Sliang and Amkoi : Other side of Shnongpdeng and Dawki
Hello all,
No visit to Meghalaya is complete without visiting this amazing river. Yes! I am talking about the Wah Umngot River. It is the cleanest river in India. The water is so pure and clean that you can see a river bed with small pebbles and giant rocks beneath. The crystal clear emerald green water of the river is a feast to the eyes and soul!
You can visit either Dawki or Shnongpdeng on the banks of the Umngot River. While Deaki is relatively larger of the two with the Bangladesh border, Shnongpdeng is a small village with adventure activities as the main attraction.
Why the water is so clean?
The river is between two major areas of Meghalaya. Jaintia hills and Khasi hills. The river separates the two. While other rivers in the state are polluted (Wah Lukha River in Brichyrnot village), this Umngot river is pure like an elixir. Why is it so? The terrains through which the river flows are not suitable for human conditions. So only three villages are there just before the river enters Bangladesh, despite having a long course. These three are Dawki, Darrang and Shnongpdeng. Even the tributaries of the river are clean.
So, when we decided to visit this amazing river, we opted for Shnongpdeng instead of Dawki. We wanted to do activities like cliff jumping and snorkelling, so it was the best option for us.
In Shnongpdeng also, we wanted to visit some offbeat places as the banks of Shnongpdeng are now flooded with camping sites. And that’s how we came across a small place near it named Sliang.
How to reach Sliang?
Sliang is a less explored off-beat place upstream of Shnongpdeng. There are gigantic white glacier-like rocks on the river banks and one look at the picture and we are sold! There are two ways to reach Sliang.
From Amkoi village – It is a bit more challenging. It is longer and the route is very steep and treacherous. If you tell any local guide that you want to go to Amkoi village, they will take you to this route to the uphill village.
From Shnongpdeng – First, you have to go by boat to the beautiful cascades of falls. The boat ride is approximately 25-35 minutes. Once you reach the falls, you have to get down and take the uphill jungle trail. The first and last parts of the trail are boulder sections, while the middle part is through the forest with tall betel nut trees all around you. The boulders in the last part are slippery, so you might want to remove your shoes. We went through this route.
Trail type : Boulders with forest sections, can be slippery in places
Trek type: Moderate
Trek distance : Appx 2 km
Duration : 30-35 minutes
Once we got there, the surroundings were amazing, with large white rocks all around us. The rocks are smooth and slippery, just like butter, so you have to be careful. Our guide was a friendly and exceptional young man named Hamdi. He helped us at every point and was as patient as the surrounding rocks when we took our time in cliff jumping.
From here we have to cross the river and do cliff jumping from the opposite side
We had to cross the river and swim to reach the opposite bank. From there, we had to climb a cliff and do cliff jumping. Climbing a cliff was challenging but equally fun. They have kept a bamboo ladder from the cliff to the plunge pool below. And then you come to another cliff. You can see the emerald-green water and giant boulders on either side of the riverbed. It was my turn first, but at the last moment, I lost my nerve. Sheel and Shaurya did it effortlessly, and then finally, I also did it! It was exhilarating…The moment I jumped was a feeling I won’t be able to describe in words…And for Shaurya it was the best part of the entire trip.
After cliff jumping, we came back again on the opposite bank. We had our delicious packed Khasi lunch consisting of spinach rice, potato sabzi and dal… There were a few stalls at Shnongpdeng; we had taken our lunch from there. Going back, climbing the initial parts of the boulders was tough, but with the help of Hamdi and his friend, we were able to do it without much trouble. This was one of the best adventures we had till now, swimming and river and cliff jumping!
Shaurya wanted to do zip lining, but it was closed by the time we were back. We stayed at the homestay in Shnongpdeng. But let me tell you one thing; you might not get the quiet you need as at the campsite they play loud music till late at night. In the morning, we saw an amazing sunrise from the balcony of our homestay to end our perfect stay in Shnongpdeng.
Things to do in Shnongpdeng
This place is one of the best places for adventure enthusiasts.
· Boat ride in the emerald waters of the Umngot River. You can get an inflatable boat. They provide life jackets also. A maximum of four people can sit at a time in a boat.
· Kayaking.
· Snorkeling
· Scuba diving
· Cliff jumping
· Zip-lining.
· Trekking
· Rock climbing/rappelling
· Riverside camping
· Walk on a hanging bridge.
Timings of the activities: 10 AM to 4 PM
How to Reach Shnongpdeng?
Shnongpdeng – 90 km from Shillong
8 km from Dawki.
Dawki is at the India – Bangladesh border, with the river forming a natural boundary. You can get public transport from Shillong to Dawki.
If you want to go to Shnongpdeng, private transport is better.
Places to stay at Shnongpdeng:
There are many camping sites on the riverbank.
A few bamboo huts are also available with homestays.
You won’t find any luxury stay here.
Best time to visit:
November to May. As in monsoon, the water of the river will be murky, and you might not be able to see the glassy water.
Points to consider:
– Please don’t litter near the campsite. The place is so beautiful and popular because of the river, and if we do not travel responsibly, the place will lose its charm. Please throw trash in dustbins.
– Wear quick, dry clothes.
– If you want to swim, wear a costume underneath, as there is no place for changing in Amkoi.
– There are public washrooms in Shnonogpndeng just 100 meters from the campsite.
– If you want to trek further, you can go to Nongtlui which is another beautiful area with giant boulders and crystal clear water.
So, it was an adventurous day for us in Shnongpdeng, which we will not forget for a long long time. Thanks to Mr. Ratan and Mr. Hamdi for making it memorable.
Contact number of Experience Destination : 9859960660
Contact number of Mr. Hamdi : +916009795914
If you are planning to go to Meghalaya, just check this and don’t forget to share it with your friends and families.
Thank you..
Hey thank you for sharing. I was wondering if the place and cliff diving were safe with kids. Seeing your pics just reassured me. Travel vlogging / vlogging seems to be done by singles and youngsters.
Yes. We were also confused. But our guide was confident. And you are right, most of the vlogs are by youngsters. Just be safe and avoid unnecessary risks. They provide life jackets and take utmost care especially when we are with kids. Hope you will enjoy it.
Just one concern, we visited in December. I dont know about flow of river during this season. So follow your guides.