First, 2 nights in Guwahati
Vivanta Guwahati
A Taj-group five-star on the eastern edge of Guwahati — Assamese-inspired rooms, a spa and a rooftop, on the road toward Kaziranga.
Guwahati · Hotel · Premium★★★★★
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Grand Northeast — Assam & Meghalaya — Premium
Route
Enquire About This JourneyGuwahati → Kaziranga → Shillong → Cherrapunji
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About This Journey
Grand Northeast — Assam & Meghalaya — Premium
Ten nights for travellers who want the northeast's wildlife and its landscape in real depth — two rhino reserves, two full days inside Kaziranga, and the demanding trek to Nongriat's double-decker root bridge, alongside everything the shorter routes cover. It is the fullest version of this circuit, built for a slower, more thorough pace.
The trip opens with a day trip to Pobitora, a smaller reserve barely an hour from Guwahati with one of the highest rhino densities anywhere, before the drive to Kaziranga itself for two full days across different ranges of the park. From there the route climbs to Shillong and Cherrapunji as before, but adds the Nongriat trek to the celebrated double-decker root bridge before closing at Mawlynnong and Dawki.
- 01
Pobitora, an hour from Guwahati
Before Kaziranga, a day trip to Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary offers a smaller, more concentrated look at Assam's rhinos — one of the highest rhino densities per square kilometre of any reserve in India.
- 02
Two full days across two ranges of Kaziranga
Rather than one safari day, this route gives Kaziranga a full second day in a different range of the park — a real chance at different sightings and a less rushed feel to the whole visit.
- 03
The trek to Nongriat's double-decker root bridge
This is the more demanding, more rewarding root bridge experience — a real trek down into the valley to reach a genuinely rare two-tiered living structure, for travellers who want to walk rather than simply view.
- 04
Stays built for the pace
Diphlu River Lodge on the edge of Kaziranga and Ri Kynjai over Umiam Lake in Shillong anchor the trip's two longest stretches, giving each region a proper multi-night base rather than a series of one-night stops.
Chapter Two — Where You'll Stay
4 Real Stays, In Order
Handpicked along your own route — not a hotel chain repeated city to city.
Next, 3 nights in Kaziranga
IORA – The Retreat, Kaziranga
A tea-garden resort at Kohora by Kaziranga's Central Range gate — an outdoor pool, a spa, resident naturalists, and the shortest drive to the morning safari.
Kaziranga · Resort · Premium★★★★
Next, 2 nights in Shillong
Vivanta Meghalaya, Shillong
A Taj-group five-star in the centre of Shillong at Police Bazar — Khasi-inspired rooms, a spa, and an easy base for Cherrapunji and Dawki.
Shillong · Hotel · Premium★★★★★
Finally, 3 nights in Cherrapunji
Jiva Resort, Cherrapunjee
A full-service resort above old Cherrapunji with large valley-view suites, a grill and a golf lawn — close to Nohkalikai Falls and the root-bridge trailhead.
Cherrapunji · Resort · Premium★★★★
Chapter Three — Day by Day
Real Assam & Meghalaya Attractions in This Itinerary
9 of your 11days — the full itinerary follows below. Scroll to travel the route.
Day 2 · Guwahati
Day Trip to Pobitora — Rhinos an Hour from the City
An early start east from Guwahati, about ninety minutes, to the Pobitora sanctuary. It is small, under forty square kilometres, and it has the densest one-horned rhino population in the world. A jeep safari of an hour or two on the grassland tracks almost always finds several rhinos in the open, along with wild buffalo and a great many water birds. Back in Guwahati by early afternoon, with time for the river or the museum. It is a strong rhino day for anyone not going on to Kaziranga.
Day 3 · Guwahati → Kaziranga
Guwahati to Kaziranga — East Along the Brahmaputra
The drive east follows the south bank of the Brahmaputra for about two hundred kilometres and five hours, through paddy fields, tea gardens and small towns, with the hills of Meghalaya away to the south. There are stops for tea and for lunch on the way. You reach the lodges at Kohora, just outside the park's Central Range gate, in the afternoon, with time to settle in and meet the naturalist before dark.
