Dawki sits on the Bangladesh border about 82 km south of Shillong, and the Umngot River there is the reason people come - in the clear months the water is so transparent that boats appear to hover over the riverbed. The drive takes roughly two and a half hours through Pynursla, dropping steadily as the hills flatten towards the plains.
The standard day pairs Dawki with Mawlynnong, Asia's cleanest village, and the living root bridge at Riwai - all within half an hour of each other on the return leg. Start early: the water reads clearest in morning light, and the boats get busy by mid-morning. Your driver waits at each stop and handles the parking.
On the way
Pynursla
The ridge town roughly halfway, where the descent begins
Umngot River, Dawki
Boating on the clear water - best from November to April
Indo-Bangladesh border
The Dawki land crossing viewpoint
Mawlynnong & Riwai
Asia's cleanest village and the living root bridge, on the way back
Route map
Shillong to Dawki in driving order, ~82 km via Shillong-Dawki road via Pynursla.
Open this route in Google MapsIncluded in the quote
- ✓Private car - no shared seats, no other passengers
- ✓Experienced local driver who knows the route
- ✓Fuel, parking, tolls and driver charges
- ✓Pickup from your hotel, airport or station
- ✓Flexible photo and tea stops along the way
Paid separately
- -Entry tickets, boating and activity fees at each spot
- -Meals and refreshments
- -Hotel stays - you book your own; we suggest good night halts on request
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Boats that float on glass, Asia's cleanest village and a living root bridge - one unforgettable border-road day.
Shillong to Dawki taxi - FAQ
Updated August 2026
How long is the Shillong to Dawki drive?+
About 82 km and roughly 2.5 hours each way via Pynursla. Most guests leave between 7 and 8 am so they reach the Umngot in the calm morning light.
When is the Umngot River at its clearest?+
November to April, when the river runs low and glass-clear. From June to September the monsoon carries silt and the water turns green-brown - boating often pauses altogether in heavy rain. Come in the dry months if the clear water is the reason you are going.
Can we do Dawki and Mawlynnong in one day?+
Yes - that is the standard trip. Mawlynnong and the Riwai root bridge are about 30 minutes from Dawki, so the usual loop is boating first, then the village on the way back to Shillong.
Is boating included in the taxi quote?+
No. The boat is paid directly at the ghat, as are entry tickets. The taxi quote covers the car, driver, fuel, parking and tolls - we tell you clearly what sits outside it.
Can we stay overnight at Dawki instead?+
Yes. Riverside camps and homestays at Shnongpdeng, just upriver, are popular - you wake up already at the water and get the river before the day crowd. Say so when you book and we will plan the car around it.