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I was traveling from Sohra to Tawang and didn’t want to go through Guwahati as the route seemed longer. To get to Tawang from Cherrapunji, I first had to go to Shillong from Cherrapunji and from there to Tezpur.
From Cherrapunji to Shillong
It was a bit of struggle to find a cab from Lower Sohra to Shillong, and it took me around half an 30-45 to actually take from Sohra. The joruney was pretty smooth as expected and the driver dropped me at Sohra bus stand in Shillong.
From Shillong to Tezpur
Now, this was the most trickiest part as there is no direct connection from Shillong to Tezpur. One has to pass through Guwahati, which didn’t make any sense to me. Determined to find a way to get to Tezpur directly, I walk to the Police Chowk.
Police chowk is like the center of Shillong, and it has lot of transportation, mainly sumos, to around to nearby cities.
Met this nice cab driver at the Police Chowk, who offered me a trip to sight seeing in Shillong. He helped when I told him that I was not looking for places to visit in Shillong but trying to find my way to Tezpur.
Now, if you reach early in Shillong just like I did, take solace in the fact that there are lot of breakfast options right at the circle. There is some good tea as well to with eatables. After a quick breakfast I chatted with the local sightseeing cab driver.
I asked the driver how to get to Tezpur from Shillong. He told me I missed the direct bus which goes early in the morning. Hmm… so there is a direct bus from Shillong to Tezpur.
He added that the alternative is to go to Jorahat from Shillong, which is a small town at the border with Guwahati. From Jorahat I can get a shared cab further to Tezpur. Now, since Jorahat is on way to Guwahati, I can literally catch any shared cab going to Guwahati!
Super Travel Tip: You can also find the same Shillong to Guwahati cab at the circle near to ITBPF northeast frontier headquarters. You can stand nearby at the Anjali petrol pump circle.
All the incoming and outgoing Guwahati shared cabs pass through here. Also, the Cherapunji shared cab takes a turn from this circle to go to Cherapunji taxi stand. So it’s very convenient to get down here.
Avoiding to go to police bazaar will save you as good as an hour or two easily! If you are wondering, no the Shillong to Guwahati sumo are not always full so you can easily get a seat.
Get down at jorabat – I reached Jorabat at around 12:30. Journey time a total of 3 hours 15 minutes from Shillong.
Shillong to Jorahat sumo cost – 200 INR, same as going to Guwahati. I will suggest to confirm and if possible negotiate the price before hand. Also, from safety pointo of view it seems bit dangerous as drivers tend to overload.
So, I will recommend to get shared cab instead of shared sumo. Shared cabs from Shillong to Guwahati will cost you INR 350/-
Jorahat to Tezpur
Get down just before the Assam police check post. Ask your sumo driver he knows. Walk under the flyover to the other side. You will find someone asking you if you are going to Tezpur. He is the official counter guy, take the ticket from him and board the mini bus which passes by every few minutes.
I stood there for not more than 5 minutes which included getting a supply of snacks and water and the bus was arrived. Before that I ignored the mini vans who too were going in the same direction. They looked uncomfortable and slow.
I left from Jorabat at around 12:35
Ticket cost from Jorabhat to Guwahati by mini bus/ shared sumo = INR 180/-. Note, that the counter guys might overcharge you by asking for 200; refuse politely. Or you can also go in the bus directly and ask the conductor the correct fare.
Arriving in Tezpur
Once you arrive Tezpur in your shared ride get down at mission chariali traffic point; this is next to KF (not KFC but KF). Take left from this circle and get on to a shared auto going towards town which is where the ASTC bus stand is .
Ticket cost in shared auto: 10/- INR