West Jaintia Hills · Meghalaya
Dawki & Shnongpdeng
The glass-clear Umngot river on the Bangladesh border — boating, riverside camping and kayaking.
Dawki & Shnongpdeng is an easy hill destination in West Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya, reaching 200 m. The best time to go is November to April. Plan 2 to 3 days on the ground from Guwahati and about ₹2,500 per person per day.
What to do in Dawki & Shnongpdeng
The one thing not to miss
A boat on the Umngot
The water is clearest from about November to February.
- 2ShnongpdengRiverside camping a little upstream.
A sample plan: 3 days
Day 1
Guwahati to Dawki & Shnongpdeng
Check in and take a short walk to get your bearings.
Day 2
A boat on the Umngot · Shnongpdeng
Details for each are under What to do, above.
Day 3
Dawki & Shnongpdeng to Guwahati
Leave after breakfast; hill roads are slower than the map suggests.
A starting point built from the things to do above. Move days around to suit your pace.
When to go
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Why go
Boats that seem to float on air in the clear-water season.
Why not
Water is only clear roughly November–April; Dawki itself is crowded.
Before you go
- Permits
- None.
- Guide
- Use local boatmen with life jackets.
- Safety
- Stay on the Indian side; the border is right there.
- Phone & internet
- Patchy.
Permits, food and festivals in Meghalaya →
These details haven't been field-verified yet. Confirm permits, road status and weather locally before you travel.
If something goes wrong
Main hospitals in Meghalaya: Civil Hospital, Shillong; NEIGRIHMS, Shillong.
All emergency contacts for Meghalaya →What to pack for Dawki & Shnongpdeng
Worked out from its season, altitude and terrain. Tick things off as you pack; tap a name to find it in a shop.
Clothing
2 items
- Fleece or light sweater Mornings and evenings are cool in the travel season.
- Sun cap or hat Hours in open sun, with little shade above the tree line.
Footwear
2 items
- Comfortable walking shoes with grip Hill towns mean slopes, steps and wet stone.
- Sandals with grip Wet stone steps and river rocks are slippery; flip-flops are not enough.
For day outings
2 items
- Day pack, 20–30 litres For day outings: water, a layer, a camera.
- Water bottles, 2 litres in total Refill rather than buying plastic bottles.
Health and sun
3 items
- Sunscreen, SPF 50 The sun burns faster in the hills than in the plains.
- Small first-aid kit and your own medicines The nearest chemist may be hours away.
- Insect repellent Mosquitoes and midges at lower altitudes and in the wet months.
Documents and money
3 items
- Government photo ID and two photocopiesAsked for at hotels, check posts and permit counters.
- Enough cash for the whole tripATMs are scarce and often empty beyond the gateway town.
- Permits and registrationsNone.
Phone and power
2 items
- Power bank Charging is limited, and cold drains batteries fast.
- A SIM that works therePatchy.
For what you're going for
4 items
- Light travel tripod For sunrise, night skies and long exposures.
- Spare memory card and camera battery Cold drains camera batteries; there is nowhere to buy spares.
- Sleeping bag If you camp on your own. Operators and campsites usually provide one — ask first.
- Swimwear and a change of clothes The river pools and waterfalls are for swimming, and there is nowhere to dry cotton clothes.
Read before you go
1 item
- A guidebook for Meghalaya Worth reading before you go, and it works without a signal.
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Homestays in Meghalaya
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Getting there
The nearest gateway is Guwahati.
Directions open in Google Maps with today's road time. In the mountains, add a third to whatever it says.
- Normal car?
- Yes, any car can make it.
By road
From
Shillong
- Distance
- about 82 km
- Drive time
- 2.5–3 hours
- Shillong
- Laitlyngkot
- Pynursla
- Dawki
From
Mawlynnong
- Distance
- about 30 km
- Drive time
- about 1 hour
- Mawlynnong
- Pongtung
- Dawki
Buses and shared taxis. Fly or take a train to Guwahati; shared taxis and buses to Shillong leave from the airport and from Paltan Bazaar. Shared sumos run from Shillong to Dawki.
Pickups & drivers
From Guwahati. Call or WhatsApp the driver directly.
No drivers listed for Dawki & Shnongpdeng yet. Drive this route? List your cab.
Dawki & Shnongpdeng: questions people ask
What is the best time to visit Dawki & Shnongpdeng?
The best months for Dawki & Shnongpdeng are November to April. May and October are possible but not ideal. Snow is rare here.
How difficult is Dawki & Shnongpdeng?
Dawki & Shnongpdeng is rated easy. No trekking is needed, starting at 50 m and reaching 200 m.
How many days do you need for Dawki & Shnongpdeng?
Plan 2 to 3 days on the ground, counted from Guwahati. Add travel days to reach the gateway from your city.
How much does a trip to Dawki & Shnongpdeng cost?
Expect about ₹2,500 per person per day for a mid-range trip (stay, food and local transport). That is roughly ₹7,500 for 3 days, before the cost of getting to Guwahati.
How do you reach Dawki & Shnongpdeng?
By road: from Shillong it is about 82 km, 2.5–3 hours (Shillong → Laitlyngkot → Pynursla → Dawki); from Mawlynnong it is about 30 km, about 1 hour (Mawlynnong → Pongtung → Dawki). Fly or take a train to Guwahati; shared taxis and buses to Shillong leave from the airport and from Paltan Bazaar. Shared sumos run from Shillong to Dawki. The nearest gateway is Guwahati.
Do you need a permit or a guide for Dawki & Shnongpdeng?
Permits: None. Guide: Use local boatmen with life jackets.
Is Dawki & Shnongpdeng suitable for children and senior citizens?
With children it is good; with seniors it is good. It is busy in season. Stay on the Indian side; the border is right there.
What should you pack for Dawki & Shnongpdeng?
Pack fleece or light sweater, sun cap or hat, comfortable walking shoes with grip, day pack, 20–30 litres, water bottles, 2 litres in total, sunscreen, spf 50, small first-aid kit and your own medicines, insect repellent, power bank. Also carry a government photo ID, enough cash and any permits. The full list is on this page.
Is there mobile network and internet at Dawki & Shnongpdeng?
Patchy.
Who should not go to Dawki & Shnongpdeng?
Dawki & Shnongpdeng suits most travellers, including children and senior citizens. The one drawback to know about: Water is only clear roughly November–April; Dawki itself is crowded.
Close to Dawki & Shnongpdeng
Within about 35 km in a straight line. Hill roads are a good deal longer, so check the drive before you combine two.
- Mawlynnongabout 10 km
- Sohra (Cherrapunji)about 31 km
- Laitlum Canyonsabout 33 km
More in Border villages & rivers
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- Mawlynnong900 mcompare
- Laitlum Canyons1,800 mcompare
- Mawsynram & Mawjymbuin Cave1,400 mcompare
- Nongriat Double-Decker Root Bridge1,100 mcompare
- Shillong1,965 mcompare