Shillong is the capital of Meghalaya and is synonymous with natural beauty and picturesque landscape. One can do several things while in this city, however, it’s got special ranking when it comes to listing adventure sports in Shillong. Since the place is blessed with various natural components, it has a high influx of tourists into this area which helps trekking to mountain and sightseeing and angling. You can never say that you have seen it all and done it all while in Shillong. For adventure seekers, it has got a lot to offer, right from boat riding to breathtaking elephant falls or trekking through the green rain forests and viewing the Shillong from a peak. Take a look at this piece dedicated to adventure sports in Shillong and do not forget to mark your favorites!
8 Best Adventure Sports In Shillong
Here is a list of adventure sports in Shillong that you should definitely give a try when planning for a thrilling and exciting escape to Meghalaya.
1. River Canyoning
River Canyoning is one of the most rejuvenating adventure sports in Shillong for adventure seekers as it involves trekking, waterfall rappelling, and swimming. This activity usually takes place in the canyons in and around Sohra. The duration of this activity is approximately three hours. From pick up point you would require trekking a bit through the green pasture to place where water bodies start. You can now feel the power of waterfalls as you rappel down them. Other than this you would be canyoning in waist-deep water and will require to swim across the pools and ditch big boulders.
To take up this challenging activity, you need to be fit at least a basic level to clamber over huge rocks, hop from one boulder to another, jump across the rapids and swim and scramble across the steep slopes. However, the guides will be there with you to help tackle these challenges.
Where: Sohra
Best time: November to February
Price: INR 3,300
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2. Golfing
Shillong Golf Course is one of the most beautiful landscapes to be in to play golf. It was fairly introduced by the Britishers in 1898 by building nine holes in the course. The course is in a valley that is covered with pine groves and rhododendron trees. And the fairways are carpeted with a local grass which helps to harden the soil to make it tough for the golfers to golf. The longest hole is around 594 yards which is an extreme case to be experienced by a golfer. These tight fairways and out-of-bound streams make it every golfer dream to golf in here once in their life. The Shillong Golf Course is scenic and enjoyable and at the same time is challenging.
Where: Shillong Golf Course
Best time: All Year around
Price: Varies with time.
Suggested Read: 19 Places To Visit Near Shillong For Experiencing Meghalaya’s True Beauty
3. Archery
In recent past archery, use to be means of combat and hunting for the locals, however, with the passing time that has changed, and this has now taken shape of one of the most famous and popular local adventure sports in Shillong. Shillong also conducts archery gambling sports where the bidder guesses the archery score and wins money if that comes true. The sport is often played near polo ground in Shillong. The game is played in the small enclosed ground of size of the tennis court where at one corner the target is set and on the other, the archer sits and aims their targets. You can bid on any archer by buying tickets called “Tir” which are available at all local shops in Shillong. You can even practice this game on your own with the help of some professional guides from the local.
Where: Polo Ground, Shillong
Best time: Held every eight days of the month.
Price: NA
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4. Water Sports
The water sports complex in Umiam provides various water sports options including skiing, sailing, fishing, and canoeing. The place is located around 17 km from the main city and offers various kinds of water sports options to the visitors. It is one of the most popular tourist points in Shillong. As you sail through your boat across crystal clear water, you witness the forested regions of Shillong and can unwind yourself after this thrilling experience at the resort which is in the same vicinity. The rates are fair and listed below on per activity basis-
· Skiing @ INR 200 Per Head – Maximum 5 rides
· Yachting @ INR 100 Per Head for 1 Hour ride
· River Bus @ INR 50 per head for 20 minutes ride
· High-Speed Boat @ INR 75 per head for 5 minutes ride
· Cruising Boat @ INR 20 per head for 10 minutes ride
· Scooter @ INR 5 per head for 5 minutes ride
· Pedal Boat @ INR 20 per head for 30minutes ride.
Where: Umiam Lake, Shillong
Best time: Any time of the year
Price: Listed Above
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5. Trekking
Meghalaya is full of natural treks which include routes like Living Root Bridge, Kyllang Rock, David Scott Trail, Sohpet-bneng. The tenure of these treks can vary from one day to one week. Trekking allows you to enjoy the natural beauty of Shillong which is formed by natural rain forests and the hefty river flowing through the valley. This subdued city helps people enjoy the magical experience it has to offer to its travelers. Trekking here would thrill you as you walk past the scenic outdoors of Shillong through underground caves and other trails passing through Cherrapunji. One of the most famous trails is David Scott’s trail which was used by people to travel into the city from Bangladesh in times it was a part of integrated India. Trekking is one of the most favorite adventure sports in Shillong among the younger crowds.
Where: Ralamandal, Madhya Pradesh.
Best time: November to February
Price: Entry charge of INR 5 to enter the park.
