A Complete Guide To Explore One of the Smallest Villages in Meghalaya For Budget Travellers

Human interference has almost destroyed a lot of the natural beauty the planet possesses. It’s hard to find a place where the purity of the environment is undisturbed or untouched. Dawki is a small place in one of the North Eastern states of India, in Meghalaya, where I could literally feel the freshness of the air on my skin and see through water like I was viewing through a crystal. This place retains all the magic nature ever had. If you are in search of a place like this, Dawki is where you have to go.

I’ll give you a little information regarding its location. This beautiful place lies in the West Jaintia Hills, about 80 km away from the capital city Shillong. It lies at border of Inida and Bangladesh. It was initially known for trading between the countries but now its charm is being explored and it has now become every traveller’s dream to be there.

How to get there?

By Flight: The airport that is closest is at Guwhati, which is about 200 km from Dawki. Guwhati is well connected to the major cities of the country so you can fly from anywhere. You can take a cab to Shillong and reach Dawki by road. There are helicopter services available from Guwhati to Shillong, you could use that as well.

By Train: The nearest railway station is also at Guwhati. You will have to reach Dawki by one of the ways mentioned above.

By road: You can opt to rent a motor bike from Guwhati and experience a thrilling ride to Dawki or take a cab to Dawki from Shillong or Guwhati.

The journey from Shillong to Dawki:

Although the journey will not be a very smooth one, it will be an adventurous one for sure. The view is picturesque and there are a few points where you can stop and take a break. After you drive about 30 km from Shillong, you will reach the Mawkhong view point. You should definitely stop here and treat your eyes with the spectacular view of the mountains and valleys. As you proceed with your journey, you will see beautiful cascades to add charm to the journey with its sound and view.

Things to do at Dawki:

Umngot River:

This is the major reason why we are here at Dawki. The river is so clear that you can see down till the riverbed and that is indescribably beautiful. The river is called a floating mirror. Row boats are available at the river bank. A boat ride on this immensely beautiful river would add on to your thrill of being amidst nature’s best. The boatmen take you on a boat ride to an island nearby. You can see a huge tree that borders the two countries in the river. There is a suspension bridge above the river. It was built by the British in 1930 and still stands strong. Crossing the bridge on foot is a fun-filled experience. Camp stay at the river banks would be an amazing option for you. You can watch the sunset in the evening and stargaze at night. It totally brings you the joy of all little things!

Activities that take place at the river: There is an annual boat race that is conducted here. The race generally takes places in the months of March and April. You should plan your visit around those months if you want to witness this exciting event. The other things that you can do all year round are kayaking, snorkelling and zip lining.

Tamabila:

This is the border road between India and Bangladesh and is considered as a very friendly zone. Coal transportation is done via this road. This road is 4156 km long and is the fifth longest road in the world.

Food at Dawki:

As Dawki is a small place, you may not find many restaurants around, but the local dhabas serve amazing food. You will mostly find only the north east cuisine on the menu. Rice is their staple food. Some of the things that are served are Jadoh, picked bamboo shoots, rice with meat and fish, tung rymbai and Ki kpu. They are a little difficult to pronounce but best in taste. Momos are widely available too.

Best time to visit:

The most ideal climatic conditions prevail during the months from September to November. The monsoon is just over and the foliage is in full bloom. If you want to enjoy the festivities including the annual boat race, you can plan your visit during the summer months.

Stay:

You can either opt for a guided camp stay by the river or book homestays. The homestays are about 10km away from Dawki. The camp stay would cost about Rs.800-900 per night.

Homestays:

1. Pumpkin Kharmawshun Homestay (10 km away from Dawki)- Rs.1600 per night

2. Pumpkin Hala ympei Homestay (10 km from Dawki)-Rs. 2000 per night

This divine place hidden in the thickets of Meghalaya is a gem of a place to be at. Dawki is perfect for those who want to get away from the daily hustles of life. The environment is ideal to meditate or to relax yourself. The water and air clear the toxins in your mind somehow and you feel refreshed once you are here.