Day 4 · Kaziranga
Kaziranga — Elephant Safari at Dawn, Jeep in the Afternoon
The elephant safari goes out at first light from Kohora or Bagori, for about an hour, walking through grass that is often higher than a jeep. This is where the rhinos feed, so it is the closest you will get to one. The mist lifts during the ride. Back for breakfast, then a slow middle of the day. The afternoon is a jeep safari of about three hours through the Central Range, for rhino, wild elephant, swamp deer and buffalo, and the chance of a tiger in the grass.
Day 5 · Kaziranga
Kaziranga — A Full Day Across Two Ranges
A deeper day in the park, for travellers with the time. A morning jeep safari in the Western Range at Bagori, which has open country and high rhino numbers. The middle of the day at the orchid park, which grows hundreds of the region's orchid species and puts on Assamese folk dance. An afternoon safari in the Eastern Range at Agaratoli, the quietest range, with more water, more birds and a good chance of otters and fishing eagles. Two ranges in a day shows how different parts of the same park can be.
Day 6 · Kaziranga → Shillong
Kaziranga to Shillong — Into the Khasi Hills
A drive of about six hours, first back west along the Brahmaputra plain, then south and up into the Khasi Hills. The land changes as the road climbs, from paddy and tea to pine forest and cloud. The last stretch runs along Umiam Lake, a wide reservoir in a bowl of hills, with a viewpoint to stop at. Shillong, the old British hill capital, is cool enough for a jacket in the evening. You arrive in the late afternoon, with time for the cafes around Police Bazar.
Day 7 · Shillong
Shillong — the City, the Peak and Elephant Falls
A full day around the capital. Elephant Falls first, a short walk down through the trees to a three-tier cascade. Then Shillong Peak, the highest point, for the view over the whole city and the hills. The Don Bosco museum lays out the cultures of all seven Northeast states across seven floors, and ends on a rooftop walkway. The afternoon is for Ward's Lake, the cathedral, and the lanes of Police Bazar and Laitumkhrah, where the city's coffee culture lives.
Day 8 · Shillong → Cherrapunji
Shillong to Cherrapunji via the Mawkdok Canyon
The road south to Sohra runs across a high, open plateau that gets barer and windier as you go. The Mawkdok Dympep viewpoint, about halfway, looks down a deep V-shaped gorge and has a zipline for anyone who wants it. You reach Cherrapunji by early afternoon. Nohkalikai Falls, India's tallest plunge waterfall, is the first stop: a short walk to a viewpoint over a three-hundred-and-forty-metre drop into a blue-green pool. Check in on the canyon rim for the evening.
Day 9 · Cherrapunji
Cherrapunji — the Waterfalls and the Caves
Cherrapunji is one of the wettest places on earth, and the landscape is all water and limestone. The Seven Sisters Falls pour off the cliffs near Mawsmai, best after rain. Mawsmai Cave is a short lit walk through the rock, past flowstone and narrow squeezes, with the longer Arwah cave nearby for anyone who wants more. The day can also take in the Nohsngithiang viewpoint, the Eco Park on the plateau edge, and Thangkharang Park, where on a clear day you can see into Bangladesh.
Day 10 · Cherrapunji
The Double-Decker Root Bridge Trek at Nongriat
The big walk of the trip, and a hard one. From Tyrna village a stone staircase of about three thousand five hundred steps drops into the gorge, over two long steel footbridges, to the hamlet of Nongriat and its double-decker living root bridge, two woven spans stacked over the same stream. Strong walkers carry on to Rainbow Falls and its blue pool. The climb back out is the real effort. Start at first light, carry water, take a guide, and keep the rest of the day clear.
Chapter Four — The Full Itinerary
11 Days, In Full
Every day, start to finish — including the transfers the day-by-day chapter above skipped.
Guwahati
Arrive in Guwahati — the Brahmaputra at Dusk
You land at Guwahati, the hub for the whole northeast. The city sits where the Brahmaputra narrows between hills, and the river is the thing to see first. In the late afternoon a cruise boat runs out onto the water for the sunset, past Umananda island and under the temple hill, usually with tea or a meal and a short set of Assamese music. It is an easy way to arrive and get the shape of the place.
