Are you looking for adventure activities in Meghalaya? If yes, you are at the right place.
This article is based on my personal experience of visiting Mawlyngbna – an offbeat place in Meghalaya. Mawlyngbna is one of the best adventure spots in Meghalaya.
About Mawlyngbna
Have you heard of a beautiful village called Mawlyngbna nested at the Indo-Bangladesh border in Meghalaya?
If not, give it a search, visit the place and enrich yourself with an empowering experience.
Maintained by Mawlyngbna Multipurpose Co-operative Society Ltd. under Explore Exotic Meghalaya.
It is a joint collaboration of the Co-operative Department, the Mawlyngbna Traveller’s Nest provides exquisite and peaceful homestays along with several adventure activities.
Waterfalls & Scenic Drive to Mawlyngbna
Hearing the name Mawlyngbna for the first time just a week before, I couldn’t resist but join the road trip organized by This Travel Company on the 13th of October, 2019.
Driving through the curvy roads alongside the hills, we halted near Mawphlang Sacred Groove to embrace the foggy ambience.
As we neared Mawlyngbna, a waterfall greeted us by the roadside.
We stopped again, to watch the flight of the clouds play with the sun.
Standing atop a viewpoint, as I glanced to the right, left and front I saw waterfalls in each direction in the distant hills.
Well, I believe, Meghalaya should be referred to as the ‘Abode of Waterfalls’ instead of the ‘Abode of clouds.’
Traveller’s Nest Mawlyngbna
About 15 km from Mawsynram town of East Khasi Hills District of Meghalaya, the Traveller’s Nest is located atop a hill beside the Mawlyngbna village. After having driven about 5 hours from Guwahati, Assam, we finally reached our destination.
As the kids cheered in the playground below, we rejoiced in the view of the faraway paddy fields of Bangladesh, and the romanticism of the sunset with the hills of Meghalaya.
We reached right at the time when the sunset showed us its best colours. We felt blessed.
The flowers of Mawlyngbna and its plants like the Pitcher Plant are precious. Look for them when you get the chance.
Have you been this lucky at Mawlyngbna to enjoy such a soul soothing view?
The photo of watching the sunset holds a special place in my heart. It feels like I was embracing something that I lost in my life.
“The House in the Woods” is where we stayed the night. There were two cottages in Traveller’s Nest Campsite surrounded by trees all around.
As we descended the stairs, the crickets welcomed us with their whistles.
A beautiful night concluded under the full moon, bonfire, songs of joy, and the melody of guitar strings played by our guests.
Mawlyngbna River Trek – River Canyoning in Meghalaya
As I opened the door, a joyous puppy greeted wiggling its tail. It was a foggy morning accompanied by the sound of raindrops splashing on the leaves and crickets singing their best.
The clouds cleared by noon; the adventure thus began. After a 15-minute drive from the campsite and a short hike through a forested patch, we ventured out for river canyoning for the first time. The quest started with the thrill of jumping off the cliff.
Overcoming the fear of diving/jumping was perhaps meant to happen in the purest waters of Meghalaya. I cheered out loud as soon as I came out of the water.
Surreal it was! Sliding down the tiny waterfalls, rappelling a few, swimming and eventually kayaking to the Umkhakoi River – it has it all. Every moment was filled with thrill, laughter and happiness.
You get to slide, dip, dive, jump, swim and kayak in the river canyoning – A wholesome adventurous day!
The Mawlyngbna river trek includes all of it – swimming, rapelling a small waterfall and cliff jumping.
Unique structures at Umkhakoi Lake of Meghalaya – Don’t you agree?
When you are here go for Kayaking at Umkhakoi Lake. It is worth it.
10 Things to Do in Mawlyngbna
1. Cliff Jumping
I still stop and take my time before jumping. But doing it eventually – the sheer thrill and satisfaction of overcoming that fear is what I love.
Am I still scared to jump? I am, and I will still jump again.
2. Swimming
As life jackets are mandatory, swim as much as you can at Mawlyngbna.
3. Kayaking
To be in the lake, and be still, listening to the sound of the water, and the birds nearby – I found peace amid the chaos of life.
4. Angling
You will see locals angling in the lake if you are lucky enough. You may ask to participate with them if they allow it.
Angling is not included in the travel companies’ itinerary in general. You may ask your local guide to know more.
5. Hike to the humungous Mawlyngbna Split Rock
This split rock in Mawlyngbna is a geological marvel formed by a natural disaster. It is about 48 km away from Shillong, the capital city of Meghalaya.
A giant rock was split into two during the 1897 Assam earthquake. It was one of the deadliest earthquakes with a magnitude of 8 Richter Scale.
It might look like a simple crack, but look how humungous the split is.
Exploring the Split Rock will take you about 1 hour to 90 minutes, depending on how fast you choose to complete it.
Tree roots coming out of rock surfaces, and climbing up and descending through rocks and makeshift wooden and bamboo stairs – hiking the split rock would fascinate you.
Watch this short video I made on Mawlyngbna Split Rock –
In Mawlyngbna, go to the split rock early in the morning. You can then go and do the adventure activities like river canyoning during the day.
