Umngot River in Dawki, Meghalaya, India

Just dream or fantasize about a River on which your boat does not floating on water but it just sail in the air in between of striking hills and crystal clear water which is creating an ocean like heaven around you?

Have you heard about Crystal clear water in the ranges of Maldives or Sardinia, Italy and Menorca, Spain? Or even here in India, do you want to visit such sort of River?

Yes here in India, there is a Heavenly and Dreamy River in Dawki, in the Indian state of Meghalaya, on the India-Bangladesh Border which creates a fairytale of its own.

The name of River is Umngot River or we can also know it as Dawki River or Dawki Lake.

Dawki River or Umngot River is mediated as one of the cleanest rivers in India. According to the locals, in the clear weather, you can actually feel the view of boats sailing in the air and underneath is clearly visible.

The origin of this river is in India and after covering a huge area, it flows to Bangladesh.

The Umngot River has many colors, like it has Greenish emerald color in India but when it arrives in Bangladesh; it certainly changes its color to blue and creates a natural river border between both the countries.

The Umngot River with beautiful emerald color, chilling water, also very old age suspension bridge and surrounding hills with green layer on them, makes it a dreamy land.

Where it is Located????

It is located in the Meghalaya State of India which is approx 85 kms far from Shillong – the capital of Meghalaya.

This River cheerfully cradled in the laps of Jaintia hills and sandwiched between India and Bangladesh.

Dawki is a border town which connects the Tamabil town of Bangladesh by road.

Here Dawki integrated Check Post foundation stone was laid in January 2017 and yes to your surprise, this is an open road border, which means you can actually go there and stand with one leg in India and other in Bangladesh.

Basically this border crossing is used for trades in between both the countries and is mainly used for Coal transportation.

The Distance from other famous places is as follows -

Distance from Guwahati - Assam – 180 kms

Distance from Shillong – 85 kms

Distance from Cherapunji – 89 kms

Distance from Mawlynnong – The cleanest village of asia – 39 kms

What to visit here????

En-route there are many beautiful places to look around. You can explore various beautiful little villages and some really interesting waterfalls and caves.

Have a look to the list below –

1. Mawlynnong Village

Mawlynnong Village located in the East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya State and this village is awarded by the cleanest village of Asia.

This village is enriched with extreme beauty of nature, good disciplined population, awesome home stays, amazing natural living root bridges, the famous culture of Khasi tribes and some delicious local dishes like Tungrymbai.

2. Living Root Bridge of Mawlynnong

In the era of 21st century, where we daily read and talk about many engineering marvels like manmade bridges to sky high buildings, but here in Meghalaya there are many living root bridges which are made naturally by local tribes.

Amongst all of them, one root bridge is located at about 10 minutes drive from Mawlynnong Village, which is a wonderful creation of nature by the thick roots of variety of rubber trees that are grown at either sides of streams and intertwined together by villagers, as they placed rocks and mud on the roots to make it a path for the villagers. This is one of the wonderful innovation of Khasi tribes.

3. Borhill Waterfall

Borhill falls or we can say bophill falls which is situated on India Bangladesh border and just 10 kms (20 Minutes drives) from Dawki.

In Bangladesh this waterfalls is known as Pantumai waterfalls.

4. Dawki Suspension Bridge

It is a suspension road way to joint both sides of umngot river which is constructed by british govt in 1932.

The view of emerald green water of Dawki river and also the views of both the countries India and Bangladesh is mesmerizing.

5. Dawki Integrated Check Post (India – Bangladesh Border)

It is also known as Dawki – Tamabil Border Crossing which is an open road border between India and Bangladesh. There is a no men’s land where you can click pictures. Here you can buy food items from Bangladesh side. They accept Indian currency and pass food at Indian Side.

6. Dawki island

Dawki Island is a small island at a dreamy location. The island was full of round pebbles like roc eggs.

What to do here????

The main activity you can do here at Dawki River is boating.

You can go to boating point which is run by Government of Meghalaya and take a ticket for boat with boatman. Maximum 4 persons allowed accommodating in one boat. He will take your boat around the river till the Bangladesh border. The boat fare is around 700 INR.

You can also visit an Island called Dawki Island which is situated somewhere in the middle of this beautiful Dawki River with the same boat.

But now as Dawki become a tourist hotspot mainly in spring’s months as it hosts a boating competition of Umngot River.

You can also do camping here in Night under the sky. There are many camps here to provide you all the basic facilities.

Now Dawki also host many adventurous activities like Kayaking, Camping, Zip Lining and Snorkeling.

You can also visit India Bangladesh Border during this trip, till the BSF person’s permitted.

Where to Stay????

As there are some camping facilities available here, so if you made your mind and want to do camping then you can go for it. But if you seek no interest in camping, then it is recommended that either you should stay in Shillong or you can also opt for Mawlynnong Village – The cleanest village of Asia.

Some home stays options are also available in Dawki in reasonable rent.

What to eat in Dawki????

As Dawki is a small town and not as much commercialized till now (slowly becoming more popular among tourists), so it is very difficult to find good restaurants here. Around River or on the island, some tea shops are available which sales some hot Maggie with tea-coffee and snacks.

If your appetite is not satisfied with these snacks, then you have to go to Dawki village or India Bangladesh border where on the Bangladesh side, people take Indian currency and delivers food at the Indian Side.

On the Indian Side still not many options available there.

So we recommend you to must have done your breakfast in Shillong before your drive to Dawki, also you can do lunch and dinner after returning to Shillong.

Some advice!!

• As Dawki is small town and it is a tourist place for only day trip or we can say for camping, there are only some basic facilities available like paid toilets, less restaurants, less stay options and limited public transport. So you have to carry some food and water from Shillong

• As rains are very unpredictable here, so always carry umbrella and some extra cloths.

• Do not believe on private boat vendors; straightly go to Boat ticket counter which is running by Govt of Meghalaya. Max price for a boat is 700 INR

• On India – Bangladesh border, always follow the rules and do as directed by BSF personnel.

• During Monsoons boating is may be suspended due to high water level.

• Stay at Mawlynnong village is recommending for an ultimate experience of local culture and nature.

How to reach there????

Public Transport

Shared Cars start from Anjali, Shillong. It cost Rs. 300 per person and shared Sumo cost Rs. 120 per person for Shillong to Dawki and Rs. 150 for return.

But if you have planned one day trip to Dawki from Shillong than Start early around 7-8 AM, so you have enough time to explore Dawki.

Last Shared sumo from Dawki to Shillong is available till 3 PM.