Guwahati
Day Trip to Pobitora — Rhinos an Hour from the City
An early start east from Guwahati, about ninety minutes, to the Pobitora sanctuary. It is small, under forty square kilometres, and it has the densest one-horned rhino population in the world. A jeep safari of an hour or two on the grassland tracks almost always finds several rhinos in the open, along with wild buffalo and a great many water birds. Back in Guwahati by early afternoon, with time for the river or the museum. It is a strong rhino day for anyone not going on to Kaziranga.
Guwahati → Kaziranga
Guwahati to Kaziranga — East Along the Brahmaputra
The drive east follows the south bank of the Brahmaputra for about two hundred kilometres and five hours, through paddy fields, tea gardens and small towns, with the hills of Meghalaya away to the south. There are stops for tea and for lunch on the way. You reach the lodges at Kohora, just outside the park's Central Range gate, in the afternoon, with time to settle in and meet the naturalist before dark.
Kaziranga
Kaziranga — Elephant Safari at Dawn, Jeep in the Afternoon
The elephant safari goes out at first light from Kohora or Bagori, for about an hour, walking through grass that is often higher than a jeep. This is where the rhinos feed, so it is the closest you will get to one. The mist lifts during the ride. Back for breakfast, then a slow middle of the day. The afternoon is a jeep safari of about three hours through the Central Range, for rhino, wild elephant, swamp deer and buffalo, and the chance of a tiger in the grass.
Kaziranga
Kaziranga — A Full Day Across Two Ranges
A deeper day in the park, for travellers with the time. A morning jeep safari in the Western Range at Bagori, which has open country and high rhino numbers. The middle of the day at the orchid park, which grows hundreds of the region's orchid species and puts on Assamese folk dance. An afternoon safari in the Eastern Range at Agaratoli, the quietest range, with more water, more birds and a good chance of otters and fishing eagles. Two ranges in a day shows how different parts of the same park can be.
Kaziranga → Shillong
Kaziranga to Shillong — Into the Khasi Hills
A drive of about six hours, first back west along the Brahmaputra plain, then south and up into the Khasi Hills. The land changes as the road climbs, from paddy and tea to pine forest and cloud. The last stretch runs along Umiam Lake, a wide reservoir in a bowl of hills, with a viewpoint to stop at. Shillong, the old British hill capital, is cool enough for a jacket in the evening. You arrive in the late afternoon, with time for the cafes around Police Bazar.
Shillong
Shillong — the City, the Peak and Elephant Falls
A full day around the capital. Elephant Falls first, a short walk down through the trees to a three-tier cascade. Then Shillong Peak, the highest point, for the view over the whole city and the hills. The Don Bosco museum lays out the cultures of all seven Northeast states across seven floors, and ends on a rooftop walkway. The afternoon is for Ward's Lake, the cathedral, and the lanes of Police Bazar and Laitumkhrah, where the city's coffee culture lives.
Shillong → Cherrapunji
Shillong to Cherrapunji via the Mawkdok Canyon
The road south to Sohra runs across a high, open plateau that gets barer and windier as you go. The Mawkdok Dympep viewpoint, about halfway, looks down a deep V-shaped gorge and has a zipline for anyone who wants it. You reach Cherrapunji by early afternoon. Nohkalikai Falls, India's tallest plunge waterfall, is the first stop: a short walk to a viewpoint over a three-hundred-and-forty-metre drop into a blue-green pool. Check in on the canyon rim for the evening.
Cherrapunji
Cherrapunji — the Waterfalls and the Caves
Cherrapunji is one of the wettest places on earth, and the landscape is all water and limestone. The Seven Sisters Falls pour off the cliffs near Mawsmai, best after rain. Mawsmai Cave is a short lit walk through the rock, past flowstone and narrow squeezes, with the longer Arwah cave nearby for anyone who wants more. The day can also take in the Nohsngithiang viewpoint, the Eco Park on the plateau edge, and Thangkharang Park, where on a clear day you can see into Bangladesh.
