Take yourself back to the beginning of the 19th century. The earliest Europeans had just ventured into the Khasi Hills, plodding their way into the misty ranges from the sweltering plains of Bengal. One of these iconic journeys remains today in the form of the David Scott Trail. What was once a meeting point of East and West is today one of the most scenic hikes in Meghalaya, filled with historical and cultural anecdotes.

The hike itself will bring you close to one of the most revered indigenous landmarks of the Khasis – the Sacred Grove of Mawphlang. This primaeval forest is believed to be more than 800 years old, its ancientness juxtaposed with the pine groves and grassy meadows that dominate the rest of the landscape. Apart from its undisturbed natural beauty, it is also the place where many rites of the erstwhile Khasi royals were practised.

If you love to sweat it out in dramatic landscapes and listen to fascinating stories, these two hiking experiences will open your eyes to a seldom-narrated history of the indigenous North East. It is also recommended to photographers.