13-day Assam and Meghalaya tour covering Pobitora, Kaziranga, Shillong, Cherrapunjee, Mawlynnong, Dawki and Jowai with wildlife safaris, waterfalls, root bridges and scenic villages.
Day-by-Day Travel Plan
Rhinos grazing in tall grass, waterfalls dropping straight out of cloud cover, bridges woven from living tree roots, Northeast India doesn't really look like anywhere else in the country. Garhwal Himalayan Expedition has designed this 13-day Assam Meghalaya tour package to cover both sides of that experience, the wildlife-heavy plains of Assam and the misty, waterfall-laced hills of Meghalaya, without cramming too much into any single day.
Route covered: Guwahati, Pobitora, Kaziranga, Shillong, Cherrapunjee, Mawlynnong, Dawki, Jowai, Guwahati
Best suited for: wildlife lovers, birdwatchers, photographers, couples, families, and small groups looking for a slower, nature-first pace.
Day 1: Guwahati to Pobitora (about 50 km, 2 hours)
Land at Guwahati Airport or the railway station, where your driver will already be waiting. The drive to Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary is short but scenic, cutting through classic Assamese countryside. After lunch, hop straight into an afternoon jeep safari; this compact sanctuary punches well above its size when it comes to sightings, think one-horned rhinos, wild buffalo, deer, and a healthy mix of resident and migratory birds.
Day 2: Pobitora Safari, Then Onward to Kaziranga (roughly 220 km, 5-6 hours)
An early safari kicks off the day before you head toward Kaziranga National Park. The drive itself passes through tea country and quiet riverside villages, a nice contrast to the wildlife-focused mornings on either side of it. Once you've checked in, there's usually time for a short nature walk near the resort.
Day 3: Kaziranga's Eastern Range Safari
Today belongs to Kaziranga's Eastern Range, one of the park's richest zones for wildlife sightings. Keep an eye out for:
- Greater one-horned rhinoceros
- Asian elephant
- Bengal tiger
- Wild water buffalo
- Swamp deer and hog deer
- Wild boar, raptors, and wetland birds
Depending on availability, an afternoon safari can round out the day.
Day 4: Kaziranga Central or Western Range
A second day of safaris, this time through a different range depending on what's operational. Grasslands, wetlands, and riverine forest all come into play here. Later in the day, the Kaziranga Orchid and Biodiversity Park makes for a relaxed way to wind down before dinner at your lodge.
Day 5: Kaziranga to Shillong (around 300 km, 7-8 hours)
It's a long drive today, but a genuinely interesting one, Assam's flat plains slowly give way to Meghalaya's green hills and switchback roads. Shillong, often nicknamed the Scotland of the East, greets you by evening. Settle in and take a walk around Police Bazaar once you've checked in.
Day 6: Shillong Sightseeing
A full day covering Shillong's main sights:
- Umiam Lake
- Shillong Peak
- Elephant Falls
- Ward's Lake
- Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians
- Don Bosco Museum
- Police Bazaar
Evenings here are made for wandering; the cafés and local food stalls around town are worth the extra hour.
Day 7: Shillong to Cherrapunjee (55 km, about 2 hours)
Cherrapunjee, also known as Sohra, is one of the wettest and most dramatic places in the country, and it shows the moment you arrive. Cover:
- Nohkalikai Falls
- Seven Sisters Falls
- Mawsmai Cave
- Eco Park
- Dwan Syiem viewpoint
- Nearby Khasi villages
Between the cliffs, clouds, and waterfalls, this is easily one of the most photogenic days on the whole trip.
Day 8: Living Root Bridge Trek
Today is built around Meghalaya's most famous natural landmark, its living root bridges, grown over generations by the Khasi community. A guided trek, adjusted to your fitness level, takes you through forest trails, past streams, and through small tribal villages along the way. Birdwatchers and photographers will find plenty to keep them busy here.
Day 9: Cherrapunjee to Mawlynnong to Dawki (100-120 km, 4-5 hours)
Start with a visit to Mawlynnong, a village known for its striking natural setting, then continue toward Dawki, right on the India-Bangladesh border. The main draw here is the Umngot River, whose water turns startlingly clear during the right season. Boating can usually be arranged, weather permitting.
Day 10: Dawki to Shnongpdeng to Jowai (80-100 km, 3-4 hours)
Spend the morning around Dawki before heading to Shnongpdeng, a riverside spot popular for its water-based activities, kayaking, boating, and easy nature walks along the banks. From there, continue on to Jowai, the main town of the West Jaintia Hills.
Day 11: Jowai and the Jaintia Hills Waterfalls
A full day exploring the waterfalls scattered around Jowai, including:
- Krang Suri Waterfall
- Tyrshi Falls
- Phe Phe Falls
- Myntdu River viewpoints
- Surrounding Jaintia villages
This day moves at a slower, picnic-like pace, ideal after ten days of near-constant travel.
Day 12: Jowai back to Guwahati (160-180 km, 4-5 hours)
The return leg to Guwahati takes up most of the day. Once you check in, there's time to explore the Brahmaputra Riverfront, the Assam State Museum, or simply browse the local markets before your final evening in the Northeast wraps up.
Day 13: Departure from Guwahati
After breakfast and checkout, your driver transfers you to Guwahati Airport or the railway station for your onwards journey, with thirteen days of rhinos, waterfalls, root bridges, and mountain villages behind you.
Travel Northeast India with Garhwal Himalayan Expedition
Between wildlife permits, unpredictable Meghalaya weather, and long stretches of driving between Assam and the hills, this isn't a route that's easy to plan solo. Garhwal Himalayan Expedition takes care of the logistics, safaris, permits, hotels, and private transport included, so you can focus on the rhinos, root bridges, and waterfalls instead of the paperwork. If Northeast India has been sitting on your travel list, this 13-day Assam Meghalaya expedition is a solid, well-tested way to check it off.