Make this trip your own
Create your own free, personalized itinerary in seconds — then sign up to save and edit it.
Create my version

20‑Day Epic Road Trip: Delhi → Sikkim → Assam → Arunachal Pradesh → Nagaland → Mizoram → Manipur → Tripura

Viewed by 236 travelers

Day 1: Delhi to Siliguri (Gateway to the Northeast)

Morning: Depart Delhi early, cruising through Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. Stop at Agra for a quick view of the Taj Mahal from the outside.

Afternoon: Continue via Lucknow and Gorakhpur, enjoying the changing landscapes of the Ganges plain. Refuel and lunch in Patna, near the historic Patna Sahib Gurudwara.

Evening: Arrive in Siliguri, the gateway to the Himalayas. Check into a hotel and relax with a dinner featuring local Bengali cuisine.

Find Hotels

Day 2: Siliguri → Gangtok (Sikkim)

Morning: Drive through the scenic Dooars, spotting wildlife in Jaldapara National Park. Cross the Teesta River at Sevoke.

Afternoon: Ascend to Gangtok, enjoying panoramic views of the Kanchenjunga range. Check into a boutique hotel near the MG Road.

Evening: Stroll along MG Road, sampling momos at a popular stall. Visit the illuminated Namgyal Institute of Tibetology after sunset.

Find Hotels

Day 3: Gangtok Exploration

Morning: Take a cable‑car ride to the Ravangla viewpoint and explore the Rong Chang Monastery.

Afternoon: Drive to Tsomgo Lake, where you can enjoy a yak ride and admire the azure waters against snow‑capped peaks.

Evening: Return to Gangtok, attend a cultural show featuring traditional Sikkimese dances at the Namchi Orchid Garden.

Find Hotels

Day 4: Gangtok → Pelling → Kalimpong

Morning: Depart for Pelling, stopping at the majestic Khecheopalri Lake, considered a wish‑fulfilling lake.

Afternoon: Explore the Pelling Skywalk and the historic Pemayangtse Monastery. Continue to Kalimpong, crossing the spectacular Ravangla Pass.

Evening: Wander through Kalimpong’s bustling market, sampling local chocolates and crafts before settling in a colonial‑style guesthouse.

