Northeast India Itinerary: 10 Days or 2 Weeks From Guwahati
Quick take: Start and end in Guwahati. In 10 days, drive or ride through Meghalaya (Shillong, Cherrapunji, Dawki and the living root bridges) and on to Kaziranga for rhinos, with no permits needed, even for foreign visitors. With 2 weeks, add Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh over the Himalayan road through Sela. Go October to April. A Suzuki Ertiga 7-seater costs ₹2,799 (about US$32) a day to self-drive; a car with a driver starts at ₹2,900 (about US$33) a day.
Before you plan
- Season: October to April is dry and clear. The monsoon (June to September) is spectacular in Meghalaya but brings landslides and closed roads. December and January are cold in the hills, with snow around Tawang.
- Permits: none for Assam and Meghalaya. Arunachal needs an Inner Line Permit for Indians and a Protected Area Permit for foreign visitors, which takes a few days to arrange. See permits for foreigners.
- Self-drive or driver: self-drive suits confident drivers with an Indian licence or an International Driving Permit. Hill roads are slow; read our hill driving tips. A driver makes sense for Tawang, for families, and if you'd rather look out of the window.
- Pace: plan on 25–35 km an hour in the hills, and don't drive after dark. All distances are on our distances from Guwahati page.
10 days: Meghalaya and Kaziranga (no permits)
| Day | Route | Sleep |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive in Guwahati; Kamakhya Temple, the Brahmaputra at sunset | Guwahati |
| 2 | Guwahati to Shillong (100 km, 3–4 h), Umiam Lake on the way | Shillong |
| 3 | Shillong: Laitlum Canyons, Shillong Peak, Police Bazaar | Shillong |
| 4 | Shillong to Cherrapunji (Sohra) (about 55 km): waterfalls and caves | Cherrapunji |
| 5 | Double-decker living root bridge trek at Nongriat (a full day of steps) | Cherrapunji |
| 6 | Cherrapunji to Dawki and Mawlynnong: the clear Umngot river | Shillong or Dawki |
| 7 | Back to Guwahati (or straight on to Kaziranga if you started early) | Guwahati |
| 8 | Guwahati to Kaziranga (220+ km, about 4 h); afternoon safari | Kaziranga |
| 9 | Morning elephant or jeep safari; tea gardens | Kaziranga |
| 10 | Back to Guwahati and fly out | — |
Route guides for each leg: Shillong, Cherrapunji, Dawki and Mawlynnong, Kaziranga. Kaziranga is usually open from November to April.
Vehicle: a scooter or bike works for the Meghalaya half if you travel light (see Meghalaya by scooty or bike). For the whole loop, a car is more comfortable.
2 weeks: add Tawang
Do days 1–9 above, then:
| Day | Route | Sleep |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | Kaziranga to Bhalukpong or Bomdila via Tezpur (enter Arunachal; permit checked) | Bomdila |
| 11 | Bomdila to Dirang: a short day to acclimatise; hot springs, the old village | Dirang |
| 12 | Dirang to Tawang through the Sela Tunnel (high-altitude road) | Tawang |
| 13 | Tawang: the monastery, the high lakes if the roads are open | Tawang |
| 14 | Tawang to Bomdila | Bomdila |
| 15 | Bomdila to Guwahati and fly out (or add a night in Tezpur) | — |
The Tawang road is about 480 km from Guwahati and the most demanding drive in this plan. Many visitors take a car with a driver for this part. Full details in our Guwahati to Tawang guide, and for December to February, Tawang in snow.
Foreign visitors: apply for the Arunachal PAP before day 1, through an approved tour operator; we can help on request.
Rough costs by vehicle
| How you go | Per day | 10 days (10% off) |
|---|---|---|
| Yamaha RayZR 125 Fi Hybrid Street Rally | ₹799 (about US$9) | ₹7,191 (about US$82) |
| Yamaha FZ-S FI V2 | ₹999 (about US$11) | ₹8,991 (about US$102) |
| Suzuki Ertiga 7-seater | ₹2,799 (about US$32) | ₹25,191 (about US$286) |
Rent only, with the 10% off you get for renting 7 days or more (weekly and monthly rental). Fuel, stays, food and permits are extra. With a driver, get a price for your dates on the estimate page. For a rupee-by-rupee view of a Meghalaya trip, see what a Meghalaya trip costs.
Tips
- Book stays ahead in Cherrapunji, Kaziranga and Tawang in peak months (October–November and the Christmas to New Year weeks).
- Cash for the hills. ATMs thin out after Shillong and Bomdila.
- Rest days matter. Don't plan back-to-back long drives in the hills.
- Check the festivals: the Hornbill Festival (Kohima, 1–10 Dec) and Shillong Cherry Blossom (November) are worth planning around.
FAQs
How many days do I need for Northeast India? 10 days covers Meghalaya and Kaziranga comfortably; 2 weeks adds Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh.
What's the best route for a first trip? Guwahati, Shillong, Cherrapunji, Dawki, back via Guwahati to Kaziranga. No permits are needed, the roads are good, and the distances are short.
Do I need a permit? Not for Assam or Meghalaya. Arunachal Pradesh needs an ILP for Indian visitors and a Protected Area Permit for foreign visitors.
Can foreigners self-drive in Northeast India? Yes, with a home licence and an International Driving Permit (1949 format). Or take a car with a driver.
Contact / Book
Send us your dates on WhatsApp and we'll suggest the vehicle, check the route for that season, and help with any permit.
