With the first leg of the Bacardi NH7 Weekender kicking off at the end of this month, we figured we'd help you start the planning. It'll be a trip to remember if you do it the LBB way. Ready?
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All of the action will be found in the midst of a village called Bhoirymbong, which falls on the Shillong Bypass. We’ve been told this is a fairly well-known spot, so you can hit up any of the local and tourist taxi companies to book yourself a ride.
To make matters even simpler, there’s an NH7 festival shuttle bus service that goes to and from the festival; get on that! They'll be releasing the link to book spots on the bus soon; stay tuned here.
Find the NH7 map here.
[/cbtab][cbtab title="The Stay"]BUDGET ACCOMODATION
Hotel Yalana
Wooden flooring, clean bathrooms and classic bedding {we mean white everything, and fluffy pillows to boot} - Hotel Yalana has your basic requirements covered. Beyond that, they’ve got a restaurant, a well-stocked bar and even two conference rooms {you never know.} They’ll provide extra beds and heaters too, but at an extra charge.
What you need: A photo ID to check in
Where: Main Road, Laitumkhrah, Shillong- 793 003, Meghalaya
Tariff: Find the tariff sheet here.
Contact: +91 364 2211240, 2226059, +91 8575041415; email them at yalana.hotel@rediffmail.com
Find out more here.
Hotel Broadway
Right in the heart of Shillong, Hotel Broadway offers quaint, warm rooms with wooden interiors and a homely feel. You’ll find a television and a phone, as well as spanking clean bathrooms with hot water and toiletries. They’ll even handle your ride to and from the airport, provide medical aid and ensure you always have a fresh change of clothes {laundry services!} Sounds like the perfect crashpad.
What you’ll need: A photo ID; we also recommend you carry cash because their debit and credit card machines may be out of order.
Where: G.S. Road, Shillong, Meghalaya 793001
Tariff: Find out here.
Contact: +91 364 2226996, 2220815
MID-RANGE ACCOMODATION
Ee Cee Hotel
With a central location, Ee Cee has spacious rooms in warm undertones. Picture sunlight filtering through the window accompanied by ample seating and cheery bedspreads. They’ll take care of any other needs including laundry, travel plans and housekeeping. LBB Tip: Try kayaking {provided you have time} at their Lakeside Homestay.
Where: Khyndailad, Jail Road, Police Bazar, Shillong, Meghalaya 793001
Tariff: Find the tariff sheet here.
Contact: +91 364 2500188, +91 364 2500258; email them at concierge@ecshillong.com
Find out more here.
HIGH-END ACCOMODATION
Royal Heritage Tripura Castle
Surrounded by snow-laden peaks, the Royal Heritage Tripura Castle is home to the world’s second-longest continuing royal line. They have three varieties of rooms {Supreme, Superior and the Maharaja Suite}, all royal in their own right. Expect swanky décor and private bathrooms for each unit.
Where: Cleve Colony, Tripura Castle Road, Shillong 793003, Meghalaya
Tariff: Find the tariff sheet here.
Contact: +91 364 2501111, 2501149; email them at bookings@tripuracastle.com
Find out more here.
Hotel Pinewood
Pinewood dates back all the way to the 19th century! With eight cottages spread over eight acres of land, all constructed with red pine and Burmese teak, expect space in abundance and lots of daylight. The splendour of this property lies in their grounds and aesthetic sense; the rooms are functional and basic, but clean.
Where: European Ward, Rita Road, Shillong, Meghalaya 793001
Tariff: Find the tariff sheet here.
Contact: +91 364 2223116
Find out more here.
[/cbtab][cbtab title="The Sound"]
Besides the usual suspects such as Megadeath {we can practically see you rolling your eyes}, Papon and the East India Company, and Kailasa, here’s our pick of artists you absolutely must get groovin’ to.
Nicholson
Nicholson takes the thrill of EDM and rock and combines it with compelling storytelling and husky melodies. He layers and builds his songs, and given that the festival will be on in full swing around you, we can’t imagine a better artist to sway to while you take it all in.
Listen to him here:
Soulmate
Hello, blues. Obviously, we mean the genre of music. Homegrown duo Soulmate is known as one of the best blues’ acts in the country and just a taste of their bass lines and easy {yet sultry} vocal style will tell you why.
Listen to them here:
F16’s
Are you ready to jump? The F16’s are an indie-electronica outfit and believe us when we say that they’ll get you on your feet…and how. With catchy riffs and hooks, and relatable lyrics {if you can catch them}, this band is all about the energy.
Listen to them here:
Nischay Parekh
For an artist that will warm your heart, turn to Nischay Parekh. Mellifluous melodies and acoustic-ey vibes are his forte; if you’re more about the feel-good vibes when it comes to your music- this is it.
Listen to him here:
The Ska Vengers
Dub, punk, jazz and rap- it’s all here and in abundance. The Ska Vengers have taken genres we all know and love and created a sound that’s unique to them. The mix of genres brings high energy to the table- they’ll have you movin’ in no time.
Listen to them here:
Catch the rest of the line-up here.
[/cbtab][cbtab title="The Buys"]
In addition to the food, music and festive vibe, there's a chance for you to shop till you drop- whether souvenirs, gifts for friends and family or just because you can.
BIAS
Straight silhouettes, natural fabrics and hand dyed textiles make up BIAS. Their clothing has an underlying 60’s theme, in contemporary packaging. You can take basic pieces and dress them up with accessories, or just stick to their tie-dye prints; on-point style either way.
Find them here.
Beautiful things by Sarah Lee
Dress up your room with intricate dreamcatchers, courtesy Beautiful Things. They even have earrings for the ladies. Perfect festival fixture.
Find them here.
Sky Goodies
Ready to get your hands dirty? Sky Goodies does DIY paper craft products that are bright, kitschy and above all- fun! Hand-crafted, colourful gramophones, calendars, paper cameras- their products make for unique gifting options.
Find them here.
Astronomia Shoppe
Well it’s not a music festival without a funky accessory- preferably with LED lights. Presenting Astronomia Shoppe, who do party bling in style. Whether you’re looking for hats, stickers, glow bands and spectacles, they’ve got you covered.
Find them here.
SMUFF
If you’re looking for headwear to use for all your travelling- especially if you’re doing it on bikes or open jeeps, SMUFF has a range of products to provide cover from the elements. They have bandanas, buffs, caps and lots more.
Find them here.
On a related note, the weather’s going to be a tad different from our beloved Dilli, so we suggest you prepare accordingly. It’ll be fairly cool, so a few sweaters to throw on would be ideal. We know they’ll probably come off as soon as you get dancing, but better to be safe than sorry.
You can also expect mild bouts of rain; may we recommend a small umbrella and/or a change of outerwear at least? Last on your list- a pair of shoes that you can walk a kilometre {or five} in. A great shield against the mud and puddles too!
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