Begin with your Ahmedabad–Guwahati flight, allowing 6–8 hours door-to-door for the airport transfer, check-in, security, flight, baggage collection, and the ride into town. Pre-book a taxi for the approximately 30–45-minute journey from Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport to your hotel, with extra time if arriving during peak traffic. After checking in, keep the afternoon gentle rather than trying to fit in a full sightseeing circuit.
Head to the Assam State Museum in Dighalipukhuri, ideally by app cab or hotel-arranged taxi; allow roughly 20–30 minutes from central hotels depending on traffic. Spend about 1.5 hours with its galleries of Assamese archaeology, textiles, tribal culture, manuscripts, and traditional objects. Opening hours can change, and museums are commonly closed on a weekly holiday, so verify the same day; budget approximately ₹10–₹50 per person, subject to current rates. From the museum, walk or take a short auto-rickshaw ride to Dighalipukhuri Park in Panbazar. The twin historic tanks and tree-lined paths are a pleasant place to slow down for 45 minutes, especially after the flight. Carry water and avoid expecting a formal café inside the park.
Continue to the Uzanbazar riverside, about 10–15 minutes by auto-rickshaw or cab from Dighalipukhuri. Arrive before sunset for an easy one-hour walk along the Brahmaputra; the riverfront is atmospheric, but lighting and paving can be uneven, so stay together and avoid isolated stretches after dark. Finish at Khorikaa in Uzanbazar, a good first-night choice for Assamese food and a relaxed group dinner. Allow 1.5 hours and approximately ₹500–₹900 per person; ask for local specialties such as khar, tenga, pitika, and preparations using freshwater fish. Reserve a table for seven if possible, and use a cab back to the hotel rather than relying on finding several autos late in the evening.
Start before sunrise with your pre-book Kaziranga Park jeep safari from theKohora Range. Allow roughly 3–4 including the entry process permit checks and boarding your shared or private vehicle. The park forest tracks are at best in the cool morning, when rhineros, swamp deer wild buffalo and, luck, elephants are more. Carry identification, warm layers and; November mornings can feel surprisingly cold Safari permits and vehicles should be in advance through your or the official booking system—do not on getting a last-minute seat at the gate.
After returning to Kohora, spend about 1½ hours at Kohora Orchid, where the orchid displays, small cultural exhibits and landscaped grounds offer an easy, low-key contrast to the safari. A short taxi ride brings you to Nature’s Hunt Eco Camp restaurant for lunch. Expect regional dishes and a relaxed meal of around an hour, costing approximately ₹350–₹700 per person. Confirm the kitchen’s timing with your driver or hotel, as rural restaurants may not serve continuously between meal periods.
Continue by car to Kaziranga National Orchid and Biodiversity Park in Durgapur, allowing about 1½ hours for its gardens, orchid collections and cultural presentations. Check the day’s visitor hours locally before setting out, since attraction schedules can change seasonally. From here, return toward Kohora; the park is spread out, so keep the same vehicle rather than depending on app-based taxis.
The planned onward drive to Dirang after lunch—roughly 8–10 hours—would make this an exhausting and unsafe winter travel day, especially after an early safari. The sensible option is to keep tonight near Kaziranga, then leave very early tomorrow for Dirang. If the transfer is absolutely unavoidable, depart immediately after lunch, use a trusted SUV with two drivers if possible, carry food and warm clothing, and confirm road conditions; even then, arrival may be late and uncertain.
Leave Kaziranga around 5:30 AM in your pre-arranged private SUV. The route runs through Tezpur, Bhalukpong, and Bomdila, taking roughly 9–11 hours once breakfast, fuel, permit checks, traffic, and mountain-road delays are included. This is an extremely long transfer for one day, so keep expectations modest: carry packed breakfast, water, warm layers, motion-sickness medication, and cash for roadside stops. Your driver should confirm that everyone’s Arunachal Pradesh ILP details are in order before departure. Arrival in Dirang will likely be in the late afternoon or early evening; have the hotel keep dinner available if possible.
After checking in and resting briefly, visit Dirang Dzong, the old fortified settlement, if daylight and local access permit. Allow about 45 minutes to walk around its stone lanes and traditional structures; access can be informal, and conditions may vary, so ask your driver or hotel about the current approach. Keep this visit gentle after the long drive—there is no benefit in rushing, and the valley becomes cold soon after sunset.
If you still have daylight, continue to Dirang Monastery, a peaceful hilltop stop where an hour is enough to enjoy the views and quiet atmosphere. Dress respectfully and avoid entering prayer areas during ceremonies. Finish at Dirang Hot Water Spring, allowing approximately an hour; it is best to confirm local access and changing arrangements before going, and bring a towel, sandals, and a change of clothes. For dinner, Hotel Pemaling restaurant is a convenient choice for simple Tibetan and Monpa dishes, usually around ₹300–₹600 per person. Keep the evening early: the next day’s mountain travel is demanding, and road conditions around Sela Pass should be checked with your driver before bedtime.
Leave Dirang at about 6:00 AM in your pre-arranged private SUV, allowing 7–9 hours for the mountain journey. The road climbs through Bomdila toward Sela Pass, and delays are common from winter weather, roadworks, military convoys, and permit checks. Carry your Arunachal Pradesh ILP and photo identification, and keep breakfast, water, and medicines in the vehicle; cafés become sparse after the early part of the route. Your driver should confirm road and pass conditions before departure, as access to Sela Pass can be restricted by snow or ice.
