India's North East is green, cultural and still uncrowded. Distances are long and roads slow, so a focused route is key.
Route 1: Meghalaya + Kaziranga (7 days)
- Day 1: Fly to Guwahati; Kamakhya Temple; drive to Shillong (3 hrs).
- Day 2: Shillong – Umiam Lake, Elephant Falls, Don Bosco Museum, Police Bazaar.
- Day 3: Cherrapunjee (Sohra) – Seven Sisters Falls, Nohkalikai, Mawsmai Cave.
- Day 4: Double-decker living root bridge trek at Nongriat (about 3,500 steps each way) or the single root bridge at Riwai.
- Day 5: Mawlynnong ("cleanest village") and Dawki's crystal-clear Umngot river.
- Day 6: Drive to Kaziranga.
- Day 7: Jeep or elephant safari to see one-horned rhinos; return to Guwahati.
More detail: our Meghalaya travel guide and Kaziranga safari guide.
Route 2: Arunachal – Tawang (8–9 days)
Guwahati → Bhalukpong → Dirang → Sela Pass → Tawang (monastery, Madhuri Lake, Bum La with permission) → back via Bomdila. Requires an Inner Line Permit for Indian citizens, available online via the Arunachal Pradesh government.
Route 3: Sikkim & Darjeeling (7–8 days)
Bagdogra → Darjeeling → Gangtok → Lachung/Yumthang → back. See our Sikkim 7-day itinerary.
Best Time
- October–April: dry and pleasant; Kaziranga is open roughly November to April/May.
- Monsoon (June–September): Meghalaya's waterfalls at their best but heavy rain and landslides; Kaziranga closes.
- Hornbill Festival (Kohima, 1–10 December) is a cultural highlight.
Permits
Arunachal, Nagaland, Mizoram and parts of Sikkim require ILPs for Indian visitors; Meghalaya and Assam do not.
Cost
A 7-day Meghalaya–Kaziranga trip for a couple with a private cab and good hotels costs roughly ₹55,000–₹85,000 excluding flights.
North East Packages
- Sikkim & Darjeeling Honeymoon with Gurudongmar Lake – 6 Nights / 7 Days
- Enchanting Meghalaya – Cherrapunjee, Jowai & Shillong, 5 Nights / 6 Days
- Kaziranga & Meghalaya Explorer – 6 Nights / 7 Days
- Kaziranga & Meghalaya Road Trip – 6 Nights / 7 Days
- Kaziranga Wildlife & Meghalaya Tour – 7 Nights / 8 Days
- Meghalaya Luxury Nature Retreat – 5 Nights / 6 Days
See all North East India tours.
Related reading: Meghalaya guide · Kaziranga safari guide · Darjeeling guide
Official information: Incredible India.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days are needed for North East India?
Seven days for Meghalaya and Kaziranga; ten or more to add Arunachal or Sikkim.
Do I need a permit for Meghalaya?
No. Arunachal, Nagaland and Mizoram need Inner Line Permits.
Is North East India safe for tourists?
The main tourist circuits are safe and welcoming; follow local advisories.
When is Kaziranga open?
Generally November to April/May; it closes during the monsoon.
Make the journey your own.
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