North East India Trip Itinerary — August 8th to August 18th, 2025

Day 1: August 8th — Arrival in Guwahati & Transfer to Meghalaya

Arrive in Guwahati, Assam, by morning flight. Explore Kamakhya Temple and visit the scenic Umananda Island. In the late afternoon, take a scenic transfer (~3-4 hours) by road to Shillong.

Evening: Check into your accommodation, relax, and enjoy local vegetarian cuisine. Optional evening walk around Police Bazar Market.

Day 2: August 9th — Exploring Meghalaya’s Natural Wonders

Morning: Visit Living Root Bridges at Cherrapunji. Hike through lush greenery and enjoy the immersive natural scenery.

Afternoon: Explore Nohkalikai Falls and Mawsmai Cave, both iconic Meghalaya attractions. Consider a boat ride on Umngot River if energy permits.

Evening: Return to Shillong and stroll through local markets.

Day 3: August 10th — Meghalaya to Assam & onward to Arunachal Pradesh

Morning: Drive to Sylhet region (Bangladesh border area) or explore nearby villages, weather permitting. Optional helicopter sightseeing around Shillong (subject to availability).

Afternoon: Proceed towards Bomdila or Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh, approximately 7-8 hours drive. Alternatively, check for helicopter charter options for quick transfer (not common but possible in high-end travel scenarios).

Evening: Arrive and rest in Arunachal Pradesh, acclimatize to the altitude.

Day 4: August 11th — Arunachal Pradesh: Tawang or West Arunachal Exploration

Morning: Visit Tawang Monastery, Asia’s second largest Buddhist monastery, and nearby scenic viewpoints.

Afternoon: Explore Sangetsang Palace and local villages. Optionally, visit the enchanting Pindari River Valley if accessible.

Evening: Return to Tawang or local stay, enjoy vegetarian local cuisine.

Day 5: August 12th — Arunachal Pradesh to Meghalaya

Morning: Begin return journey, possibly via helicopter (limited options; primarily road travel). If energy allows, add a visit to Nuranang Falls.

Afternoon & Evening: Commence journey back towards Meghalaya or Assam via internal flights or helicopter charters if available. Often, this involves a combination of road trips and flights through Guwahati.

Day 6: August 13th — Meghalaya: Cherrapunji or Nearby Villages

Morning: Optional revisit to Living Root Bridges or explore more remote villages. Consider an overland drive to Jowai for additional sightseeing.

Afternoon: Visit Nokrek National Park, if open. This area is often affected by monsoon closures but offers great biodiversity.

Evening: Return to Shillong; relax and explore local vegetarian eateries.

Day 7: August 14th — Optional Extra: Kaziranga or More Meghalaya

Introduce flexibility: if energy and time permit, add a day trip to Kaziranga National Park for biodiversity (check monsoon season closures). Otherwise, explore more of Shillong’s waterfalls and cultural sites.

Day 8: August 15th — Shillong & Local Sightseeing

Morning: Visit Elephant Falls and Ward’s Lake. Explore local markets and the Shillong Peak for panoramic views.

Afternoon: Relax at leisure, possible optional helicopter or private car sightseeing around Shillong.

Evening: Prepare for departure or next leg of journey.

Day 9: August 16th — Return to Guwahati & Optional Side Trip to Assam Tea Gardens

Morning: Drive back to Guwahati, approx 3-4 hours. Optional helicopter transfer in case of available slots.

Afternoon: Visit Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra and local tea estates in Assam.

Evening: Leisure time or optional boat ride on Brahmaputra River.

Day 10: August 17th — Extra Day for Flexibility or Rest

Reserve this day for any missed attractions or rest. Optional helicopter rides over key scenic points like Guwahati skyline.

Day 11: August 18th — Departure

Morning: Final shopping or sightseeing in Guwahati. Transfer to airport for outbound flight.

Evening: Trip concludes.

Time and Cost Estimates

• Guwahati to Shillong and back: 5 hours each way — approx. $50 per person on shared taxi or private vehicle
• Local sightseeing and excursions: 2-4 hours per site — approx. $10 per site per person
• Helicopter charter (where available): approx. $500-$1000 per flight for groups
• Accommodation (Veg-focused options): $30-$50 per night per person
• Main attractions (entry fees): approx. $5-$10 per site
• Total Estimated Cost: ~$500-$700 per person, excluding international flights

Tips

Plan for flexible days to accommodate weather conditions, especially during monsoon season which may cause closures of outdoor attractions. If you have extra energy and time, consider extending your stay in Meghalaya or Arunachal Pradesh to explore remote villages or wildlife sanctuaries. For quicker transfers, explore helicopter options, but note that availability might be limited and expensive. Always ensure vegetarian options are booked in advance as food availability can be seasonal.