Find Hotels **Day 5: Kalimpong → Guwahati (Assam)** **Morning:** Leave Kalimpong early, driving through the lush tea gardens of Darjeeling and crossing into Assam via the Silchar Bridge. **Afternoon:** Arrive in Guwahati, check into a riverside hotel and enjoy lunch overlooking the Brahmaputra River. **Evening:** Visit the Kamakhya Temple for sunset prayers and explore the bustling Uzan Bazaar for local snacks. **Day 6: Guwahati – Shillong (Meghalaya)** **Morning:** Take a short drive to Shillong, stopping at the stunning Umiam Lake for a boat ride. **Afternoon:** Explore the Shillong Peak and the Don Bosco Museum to learn about Northeastern cultures. **Evening:** Stroll through Police Bazar, enjoying local street food and live music at a café. **Day 7: Shillong – Cherrapunji – Mawlynnong** **Morning:** Drive to Cherrapunji, visiting the iconic Nohkalikai Falls and the living root bridges. **Afternoon:** Continue to Mawlynnong, the “Cleanest Village in Asia,” and explore its bamboo dance performances. **Evening:** Return to Shillong for a relaxed dinner at a rooftop restaurant overlooking the hills. **Day 8: Shillong → Kaziranga National Park (Assam)** **Morning:** Depart early for Kaziranga, crossing the scenic Brahmaputra floodplains. **Afternoon:** Check into a wildlife‑friendly resort and take an afternoon jeep safari to spot the one‑horned Indian rhinoceros. **Evening:** Attend a cultural program showcasing Assamese folk dances and music. **Day 9: Kaziranga – Jorhat – Sivasagar** **Morning:** Early morning elephant safari in Kaziranga for bird‑watching and wildlife sightings. **Afternoon:** Drive to Jorhat, visit the historic Tea Gardens and the Jorhat Gymkhana Club. **Evening:** Continue to Sivasagar, explore the Sivasagar Sivadol temples and enjoy a traditional Assamese dinner. **Day 10: Sivasagar → Dibrugarh – Tezpur** **Morning:** Explore the ancient Ahom monuments in Sivasagar, including the Talatal Ghar. **Afternoon:** Head to Dibrugarh, the “Tea City of India,” and tour a tea estate with a tasting session. **Evening:** Arrive in Tezpur, stroll along the banks of the Brahmaputra and visit the historic Agnigarh Hill. **Day 11: Tezpur → Pasighat (Arunachal Pradesh)** **Morning:** Cross into Arunachal Pradesh via the Balipara Bridge, enjoying scenic river views. **Afternoon:** Arrive in Pasighat, the oldest town in the state, and explore the Siang River for a short river‑rafting adventure. **Evening:** Relax at a riverside homestay, sampling local tribal cuisine. **Day 12: Pasighat → Ziro – Bomdila** **Morning:** Drive to Ziro Valley, famous for its lush pine forests and the Ziro Music Festival grounds. **Afternoon:** Visit the Apatani villages to learn about unique rice‑fish farming practices. **Evening:** Continue to Bomdila, check into a guesthouse, and enjoy panoramic views of the Himalayas. **Day 13: Bomdila → Tawang** **Morning:** Depart for Tawang, crossing the spectacular Sela Pass (4,170 m). **Afternoon:** Arrive in Tawang, check into a hotel and explore the Tawang Monastery, the largest Buddhist monastery outside Tibet. **Evening:** Witness the sunset over the Himalayas from the Gunsa‑Gonpa viewpoint. **Day 14: Tawang Exploration** **Morning:** Visit the historic War Memorial and the Bumla Pass for breathtaking mountain scenery. **Afternoon:** Explore the local market, picking up hand‑crafted Thangka paintings and yak wool scarves. **Evening:** Enjoy a traditional Monpa dinner with a cultural dance performance. **Day 15: Tawang → Kohima (Nagaland)** **Morning:** Begin the long drive back down the Himalayas, crossing the Bomdila‑Tawang Highway and entering Assam again. **Afternoon:** Pass through Dimapur, stopping at the Kohima War Cemetery for a reflective visit. **Evening:** Arrive in Kohima, check into a boutique hotel and explore the lively Local Market. **Day 16: Kohima – Mokokchung – Wokha** **Morning:** Drive to Mokokchung, the cultural heart of the Ao tribe, and visit the Ao Museum. **Afternoon:** Continue to Wokha, explore the Wokha Lake and interact with the Konyak tribe for traditional crafts. **Evening:** Return to Kohima, enjoy a dinner featuring Naga pork delicacies. **Day 17: Kohima → Aizawl (Mizoram)** **Morning:** Depart for Aizawl, crossing the scenic Chandrapur Pass. **Afternoon:** Arrive in Aizawl, check into a comfortable guesthouse and visit the Solomon’s Temple. **Evening:** Stroll through Market‑III, tasting local dishes like bamboo shoot fry. **Day 18: Aizawl – Champhai – Zokhawthial (Mizoram–Manipur Border)** **Morning:** Drive to Champhai, a border town overlooking the Myanmar‑Mizoram border. **Afternoon:** Explore the Champhai Bazaar and enjoy a boat ride on the **Lake of the Red‑Dragon**. **Evening:** Cross into Manipur via Zokhawthial, settle in a homestay near the border, and experience Manipuri folk music. **Day 9: Imphal (Manipur)** **Morning:** Travel to Imphal, visiting the historic Shah Jahan Palace. **Afternoon:** Explore the Loktak Lake and its unique floating islands (phumdis). **Evening:** Attend a traditional Manipuri dance performance at the Manipur State Museum. **Day 20: Imphal → Agartala (Tripura) – Return to Delhi** **Morning:** Depart early for Agartala, crossing the scenic hill ranges of the Northeast. **Afternoon:** Arrive in Agartala, visit the regal Ujjayanta Palace and the vibrant Tripura Government Museum. **Evening:** Begin the long drive back toward Delhi or arrange a flight from Agartala, concluding the 20‑day adventure.

Time and Cost Estimates

  • Delhi–Siliguri (Road): 18 hrs, INR 2,500 (fuel & tolls)
  • Gangtok (Sikkim): 3 days, INR 7,000 (accommodation, permits, local transport)
  • Kalimpong: 1 day, INR 2,500 (stay & meals)
  • Guwahati & Shillong: 3 days, INR 6,000 (hotel, food, local taxis)
  • Kaziranga National Park: 2 days, INR 5,500 (park entry, safari, lodging)
  • Assam tea estates (Jorhat, Dibrugarh): 2 days, INR 4,000 (tours & tasting)
  • Arunachal Pradesh (Pasighat, Ziro, Tawang): 4 days, INR 9,000 (permits, accommodation, guide)
  • Nagaland (Kohima, Mokokchung): 3 days, INR 5,500 (stay, food, entry fees)
  • Mizoram (Aizawl, Champhai): 2 days, INR 4,500 (transport, lodging)
  • Manipur (Imphal, Loktak Lake): 2 days, INR 4,500 (stay, boat ride, museum)
  • Tripura (Agartala): 1 day, INR 2,500 (entry, meals)
  • Return leg to Delhi (flight from Agartala): 1 hr, INR 12,000 (one‑way economy)
  • Meals & Miscellaneous: 20 days, INR 15,000
  • Total Estimated Cost: INR 79,500

Tips

To extend the trip, add extra days in Sikkim for trekking to Goecha La or in Arunachal Pradesh to explore the remote Dibang Valley. If you need to shorten the itinerary, skip the Meghalaya leg and combine Assam’s tea‑garden visits into a single day, focusing on the main highlights of each state while still experiencing the diverse cultures and landscapes of the Northeast.

0
Like this trip? Make your own version.
A free, personalized itinerary in seconds — sign up to save and edit it.
Create my version