Atlas/meghalaya/Mawphanlur Lakeside Cottage, Meghalaya

Mawphanlur Lakeside Cottage, Meghalaya

Mawphanlur· 4.0 · 31 stays

“An offbeat home in Mawphanlur, set on a hilltop beside a natural lake. The rooms are a short walk from the car park, looking out onto the water. Mornings are quiet, sometimes foggy, with the sound of church bells from a nearby hill. It's a place for a digital detox - mobile signal is poor and Wi-Fi is intermittent. Food is simple, cooked to order, and served in your room or a separate dining hall.”

8 bedroomsSleeps 168 beds8 bathsCottageBasic EssentialsHot water

A look around

What's here

The last stretch of road has potholes and is strewn with rocks. But once you arrive, the view opens up. The home is a collection of eight simple cottages set beside a lake, on a quiet hilltop. From the parking area, it's a 100-metre walk to the rooms. Each of the eight bedrooms has its own bathroom and sleeps two guests, for a total of sixteen across the property. The rooms are spacious, and the washrooms are large, with geysers for hot water and western commodes. Outside each cottage is a small space for a barbecue, right by the water. There is a separate kitchen and dining area on the property, and meals can also be served in your room. The place is quiet. After the fog subsides, the landscape is clear and wide. As one guest said, "A church stands atop one of劳the hills and we could hear church bells ring which was soothing." Another found that their stay was "like a digital detox session. Cut-off from everything." It’s a place for quiet, with a view that guests have called magical.

What guests wrote

4.0· 31 stays

“Name of the village is "Mawphanlur" which falls under "West Khasi Hills" district. After reaching this village, there's a crossroad where you have to take Left turn and climb up. On top of the mountain, there's a natural lake. The property where this lake is located is called "Mawphanlur Traveller's Nest Guest House". Inside this property, if you want to sta...”

king wanlam

“The place was like a mirage for us because I had gone to Nongstoin for work and on the way back heavy rains lashed and fog enveloped our surroundings. We wanted to stay back given the deteriorating weather conditions and so we embarked towards Mawphanlur lake guesthouse. The road leading up to the cottages was not easy. Roads had huge potholes and were strew...”

Marina Lallawmawmi

“One of the prettiest offbeat places in Meghalaya. The drenlyna cottage/Natural lake guest house is located just beside the lake. You have to walk 100 meters to get to the rooms from the parking. Ample parking available. Rooms are spacious, washroom is quite big as well with all the necessary amenities (geyser, western commode etc.). It has got its own kitche...”

Arijit Das

“We celebrated our wedding anniversary at Travellers Nest Cottage in Mawphanlur, and it was absolutely magical. Nestled on a serene hilltop, the location offered clean air, breathtaking natural beauty, and complete tranquility away from the hustle and bustle. It truly felt like a dream getaway—peaceful, picturesque, and perfect in every way.”

Dr Vishal Gosavi

“The cottage is clean and the price of food is reasonable as well. However if you want packaged food then its better to carry it with you in advance”

Shivangi Mishra

Around the stay

Things to do nearby.

Mawphanlur is a good point from which to explore the wider Khasi Hills, though you’ll need a full day for most trips. The main circuit is centered around Shillong and Cherrapunji.

The living root bridges are a hallmark of Meghalaya. The most famous, the Nongriat double-decker bridge, is a significant trek involving a 3,500-step descent and ascent. It's a demanding but rewarding journey.

Near Cherrapunji (Sohra), you can explore the Mawsmai and Krem Phyllut caves. These limestone cave systems are well-lit and accessible for tourists, offering a glimpse into the region's unique geology.

The Umngot river at Dawki, on the Bangladesh border, is known for its famously clear water, which looks like glass between January and March. You can take a boat ride on the river.

Mawlynnong is often called ‘Asia’s Cleanest Village’. It’s a small, well-kept village with a sky walk made of bamboo (at nearby Riwai) that offers views over the plains of Bangladesh.

Nohkalikai Falls, at 340 metres, is India's tallest plunge waterfall. The viewpoint near Cherrapunji gives a full view of its dramatic drop, especially during and after the monsoon.

Logistics

Getting there.

By Air: The standard arrival airport is Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Guwahati (GAU), about 100km from Shillong. It’s a 3-hour drive from the airport to Shillong, and then further on to Mawphanlur. A smaller airport at Umroi near Shillong (SHL) has limited flights, mostly from Kolkata.

By Rail: The nearest major railway station is in Guwahati, which is well-connected to the rest of India. There is no rail network in Meghalaya itself. From the station, you can hire a taxi for the journey to Mawphanlur.

By Road: Shillong is the main road hub for the region. Mawphanlur is in the West Khasi Hills, and the drive involves winding mountain roads. The final approach to the property is on a rough, unpaved road.

Seasons

Best time to visit.

The best time to visit the Khasi Hills is from October to April, when the weather is dry and the skies are generally clear. This is the ideal season for trekking and sightseeing.

The monsoon season, from June to September, brings some of the heaviest rainfall in the world, over 10,000mm. During this time, the landscape is incredibly lush and green, and waterfalls are at their most powerful. However, some caves and trails may be closed, and the constant rain can disrupt travel plans.

Before you book

The fine print, written plainly.

Frequently asked

The questions travellers ask.

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