VANAMCOVE 
Scenic reservoir lake
Why this weekend?
The day-by-day plan
Day 1 · The lake
- Boating deck
- Pine walk
- View lawn
- Sunset deck
- Return
Geography & terrain
Umiam Lake lies in the East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya, 15 km from Shillong and 100 km from Guwahati — the manmade lake of the region, its 1960s-era reservoir, the boating decks and the pines set on the Barapani road.
History & culture
The lake's story runs with the 1960s reservoir era — the manmade lake of the 1960s-era reservoir and the hydroelectric era of the Barapani project, with the lake's modern role as the leisure stop of the Shillong circuit and the home of the reservoir and the boating decks and the 2000s-era cafes; the lake's history of the 1960s-era filling and the pine shores, gives Umiam its lake character.
Where to stay
Budget
₹1,000–2,500/night
Mid-range
₹2,500–5,000/night
Comfort
₹5,000+/night
Things to do
- Reservoir lakes
- Boating decks
- Pine walks
- View lawns
- Sunset decks
Eat & drink
- Jadoh (rice with pork)
- Dohneihong (minced meat)
- Tungrymbai (fermented soya)
- Pumaloi (steamed rice cake)
Getting there
- Fly
- Shillong (SHL) / Guwahati (GAU) nearest major
- Train
- Guwahati for long-distance rail
- Road from Guwahati
- 100 km / 3 hr to Shillong
- Getting around
- Shared taxis and autos
Budget snapshot
- Total
- ₹3,000–8,000 (1 days)
- Per day · Stay
- ₹1,000–5,000/night
- Per day · Food
- ₹600–1,000
- Per day · Transport
- ₹600–1,000
- Per day · Activities
- ₹700–1,100
Month by month
- Jan · Best
- 7–23°C · Light rain
- Feb · Good
- 10–26°C · Light rain
- Mar · Good
- 14–30°C · Moderate rain
- Apr · Hot
- 18–32°C · Moderate rain
- May · Pre-monsoon
- 21–33°C · Heavy rain
- Jun · Monsoon
- 23–32°C · Heavy rain
- Jul · Monsoon
- 24–32°C · Heavy rain
- Aug · Monsoon
- 24–32°C · Heavy rain
- Sep · Monsoon
- 23–32°C · Heavy rain
- Oct · Good
- 18–30°C · Moderate rain
- Nov · Best
- 12–27°C · Light rain
- Dec · Best
- 8–24°C · Light rain
Practical info
- Language: Khasi / Garo; English common (English understood in tourist spots)
- Best window: Oct–May
- Connectivity: Patchy in villages — offline maps essential
- UPI/cards widely accepted; keep small cash for hill and market stops
Practical tips
- The season (Oct–May) holds the lake
- The boating closes by dusk
- Pairs with Shillong for the circuit
Frequently asked questions
What is Umiam Lake?
The manmade lake of the Shillong.
What is there to do?
The boating, the pines and the views.
How long is the visit?
A full day.
Scenic reservoir lake
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