Dates are flexible. This day-by-day plan is provisional until you choose exact travel dates.
From Guwahati Airport, allow 30–60 minutes to reach your hotel, but keep 1–2 hours for baggage, traffic and luggage drop or check-in. Hire a prepaid taxi or app cab; if you are carrying luggage, ask your hotel to arrange a car with a driver for the day. Continue to Kamakhya Temple on Nilachal Hill, ideally arriving by late morning. Allow 2–3 hours for queues, security and darshan—special entry arrangements and the day’s access procedure should be confirmed locally, as temple timings and crowd levels vary. Dress modestly and avoid carrying large bags; the hill roads can become congested around the temple entrance.
Head down to Uzanbazar for lunch, roughly 30–45 minutes depending on traffic. This riverside area is a good place to try an Assamese thali, tenga and pitha; Khorikaa or Paradise Restaurant are dependable choices, with lunch usually around ₹300–700 per person. After lunch, take the ferry to Umananda Temple from the riverfront ghat. Allow 1.5–2 hours including the crossing, waiting time and the uphill steps on the island. Check the latest ferry schedule and river conditions before setting out—services can be affected by water levels and weather, and return boats are not always immediate.
Return to the Uzanbazar riverfront for your reserved Brahmaputra River Cruise, aiming for a sunset sailing of about two hours. Book ahead through a reputable cruise operator or your hotel, particularly if you want a sunset departure or a seated dinner option; boarding time, inclusions and pricing vary considerably. Arrive at least 30 minutes early, since riverfront traffic and boarding queues can be slow. Carry a light layer and mosquito repellent—the river breeze becomes surprisingly cool after sunset. After the cruise, keep dinner simple near Uzanbazar or return to your hotel rather than adding another cross-city transfer.
Leave Guwahati around 6:30 AM in your pre-booked private car for Kohora in Kaziranga. The drive usually takes 4.5–5.5 hours, with a short breakfast and tea stop along NH27/NH715; allow extra time for traffic, roadworks and a quick lunch. Ask the driver to take you directly to your hotel in Kohora for luggage drop and check-in before sightseeing. The national park is spread out, so staying near the Kohora range gate will make tomorrow morning’s safari much easier.
After lunch, drive roughly 15–20 minutes to Kaziranga Orchid and Biodiversity Park at Durgapur. Allow 1.5–2 hours for the orchid houses, landscaped gardens, cultural displays and small village-style exhibits; opening times can vary seasonally, so confirm locally before setting out. Wear comfortable shoes and carry water—the grounds are more spread out than they first appear. Return toward Kohora Market, where a relaxed 45-minute walk is ideal for browsing bamboo crafts, Assamese textiles, tea and simple snacks. Prices are generally modest, but compare a few stalls before buying and keep small cash handy.
Have an early Assamese dinner near Kohora, perhaps a regional thali at your hotel or a well-reviewed local restaurant; budget around ₹400–900 per person. Keep the meal fairly light because tomorrow’s safari starts early. Before turning in, spend about 30 minutes at the Kaziranga safari briefing near the Kohora range area: confirm the reporting point, vehicle or elephant-safari permit, passenger names, identity documents, pickup time and whether the booking includes the forest-entry fee. Safari availability is permit-dependent, so treat this confirmation as essential rather than assuming a walk-in place will be available.
Start with the pre-booked Kaziranga National Park Jeep Safari in the Kohora Range, allowing roughly three hours for the drive through the park and the entry formalities. Your safari permit, vehicle allocation and guide should be arranged in advance through the park-authorised booking system or your accommodation; entry remains subject to park rules, weather and wildlife conditions. Return to the hotel for breakfast, collect your luggage and leave Kohora around 10:30–11:00 AM for Shillong. The road journey takes about 6–7 hours, so build in a proper lunch and tea stop rather than trying to rush the transfer.
Expect to reach Shillong around 5:00–7:00 PM, depending on road conditions and traffic near the city. Check in, freshen up and take a short taxi ride to Ward’s Lake in central Shillong for an easy one-hour stroll around the water and gardens; it is a good first taste of the city without committing to another long sightseeing drive. The lake generally closes before evening, so if your arrival is late, treat this as optional and go straight to the market instead. Entry is usually inexpensive, around ₹20–30, with separate charges possible for boating.
Walk or take a short cab to Police Bazar, Shillong’s busiest pedestrian shopping and dining area. Browse the stalls and small shops around the main square, but keep valuables secure and expect congestion, especially on weekends. For dinner, stay in the area and choose a well-reviewed Northeastern restaurant such as Jiva Sizzlers for a broad menu or Trattoria for Khasi and regional dishes; allow approximately ₹400–900 per person. Most eateries serve dinner until around 9:00–10:00 PM, though closing times vary, so arrive before 8:30 PM if you want more choice.
Leave Shillong around 6:30 AM in your pre-booked private car for Mawlynnong, allowing 3–3.5 hours on the winding road through the East Khasi Hills. Have breakfast before leaving or carry tea and snacks, as reliable roadside options become limited after Pynursla. In Mawlynnong, park near the village entrance and explore on foot for about 1.5 hours: the lanes are pleasant and tidy, with small homes, gardens and bamboo structures. Keep ₹30–50 per person for the local village maintenance fee, and carry cash because card payments are uncommon.
Continue to Mawlynnong Sky View Point, a short walk from the village area, for roughly 45 minutes. The bamboo tower offers views toward Bangladesh, although mist can completely obscure the landscape during the monsoon or on cloudy days; don’t rush the climb if the steps are wet. Simple local stalls may sell tea and snacks, but facilities are basic, so use the village toilets before setting off.
