Quick take: Diwali and Kali Puja fall on Sunday 8 November 2026, and Assam also has Wednesday 11 November off for Bhai Dooj (Bhatri Dwitiya). With a weekend you can do Shillong (100 km) or Cherrapunji (150 km); with three days, Kaziranga (open since 3 October) or Majuli; with the whole week, Tawang. A scooty starts at ₹799/day, a bike at ₹999/day and our self-drive car at ₹2,799/day, or take a car with a driver from ₹3,800/day. Festival dates are on our Diwali and Kali Puja in Guwahati page.
The Diwali 2026 calendar
| Day | Date | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Friday | 6 November | Dhanteras |
| Saturday | 7 November | Weekend (working Saturday for Assam government offices) |
| Sunday | 8 November | Diwali, Lakshmi Puja and Kali Puja (holiday in Assam) |
| Monday–Tuesday | 9–10 November | Working days; Govardhan Puja is on the 10th |
| Wednesday | 11 November | Bhai Dooj / Bhatri Dwitiya (holiday in Assam) |
| Saturday–Sunday | 14–15 November | Second Saturday, then Chhath Puja (both holidays in Assam) |
So there are three ways to take a Diwali break:
- The Diwali weekend (7–8 November). Two days. Leave early on Saturday and you're back in time for Diwali evening on Sunday.
- Take 9 and 10 November off and you have Sunday to Wednesday, four days, for a longer trip after Diwali night.
- Chhath weekend (14–15 November), a week later, if Diwali itself is for family.
Going home or visiting family rather than travelling? See a self-drive car for Diwali.
Where to go, by how many days
| Trip | From Guwahati | Days | Best vehicle | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shillong | 100 km, 3–4 hours | 1–2 | Scooty, bike or car | Route guide |
| Cherrapunji (Sohra) | 150 km, 4–5 hours via Shillong | 2–3 | Bike or car | Route guide |
| Kaziranga | 220+ km, about 4–5 hours | 2 | Car or bike | Route guide |
| Majuli | 300+ km, then a ferry | 3 | Car or bike | Route guide |
| Tawang | 480 km, usually over 2 days | 5–6 | Car, or a bike for experienced riders | Route guide |
Shillong: the easy Diwali weekend
The closest hill escape, and the one most people pick for two days. Early November is dry and clear, with cool days and cold nights (bring a jacket). Ride up on the Saturday morning, see Ward's Lake, Laitlum and the Police Bazar evenings, and be back by Sunday afternoon if you're home for Diwali. Scooters are allowed to Shillong and beyond: two days on a scooty is ₹1,598, on a bike ₹1,998.
More: scooty and bike for a Shillong trip, or the car for a Shillong trip.
Cherrapunji: waterfalls after the rains
October and November are the sweet spot for Sohra: the falls still have water from the monsoon and the skies are clear. Go up through Shillong, spend a night in Cherrapunji, and see Nohkalikai, Seven Sisters and the root bridges the next day. Three days by car is ₹8,397; with a driver, a 2-day trip is from ₹8,800.
More: Cherrapunji waterfalls by bike or scooty and the Cherrapunji cab and private car page.
Kaziranga: the first safaris of the season
Kaziranga reopened for jeep safaris on 3 October 2026, so a Diwali visit catches the start of the season, with green grass, cool misty mornings and comfortable days. Two days is enough: drive east on day one, safari early on day two, and drive back. Book safari slots ahead over the holidays, and check whether elephant safaris have started when you book.
More: the Kaziranga safari guide and the Kaziranga cab and private car page.
Majuli: if you have three days
The river island is a long drive (about 6 hours to Neamati Ghat near Jorhat) and then a ferry, so it wants three days. Vehicles cross when there's space on the ferry, so reach the ghat early in the day. Majuli's big festival, the Raas Mahotsav, is two weeks later, from 24 November, if you'd rather time your trip for that.
Tawang: for the whole week
Tawang needs five or six days and an Inner Line Permit (we help you apply). Early November is cold up there, near freezing at night, but usually before the heavy snow; check the Sela Pass conditions before you go. Take 9 and 10 November off and leave the morning after Diwali. See the Tawang route guide and the ILP guide, or let a driver take you to Tawang.
Our rentals
Pickup in Maligaon from 7 AM
Self-drive · CarSuzuki Ertiga 7-seaterFamilies · Groupsfrom ₹2,799/day
Self-drive · BikeYamaha FZ-S FI V2Solo riders · Couplesfrom ₹999/day
Self-drive · BikeHonda SP 125Solo riders · Couplesfrom ₹999/day
Self-drive · BikeBajaj Pulsar N160Solo riders · Couplesfrom ₹1,199/day
Self-drive · ScooterYamaha RayZR 125 Fi Hybrid Street RallyCity exploration · Short local tripsfrom ₹799/day
Self-drive · ScooterTVS NTorq 150City rides · Couplesfrom ₹899/day
Self-drive · BikeRoyal Enfield Scram 440Experienced riders · Couplesfrom ₹1,999/day
Self-drive · BikeRoyal Enfield Himalayan 450Experienced riders · Couplesfrom ₹2,499/day
Self-drive · BikeHero XPulse 200 4VSolo riders · Off-road trailsfrom ₹1,499/day
Self-drive · BikeHero XPulse 210Solo riders · Couplesfrom ₹1,699/dayStaying in Guwahati?
If you'd rather celebrate in the city, a scooty is the easiest way around on Kali Puja night, when the lanes near the pandals jam and parking runs out. Plan the night with our Kali Puja pandal-hopping route and the Diwali night ride for the lights and Dhanteras shopping. See where to go on our Diwali and Kali Puja page, and the city spots in places to visit in Guwahati by bike or scooty. Kamakhya Temple is 5 km from our pickup.
Tips for a Diwali trip
- Book early. Festival weekends are the busiest days for rentals and hotels alike.
- Pick up the evening before. Collect the vehicle the night before at no extra cost (your rental still starts the next day) and leave at first light. Pickups are from 7 AM; for a late-night pickup, ask when you book.
- Leave early on the hill roads. The Shillong road is busy on holiday mornings and evenings; an early start saves an hour.
- Carry warm layers. Nights in Shillong and Cherrapunji are cold in November, and much colder in Tawang.
- Don't drive back late on Diwali night if you can help it: the roads into the city are busy and visibility is poor.
FAQs
When is Diwali 2026? Sunday 8 November 2026. Kali Puja is the same night in Assam. Dhanteras is on 6 November and Bhai Dooj on 11 November.
Is 11 November a holiday in Assam? Yes. The Assam government's 2026 list has Bhatri Dwitiya (Bhai Dooj) on Wednesday 11 November, as well as Kali Puja and Diwali on Sunday 8 November.
What's the best Diwali trip from Guwahati for two days? Shillong. It's 100 km, about 3–4 hours, and works on a scooty, a bike or in a car. Cherrapunji is better with three days.
Can I take a rented scooty to Shillong? Yes. Our scooters are allowed to Shillong and beyond. For Cherrapunji or longer rides, a bike or a car is more comfortable.
Are you open on Diwali? Yes, with pickups from 7 AM on Diwali too, and a late-night pickup or return on request. Book ahead, as the holidays are busy.
Is Kaziranga open in November 2026? Yes. It reopened for jeep safaris on 3 October 2026. Book safari slots ahead over the holidays.
Contact / Book
Tell us your dates and where you're going on WhatsApp, and we'll keep a scooty, bike or car for you, or plan the trip with a driver.
The information in this post is indicative. Final terms and policies are discussed and confirmed when you take the vehicle on rent.
