Tura
Meghalaya · northeast · 349m
Gateway to Garo Hills — Nokrek Biosphere Reserve (red pandas, citrus gene bank), Siju Cave (bats + limestone), and Wangala harvest festival.
Why Special
Tura is the largest town in the Garo Hills and the gateway to a region that is almost entirely absent from Indian tourism. Nokrek National Park (Nokrek Biosphere Reserve), 2 hours from Tura, is home to the endangered red panda, the hoolock gibbon (India's only ape), and the world's only wild citrus gene bank — the original ancestor of all citrus fruits grows here. Siju Cave, one of the longest caves in India (4.77 km surveyed), has massive bat colonies and spectacular limestone formations. The Wangala festival (100 Drums Festival) in November is the Garo tribe's harvest celebration with 100 drummers performing simultaneously. Tura itself is a small hill town with a district hospital, ATMs, and basic hotels. The 320 km drive from Guwahati takes 8-9 hours on winding roads through the Garo Hills. This is genuine frontier India — raw, uncommercialized, and culturally rich.
Festivals & Events
Wangala (100 Drums Festival)
NovSecond week of November
100 drums played simultaneously as the Garo tribe celebrates the post-harvest season. Horn-blowing, mass tribal dance, and a rhythm that shakes the hills.
The Garo harvest festival — 100 drums, one unified beat.
Infrastructure Reality
Network Coverage
All major networks work in Tura town.
Medical & Emergency
Hospital: Tura Civil Hospital
Ambulance: 108 available
Police: 100
Getting There
Guwahati 220km, 5-6 hrs
Fuel & Stay
Fuel: Tura town (multiple)
Stay: ₹₹600-1200 – ₹1500-3000/night
The stay decisions worth flagging in Tura.
Tura is West Garo Hills' largest town — base for Nokrek National Park (UNESCO biosphere, clouded leopard habitat), Siju Caves (one of India's longest caves), and Garo-community cultural visits. Stay scene is basic business hotels. No luxury. 330 km from Shillong; flights to Tura Baljek Airport (limited schedule) cut the transit time.
Tura is Garo Hills' largest town — gateway to Nokrek National Park and Siju Caves. Stay scene is basic business hotels (Orchid Lodge, Hotel Rikman Continental). No luxury or wildlife lodges. For Nokrek National Park visits, book Forest Dept rest house in advance. 330 km from Shillong (8-hour drive).
Tura Orchid Resort
The most established multi-service property in Tura with consistent hospitality standards, gardens, and restaurant—the closest Tura gets to a signature stay.
Meghalaya Homestay, Tura
Family-run homestays across Tura offer authentic local meals, insider knowledge of Garo Hills, and genuine engagement at half resort tariffs.
Hotel Meghalaya (Central Tura)
Walking distance to Tura bazaar, the Polo Ground, and town temples—useful for travellers prioritizing town access over scenic isolation.
No x-factor pick here that's worth the flag. See alternatives below.
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How to Reach
🌍 For International Travelers
Cultural Context
Garo Hills capital — Garo tribal culture, distinct from Khasi. Wangala (100 Drums) festival in November is spectacular. Ask before photographing tribal ceremonies.
What to Wear
Casual, comfortable. Modest in tribal areas. Warm layers in winter.
Food Safety
Basic restaurants in Tura town. Garo tribal food includes rice, dried fish, and bamboo shoot. Vegetarian options limited. Bottled water.
Common Scams to Watch For
- None — Garo hospitality is genuine
Cards & Cash
Limited — ATMs available. Some hotels accept cards. Cash preferred.
English Spoken
Moderate — Tura has good educational institutions.
Phone & SIM
Airtel and Jio work in Tura. Patchy outside town.
Nearest Embassy
Kolkata (~1,300km). Guwahati (~300km).
e-Visa for India. No ILP needed for Meghalaya.
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