Dawki itinerary

Plan 01

1 day in Dawki

1. 01

   Day 1: Shillong to the river and back

   Leave Shillong early, allowing about three hours each way, and expect to reach Dawki before lunch. Walk onto the suspension bridge for the view along the Umngot, then take a boat ride from the jetty; agree the price and duration before boarding. Have lunch in town, then spend a short while at the border post viewpoint, staying well back from anything fenced or restricted. Start the return drive by mid-afternoon so you are on the mountain section before dark. If you have a full tank of energy, stop at Mawlynnong on the way back and see the Sky View tower and Riwai root bridge, but be honest that this makes a very long day.

Plan 02

2 days in Dawki

1. 01

   Day 1: Drive to Dawki, boats and the bridge

   Make the drive from Shillong in the morning and reach Dawki around midday. See the suspension bridge, then take a boat ride in the afternoon light, when the colours on the stones are best. Check into a homestay or camp in Dawki or Shnongpdeng for the night, with a riverside dinner.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Shnongpdeng	Half a day; overnight is better	Moderate	November to March, when the water is clear and dry

   Pace: Moderate walking today — plan a sit-down break between stops.

   With parents at Shnongpdeng: Paths down to the water are uneven and often have steps, camps are basic, and bathrooms may be shared. Older travellers can enjoy the river from a bank-side seat, but should check facilities and access with the host before booking.

2. 02

   Day 2: Shnongpdeng, then Mawlynnong

   Spend the morning at Shnongpdeng, a short drive upriver, for a calm river walk, a canoe or kayak, or snorkelling if the water is clear and you are comfortable in it. Have an early lunch, then drive towards Mawlynnong for the Sky View tower and the Riwai living root bridge, ending the day back in Shillong or at a guesthouse in the village.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Shnongpdeng	Half a day; overnight is better	Moderate	November to March, when the water is clear and dry
   Riwai Living Root Bridge	30–45 minutes	Moderate	Dry months; mornings for fewer people

   Pace: Moderate walking today — plan a sit-down break between stops.

   With parents at Shnongpdeng: Paths down to the water are uneven and often have steps, camps are basic, and bathrooms may be shared. Older travellers can enjoy the river from a bank-side seat, but should check facilities and access with the host before booking.

   With parents at Riwai Living Root Bridge: The walk is short but includes steps and uneven stone, which are slippery when wet. Walk slowly, wear grippy shoes and stay off the bridge if it is crowded or if you feel unsteady.

Plan 03

3 days in Dawki

1. 01

   Day 1: Arrive and see Dawki

   Drive from Shillong, see the suspension bridge, take a boat ride in the afternoon and settle in for the night in Dawki.

2. 02

   Day 2: Shnongpdeng and the river

   Spend a slow day on the water at Shnongpdeng with a canoe or kayak, a river walk and time to sit. Anyone who wants more can add snorkelling in clear water, with a life jacket and a guide.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Shnongpdeng	Half a day; overnight is better	Moderate	November to March, when the water is clear and dry

   Pace: Moderate walking today — plan a sit-down break between stops.

   With parents at Shnongpdeng: Paths down to the water are uneven and often have steps, camps are basic, and bathrooms may be shared. Older travellers can enjoy the river from a bank-side seat, but should check facilities and access with the host before booking.

3. 03

   Day 3: Krang Suri on the way out

   Leave Dawki on the Jowai road via Amlarem and stop at Krang Suri falls for a late morning, with time to sit by the pool; the descent to the water involves steps, so older travellers may prefer the viewpoint above. Continue to Jowai or Shillong in the afternoon. Mawlynnong fits better as a separate day trip from Shillong.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Krang Suri Falls	1–2 hours	Moderate	October to May, when the water is clearer and bluer

   Pace: Moderate walking today — plan a sit-down break between stops.

   With parents at Krang Suri Falls: The route to the pool involves steps and uneven ground, and the area gets slippery in the wet season. Older travellers can enjoy the view from the top, and it is better to avoid the pool in high water.

Read before you go

Guides for the stops on these routes

Pacing

Pacing a Dawki trip for parents and children

• Do not try Shillong to Dawki and back in a single day if anyone tires easily. Three hours each way on mountain roads is the real strain; one night out is kinder.
• The suspension bridge and the jetty are the easiest parts. Boat boarding involves a few steps and a step down into a narrow boat, so ask the boatman to hold the boat steady and wear non-slip shoes.
• Carry any regular medicines, a basic first-aid kit and snacks; medical care near the river is limited and the nearest large hospitals are in Shillong.
• Keep Krang Suri, Mawlynnong and the root bridge for a separate day or choose one; each involves steps or a short walk on uneven ground.
• Hire a car and driver for the whole trip so you control stops and can rest. Shared taxis are cheaper but slower and tighter.
• If it has rained heavily, ask your driver about landslides and road conditions the day before; hill roads can close without warning.

Dawki with elderly parents: the full guide →