Shillong in Summers

Located at a height of 1,525 m, Shillong is a natural hub of green valleys, picturesque waterfalls, and lakes offering a soothing feast to the eyes in each and every season. Covered by hills and lush green forests all around, Shillong is the ideal place to visit for those of you who are looking for ways to escape from the scorching heat of the summer days of the plains. This capital city of Meghalaya is the perfect destination for all kinds of travellers, be it an adventure geek or a nature lover who is in search of some tranquillity amidst the greens.
One can easily trek and explore through different locations as the weather remains pretty comfortable as it is neither too hot nor too cold during this time of the year. Along with that, you can also get to witness some sudden drizzles, if you are lucky enough.
It is not just the natural beauty of this place that attracts people from all around the globe. Moreover, Shillong is also well-known for treasuring its culture and traditions quite effectively which draws the attention of several history lovers and travellers who are eager to learn about the past lifestyles of the northeastern states of India.
The summer days are pretty long in Shillong and therefore, you will get the opportunity to explore the places for extended hours. Besides that, the skies remain crisp clear at this time of the year and hence, you are bound to enjoy the best views of all the sites. The summer months of Shillong are the perfect time to indulge in the varieties of adventure sports such as trekking, boating, scuba diving, zip-lining, and a number of other activities without any interruption of adverse weather and rain.

Here are some of the suggested things you can opt for while exploring the serene city of Shillong during the summer days.

A boating ride in the Umiam Lake

The best way to start with the sightseeing of Shillong is by enjoying a soothing boat ride in the man-made lake. Also known as Badapani, this elegant lake is surrounded by small islands and green hills of coniferous forests all around it, which increases the charm of this place automatically.
The adventure freaks often do love to explore this place by trekking through the deep forests and camping in the isolated land of Lumpponden Island. Besides boating, there are a number of water sports options here and one can easily opt for water skiing or angling to enjoy the place in a completely distinctive way.

Witness a beautiful sunset from Shillong Peak

Surrounded by a thicket of fog for the utmost time of the year, this peak is the highest point of Shillong located at a height of 1,970 m. It is commonly believed that Shillong got its name from this elegant Shillong peak. The summer days offer a clear sky for the majority of the time.
That being said, you can enjoy the awe-inspiring view of the Himalayas, the gorgeous waterfalls, a certain portion of the Bangladesh landscapes, and unquestionably the complete city of Shillong in the best possible way. Even though not many are aware of this fact, the sunset from this peak looks extremely grand from here and you should not miss it in any way. It will surely add up to be a memorable experience to savour forever!

Explore the various museums of the city

It really feels quite frustrating when you visit a museum and notice that it has not been maintained properly for quite a long time. However, when it comes to the rich heritage of Shillong, each and every museum is known for shielding the antiquities in the best possible method.
This hill station is home to a number of museums such as the Air Force Museum, Don Bosco Museum, Captain Williamson Sangma State Museum, etc. While some will offer you a clear knowledge about the ancient lifestyle of the different tribal communities residing in this state, the others will let you learn about several facts about how India got its independence. Also, do not forget to witness a stunning view of the city from the terrace of the Don Bosco Museum!
Besides these, do not miss out on the Ever Living Museum and Butterfly Museum in any way! Observe the different varieties of vibrant coloured butterflies preserved in the Butterfly Museum. Whereas the privately-owned ethnographic institution, the Ever Living Museum will let you acknowledge the tribal communities vividly.

Camping overnight at Shnongpdeng

Meghalaya is filled with several places where you can opt for camping beside a water body and experience a peaceful night while watching the stars in a clear sky. Shnongpdeng Riverside is one spot located where you can camp overnight. It is located around 8 km from Dawki and the Umngot river flows into Bangladesh from here.
The camping sites here are located in close proximity to nature and consequently, one can surely enjoy a round of bonfires at night while embracing the beauty of the crystal clear water of the Umngot river.
Shnongpdeng is commonly referred to as the sports capital of Meghalaya, because of the number of adventurous opportunities it offers to tourists. From scuba diving, kayaking, zip-lining, snorkelling to an ample number of other exciting activities are waiting for you there.
Besides that, because of a cloudless sky all throughout the summer days, the water of the Umngot river looks more refreshing than ever! Hence, the water activities automatically end up being more enthralling because of the same reason.

Boost up your soul with the calmness of the Krang Suri Falls

Located in the West Jaintia Hills, this is one of those underrated gems that aren’t included in the regular sightseeing list. Krang Shuri looks the most gorgeous during the bright sunny days as the shimmering water seems to vibe pretty well with the glistening sunlight. Henceforth, when you are visiting Shillong during the Summer vacation, do visit this piece of beautiful treasure and admire its mesmerizing appeal.
You need to trek down a bit to lay your eyes on the waterfalls, but it is completely worth the trouble. You will surely be awestruck when you first see the waterfall pouring on the blue pool of water endlessly. It offers a soothing treat to the eyes and gawking at the crystal clear water flowing downwards seems to feel remarkably calming.
By hiring a lifejacket, take a dip in the cool water and rejuvenate your soul to the fullest. You can also swim up to the other side of the falls and sneak a view of the whole place by reaching the cave-like area just behind the cascade. Krang Shuri does feel like an elegant dreamland filled with mystical powers and tranquillity and it is going to offer you a bag full of memories to nurture for the whole lifetime.

Trek in the David Scott Trail

The entire North-eastern states are filled with several trails that are fit enough for trekking. David Scott Trail is one of the oldest ones in Meghalaya which was named after the British officer who built this mule track from Assam (present-day Meghalaya) to Bangladesh.
The complete route is 100 km long. However, it has been broken down into smaller segments as trekking roads among which the most popular one is located between Mawphlang and Lad Mawphlang.
The trekking route will take you through a wide range of meadows, waterfalls, serpentine streams, small villages, and lush green valleys. The scenic beauty of the complete trail is extremely stunning and therefore, make sure to capture remarkable shots of those sceneries so that you can appreciate those memories eternally!

Relish the Summertime festivities of Shillong

This hill station of North-eastern India celebrates many festivals in their own unique way all over the year. While Shillong is pretty famous for hosting several music carnivals and concerts, it is also well-known for preserving its age-old customs in the typical traditional ways.
Shah Suk Mynsiem is one of the most prominent summer festivals of the Khasi tribes celebrated here. Commonly referred to as the thanksgiving dance festival, this festivity is celebrated for three days in the month of April.
The Khasi tribals gather for offering their thanksgiving prayers for the bumper harvest. Men, women, and people of all ages dress up in colourful clothes and huddle together for dancing to the traditional beats of music. The culture and rituals of Shillong are extremely alluring to witness and you are going to enjoy and adore their festivals to the fullest!

End your trip with a visit to the Land of Rains

A trip to Shillong does seem to be completed in the best possible approach, until you give a visit to the precious jewel, Cherrapunjii. While the major parts of the country spend their summer days fighting with the scorching heat of the sun, the shower of comfort does not stop drenching the lands of Cherrapunji ever!
However, the downpour does not seem to be that severe when compared with that of the monsoon months. That means you can explore the whole of Cherrapunji with ease. The journey from Shillong to Cherrapunjee seems to be an amazing one and you will be mesmerized to notice the endless dense green forests and cascading waterfalls all around the road.