East Khasi Hills · Meghalaya
Mawlynnong
A spotless Khasi village with a living root bridge and a bamboo sky-view tower over Bangladesh.
Mawlynnong is an easy hill destination in East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya, reaching 900 m. The best time to go is October to April. Plan 2 days on the ground from Guwahati and about ₹2,200 per person per day.
What to do in Mawlynnong
The one thing not to miss
The village walk
Stone paths, gardens and bamboo viewing platforms.
- 2Riwai root bridgeA single living root bridge a short walk away.
A sample plan: 3 days
Day 1
Guwahati to Mawlynnong
Check in and take a short walk to get your bearings.
Day 2
The village walk · Riwai root bridge
Details for each are under What to do, above.
Day 3
Mawlynnong 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
A gentle, family-friendly look at Khasi village life.
Why not
Busy with day-trippers by late morning.
Before you go
- Permits
- Village entry fee.
- Guide
- Not needed.
- Safety
- Respect village cleanliness rules — no littering at all.
- Phone & internet
- Weak.
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 Mawlynnong
Worked out from its season, altitude and terrain. Tick things off as you pack; tap a name to find it in a shop.
Clothing
4 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.
- Compact umbrella Showers are frequent in the rainy months.
- Rain jacket or poncho The season here overlaps the rains.
Footwear
1 item
- Comfortable walking shoes with grip Hill towns mean slopes, steps and wet stone.
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 registrationsVillage entry fee.
Phone and power
2 items
- Power bank Charging is limited, and cold drains batteries fast.
- A SIM that works thereWeak.
For what you're going for
3 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.
- 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
No homestays listed here yet. Run one? List it.
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 78 km
- Drive time
- 2.5–3 hours
- Shillong
- Laitlyngkot
- Pynursla
- Mawlynnong
Buses and shared taxis. Shared sumos from Shillong are infrequent; most people come by taxi, with Dawki in the same day.
Pickups & drivers
From Guwahati. Call or WhatsApp the driver directly.
No drivers listed for Mawlynnong yet. Drive this route? List your cab.
Mawlynnong: questions people ask
What is the best time to visit Mawlynnong?
The best months for Mawlynnong are October to April. May and September are possible but not ideal. Snow is rare here.
How difficult is Mawlynnong?
Mawlynnong is rated easy. No trekking is needed, starting at 900 m and reaching 900 m.
How many days do you need for Mawlynnong?
Plan 2 days on the ground, counted from Guwahati. Add travel days to reach the gateway from your city.
How much does a trip to Mawlynnong cost?
Expect about ₹2,200 per person per day for a mid-range trip (stay, food and local transport). That is roughly ₹4,400 for 2 days, before the cost of getting to Guwahati.
How do you reach Mawlynnong?
By road: from Shillong it is about 78 km, 2.5–3 hours (Shillong → Laitlyngkot → Pynursla → Mawlynnong). Shared sumos from Shillong are infrequent; most people come by taxi, with Dawki in the same day. The nearest gateway is Guwahati.
Do you need a permit or a guide for Mawlynnong?
Permits: Village entry fee. Guide: Not needed.
Is Mawlynnong suitable for children and senior citizens?
With children it is great; with seniors it is great. It is busy in season. Respect village cleanliness rules — no littering at all.
What should you pack for Mawlynnong?
Pack fleece or light sweater, sun cap or hat, compact umbrella, rain jacket or poncho, 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. 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 Mawlynnong?
Weak.
Who should not go to Mawlynnong?
Mawlynnong suits most travellers, including children and senior citizens. The one drawback to know about: Busy with day-trippers by late morning.
Close to Mawlynnong
Within about 35 km in a straight line. Hill roads are a good deal longer, so check the drive before you combine two.
- Dawki & Shnongpdengabout 10 km
- Sohra (Cherrapunji)about 21 km
- Nongriat Double-Decker Root Bridgeabout 26 km
- Laitlum Canyonsabout 29 km