Tucked away in the Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya lies Dawki, a small town on the Indo-Bangladesh border. Although the area is known as a trading hub between the two countries, the real attraction is the Umngot River. Its azure waters run through the towering Jaintia and Khasi hills and are oh so clean. Many stretches of the river allow swimmers and boaters to see through the clear blue water, which unfortunately is a rarity in India.

The river brings in the most tourists during the annual boat race, held between March and April, next to Umsyiem village. However, through October and March the water level is low enough to camp on the soft sand that borders the river. This way travellers can wake up, run 10 feet and cannonball into the fresh water. So even though the boat race is supposed to be a hoot, camping next to the river takes the cake in our books.

If camping isn’t your scene, staying in Shillong is your next best bet for a fun time. The unofficial rock capital of India is just 95 kilometres away, which is a relatively easy cab or bus ride. It also means your evenings will be spent enjoying good music and libations.

If you need any more of push to visit Dawki, the sightseeing options around the area are, without a doubt, awesome. Here are a few of the better attractions accessible from Dawki or Shillong.

The Double Decker Living Root Bridge in the Tryna village. The roots of this Indian Rubber Tree have provided a means of crossing the Umshiang River for centuries. Another fascinating natural treasure is the Mawsmai Falls, which are the highest waterfalls in India at 1,035 ft.

The Eco Park boasts a view of the expansive Sylhet Plains of Bangladesh. Moreover, the Shillong Agri-Hoticulture has given this park a bevy of orchids, which are housed in the Eco park’s greenhouse.