Forestside Homestay in Mawlynnong, Meghalaya
4.9· 54 stays
Things to do nearby.
Mawlynnong village lies just a two-minute drive from the front gate. Known for its clean stone pathways, flowering gardens, and bamboo bins lining every lane, the village offers a calm afternoon walk. While there, you can climb the Riwai bamboo sky walk, a hand-woven structure rising above the treetops for views across the plains into Bangladesh.
The Riwai living root bridge sits nearby, accessible via a short downhill stone path. Grown across a jungle stream over generations by weaving the aerial roots of rubber fig trees, this natural bridge requires no guide and takes roughly twenty minutes to reach from the road parking area.
Further down toward the border lies Dawki and the Umngot river, located 95 km from Shillong and about an hour drive from the property. Between January and March, the water turns clear as glass, allowing wooden boats to float over visible riverbeds. Hiring a local boatman at the shore gives you a view of the river gorge and the Bangladesh border line.
Heading west toward Cherrapunji, also known as Sohra, brings you to Mawsmai Cave and Krem Phyllut. Mawsmai is a well-lit limestone cave network where low stone arches and natural formations allow visitors to walk through without technical caving gear.
Nohkalikai Falls drops 340 meters off a red rock cliff face near Sohra, making it India's tallest plunge waterfall. A stone viewpoint sits right beside the parking area, though visiting during clear morning hours gives the best visibility before clouds roll up from the valley floor.
Getting there.
Guwahati Airport is the primary entry point for Meghalaya, sitting 100 km from Shillong. A road journey from Guwahati to Shillong takes roughly three hours along four-lane and two-lane highways. From Shillong, the drive south to Mawlynnong takes about two and a half hours along winding hill roads.
Shillong Airport at Umroi sits 30 km from Shillong proper, operating a limited schedule of regional flights mostly connected through Kolkata. Taxis can be hired at either airport for direct transport down to the South Khasi Hills.
Guwahati Railway Station is the nearest rail connection, positioned 100 km from Shillong. Taxis and shared sumo vehicles depart regularly from the station area toward Shillong and the southern border district.
The road from Shillong down to Mawlynnong spans 75 km of turning mountain asphalt. Driving requires attention as the route winds down steep river valleys and through bamboo forests.
Best time to visit.
October through April brings dry weather, clear skies, and mild temperatures across the East Khasi Hills. Morning temperatures stay cool, while daytime warmth makes walking between villages and root bridges easy. The water in Dawki reaches peak clarity between January and March.
Monsoon season runs from June through September, bringing over 10,000 mm of rain to the region. Waterfalls run at full power and the jungle turns bright green, though heavy rains can cause short road delays and temporary closures at deep cave systems or steep river descents.
