusty journeys, sleepless nights, and sudden breakdowns all team members were enthusiastic and ready to take as they come.

After hearing about the Waris of South Garo hills, we were keen to visit them. We reached the village of Emangre and we were warmly welcomed by the Mahaan family who was the host for us during our adventure tour. We not only listened to the local folklore tales, of Wari's - A deep river canyon and about Wari Chora too.

This place has been recently discovered and is not so popular, an offbeat destination till today.

After a sumptuous, breakfast and an en-route visiting the weekend market, reached Dabagre, after traveling on a kutcha road, without a 4-wheel drive, we felt it was highly difficult to reach such remote places. From the last road head, we could hear the continuous calls of Hoolock Gibbons, which surrounded Henan's house, and who was our host too for our Wari Chora adventure tour

We walked through the beaten path and soon we were in the thick forest, a steep demanding 70 to 80-degree slopy descent holding onto trees, roots on all four, we cautiously reached the base of the Simsang river. Seeing the canyon. Everyone raised their eyebrows!. We imagined how wild will be the environs be during monsoons. Our guide Chillar Sangma added ' Out of bounds for locals too ".

I was, sitting relaxed. on a rock staring a the canyon chilling my legs in ice cold water of the river. A colorful flower, clinging to the rocky cliff, caught my attention. I guessed it was an orchid at first sight. The vibrant orange color, was really eye-catching dotting the landscape. Later on, came to know that it was Impatiens acuminata a species that grows in the wet tropical biome.I remembered seeing impatiens scapiflora commonly known as leafless stem Balsam during weekend treks in Kuduremukha, Kurunji Kallu and Netravathi peak in the Western ghats of Karnataka.

Normally the pink impatiens Scapiflora is grown profusely near to Waterfalls and wet places. In Monsoon it draws the attention of those having an interest in flora. Dancing to the breeze and bathing in dew drops !.It Is a sight to behold !

The dark deep canyon is full of, surprises and makes one curious to explore it. Our guides were ready and after a briefing, we armed with life jackets and got into inflated kayaks to explore the Canyon. It was already 12:30 pm in the afternoon, and though it was sunny outside we felt ourselves in a cooler.I could spot, a variety of insects, on the wall of the canyon. A bright colored yellow, mistaken to be a butterfly initially, later realized as a moth with a tail, resting on, the bark of a tree caught my attention. It was something special to me and difficult to balance and photograph it. A small mistake or imbalance can make us fall into the water. Balancing on oars, I was able to move closer, as possible towards moth, I personally felt that moth did not take umbrage at our intrusion or trespassing into its territory T

I clicked with great difficulty and clicked a few good images!. As their behavior is just opposite to butterflies. Later I deciphered the species.

Malaysian Moon Moth

This species covers a diverse set of biomes, from tropical rainforests to evergreen forests of South and South East Asia.

Binomial Name - Actias maenas, the Malaysian moon moth, is a species with a broad range from the mainland of most parts of the Indomalayan ecozone. They are highly sexually dimorphic, and one of the larger moon moths of the genus Actias.

They are estimated to have a wingspan : 120 – 150mm (large)

As we moved forward in the kayaks, driven by currents, we could feel the chillness. The water was Jade green, shimmering in the sunlight. The fallen trees, cropping out from the surface of greenish water, made us gauge the depth of water.

Our guide Hennan, added - The water never recedes even in peak summer, only the color of the water changes to aquamarine blue, making the canyon more interesting to explore, with rewarding views.

Milton our guide, who was with our group told us stories about the Mermaid - is an aquatic creature with the head and upper body of a female human and the tail of a fish. associated with Canyon, the belief is that the mermaid still resides here. He even told that Wari Chora is home to Seven Giant Serpents. The hidden beauty is unfolded as we traverse the canyon.

Waterfalls, cascade into the canyon, from the rocky wall on either side with stand-like sentinels.

One gets totally drenched, by the waterfalls pounding down. The sunlight kissing the blackish-green water, adds beauty and transforms and gives an outward experience. A waterfall silently cascades inside, and though is inviting, one needs to take utmost care to reach there.

All members rejuvenated by taking bath under the waterfall, at the mouth of the canyon. Few desired to swim, in the crystal clear water.

As the sun disappeared behind, the cliff. We felt cold, and we started following, Milton. and made way through bushes tor each top of the valley. For a few, it was difficult, as there was no path and a slippery muddy path.

It was getting dark, by the time we reached the top. The hills looked as if drenched in mist and turning blue in the setting sun. I looked at my watch, Still, it was 4:30 pm. We turned on our headlamps and torches and walked slowly, we could see some movement in the bushes. Our guide told in a whisper. To walk n groups and maintain absolute silence.

We reached Hennans house by 5:30 pm. Though it was a day excursion, it was fun-filled, rejuvenating, and a mix of experiences. Listened to never-ending calls of Hoolock Gibbons, from bushes. we sat sipping a cup of hot tea and munching snacks, sharing experiences, and interesting places, overlooking Renang dhare waterfalls cascading in the Valley.

' We made promises that we intend to keep ' 

Finally, bid farewell with a heart to the place and people who made our day worthwhile & memorable!