6. Visit Fossil Park
Read this Fossil Hike article on the Meghalaya Tourism website to know more about the trail.
7. Explore Oslo Waterfall, Umdikain Waterfall, and Riat Riam Khasaw Falls among others
8. Visit Ka iew Luri Lura
A rigged surface with animal footprints is believed as the market to have been run by animals according to their folklore.
9. Visit the Pitcher Plant Garden
You might have read about the insect-eating pitcher plants in books, but you will find them for real at the Pitcher Plant Garden of Mawlyngbna Village.
10. Explore Krem Mawpun- a cave in Lawbah
Here’s a YouTube short video from my recent trip to Mawlyngbna Meghalaya in April 2024 –
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to reach Mawlyngbna?
Sumo, buses and rented cars are available from Guwahati to Shillong. From Anjali Taxi Stand, you will get vehicles on a sharing basis directly to Mawlyngbna.
There are two buses from Shillong ( Anjali Sumo Taxi Stand) to Mawlyngbna – one at 1 pm and the other at 3 pm. Make sure you reach Shillong beforehand to book the tickets.
What about Mawlyngbna Stay Options?
There are two places to stay in Mawlyngbna – Mawlyngbna Traveller’s Nest and Mawlyngbna Umkakhoi Cottage (near the lake). I have stayed at both during my previous visits.
As of 2024, apart from the two main cottages, there are a few newly constructed better cottages in the Mawlyngbna Traveller’s Nest area.
How much does Mawlyngbna Stay Cost?
The Mawlyngbna Traveller’s Nest Campsite provides camping tents (Rs 800 per night) and has two guest houses (Rs 2000/day) for a stay.
Each guest house has two beds with an attached bathroom. An extra fee is charged to accommodate more than 2 individuals.
The new cottages cost more than the double of the previous cottages.
I prefer staying in the house in the woods surrounded by trees than the ones near the parking lot.
The later, however, will give you better views. Choose accordingly.
Whom to Contact?
I went for the first time in 2019 with This Travel Company . In 2022, I went as a freelance tour guide. You can contact me directly.
How far is Umkhakoi Lake from Shillong?
From Shillong, Umkhakoi Lake is about 75 km and takes more than 2 hours to reach.
Where can you do river canyoning in Meghalaya?
Apart from other adventure activities, Mawlyngbna is also popular for river canyoning in Meghalaya.
Things to carry for river trekking in Mawlyngbna
Since it is a water activity, don’t carry anything that might get damaged.. You can carry your phone but give it to your guide who carries a waterproof ocean bag.
You can carry your action camera to capture both underwater and above-the-water adventures.
Carry a good Sunscreen for the river trek and kayaking – I thought it wasn’t an issue, but I regretted later looking at my skin.
Tip: Wear the knee cap they provide, it helps you to avoid injury while manoeuvring through the Mawlynbna River Trek.
What is Mawlyngbna famous for?
Mawlyngbna is famous for the river trek, adventure activities like kayaking, swimming, cliff jumping; the geological fossils and the fascinating Split Rock.
An addition to the Mawsynram tourism and Meghalaya tourism map, Mawlyngbna ought to be on your Meghalaya checklist.
Watch this video my Meghalaya tourism on Mawlyngbna –
Summing it Up
I hope this article on Mawlyngbna helps you plan your trip with ease. I have visited Mawlyngbna thrice, once in 2019, next in 2022 and in April 2024.
The Mawlyngbna river trek and the activities like cliff jumping, swimming, waterfall rappelling, and kayaking – feel like a new experience every single time.
You can exclude popular tourist spots of Meghalaya and go for this offbeat place near Mawsynram of East Khasi Hills District.
Hello! Wonderful article. I want to include the river canyoning at Umkhakoi Lake in my itinerary, please tell me whom to contact for the canyoning activities.
It would be a lot of help.
Thanks!
Hi Khusman,
I am glad to hear that you wish to do river canyoning at Umkhakoi lake – it is one fun activity.
I hope you got my message on Instagram. Have a great time at Mawlyngbna!
If I want to stay there and camping, where I have to contact or where I have to go in Mawlyngbna village?
Hi Anup, the Mawlyngbna traveller’s Nest is the place where you can stay. It is located at the top of the hills facing the Mawlyngbna Village. May I know when are you planning to go? We are actually going there on 30 & 31st July (Saturday &Sunday), you can join us if you want.
We love waterfall hikes and trails. What a beautiful destination and I love your explanations and added benefits for the surrounding area. Such a great guide.
Hi Evie, Thank you. Do add Meghalaya to your bucket list.
This is so beautifully written. I would love to go on such a trail once things settle down. Thank you so much for enlightening us , your trip will be a tour guide for our future trips.
Thanks. Mawlyngbna’s other unexplored destinations are worth visiting too.
Good Read and informative. Keep it up
Looking forward to reading about your experience as well. Thanks!
Can’t wait to go to these places, such an interesting and informative article.
The more we travel Northeast India, the more such amazing places keep revealing themselves.
Good one, Joy!
Thanks
It’s beautiful! Thank you for sharing your beautiful experience about beautiful jannat’s on earth
Do vist Mawlyngbna someday.