After landing at Guwahati Airport, allow roughly 45–60 minutes for baggage collection and meeting your pre-arranged driver before setting off for Kohora, the main tourist area of Kaziranga National Park. The drive usually takes around 4–5 hours, depending on traffic and road conditions; leave the airport with time for a simple meal and tea stop along the way. Your driver should take the NH-27 route toward Bokakhat, then continue to Kohora. Keep water and snacks handy, and expect the final approach to be slower after dark, with limited street lighting.
Once you have checked in or left your luggage at the lodge, head to Kaziranga Orchid and Biodiversity Park in Durgapur, about 20–30 minutes from Kohora by taxi or auto-rickshaw. Set aside around 1½ hours for the orchid gardens, cultural displays, small museum areas, and local biodiversity exhibits. The park generally operates during daylight hours, but confirm the same-day closing time locally—especially if your airport arrival is delayed. Admission is typically modest, often around ₹100–200 per person, with separate charges possible for performances or special displays.
On the way back, spend about 45 minutes at Bokakhat market, a useful stop for seeing everyday Assamese life rather than a tourist-only version of the region. Browse the vegetable stalls, betel-nut shops, woven goods, and small snack counters, but keep valuables close and do not plan on a long visit if it is already getting dark. From Bokakhat, allow roughly 20–30 minutes back to your Kohora lodge. For dinner, try a local Assamese meal at Maati Restaurant or Landmark Woods Restaurant in the Kohora area, depending on what is open and convenient for your lodge; budget approximately ₹300–700 per person. Keep the evening early, since the next day’s park safari requires a pre-booked permit and an early departure.
Start before sunrise with your pre-booked jeep for the Kaziranga National Park Kohora Central Range safari. Allow about three hours, including the entry formalities and drive to the gate; the exact departure depends on your permit and the park’s seasonal operating schedule. This is your strongest opportunity for one-horned rhinoceros, swamp deer, wild buffalo and waterbirds, with sightings never guaranteed. Carry a light jacket, binoculars and cash for any local gate or guide charges, and follow the driver’s instructions rather than asking for rushed approaches to animals.
Return to Kohora for breakfast and a short rest before heading by taxi or hired jeep to Kaziranga National Orchid and Biodiversity Park in Durgapur, roughly 20–30 minutes away. Spend about 1½ hours among the orchid displays, gardens and local biodiversity exhibits; check the day’s opening hours before leaving, as seasonal schedules can change. If you already visited on Day 1, use this slot to rest instead—the afternoon safari is the priority.
Have lunch near Kohora, then leave with a comfortable buffer for Bagori Western Range. The drive from Kohora generally takes around 30–45 minutes, and you should arrive early for permit and vehicle checks. The three-hour jeep safari covers a different landscape from the Central Range, with open grassland, woodland and wetland edges; it is particularly enjoyable for broad views and birdlife, even when large-animal sightings are quiet. Advance booking is strongly recommended, since safari permits and vehicle availability are limited and depend on park operations.
Return to Kohora after sunset and keep the evening easy. Dine at Wild Grass Lodge, allowing about an hour for a relaxed meal featuring regional Assamese flavours; budget approximately ₹500–1,000 per person. Arrange a return ride with your safari vehicle or lodge in advance, as roadside transport becomes sparse after dark. Keep tomorrow’s luggage and departure details ready tonight, especially if you are continuing onward toward Shillong.
Leave Kohora around 6:00–7:00am in your pre-arranged private car for Shillong. The drive takes roughly 7–8 hours door to door, with breakfast and comfort stops along the way; hill traffic can slow the final approach, so keep your Shillong plans deliberately light. Carry water and snacks, and confirm that your driver is comfortable making the reservoir stop before setting out.
Pause at Umiam Lake, about 45–60 minutes before Shillong, for wide views over the forested reservoir and surrounding hills. Allow around 30–45 minutes here rather than trying to turn it into a full sightseeing stop; the best viewpoints are simple roadside overlooks, and facilities can be basic. Continue into Shillong for hotel check-in and a short rest. Once in the city, allow 20–40 minutes from the lake depending on traffic.
If you arrive before closing, take an easy one-hour walk around Ward’s Lake, a landscaped colonial-era garden in the city centre. Its opening hours can vary, so confirm locally; if the gates are already closed, move this visit to tomorrow morning rather than rushing after a long drive. From there, a short taxi or auto-rickshaw ride brings you toward Police Bazaar, where you can browse the busy central streets before dinner. Choose a well-used local restaurant rather than an empty tourist spot, budgeting approximately ₹300–700 per person; expect traffic and limited parking, so ask your driver to drop you near the pedestrian-heavy core and arrange a pickup point afterward.
