A quiet riverside day at Shnongpareng
Shnongpareng is reached by a short drive and walk from the Dawki road. The village has organised its riverside with care: litter rules, a fee at the entrance, and a long suspension footbridge across the river that gives the best overhead view of the water. Below it are wide rock shelves where you can sit, and pools deep enough to swim from November to April.
Local operators offer kayaks and simple snorkelling masks, and some run guided cliff jumps for those who want them. We are selective and use only established outfits with life jackets and trained staff. For most guests the pleasure is simply sitting by water that is clear to the bottom, watching fish in the shallows.
Lunch is home-style Khasi food at a village kitchen: rice, chicken or pork, lentils and greens. We pair Shnongpareng with a short look at Dawki ghat on the way back, or continue to Mawlynnong for the root bridge at Riwai before returning to Shillong.
Questions travellers ask
Good to know
How is Shnongpareng different from Dawki?
Shnongpareng is a village a few kilometres upstream that manages its own stretch of the same Umngot river. It is quieter and cleaner, with a suspension footbridge, rock shelves and swimming pools. Dawki is the border town with the main boat ghat and more crowds. We usually visit Shnongpareng first.
Can I swim at Shnongpareng?
Yes, from about November to April, in pools the village has designated. The water is cool and clear. Swim only where local staff or your guide advise, wear a life jacket if you are not confident, and avoid swimming when the river is high after rain.
Can I camp at Shnongpareng?
The village runs simple riverside campsites with tents and basic facilities, popular with younger travellers on weekends. They are not luxury camps. Our guests usually visit for the day from Shillong, but we can arrange a campsite night for those who want to see the river at dawn.
Also in Dawki and Shnongpareng
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