The 10-day Assam Meghalaya itinerary is the definitive Northeast India experience for travellers who want wildlife, waterfalls, tribal culture, and surreal landscapes all in one trip. Combine the UNESCO-listed Kaziranga National Park — home to the world's largest one-horned rhino population — with Meghalaya's full itinerary of crystal rivers, living root bridges, and sacred forests.
This is also the most popular Northeast India trip plan for 10 days for travellers flying into and out of Guwahati.
10-Day Assam & Meghalaya Itinerary Overview
| Day | Location | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Guwahati | Arrival, Kamakhya Temple, Umananda Island, Brahmaputra cruise, dinner |
| Day 2 | Guwahati → Kaziranga | Drive (230 km, 4.5 hrs), evening elephant safari or village walk |
| Day 3 | Kaziranga | Morning jeep safari (Central Range), afternoon Jeep safari (Western Range) |
| Day 4 | Kaziranga → Shillong | Morning elephant safari, drive to Shillong (230 km, 5 hrs) |
| Day 5 | Shillong | Ward's Lake, Don Bosco Museum, Elephant Falls, Shillong Peak, Police Bazar |
| Day 6 | Shillong → Cherrapunji | Nohkalikai Falls, Seven Sisters Falls, Mawsmai Cave, Eco Park, overnight Cherrapunji |
| Day 7 | Cherrapunji | Double-Decker Root Bridge Trek (Nongriat), Rainbow Falls |
| Day 8 | Cherrapunji → Shillong | Recovery, return to Shillong, Bara Bazar, rest |
| Day 9 | Shillong → Dawki → Mawlynnong → Shillong | Umngot River boating, Asia's Cleanest Village, Living Root Bridge, Sky Walk |
| Day 10 | Shillong → Mawphlang → Guwahati | Sacred Grove, Laitlum Canyons, departure from Guwahati |
Day 1: Guwahati – Gateway to the Northeast
Fly into Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (GAU). Guwahati is the commercial capital of Assam and the natural starting point for any Northeast India trip.
- Kamakhya Temple – One of the most sacred Shakti temples in India, perched on Nilachal Hill. Arrive early to avoid queues. Entry: Free (inner sanctum by offering).
- Umananda Island – A small island temple in the Brahmaputra, accessible by ferry from Fancy Bazar Ghat. Ferry: ₹20 return. Entry: Free.
- Brahmaputra River Cruise – Evening cruise from Uzanbazar Ghat. Sunset over the mighty Brahmaputra is spectacular. ₹200–400 per person.
- Dinner – Try Assamese cuisine at Khorikaa or Paradise restaurant. Must-try: Masor Tenga (sour fish curry), Pork with bamboo shoot.
Stay overnight in Guwahati near the airport or Fancy Bazar.
Day 2: Drive to Kaziranga – The Rhino Kingdom
Distance: Guwahati to Kaziranga ~230 km (4.5–5 hrs via NH-27). Depart by 7 AM. The drive itself is scenic — you'll cross the Brahmaputra and drive through lush Assam tea gardens.
Book a long-distance taxi via Assam Seva for a comfortable door-to-door transfer. Check into your resort (Iora – The Retreat, Infinity Resort Kaziranga, or Wild Mahseer are excellent options).
Afternoon/Evening: Settle in, take an elephant safari in the Eastern Range (book through your resort) for a gentle introduction to the park at sunset.
Day 3: Kaziranga Jeep Safaris – Rhinos, Tigers & Elephants
Kaziranga is a UNESCO World Heritage Site covering 430 sq km of floodplain grasslands on the southern bank of the Brahmaputra. It has the world's largest concentration of Indian one-horned rhinoceroses (~2,600 animals) and high densities of elephants, wild water buffalo, and Bengal tigers.
Morning Safari – Central Range
The Central Range (Kohora) is the most productive for rhino and elephant sightings. 4-hour jeep safari starting at 6 AM. Jeep booking: ₹2,500–3,500 (6-seater, including permit). Book your jeep safari 24 hrs in advance through your resort or online at the Kaziranga forest department website.
Afternoon Safari – Western Range
The Western Range (Bagori) is best for tiger sightings and sweeping grassland panoramas. Another 3–4 hour safari starting at 2 PM.
Day 4: Morning Safari + Drive to Shillong
Optional early morning elephant safari at 6 AM (Eastern Range). Check out by 9 AM. Drive to Shillong (~230 km, 5 hrs via NH-6 and Guwahati). Pre-book your Kaziranga to Shillong cab via Assam Seva. Arrive Shillong late afternoon. Check in and rest.
Days 5–10: Meghalaya – Full Coverage
Days 5 through 10 follow the Meghalaya portion of this itinerary, covering:
- Day 5: Shillong sightseeing (Ward's Lake, Don Bosco Museum, Elephant Falls, Shillong Peak)
- Day 6: Drive to Cherrapunji, waterfalls and caves, overnight
- Day 7: Double-Decker Root Bridge Trek at Nongriat, Rainbow Falls
- Day 8: Recovery and return to Shillong
- Day 9: Dawki Umngot River + Mawlynnong village
- Day 10: Mawphlang Sacred Grove → Laitlum Canyons → Guwahati departure
For detailed day-by-day plans for these days, see the full 7-day Meghalaya itinerary.
How to Get from Kaziranga to Shillong
The Kaziranga to Shillong drive (~230 km) takes 4.5–5.5 hours depending on traffic in Guwahati. The route goes through Guwahati on NH-27 and then NH-6. It is best done in daylight. Assam Seva offers reliable Kaziranga–Shillong taxi transfers with experienced drivers familiar with both states.
10-Day Assam + Meghalaya Budget (Per Person)
| Expense | Budget | Mid-Range |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (9 nights) | ₹5,400–8,100 | ₹13,500–27,000 |
| Food (10 days) | ₹3,000–5,000 | ₹7,000–12,000 |
| Intercity taxis (all transfers) | ₹9,000–13,000 | ₹18,000–28,000 |
| Kaziranga safaris (2 jeep + elephant) | ₹3,500–5,000 | ₹5,000–9,000 |
| Activities, entry fees, guides | ₹2,500–4,000 | ₹4,500–8,000 |
| Total (approx.) | ₹23,400–35,100 | ₹48,000–84,000 |
Essential Tips for Your 10-Day Northeast Trip
- Best time: November to April for both Kaziranga (open park, good wildlife) and Meghalaya (clear rivers, mild weather).
- No ILP needed for Meghalaya or Assam. All Indian and foreign nationals can visit freely.
- Book Kaziranga resort and safaris in advance — especially October to February when rooms fill up weeks ahead.
- Use Assam Seva for all inter-city and local taxi bookings — reliable drivers, fixed fares, 24/7 support.
- Carry cash in Kaziranga and Cherrapunji — ATM access is limited. Withdraw in Guwahati or Shillong.
Need help in Guwahati or Shillong?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, 10 days is the ideal duration for a combined Assam and Meghalaya trip. The itinerary covers Guwahati (1 day), Kaziranga safari (2 days), drive to Shillong (Day 4), Shillong sightseeing (Day 5), Cherrapunji and Root Bridge trek (Days 6–8), Dawki and Mawlynnong (Day 9), and Mawphlang and departure (Day 10). Flying into and out of Guwahati makes this a seamless circuit.
November to April is the best time for a combined Kaziranga and Meghalaya itinerary. Kaziranga National Park is open from November to April (closes during monsoon due to flooding). Meghalaya is best from October to May. The sweet spot is November to February — dry weather, open park, crystal-clear Dawki river, and comfortable temperatures across both states.