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6. Mountain Biking
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Shillong is a paradise for adventure seekers due to its natural terrains and green pastures that pass through the green rain forests. While you can advent these areas by walking along the famous treks, another popular way to embrace the beauty of Shillong it’s through bikes. While you drive across this hilly pasture on your bikes, you not only pass through them biking but also capture the most adorable and beautiful nature in your memories. Often people hire a guide to take them through various cycling treks depending on the difficulty levels most viable for the travelers. This kind of mountain biking fills the thrill into the travelers and allows them to pass their limits to explore Shillong while on foot. While you pass along the alluring ranges of Meghalaya, Shillong biking tours are the best kind of adventure sports tour in Shillong and will fill your journey with unfurling nature as it provides a flawless place for the travelers for this activity.
Where: Sohliya Village
Best time: Everyday 10 AM till 4:00 PM
Price: INR 1,800
Suggested Read: 10 Trails For Trekking In Shillong That’ll Allow You To Experience Pure Bliss
7. Cave Exploration
If treasure hunting expedites your heart beats, then this activity is made for you. During the cave exploration activity, you will enter the caves in Shillong and discover various hidden treasures and information about how people used to live in these caves in the past. Mawjymbuin Caves is situated in one of the wettest places on earth that is Mawsynram. While you make your way passing through rocks in these caves you feel the jitter inform of changing the temperature from hot to cold and you feel jitter from light quakes sometimes. These caves are made of calcareous sandstone and consist of various stalagmites through the weathering process. One of these is also recognized as Lord Shiva and is considered sacred and worshiped daily in these caves by the locals. The activity is full of thrill and very light on your pocket. One-time exploration would just cost you around a hundred rupees per head and is an ideal activity if you are visiting Shillong with a mix of a group of people of different ages.
Where: Mawsynram, East Khasi Hills, Shillong
Best time: November to March
Price: INR 100
Suggested Read: 10 Best Hotels And Resorts In Shillong That Will Entice You To Explore Meghalaya!
8. Water Rappelling
While Elephant Falls is a popular tourist spot in Shillong, it offers an unmatching rappelling experience to its visitors. The adventure seeker inside you cannot ignore this activity while you are in Shillong. The rappelling starts at the mouth of the fall and goes down till the end of this forty feet long fall. Just the first few steps are important, and the rest would be just magical. The guides and operators help you find the right angle on the ropeway to pave the rest of your path down the hill stream. The fall is moderate enough even for the first-timers and the path down the hill comprises peppered rocks to help you hold your foot into while you drive down. The falls are in Elephant caves in Karst Mountain which is around a one-hour drive from Shillong. The Karst mountain is massive and is an ideal location to go with groups and picnic. You can try other activities like trekking and rock climbing while you are here.
Where: Elephant Falls, Shillong am
Best time: Winters (October to March)
Price: Varies on different operators and the grades
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Each top attraction is developed to provide one or other adventure activities to its tourists in Shillong. Right from Umiam lake where you can explore various kinds of water sports, to Mawphlang Sacred Forests to give you that ultimate trekking experience. Shillong is full of attractive spots and adventure sports in Shillong keep you engaged and thrilled while you are in the city. It is a nature’s masterpiece and popularly called Scotland of East. You can even try paragliding in Shillong at some of the tourist spots. So, to satisfy that thirst for adventure, plan your holiday to Shillong and embrace nature like never before.
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Frequently Asked Question About Adventure Sports In Shillong
What is the best time to reach Shillong?
The best time to be here in March to June that is during summers as you will enjoy moderate temperature and is the perfect time for sightseeing and adventure activities.
How can I reach Shillong?
There are a plethora of domestic flights that fly from various parts of the country to this place. Alternate ways are to fly to Kolkata or Guwahati and hire a cab to reach Shillong.
What are the famous local sightseeing attractions in Shillong?
The local sightseeing attractions in Shillong are Don Bosco Museum, All Saints Cathedral, Ward’s Lake, Airforce Museum, Police Bazar, Shillong peak, Elephant Falls and many more.
What is the local transport available in Shillong?
There are public buses that run within city limits and are the cheapest option to drive from one place to another. Then you can even hire metered taxis.
What is the approximate budget for a week-long trip to Shillong?
The shared taxi from the airport to Shillong would cost you anywhere around INR 400, then a fair budget hotel would cost around INR 1500 per night. Local Transport would cost around INR 2000 for local sight-seeing and around INR 2500 for each place travelled outside Shillong. Food would be around INR 500 per day.
What is Shillong famous for?
Shillong is most famous for its trekking paths. There are several to choose from depending on the difficulty level you are looking for.
What are some famous water sports to indulge in Shillong?
Some famous water sports to indulge in Shillong include yachting, river bus, cruising, jet skiing, pedal boating, and many more.
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Exploring new places and trying out new food cuisines are two things that bring Seema all the happiness. Travel freak and a die-hard foodie are the synonyms that define her the best. Popular on social media by the name of ‘PandaReviewz’, lazing around the beaches, exploiting the sunset points, visiting the farthermost villages, exploring the renowned cities, trying out new food cuisines, and blogging about them are few things that keep Seema occupied, and happy!
