Self-drive route guide · 180+ km from Guwahati
Guwahati to Dawki & Mawlynnong by self-drive car, bike or scooty
Dawki's Umngot River is so clear that boats seem to float in mid-air, and Mawlynnong, often called Asia's cleanest village, sits just off the same road. Together they make one of Meghalaya's best road trips.
- Distance
- 180+ km
- Drive time
- Best over 2 days, with a night in Shillong
- Route
- Guwahati → Shillong → Pynursla → Mawlynnong → Dawki
The route and where to stop
It's over 180 km from Guwahati, through Shillong and then 80–90 km further south into quieter hills. Do it over two days. Here's how, and which of our rentals suits it.
Guwahati (Maligaon)
Pick up your rental at our Maligaon location, about 2 km from Kamakhya station.
Shillong100 km
Your overnight stop. See our Guwahati to Shillong guide for the first leg.
Pynursla
The town on the Dawki road where you turn off for Mawlynnong.
Mawlynnong
The famously clean village: walk the lanes, climb the sky walk, and see the living root bridge a short walk away.
Dawki & the Umngot River180+ km
Take a boat on the Umngot and see Dawki bridge at the Bangladesh border. Shnongpdeng, upstream, has camping and kayaking.
What the road is like
After Shillong the roads get hillier and quieter, then descend towards the border. Dawki is a border trade point, so expect trucks near town.
It's a long day's riding or driving from Shillong and back. Start early and give yourself time at the river rather than rushing the return.
Which rental for Guwahati to Dawki & Mawlynnong?
By self-drive car
The comfortable choice for this long route, especially with family.
- Suzuki Ertiga (7-Seater)₹2,800/day
- AC and space make 180+ km easy, and there's room for a picnic by the river.
- If you must do it in a single day from Guwahati, it only makes sense in a car: leave by 6 or 7 AM.
By bike
A wonderful ride for experienced riders.
- Yamaha FZ₹1,000/day
- Honda SP 125₹1,000/day
- Bajaj Pulsar N160₹1,200/day
- Split it over two days with a night in Shillong: it's a long day in the saddle otherwise.
- Enjoy the ridge roads near Shillong and the descent towards the border, in daylight.
By scooter (scooty)
Allowed, but long: for confident riders who travel light.
- Yamaha RayZR 125₹800/day
- Only as a multi-day trip with a night in Shillong, and ideally near Dawki too.
- For two people with luggage, a geared bike or the car is more comfortable.
Real photos
Our vehicles, as you'll get them
Best time to go
- November to April
- The dry season, when the Umngot is at its clearest. The best time for the floating-boat effect.
- June to September
- Monsoon rain can cloud the water and limit boating, though the hills are at their greenest.
A two- to three-day Dawki & Mawlynnong trip
Day 1
Guwahati to Shillong (100 km). Overnight in Shillong.
Day 2
Leave early for Mawlynnong: the village, the sky walk and the root bridge. Then on to Dawki for a boat on the Umngot. Stay near Dawki or Shnongpdeng, or head back to Shillong.
Day 3
Return to Guwahati via Shillong, off the hill roads before dusk.
Fuel, permits and what to carry
- Fuel up in Guwahati and again in Shillong: options are sparse after that.
- No permit is needed for Indian nationals. Dawki is close to the Bangladesh border, so carry a valid ID.
- Visit between November and April for the clearest water.
Guwahati to Dawki & Mawlynnong: questions & answers
How far is Dawki from Guwahati?
Over 180 km: about 100 km to Shillong, then 80 to 90 km further south to Dawki.
Can I do Dawki from Guwahati in one day?
It's possible in a car with a 6 or 7 AM start, but it's over 12 hours on the road. An overnight stop in Shillong makes it far more comfortable.
When is the Umngot River clearest?
Usually November to April, in the dry season. Monsoon rain from June to September can cloud the water.
Can I combine Dawki with Mawlynnong?
Yes. Mawlynnong is a short detour off the Shillong–Dawki road via Pynursla, so most people visit both on the same day.
Rental terms (documents, deposit, km limit, late returns) are on the self-drive rentals page.
Plan the rest of your trip
Destination guides
From our blog
Pick up in Guwahati
Every rental starts and ends at our Maligaon location, about 2 km from Kamakhya station and 10 km from the airport.
RedPanda Travels — Bike and Car Rental
Jonaki Path, Bylane 3, Sati Jaymati Nagar, Maligaon, near Basundhara Apartments, Guwahati, Assam 781011