Start around 8:00am with a taxi to Shillong Peak in Upper Shillong. The drive from central Shillong generally takes 30–45 minutes, though allow longer in morning traffic; carry photo ID, as access can be subject to security restrictions and weather conditions. Spend about an hour at the viewpoint, where clear weather gives you a broad panorama over Shillong and the surrounding hills. Taxis typically charge around ₹800–1,500 for a half-day local outing, depending on waiting time and your hotel’s location.
Continue downhill to Elephant Falls, another 20–30 minutes by car. Allow roughly an hour for the stepped walk to the lower viewpoints; the stairs can be slippery after rain, so wear shoes with a good grip. Entry is usually inexpensive, around ₹30–50 per person, with small parking and refreshment charges possible. From here, continue toward Mawlai for Don Bosco Museum. Plan about two hours for its galleries on Northeast Indian communities, textiles, faiths and everyday life; it is generally open Tuesday–Saturday during daytime hours, with last admission often earlier than closing, so confirm locally before setting out. A quick lunch near Mawlai or back in town is more practical than trying to fit a long restaurant stop into the morning.
After lunch, head to Bara Bazaar, also known as Iewduh, for a lively, unpolished look at Shillong’s traditional trading quarter. Allow around 1½ hours to wander the lanes, but keep belongings secure and dress modestly—the market is busy, wet underfoot and not designed for sightseeing crowds. It is usually most active from late morning through the afternoon and is commonly quieter on Sunday; negotiate politely for small purchases rather than expecting fixed tourist prices. Use a short local taxi ride rather than walking from the museum, as the distance and traffic make this an awkward connection.
Finish in Laitumkhrah at Café Shillong, a comfortable place for coffee and casual food after the market. Budget approximately ₹400–800 per person, and expect a 15–30-minute taxi ride from Bara Bazaar, depending on traffic. The café can fill up in the evening, so arriving around 5:30–6:00pm is easier than going at peak dinner time. Keep the rest of the night unplanned: Shillong’s traffic is slow, and this route already gives you a full cross-section of the city without rushing every stop.
Leave central Shillong around 6:30–7:00am by taxi for Laitlum Canyon near Smit; allow about 45–60 minutes each way, depending on road conditions. The viewpoint is best before cloud builds over the ridges, and two hours is enough for the main lookout and a short wander along the grassy edge—stay well back from unfenced drops, especially if the ground is damp. Carry tea, water, and a light breakfast, as there are few dependable food options at the viewpoint; budget roughly ₹1,500–2,500 for a round-trip taxi.
Continue by taxi towards Mawphlang Sacred Forest, roughly 45–60 minutes from Laitlum Canyon. Arrange a local guide at the entrance for the two-hour walk; the forest is a living Khasi sacred site, so do not remove leaves, stones, flowers, or fallen wood, and follow the guide rather than creating your own route. Entry and guiding together commonly cost around ₹300–700 per person, though rates can vary. Wear shoes with good grip—the paths become slippery after rain—and keep the pace unhurried so you can notice the moss, orchids, and unusually dense canopy.
Have lunch near the Mawphlang Sacred Grove area, choosing a simple Khasi meal of rice, dal, seasonal vegetables, and meat if available; allow ₹300–600 per person and expect a modest local eatery rather than a polished restaurant. After lunch, meet a local guide for the David Scott Trail section, allowing two to three hours for a manageable out-and-back walk. This is best treated as a countryside hike, not a quick viewpoint stop: confirm the route length and trail conditions before setting off, particularly if rain has made stream crossings or muddy sections difficult. Keep your driver waiting or agree on a precise pickup point, since mobile coverage can be patchy.
Return to Shillong in the late afternoon, usually taking 1–1½ hours depending on traffic, and head to Laitumkhrah for an easy street-food stop. Try momos and Khasi snacks such as tungrymbai-based dishes where available; a casual stop costs about ₹200–500 per person. Laitumkhrah is liveliest around dusk, but many small vendors operate on variable schedules, so keep the evening flexible. Book a taxi back rather than relying on an immediate app ride, and carry a light jacket—the temperature drops quickly after sunset.
Leave Shillong around 8:00am after breakfast in your pre-arranged private taxi. The drive to Cherrapunji (Sohra) generally takes 2–3 hours, but allow extra time for Saturday traffic, viewpoints, and the winding NH-206/Sohra Road. The first worthwhile stop is Mawkdok Dympep Valley Viewpoint, about 30 minutes before Sohra. Spend 30–45 minutes taking in the deep, forested canyon; the zipline operation is weather-dependent, so treat it as optional rather than counting on it. Carry cash for the viewpoint fee and small stalls, and hold onto hats and phones in the wind.