Have lunch in Mawlynnong at a village homestay or community eatery, asking for a simple Khasi meal such as rice, dal, seasonal vegetables and pork or chicken; budget ₹250–500 per person. After lunch, drive approximately 1–1.5 hours to Dawki and the Umngot River, arriving with enough time for riverside views and, if conditions permit, a short boat ride. Boating is locally arranged and depends on water level, weather and operator availability, so confirm the total price, duration and life jackets before boarding; keep roughly ₹300–800 per person as a broad planning estimate. The river is most famously clear in the drier season, while rain can turn it green or muddy.
After about two hours at the river, continue by private car toward Cherrapunji, allowing 3.5–4.5 hours for the hill roads and evening traffic near Shillong. This is a long transfer, so leave Dawki by around 3:00 PM rather than lingering until sunset. Carry water and a light dinner or arrange food with your Cherrapunji accommodation, since restaurants along the later part of the route can close early.
Start early from your Cherrapunji hotel—around 7:30 AM if possible—to make the most of the waterfalls before mist thickens and tour groups arrive. Begin at Nohkalikai Falls, where the main viewpoint is only a short walk from the parking area; allow about an hour, and carry a light rain jacket even in otherwise dry weather. Continue by car to Mawsmai Cave, roughly 20–30 minutes away. The cave involves uneven, sometimes slippery limestone passages and low sections, so wear shoes with proper grip rather than sandals. Entry is usually inexpensive, around ₹30–50 per person, but timings and fees can change locally.
A short drive brings you to the Seven Sisters Falls viewpoint in the Mawsmai area. Allow around 45 minutes, but keep expectations seasonal: during the monsoon the falls can be dramatic, while in drier months you may see only thin streams or mist-obscured cliffs. Return toward Sohra market for lunch, choosing a simple Khasi or northeastern meal at a local restaurant rather than spending too long on a formal hotel lunch. Budget approximately ₹300–700 per person; ask your driver to keep the car nearby, as parking around the market can be tight.
After lunch, head to Arwah Cave, allowing two to three hours for the forest-and-cave walk. This is a more natural, less polished experience than Mawsmai Cave, with a trail through wet woodland and fossil-marked limestone passages; a local guide may be available at the entrance, and hiring one is sensible. Bring water, a torch or headlamp, and shoes with strong traction. If rain is heavy, check trail conditions before setting out, as the path can become muddy and slippery. Finish with a relaxed Cherrapunji evening at your hotel or a café in Sohra, rather than adding another distant viewpoint. Dinner generally costs ₹400–900 per person; settle in early if you are doing the steep Nongriat hike the following day.
Leave your Cherrapunji accommodation by 6:00–6:30 AM in a pre-arranged taxi for Tyrna Village, about 30–45 minutes away. Have breakfast before leaving and carry at least 2 litres of water per person, snacks, sun protection and shoes with a firm grip. Parking near the trailhead is limited, and taxis may not be waiting later, so agree on a pickup time and fare—roughly ₹1,500–2,500 for a round trip. From Tyrna, the descent to Nongriat Double-Decker Living Root Bridge involves hundreds of uneven steps and usually takes around 2–2.5 hours each way; begin steadily, as the return climb is much harder.
Spend about 1.5–2 hours around the Nongriat Double-Decker Living Root Bridge, taking time to appreciate how the living roots have been trained across the gorge over generations. Continue to the natural pool near Nongriat for a 45–60-minute rest only if the water is clear, the current is gentle and local advice confirms that conditions are safe. Avoid swimming after heavy rain, and keep valuables in a waterproof bag. Start back toward Tyrna by early afternoon; allow extra time for rests and do not rush the steep ascent.
Have a simple late lunch in Tyrna village, where a local homestay or small eatery can usually provide rice, dal, vegetables and egg or chicken for approximately ₹250–500 per person. After the hike, return by your waiting taxi to Cherrapunji, shower and rest before making a gentle stop at a Sohra-area sunset viewpoint for about an hour. Conditions change quickly in the hills, so treat the sunset as weather-dependent rather than fixed. Finish with a relaxed farewell dinner at a local Cherrapunji restaurant or homestay—regional Khasi-style rice, pork, chicken or vegetarian dishes generally cost ₹400–900 per person. Keep the evening easy: the following morning’s return to Guwahati requires an early departure, and the drive to the airport can take roughly 5–6 hours depending on traffic and hill-road conditions.
Leave your Cherrapunji hotel around 6:00 AM in the pre-booked private car. The drive to Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport generally takes 5–6 hours, depending on traffic through Shillong and the approach to Guwahati. Keep luggage ready the night before and ask the driver to use the quickest practical route via Shillong; do not rely on finding a last-minute taxi in the morning. For an onward domestic flight, aim to reach the airport at least two hours before departure, or three hours if you have checked baggage, a tight connection or a separate ticket.
If you arrive early, have a simple meal near the airport rather than making a detour into central Guwahati. The airport area has practical cafés and small Assamese restaurants along VIP Road and around Azara; allow roughly ₹250–600 per person and about 30–45 minutes. Keep this stop flexible, since traffic and airport security are more likely to affect your schedule than the meal. Your driver can drop you at the terminal entrance and remain available until you have confirmed the flight is operating.
Proceed to the Guwahati airport terminal with your booking and identification documents ready. Verify the actual flight timing, terminal instructions and whether the itinerary is direct or requires a connection before leaving Cherrapunji; do not plan any sightseeing today. If your flight is late in the day, retain the private car or arrange a confirmed airport transfer rather than switching to shared transport, which can be unpredictable and may jeopardize check-in.
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