Mawlynnong
Asia's cleanest village: root bridge, bamboo skywalk
Best time to visit Mawlynnong
- Jan, peak season
- Feb, peak season
- Mar, shoulder season
- Apr, shoulder season
- May, shoulder season
- Jun, best avoided
- Jul, best avoided
- Aug, best avoided
- Sep, best avoided
- Oct, shoulder season
- Nov, peak season
- Dec, peak season
peak shoulder off-season avoid
- Go: November to February
- Shoulder: March to May and October, quieter, and the weather is less of a sure thing
- Skip: June to September
Mawlynnong season by season
Winter December to February Prime time
Dry paths, clear skies: the Sky View bamboo tower shows Bangladesh's plains below.
Summer March to May Shoulder
Warm, green, fewer tourists, though afternoon showers creep in by May.
Monsoon June to September Do not go
Some of India's heaviest rain falls right here. Leeches, slick paths, zero views.
Autumn October to November Prime time
October is transitional: trails drying out, village looking its lush best.
What Mawlynnong is actually like
Homestay evenings with Khasi families, mostly day-trippers, quiet overnight stays.
Getting to Mawlynnong
1h from Dawki, 2.5h shared taxi from Shillong. No ILP.
Practical ways in: road
Trip facts
- How long to stay
- 2 days
- Budget
- Mid-range
- How busy
- Steady at its peak
- Solo travel
- Fine solo
- Altitude
- 474 m
- State
- Meghalaya
- Coordinates
- 25.2018, 91.9160
Common questions
When is the best time to visit Mawlynnong?
November to February is peak season in Mawlynnong. March to May and October is shoulder season: thinner crowds, a bit more risk in the weather. Avoid June to September. October is transitional: trails drying out, village looking its lush best.
How many days do you need in Mawlynnong?
2 days is the usual stay. Homestay evenings with Khasi families, mostly day-trippers, quiet overnight stays.
How do you get to Mawlynnong?
1h from Dawki, 2.5h shared taxi from Shillong. No ILP. Practical ways in: road.
Is Mawlynnong expensive, and does it get crowded?
Mid-range by Indian travel standards, and it runs steady at the busiest time of year. Fine solo.
Nearby, and where to go next
-
Dawki & Shnongpdeng
Meghalaya
Glass-clear Umngot river: boating, cliff camps, border
10 km from Mawlynnong, roughly under an hour by road
-
Wahkhen (Mawryngkhang Bamboo Trail)
Meghalaya
Bamboo skywalk over the Wahrew gorge to the king of stones
20 km from Mawlynnong, roughly under an hour by road
-
Cherrapunji (Sohra)
Meghalaya
Wettest place on earth: waterfalls, canyons, caves
30 km from Mawlynnong, roughly under an hour by road
-
Nongriat (Double-Decker Root Bridge)
Meghalaya
3,500 steps down to a living double-decker root bridge
30 km from Mawlynnong, roughly under an hour by road
-
Mawphlang Sacred Forest
Meghalaya
Khasi sacred grove where you may not carry a single leaf out
50 km from Mawlynnong, roughly about 1 h by road
-
Jowai (Nartiang & Krangsuri)
Meghalaya
Jaintia monolith field, a Shakti Peetha and blue Krangsuri pools
60 km from Mawlynnong, roughly about 2 h by road
-
Shillong
Meghalaya
Northeast's hill capital: cafes, lakes, live music
60 km from Mawlynnong, roughly about 2 h by road
-
Mawphanlur
Meghalaya
Grassy knoll village of tiny lakes and kayaks at 1,850 m
90 km from Mawlynnong, roughly about 2 h by road
More places to visit in Meghalaya
- Baghmara (Balpakram gateway) Meghalaya
- Cherrapunji (Sohra) Meghalaya
- Dawki & Shnongpdeng Meghalaya
- Jowai (Nartiang & Krangsuri) Meghalaya
- Mawphanlur Meghalaya
- Mawphlang Sacred Forest Meghalaya
- Nongkhnum Island (Langshiang Falls) Meghalaya
- Nongriat (Double-Decker Root Bridge) Meghalaya
- Shillong Meghalaya
- Siju (Dobakkol Caves) Meghalaya
- Tura (Garo Hills) Meghalaya
- Wahkhen (Mawryngkhang Bamboo Trail) Meghalaya