Day trip from Shillong — Umiam Lake and the Mawphlang sacred grove
A quiet day away from the town. The Mawphlang sacred grove is a forest the Khasi keep for the forest spirit, and Umiam Lake is the reservoir north of Shillong, on the road to Guwahati. For the town sights, see the one-day plan, and for both together, the two-day plan.
Photos: Daniel Romanson (CC0) · Prof (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Ritika74 (CC BY-SA 4.0) — via Wikimedia Commons, resized.
Who this is for
Walkers and anyone who likes forest and water more than monuments; the dry months from October to March are best.
Day by day
Day 1A reservoir and a sacred forest
2 stops · 1 h 16 min on the road
A reservoir and a sacred forest
Two slow stops on opposite sides of the town: the grove first, while the forest is quiet, then the lake.
- 09:00Mawphlang Sacred GroveThe Khasi law kyntang and its standing stones; ask before you enter, and take nothing out.
- ↓ 1 h 16 min by road · 44 km13:00Umiam LakeThe reservoir on the Guwahati road, with viewpoints and, if you wish, boating.
Getting there
Shillong has no railway; see how to reach Shillong.
Where to stay
Stay in Shillong. We have no verified lodging or prices.
Know before you go
- The grove is a religious place: follow the notice at the entrance and ask about guides on arrival; we have no verified rules.
- Wear shoes with grip; the forest floor and the stones are wet.
- Check the weather before the lake: haze hides the view and rain closes the water sports.
Places on this route
Going together
No one has started a group going on this plan yet. Start one and other travellers can ask to come along.
Other ways to do it
All Shillong itineraries →
More places nearby
All of Shillong →
Nearby destinations
All destinations →
Questions people ask
How far are Mawphlang and Umiam Lake from Shillong?
The sacred grove is about 37 minutes from the town centre on our routing, and Umiam Lake about 44 minutes; Wikipedia gives 25 km and 15 km as the straight distances. They lie on opposite sides of Shillong, so the plan takes the grove first and then returns to the lake, with plenty of time for each.
Can you enter the Mawphlang sacred grove?
It is a religious site kept by the community, and Wikipedia's article on sacred groves says hunting and logging are usually banned in them. We have no verified entry rules, opening hours or guide arrangements, so ask at the entrance, follow the notice there, and take nothing out of the forest.
When is the best time for this plan?
From October to March, cool and dry, when the paths are firmer and the lake views clearer. Wikipedia says the monsoon arrives in June and rain lasts almost to the end of October, and the forest is then slippery. Ask about the road and the weather the evening before you set out.