Experience The Ultimate Summer Escapade At ‘Weiing – The Lakefront Camp’ In Meghalaya

Are you planning to take an adventure trip this summer? Well, we’ve got the perfect place for you tucked in nature. Weiing – The Lakefront Camp is located at Meghalaya, very close to Mawsynram – the wettest place on Earth. They host a range of adventure camps for all ages, with various activities such as trekking, swimmimg, fishing, etc. We had a chat with Aaron Russell Laloo to know better about the place, the services and how it all started.

Weiing opened in June 2018 with 3 cottage tents and a campsite that can accommodate a group of 30 people. The idea for starting Weiing came about after the Secretary of the local village cooperative society, Mr. Iasohlang Malngiang and the proprietor of Campfire Trails – Travel & Adventure, Mr. Aaron Laloo met coincidentally and discussed the possibilities and viability of such a venture. Hence, Campfire Trails – Travel & Adventure partnered with The Phlangmawsyrpat Integrated Village Cooperative Society to develop the area locally known as ‘Weiing’ into a destination for eco-rural tourism with a special focus on providing employment to the local villagers, conserving the surrounding environment and introducing an alternative means of livelihood for all the members of the Cooperative also at Society. They also focus on quality services and avoiding huge flux of mass tourism that is currently affecting Meghalaya.

The beautiful lake view of the Phlangmawsyrpat Village

The beautiful lake view of the Phlangmawsyrpat Village

The campsite of Weiing – the lakefront camp in Meghalaya

School kids having fun the waterfall

School trip at Weiing – the lakefront camp

What is special about Weiing?

Weiing – The Lakefront Camp is located very close to Mawsynram, the wettest place on earth. It is surrounded by the community forest of Phlangmawsyrpat and has a beautiful lake in the vicinity. The area is also special because it allows us to contain and restrict the footfalls in the area. Hence allowing us in turn to focus on quality services for guests and visitors. Special treks and hikes have been designed around the area that allow guests to explore the rich forests in the area as well as the unique landscapes. Fossils from a prehistoric era are also found abundantly in the area and are now protected by the local community. Guests are shown the areas where the fossils are in abundance with strict instructions not to cause them any damage. We also have a few flat-water kayaks on the lake where guests can while away their time leisurely. The lake is also well stocked with various kinds of fish, making it a big attraction to anglers.

What was the inspiration behind it?

The inspiration was always to do something different from the regular, to contribute to society with the idea of ‘teaching a man to fish rather than to give a hungry man a fish’. We all can complain about govt. and other agencies not doing enough for the rural population, but doing something about it, in a situation that benefits as many as possible, is easier said than done.

Camping at Weiing – The Lakefront Camp

The resting shade at Weiing – The Lakefront Camp

Kayaking at Weiing – The Lakeffront Camp

Bonfire at night

How has your upbringing influenced your work or working style?

Having studied in St. Edmund’s School, Shillong, the biggest inspiration for life is the school motto – “Facta Non Verba” which translates from Latin to “Deeds Not Words”

What are the biggest challenges and the lessons you’ve learnt so far?

Ideas are always possible to execute, challenges always exist, it all depends on the attitude you have and how best you cope with situations while taking everyone’s views into consideration.