5 Places to Visit in Tura

A city of gushing waterfalls, serene streams and lovely lakes, Tura is a treat to the eye!

Nestled in the West Garo Hills district in Meghalaya, this town is bejeweled with pristine assets which are yet unexplored in its hidden surroundings.

Blessed with the beauty of small rivulets and green valleys, the basic languages here are Garo, and English. There are many cascading waterfalls adding to the beauty of this primeval place. What makes this place all the more beautiful are the marvelous streaks flowing in the form of streams including Rangolwari, Ganol, Nokmawari, Datchima etc.

Tura is one of the largest towns in Meghalaya. Located at the foothills of the Tura Hills, Tura is a valley situated right below the Tura Peak.

It enjoys a moderate weather all through the year. Now let’s peep into the five best attractions of the town which turn the attention of tourists towards them…!

1. Balpakram National Park

Want to see exotic species of medicinal plants? If yes, then visit this park once and you will be amazed to see the plethora of herbal plants. It is situated at an altitude of 3,000 ft. above sea level.

The Park enjoys equal significance for both Garo and Hindu religious beliefs. It enjoys scenic beauty at a high altitude and covers an area of 200 sq.km.

Dense forest, diverse wildlife and rich bio-diversity make this park important on the list of wildlife lovers. These enthusiasts find this place of much interest because of the rare species of plants seen here.

2. Nokrek National Park

This park has been added to the list of UNESCO’s Biosphere Reserve in 2009. It is among the few remaining homes of the red panda species. You can also trace eight species of cats such as the marbled cat, Hoolock Gibbons and many other animals as well as tigers in this park. It is an ideal space for bird watchers as distinguished species of birds are found in this park.

The USP of this park is that all important rivers flowing through the Garo Hills originate from the Nokrek Hills. They too give a perfect and rare view of nature’s beauty.

3. Tura Peak

If you want to enjoy climbing and hiking while studying the lifestyle of Garo tribe, then this is the place to be.

Situated at a height of 1400 metres, several mountaineers take up this trekking on the challenging climb and prefer to stay overnight here. You could view mesmerizing sights of Tura Valley once you reach the Peak.

It’s a firm belief of localities that the local God, Durama resides here in Tura Hills. Wangala dance is a specialty of the local region. Also there is a tourist lodge being run by Meghalaya Tourism.

The nearby areas which can be explored are Siju caves, Balpakram, and Nokrek. Also, there is an unsullied reserve forest situated on top of the mountain. An old-time tourist bungalow along with an observatory and cinchona plantation are other things which can be explored here.

4. Siju Sanctuary

If you have a keen interest in bird watching, then this place could be a paradise for you. You can find diverse species of birds which are rarely seen in other parts of the world. Lying adjacent to Siju caves and Simsang river, this sanctuary is home to rare species of birds. There are many animals also which have made this sanctuary their home. Siberian Duck, peacocks, kumarakom etc are a few species seen in this sanctuary.

5. Pelga Falls

Situated around seven kilometers from Tura, this site gains prominence for being a destination for angling as well as picnics. A smooth footpath and a view point has been constructed by the tourism department keeping in mind the tourists who visit here to catch a glimpse of this place.

Also one can see a traditional Garo bamboo bridge which adds another attraction to this place.

There is yet another renowned tourist site nearby, namely Garo Bamboo Bridge, which is built over the Ganol River. This also adds more beauty to this place.

With plenty of options to explore, Tura has been a paradise for bird watchers as well as animal lovers. The immaculate waterfalls, lush green surroundings and a lovely weather are a few factors making this place important on nature lovers’ map too.

Hence, the journey to North East is incomplete if you fail to make room for Tura in your itinerary.

So plan a trip to Tura and explore this nature blessed paradise!