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India has various destinations where you can experience river rafting, and one of those destinations is Shillong. The amazing part about Shillong is that you do not have to be a professional swimmer to enjoy this adventure. All you have to do is explore the various spots of river rafting in Shillong, as mentioned below, and book the one which suits you the best. The best time for rafting in Shillong is in September, October, and November. Hence, make sure you make the reservations for this time. Let’s have a closer look at what river rafting in Shillong has in store for all the adventure junkies to endure this thrilling activity!
Best Place For River Rafting In Shillong
In Shillong, there is so much natural beauty and cultural diversity, yet when it comes to an adventurous sport like river rafting, you can reach out to the Dawki river. Here is more to know about the river rafting at the Dawki river of Shillong. With family or friends, one can enjoy the most in this adventurous experience at Shillong.
1. Dawki River
The river rafting at the Dawki river is about an hour-long activity. One can simply begin their sport of river rafting from 11 am to 12 pm. The adventurous sport is labeled with a moderate difficulty level.
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Best Time For River Rafting In Shillong
The best time to do river rafting in Shillong is from March to June and September to November. The most enjoyable weather in Shillong is during these months as it is neither too hot nor too cold. Do not visit Tiuni in July or August, since it is heavily raining during these months.
It is the summer when most of the people happily experience the river rafting in Shillong. Though, rafting is unrestricted during the winters as well. There are outstanding packages and deals of river rafting during the vacations of Christmas & New Year; that’s why people prefer to visit Shillong in winters too.
River rafting in Shillong remains closed during monsoons, i.e., from July to mid-September because of the safety concerns. The temperature of Shillong in summers ranges from 14 to 27 degrees Celsius, and in winters, it ranges from 3 to 12 degrees Celsius.
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Tips For River Rafting In Shillong
It is necessary to understand the safety guidelines to enjoy the best river rafting in Shillong. The following are some useful tips, which will help you to have a happy & memorable rafting experience.
1. Never Go Alone
2. A Little Exercise Would Reap Excellent Benefits
3. Know Your Rapids
4. Comfortable Clothing
5. A Lifejacket Is A Must
6. Avoid Bringing Valuable Things On The Rafting Site
7. Health Is First, And So Is The First Aid Kit
1. Never Go Alone
River rafting tour in Shillong is a group activity, and no matter if you have done it before or not, it is always challenging to face the rapids all alone. So, always hire a rafting guide who can be with you along with at least four other people.
To have a safe trip, ensure that you attentively hear your instructor and abide by all the guidelines your instructor provides. Listening to experienced instructors is very important to have harmless and cherishable rafting experience.
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2. A Little Exercise Would Reap Excellent Benefits
Rafting requires a lot of physical energy and mental endurance, so ensure that you are healthy enough, both physically and mentally. Therefore, doing a little body stretching would suffice for you to work on the paddles even at the time of rapids.
If you do not know whether you are fit enough for the challenging streams and activities or not, do discuss the same with your rafting guide/instructor so that you can get the best advice for making the right decision.
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3. Know Your Rapids
The rapids are divided into different stages, varying from 1 to 6. Thus, it is crucial to understand the difficulty levels in each stage so that you can be ready for the ultimate hurdle.
Seek all information about the different stages of rapids from your instructor so that you can choose the best as per your comfort level.
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4. Comfortable Clothing
To enjoy the river rafting in the best possible manner, wear the most suitable clothes as per your ease. Always wear different layers of clothes so that you can add or remove the particular one when such a situation occurs.
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5. A Lifejacket Is A Must
For your safety concerns, it is essential to choose the lifejacket in which you are incredibly comfortable. If you wear oversized lifejackets, it could create problems later, so do not be lethargic while picking the lifejacket. Always ask your professional instructor to assist you in getting and adjusting the jacket that fits you the best.
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6. Avoid Bringing Valuable Things On The Rafting Site
Most of the river rafting service providers in Shillong warn the tourists to carry their valuables at their own risk. This warning is a clear sign that you must avoid bringing valuable items like vehicle keys, mobile phones, wallets, etc., on the rafting site.
7. Health Is First, And So Is The First Aid Kit
If done safely, river rafting in Shillong is a total fun experience. Ensure that you carry essential medicines while going on your rafting adventure. Carry a waterproof bag in which you can keep the basic things of a first aid case and also bee sting kits, insulin, inhalers, etc. that you might require.
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What To Carry For River Rafting In Shillong
- Shorts, swimsuits, sandals, slippers, sneaker shoes are also required.
- Do carry the ready-to-consume snacks like tetra packs of fruit juices, energy bars, energy fluids, etc.
- First aid cases, including essential medicines, are a must.
- If you are carrying a camera, then make sure you also carry its waterproof lenses and bag along with a fresh set of batteries.
- For carrying wet clothes, you must bring a plastic or polyester bag.
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Average Cost For River Rafting In Shillong
There are several rafting packages available, and some of them include bonfire & camping as well, for which the prices vary. However, if you are here solely for rafting purposes, the average cost of river rafting in Shillong would be around 500 INR per person, which may differ from one provider to another.
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River rafting is a thrilling experience in itself, which is why trying out new locations should be on your bucket list. Shillong presents itself as a prominent place when you’re scouring for the best river rafting experience in India. You can get along with a reliable tour company to ensure all the bookings are made on time, and you’re all set to take the plunge. Make sure you follow this guide for a hassle-free experience of river rafting in Shillong on your trip to Meghalaya.
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Frequently Asked Questions About River Rafting In Shillong
Who can go river rafting in Shillong?
Anyone, without any vital physical disabilities, can go river rafting in Shillong. However, the maximum allowed age is 60.
Is rafting dangerous?
There is not any real danger, and the most common injury from a rafting trip is skin tan from the sun.
Which levels are best for first-timers?
For a first-time rafter, one can choose to ease into the trip and get comfortable on the water with a class 2 or 2+ level.
What equipment do I need?
Organizers tend to arrange all the essential equipment so that rafters don’t have to bear much hassle. This means you can be assured about the safety while selecting one of their river rafting packages.
Can I go if I don’t know how to swim?
Yes, people who don’t know how to swim can go rafting. Life jackets are compulsory to keep them floating even if they are in the water.
What is the best time for river rafting in Shillong?
The best time to go rafting is from the middle of September till the end of June. In the monsoon months, the river rafting in Shillong remains closed.
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Anjana is a writer, journalist, and a full-time wallflower. She holds a Master’s degree in Media and Mass Communication and firmly believes that travel blogging is nothing less than art. Combining her love for writing with her passion for globetrotting, she brings to you some amazing tips on traveling perfectly, be it any season of the year! In her spare time, she loves reading, listening to obscure indie bands, and writing poetry – all of this while being a crazy dog lady.
