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Meghalaya

Mawphlang Sacred Forest

Khasi sacred grove where you may not carry a single leaf out

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Best time to visit Mawphlang Sacred Forest

peak shoulder off-season avoid

  • Go: March to April and October to November
  • Shoulder: May, September and December to February, quieter, and the weather is less of a sure thing
  • Skip: June to August

Planning a specific month? MarchAprilOctoberNovember

Mawphlang Sacred Forest season by season

Winter December to February Shoulder

Dec-Feb runs 4-16 C with frost on the grassland; the grove is dim and dripping but you will have it to yourself.

Summer March to May Prime time

March-April is the best walking window for the 16 km David Scott Trail down to Lad Mawphlang, before the rain.

Monsoon June to September Shoulder

Jun-Aug Khasi rain is relentless and the trail is a mudslide; by September it eases and the grove is deepest green.

Autumn October to November Prime time

Oct-Nov is peak: clear skies over the grasslands, dry monoliths and the sacred forest at its most saturated green.

What Mawphlang Sacred Forest is actually like

Village homestays and a heritage campsite, Khasi guides who explain the grove's taboos, silence after 4 pm

Things to do in Mawphlang Sacred Forest

The local places worth your time in and around Mawphlang Sacred Forest, with how far each sits from the centre. Tap a name to open it in Google Maps.

  • David Scott Trail

    Trek · in town

    Sixteen km of the old British bridle path down to Lad Mawphlang; four to five hours, arrange the pickup before you start.

  • Khasi Heritage Village

    Heritage · 1 km out

    Rebuilt Khasi houses and raised monoliths beside the grove, made for the Monolith Festival; same ticket counter.

  • Lad Mawphlang

    Village · 20 km out

    Hamlet on the Umiew at the far end of the trail, with a swinging footbridge; shared taxis out dry up around 4 pm.

  • Mawphlang Dam

    Reservoir · 4 km out

    Quiet reservoir on the Umiew that supplies Shillong's water; an hour's walk on the banks, no boats and no shops.

Getting to Mawphlang Sacred Forest

Shillong 25 km, shared taxis from Bara Bazar about 1 h; Umroi airport 45 km; Guwahati 125 km

Practical ways in: flightroad

Trip facts

How long to stay
1 day
Budget
Shoestring
How busy
Steady at its peak
Solo travel
Fine solo
Altitude
1840 m
State
Meghalaya
Coordinates
25.4547, 91.7588

Common questions

When is the best time to visit Mawphlang Sacred Forest?

March to April and October to November is peak season in Mawphlang Sacred Forest. May, September and December to February is shoulder season: thinner crowds, a bit more risk in the weather. Avoid June to August. Oct-Nov is peak: clear skies over the grasslands, dry monoliths and the sacred forest at its most saturated green.

How many days do you need in Mawphlang Sacred Forest?

1 day is the usual stay. Village homestays and a heritage campsite, Khasi guides who explain the grove's taboos, silence after 4 pm.

How do you get to Mawphlang Sacred Forest?

Shillong 25 km, shared taxis from Bara Bazar about 1 h; Umroi airport 45 km; Guwahati 125 km. Practical ways in: flight and road.

Is Mawphlang Sacred Forest expensive, and does it get crowded?

Shoestring by Indian travel standards, and it runs steady at the busiest time of year. Fine solo.

What are the best things to do in Mawphlang Sacred Forest?

David Scott Trail, Khasi Heritage Village, Lad Mawphlang and Mawphlang Dam. Sixteen km of the old British bridle path down to Lad Mawphlang; four to five hours, arrange the pickup before you start.

Nearby, and where to go next

More places to visit in Meghalaya

All 17 destinations in Meghalaya