Dawki & the Umngot River

Dawki is a small border town on the India–Bangladesh frontier where the Umngot river emerges from the Jaintia Hills. In the dry months the river is so clear that the wooden boats appear to float on air, their shadows visible on the pebbled riverbed several metres below — an image that has become one of the most photographed in Northeast India.

Boat rides on the Umngot, in traditional wooden boats rowed by local boatmen, are the main activity. The 1932 suspension bridge built by the British spans the river at Dawki, and the Tamabil–Dawki border crossing is nearby. From viewpoints you can see Bangladesh's flat plains just beyond the river, and the BSF border area at Dawki sometimes allows visitors to the zero line.

Water clarity depends entirely on the season. From roughly November to April the Umngot is crystal clear; during the monsoon it turns muddy and boating may be suspended. Weekends and holidays bring long queues, so arrive early. Upstream, Shnongpdeng offers a quieter experience with camping and water sports.