Perfect Day Trip to Dawki from Shillong: Itinerary, Tips & What to Expect

The Most Rewarding Day Trip from Shillong

The Dawki–Mawlynnong day trip is Meghalaya's most beloved single-day excursion. In one day you combine two of the state's most famous attractions — the crystal-clear Umngot River and Asia's Cleanest Village — along with a living root bridge and a Bangladesh border viewpoint. It's a long day (8–10 hours of driving + activities) but one that most visitors rate as the highlight of their Meghalaya trip.

Recommended Itinerary

6:30 AM — Depart Shillong

An early start is essential. The drive to Dawki takes 2.5 hours, and you want to arrive before 9 AM when crowds (and cloud cover) build.

9:00 AM — Arrive Dawki, Boating on Umngot River

Head straight to the main ghat. Rent a wooden rowboat (₹500–800 per boat, 30–45 minutes). Glide over the crystal-clear water and look down at the pebble bed below — the famous photograph of boats appearing to float on glass is real and even more breathtaking in person.

Best condition: Clear sunny morning. Avoid windy days — choppy surface reduces clarity.

10:30 AM — India-Bangladesh Border Bridge

Walk to the old suspension bridge at Dawki, which marks the official border crossing point with Bangladesh. The view up and down the river from the bridge is excellent. Check local guidelines on how far across you can walk.

11:00 AM — Drive to Mawlynnong (25 km, 45 mins)

Dawki boat ride

11:45 AM — Mawlynnong: Asia's Cleanest Village

Explore Mawlynnong's immaculate bamboo-lined lanes, see the sky walk (8-storey bamboo tower for treetop views), and visit the single-decker living root bridge 15 minutes' walk from the village.

Entry fee:: Small charge at village entrance.

Lunch:: Several small eateries in the village serve simple local food — rice, dal, and seasonal vegetables.

1:30 PM — Lunch at Mawlynnong

2:30 PM — Bangladesh Viewpoint

From the sky walk or the natural viewpoint near the village, on clear days you can see the flat plains of Bangladesh extending to the horizon — the contrast with the hilly Meghalayan landscape is striking.

3:00 PM — Drive back toward Shillong

The return journey gives you an option to stop at:

Shnongpdeng: (3 km from Dawki) for a quick look or, if you've had enough driving, skip.

Pynursla viewpoint: — a scenic pull-off on the road back.

5:30–6:00 PM — Back in Shillong

Enough time for Police Bazaar street food and a sunset over the hills.

What to Carry

Water (2 litres per person — limited shops en route)

Umngot River clarity

Sunscreen and a hat

Cash (no ATMs at Dawki or Mawlynnong)

Comfortable walking shoes

Rain gear (even in winter, a brief shower is possible)

Camera / waterproof phone case for the boat ride

Distance & Driving Time

| Leg | Distance | Time |

|-----|----------|------|

| Shillong → Dawki | 95 km | ~2.5 hrs |

| Dawki → Mawlynnong | 25 km | ~45 min |

| Mawlynnong → Shillong | 90 km | ~2.5 hrs |

| Total driving | ~210 km | ~5.5 hrs |

Booking Tips

Book your cab the night before — demand peaks November to February.

Our packages include this route as part of the 2, 3, and 5-day Meghalaya itineraries.

A shared cab is possible for budget travellers but involves early morning uncertainty at the Shillong taxi stand.