Meghalaya - Part 2 - Krang Suri Falls and Dawki
Day 3 – [5-Sept-22] - Checkout from Jowai -> Krang Suri waterfalls -> Dawki -> Mawlynnong (Asia’s cleanest village). Overnight stay at Mawlynnong (Umpohliew homestay)
We were asked to get ready early by our driver today. Since there are no food options at the homestay, our driver had suggested to drive up-to our first destination Krang Suri waterfalls and then have breakfast early. We started at around 7 am and reached Krang Suri waterfalls in an hour(30 kms from Jowai). It was raining heavily here too. There were no tourist vehicles here. We were the first ones and food shops also weren’t open yet. Our driver had already informed one restaurant earlier day to open early and keep breakfast ready for us. So they served us yummy Maggie and omelette.
Krang Suri Falls
The trekking path up-to the falls has been very clearly carved out. But with rains it was too slippery. So please ensure you have the right footwear with you here.
After walking some distance, we got first glimpse of the falls and I just don’t have words to explain the beauty of this amazing place. There is also a viewpoint made here so that people can relax and click some pictures of the falls from the top.
We again started walking down and every curve we took it was damn slippery. We took baby steps literally to reach down to the falls. Hence we have not taken any pictures because we were more careful of the steps we were taking here.
We reached the entry point of the falls and we were charged an entry fee of Rs. 50 per person. From here we had to walk down for another 10 minutes to reach the waterfalls.
Finally we reached Krang Suri waterfalls which is simply mesmerizing and this place oozes peace and tranquility.
By now our light breakfast had digested completely. So our driver had arranged light lunch for us at the same place where we had breakfast since our next stop Dawki was pretty far and there weren’t good food options enroute. So we had our light lunch here and then started our drive to Dawki.
Dawki
Dawki is a small town in the Jaintia hills and this is a border town between India and Bangladesh. This is an important trade center for limestone between both the countries. While reaching Dawki, we also saw lot of trucks loaded with limestone stocks waiting for pass at the border checkpoints. This place is famous for boating along the Umngot river since people can enjoy the crystal clear waters. It is said that, during non-monsoon season even if you drop a one rupee coin you can easily spot it here. This river also shares a common shore with Bangladesh.
We parked our car at the parking lot and walk up to the boating place from here is very scenic with boats parked on either sides and tall trees welcoming you to this place.
We hired a boat for Rs 800 and hopped onto the boat. Our journey along this beautiful landscape began from here. The Dawki suspension bridge built by British way back in 1932 hanging over the river and which connects two major hills – Jaintia and Khasi is a treat to watch during this boat ride.
Next we were dropped here at one place where we found colorful tiny stones at one corner of the river. Our boatman gave us 10 minutes to get down and click some pictures here.
After sometime we hopped onto our boat for our return journey back to base.
We then started our drive towards Asia’s cleanest village Mawlynnong.
Enroute we came across some spectacular waterfalls. First we came across Umkrem falls.
BOPHill Falls
This is one of the largest falls in Dawki area.
We clicked few pictures here. Stood there and enjoyed the cool mist splashing on our face.
Further ahead we drove and took a pit stop at next magnificent waterfall – Bophill falls.
Borhill Falls
A view of three tiered cascading waterfalls gushing down from the hill is a treat to watch in monsoon. Borhill falls offers panoramic views of Khasi hills on one side and plains of Bangladesh border on other side.
From here you drive along the plains that clearly demarcates India and Bangladesh. We drove literally along the fences bordering the two countries. Finally at one spot where BSF camp was there, we took a pit stop to click some pictures of this border.
We then drove straight to Mawlynnong. As you enter this village, there is an entry point for tourist vehicles where you will be charged entry fee of Rs.50.
From here drive inside this Asia’s cleanest village was beyond words. Clean road, colorful flora and good weather gave a warm welcome to us. There is an entry point and beyond this vehicles are not allowed.
Mawlynnong village is a community-based eco-tourism initiative where people residing in this village have made collective efforts in maintaining this village clean.
We reached our homestay and decided to take a walk along this village and explore some dinner options also.
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| Our Homestay - very difficult to pronounce its name |
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| Very creatively designed restroom😊 |
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| Tried fried fish and it tasted good |
After having yummy dinner and a good walk in this peaceful clean village, we reached homestay and hit our beds.
Our next day’s plan was to explore this serene clean village, balancing rock and single living root bridge at Riwai. I will be sharing my experiences of exploring all these interesting places around Asia’s cleanest village in my next blog😊.
Pages from my Meghalaya Travel Diary
Meghalaya - Part 1 - Latlum Canyon and Nartiang Monolith
Meghalaya - Part 3 - Mawlynnong : Asia's Cleanest Village
Meghalaya - Part 4 - Cheerapunji Local Sightseeing
Meghalaya - Part 5 - Double Decker Root Bridge Trek and Sacred Groove
Very Nice pics and very much informative vlog..
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