Continue to your hotel for check-in or luggage drop, then head toward Wei Sawdong Falls by taxi. The falls involve a steep descent and climb on uneven steps, taking roughly 1.5–2 hours overall. Wear shoes with good grip and avoid the lower sections if rain has made the steps slippery; access can also be restricted after heavy weather. There are limited facilities at the site, so bring water and a small snack.
After returning to town, allow about 45 minutes to browse Sohra market. It is useful for picking up fruit, bottled water, rain protection, and simple local snacks rather than for a long sightseeing stop. Keep some small notes for purchases, and expect many shops to wind down by early evening. From central Sohra, arrange a taxi in advance for the drive to Cherrapunjee Holiday Resort in Laitkynsew—roughly 30–45 minutes depending on road conditions—and arrive for dinner around 7:00pm. The resort’s regional meal usually costs approximately ₹500–1,000 per person; reserve ahead through your hotel or the resort, as evening dining options are sparse outside town. Return by your pre-arranged taxi rather than relying on app-based cabs.
Start around 7:30am with a taxi from your Sohra hotel to Nohkalikai Falls, allowing 20–30 minutes depending on your exact location. The main viewpoint needs about an hour; morning usually gives you the clearest chance of seeing the plunge, although cloud can arrive quickly. Entry is generally inexpensive, roughly ₹30–50 per person, with small parking and refreshment charges possible. Bring a light rain layer even in November, and don’t rely on the waterfall’s flow being dramatic after a dry spell.
Continue by taxi to Mawsmai Cave, about 20–30 minutes away. Allow an hour to move through the narrow, damp limestone passages; sturdy shoes with good grip are essential, and large bags are inconvenient. Entry is typically around ₹30–50 per person, though local charges can change. Afterward, walk or drive a few minutes to the Seven Sisters Falls viewpoint for about 45 minutes. This cascade is seasonal, so treat it as a scenic stop rather than a guaranteed full-flow waterfall; the surrounding plateau views are worthwhile even when the falls are thin.
After a simple lunch near Mawsmai—choose a busy local stall or a clean restaurant serving rice, dal, pork or chicken—the taxi can take you toward Arwah Cave. Set aside 2–3 hours for the forest-and-cave walk, including the approach trail and time with a local guide. The terrain is uneven, slippery after rain, and less polished than Mawsmai Cave, so wear proper walking shoes, carry water, and keep your group together. Confirm the guide and local entry arrangements on arrival rather than assuming late-afternoon access; aim to begin by about 2:00pm so you are back before dusk.
Return to Sohra for dinner at Orange Roots, a dependable vegetarian option near the town centre, or Jiva Grill, where regional and North Indian dishes are available. Budget approximately ₹300–700 per person, and expect service to be unhurried. Most kitchens wind down relatively early, so arrive by 7:30–8:00pm; cash is useful because card and mobile-payment connectivity can be patchy.
Begin before 7:00am from your Sohra accommodation and take a pre-arranged taxi to Tyrna, the trek’s starting village. The return walk to Nongriat and the Double-Decker Living Root Bridge usually takes about 5–7 hours, depending on fitness, photo stops, trail conditions, and how long you spend at the bridge. Hire a local guide at Tyrna—particularly useful for trail directions, slippery sections, and arranging any assistance if the weather turns.
This is a demanding staircase trek rather than a casual walk: carry at least 2 litres of water per person, snacks, rain protection, grippy footwear, and a small first-aid kit. Start early enough to return in daylight; the steps can be slick even in November, and mobile coverage is unreliable. Budget roughly ₹300–800 for a local guide, depending on group size and duration. Avoid rushing the climb back, especially after rain.
After returning to Tyrna, have a simple local lunch before beginning the long drive. Small village eateries generally serve rice, dal, vegetables, egg or chicken dishes, and tea; expect to pay around ₹200–500 per person. Carry cash, as card payments and reliable mobile data are unlikely here. Allow about an hour to eat, change into dry clothes, and collect your bags from the taxi.
Leave Tyrna by mid-afternoon in a pre-arranged private taxi for Guwahati, allowing approximately 5–6 hours to the city before adding airport access and traffic buffers. The usual route descends via Shillong and onward toward Guwahati; after the trek, the winding road can feel tiring, so keep water and a light snack in the car. A late-night flight or onward connection is possible only with a generous buffer—traffic around Shillong and Guwahati, roadside stops, and airport security can all add time. For a morning departure, staying overnight near Guwahati Airport is the safer option rather than attempting the journey after the trek.
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