The pristine Umgot River of Shnongpdeng, Meghalaya
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| The suspension bridge at Shnongpdeng. |
Located
around 80km south-west of Shillong, which is Meghalaya’s capital, is a mystical
village named Shnongpdeng (village center), which cradles the immaculate river Umgot
that flows through the India-Bangladesh border. The Umgot River attracts
visitors with its pure and crystal-clear waters and lush surroundings
entertained by very hospitable locals and activities in and around it.
How to get there
If you want a more local feel of commuting to Shnongpdeng, you can hop on to a shared taxi or ‘sumo’ as they’re locally called, which is the cheapest way to go, else the option of hiring a private cab is always available but at a higher price. You’ll need to get to the Dawki sumo stand in Anjalee, Shillong. This journey will take up to 3 hours, however, during these 3 hours you’ll wish it never ends as you’ll bear witness to magnificent rolling hills, lush untouched forests, quaint villages and dreamy skies throughout the way. From the village center, Shnongpdeng is a mere 8kms as you descend to the splendid Umngot River.
How to get there
If you want a more local feel of commuting to Shnongpdeng, you can hop on to a shared taxi or ‘sumo’ as they’re locally called, which is the cheapest way to go, else the option of hiring a private cab is always available but at a higher price. You’ll need to get to the Dawki sumo stand in Anjalee, Shillong. This journey will take up to 3 hours, however, during these 3 hours you’ll wish it never ends as you’ll bear witness to magnificent rolling hills, lush untouched forests, quaint villages and dreamy skies throughout the way. From the village center, Shnongpdeng is a mere 8kms as you descend to the splendid Umngot River.
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| Tourist exploring the crystal clear river at Shnongpdeng |
Food and accommodation
Shnongpdeng has many restaurants and cafes catering to vegetarians as well
as meat eaters, with options of local, North-east Indian, Indian, Chinese and
continental food. There are also a few provisional shops for basic necessities.
Accommodation is easy to find here as there are lovely homestays and
guesthouses and some of which even provide hearty home-cooked meals. For the
more outdoorsy, camping in tents by the sandy riverbanks is a must, especially
with a campfire under the starlit sky.
Activities
At a minimal price, the local and expert boatmen take you upstream on the elegant long boats for sight-seeing, swimming, or fishing. Independent group, ‘Pioneer Adventure Tours’ in Shnongpdeng hosts an array of thrilling sports like fishing, zip-lining, kayaking, snorkeling, scuba-diving, cliff-jumping, rappelling, rock-climbing and more.
The grand and very enchanting Umgot river is a must visit if you’re in or around the region. It has awed and inspired many a visitor by its natural surrealistic features and grandeur and it will, without a doubt, you too.
Activities
At a minimal price, the local and expert boatmen take you upstream on the elegant long boats for sight-seeing, swimming, or fishing. Independent group, ‘Pioneer Adventure Tours’ in Shnongpdeng hosts an array of thrilling sports like fishing, zip-lining, kayaking, snorkeling, scuba-diving, cliff-jumping, rappelling, rock-climbing and more.
The grand and very enchanting Umgot river is a must visit if you’re in or around the region. It has awed and inspired many a visitor by its natural surrealistic features and grandeur and it will, without a doubt, you too.
Written by- Abigail Crystal N-Majaw
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