Cherrapunji
The Double-Decker Root Bridge Trek at Nongriat
The big walk of the trip, and a hard one. From Tyrna village a stone staircase of about three thousand five hundred steps drops into the gorge, over two long steel footbridges, to the hamlet of Nongriat and its double-decker living root bridge, two woven spans stacked over the same stream. Strong walkers carry on to Rainbow Falls and its blue pool. The climb back out is the real effort. Start at first light, carry water, take a guide, and keep the rest of the day clear.
Cherrapunji
Mawlynnong, the Riwai Root Bridge and the River at Dawki
A long, rewarding loop from Cherrapunji toward the border. Riwai first, where a single-span root bridge crosses a clear stream a short walk from the road. Then Mawlynnong, the village called the cleanest in Asia, for a slow walk through swept lanes and flower gardens and a climb up the bamboo sky-view tower. Dawki is last: a wooden-boat ride on the Umngot, so clear in the dry season that the boat seems to float on air. Back to the plateau by evening.
Guest Stories
What Our Travelers Say
Real words from real journeys — rated 5.0 across 310 Google reviews.
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An absolutely flawless experience. We felt like royalty from the moment we landed in Delhi until our departure.
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Truly exceptional — Brijesh, our tour planner, was incredibly attentive, professional, and meticulous in organizing a flawless itinerary.
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Nothing short of magical. Brijesh crafted a seamless itinerary that balanced sightseeing, culture, and relaxation, making our journey truly special.
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Mentions guide Brijesh
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Everything went beyond our expectations. Our driver Rajesh kept us comfortable in every city, and Vicky was endlessly knowledgeable.
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Mentions guide Rajesh & Vicky
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From the moment we landed until we left, our driver Manish made us feel so taken care of — he made the trip even more memorable.
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Brijesh is a super good man! A comfortable journey through six cities, exactly to our desires and limits.
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Excellent hotels and tour guides. Our driver Manish was superb in every way — reliable, and full of local knowledge.
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Chapter Five — Terms & Conditions
Straightforward, In Writing
Cancellation windows, refund timing, and rescheduling terms for this journey follow our one sitewide policy — nothing package-specific to dig through.
Read the Return & Refund PolicyFrequently Asked
Before You Book
How difficult is the Nongriat root bridge trek?
It's a genuine trek — several thousand steps down into the valley and back up, taking a few hours each way. Reasonable fitness is needed; this is not a stroll like the Riwai bridge near Mawlynnong.
Is Pobitora worth visiting in addition to Kaziranga?
Yes, if you have the time — the two reserves have a different feel, and Pobitora's smaller size and rhino density make for a genuinely different safari experience rather than a repeat of Kaziranga.
Is this route physically demanding overall?
More than our other northeast itineraries, mainly because of the Nongriat trek. Everything else — the safaris, Shillong, Cherrapunji, Mawlynnong — is at the same easy pace as our shorter routes.
Chapter Six — Similar Journeys
More of Assam & Meghalaya, Privately
Other ways to see it
Routes in Assam & Meghalaya
Before you go
Planning Assam & Meghalaya
Travel Tips
Private Tour or Group Tour in India? An Honest Comparison
First-Time IndiaPlanning GuideTravel Tips
Travel Tips
Getting Around India: Trains, Flights or a Private Car?
First-Time IndiaPlanning GuideTravel Tips
Travel Tips
Eating Well in India Without Getting Ill: A Practical Guide
First-Time IndiaFood & CulturePlanning Guide
Why Choose Us
The Same Trust, Sized to This Trip
01
Planning, Built Around You
This route was shaped around Assam & Meghalaya's real places, not lifted from a fixed template.
13 years — Brijesh Sharma, Bespoke Itinerary Specialist
02
Handpicked Hotels
Every stay on this trip was chosen in person, not off a ratings page.
4 real stays, 4–5★
03
A Private Fleet, Always Yours
One driver, air-conditioned, for the whole route — no shared shuttle.
Premium sedans & SUVs · One driver, the whole trip
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