Dawki River - Boating on Meghalaya's Crystal Clear Umngot

Cherrapunji, MeghalayaNATURE

Experience boating on the remarkably clear Umngot River in Dawki, a border town offering unique views of the riverbed and the India-Bangladesh border.

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NATURE

Info

2-3 hours

Accessibility

Not Wheelchair Friendly

Parking

No Parking

Photography

No Photography

About the Destination

Overview

Dawki is a small town in Meghalaya located on the border between India and Bangladesh, famous for the Umngot River. The river is known for its exceptionally clear water, which, during the winter months, becomes so transparent that the riverbed is clearly visible from the surface. The main activity for visitors is taking a boat ride, which creates an illusion of the boat floating in mid-air over the colourful stones below. A key landmark here is the Dawki Suspension Bridge, a single-span structure built in 1932 that hangs over the river, providing a great vantage point for photos.

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Location & Address

Umngot River, Dawki-Tamabil Road, Dawki, Dawki, Cherrapunji, Meghalaya, India

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Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit is from October to April. The post-monsoon months of November and December are ideal, as the river is calm and the water is at its clearest, offering the famous transparent views. The weather is pleasant and dry during this period. It is best to avoid the monsoon season, from June to September, when heavy rainfall makes the river water muddy and the currents strong, often leading to the suspension of boating activities.
Peak Crowd: November to January, especially on weekends and during Christmas and New Year holidays, due to peak tourist season and ideal weather.
Moderate Crowd: February to April and on weekdays during the peak season.
Low Crowd: June to September, during the monsoon, when weather conditions are unfavorable and the river is murky.

How to Reach

Air

The nearest major airport is Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (GAU) in Guwahati, about 190 km away (5-6 hour drive). From the airport, you can hire a taxi to reach Dawki.

Train

Guwahati Railway Station (GHY) is the nearest major railhead, located about 180 km from Dawki. Taxis and shared cabs are available from the station for the onward journey.

Road

Dawki is well-connected by a scenic road from Shillong (95 km) and Cherrapunji (85 km). The most convenient way to travel is by hiring a private car for a day trip. The drive takes approximately 3-4 hours.

Local Transport

Dawki is a very small town, and the main boating point is accessible by foot from the main road. There are no local auto-rickshaws or app-based taxi services for getting around the immediate area.