Allow roughly 45 minutes at Sela Pass, weather permitting, for the high-altitude lake and stark mountain scenery. Stay close to the vehicle, avoid strenuous walking, and keep this stop flexible because wind and cold can be severe. Continue toward Jaswant Garh War Memorial, where a 30–45-minute visit is appropriate for the memorial and its military history. The approach roads are narrow and exposed, so use designated stopping areas rather than asking the driver to halt on a bend.
Near Jang, stop at Nuranang Falls for about 45 minutes. The waterfall viewpoint is close to the road, but paths may be slippery, particularly in cold weather; sturdy shoes are useful. From here, continue to Tawang, usually reaching town in the mid- to late afternoon if the pass remains clear. After checking in and warming up, visit Tawang Monastery only if arrival timing and local access rules permit; allow 1–1½ hours, and dress respectfully with shoulders and knees covered. Confirm current visitor hours locally, as monastery access can change with ceremonies, weather, or security arrangements.
End the day with dinner at Dragon Restaurant in Tawang town, a practical choice for Tibetan and Indian comfort food after the long drive. Budget approximately ₹350–₹700 per person and allow about an hour. Ask for thukpa, momos, or a hot rice-and-curry meal, and keep the evening quiet: at this altitude, warmth, hydration, and an early night matter more than adding another stop. Mobile connectivity and card payments can be unreliable, so carry some cash for meals and small purchases.
Begin early at Tawang War Memorial, ideally around 7:00 AM, before the return drive becomes pressing. Allow about 45 minutes to see the memorial, the museum displays, and the hilltop views over the valley. Entry is generally free, though timings and access can change with military or weather conditions. Keep warm layers, water, and your Arunachal Pradesh permits handy; winter mornings here are properly cold, and the group should avoid lingering if the road team advises an earlier departure.
Continue to Urgelling Monastery, roughly 20 minutes from central Tawang, for a quiet 45-minute visit. This small, atmospheric monastery is traditionally associated with the birthplace of the Sixth Dalai Lama, and it is best experienced respectfully rather than rushed—remove shoes where requested and avoid photography during prayers. Return toward town for an hour at Tawang Craft Centre, where you can browse Monpa carpets, woollens, woven fabrics, and local handicrafts. Ask about provenance and handmade pieces, and carry cash because card or UPI connectivity can be unreliable.
Have lunch at a well-reviewed local restaurant in Tawang market, choosing a warm Monpa-style meal such as thukpa, momos, or rice with local vegetable and meat preparations. Budget around ₹300–₹600 per person and allow a full hour, but do not let lunch drift too late: leaving by about 1:00 PM is important for the Tawang–Dirang return. Your driver should confirm the latest Sela Pass and road conditions before departure; the private SUV journey takes approximately 7–9 hours, with winter weather, convoy movement, snow, and roadworks capable of adding substantial delays. Carry snacks, water, medicines, and a charged phone, and expect a late arrival in Dirang rather than planning further sightseeing there.
Leave Dirang at around 5:00 AM in your pre-arranged private SUV, allowing 10–12 hours door-to-door to reach Guwahati. The route descends via Bomdila, Bhalukpong, and Tezpur, with mountain-road delays, military traffic, roadworks, breakfast, fuel, and comfort stops all possible. Carry water and packed snacks, and keep your Arunachal permits and identification accessible for checks. With seven adults, confirm that the vehicle has genuinely comfortable seating and enough luggage space rather than relying on a standard smaller SUV.
Plan a brief, roughly 30-minute refreshment break in Bhalukpong, the Assam–Arunachal gateway, once the road has descended from the hills. Roadside tea stalls and simple eateries are the practical choice here; facilities are basic, so do not depend on finding a large restaurant or clean public washroom. Continue toward Tezpur after the break, ideally stopping for a proper early lunch on the plains if the driver knows a reliable highway restaurant.
After checking in and freshening up in Guwahati, head to Deepor Beel only if you arrive before sunset and still have at least an hour of daylight. This western Guwahati wetland is best treated as a quiet birdwatching and landscape stop rather than a formal attraction, with no dependable fixed visitor timetable or guaranteed facilities. A taxi is simplest; allow about 30–45 minutes each way from central Guwahati depending on traffic, and ask the driver to use a safe, accessible viewpoint rather than stopping randomly along the highway. If the long drive runs late, skip this stop rather than attempting it in darkness.
Finish at Terra Maya for dinner, budgeting around ₹600–₹1,000 per person and approximately 1½ hours. It is a comfortable choice for a group, with regional and Indian dishes that suit mixed preferences after a long road day. Call ahead to check seating for seven and current opening hours, as restaurant timings can change; a short taxi ride from your hotel is more convenient than trying to park several vehicles. Keep the evening relaxed—tomorrow’s onward travel begins early, and this is best used for a proper meal and rest rather than another sightseeing stop.
Leave Guwahati around 7:00 AM in your pre-booked private taxi or shared cab. Allow 3–4 hours door-to-door, including traffic leaving the city, the climb through the hills, a breakfast or tea stop, and hotel check-in. For seven adults, a private tempo traveller or two SUVs will be more comfortable than shared taxis; confirm the vehicle size and luggage space the previous evening. Once checked in, head to Ward’s Lake in the Police Bazar area. The landscaped paths, flowerbeds, wooden bridge, and quiet water make this a pleasant first walk in Shillong; allow about an hour. Entry is usually modest, around ₹20–₹30, with timings commonly around 8:30 AM–5:30 PM, though verify locally.
Take a taxi from central Shillong to Don Bosco Museum in Mawblei, allowing roughly 20–30 minutes, depending on traffic. Set aside about two hours for the galleries, which present the textiles, homes, crafts, music, and traditions of communities from across Northeast India. It is generally open during daytime museum hours, often approximately 9:00 AM–5:30 PM, but check the weekly closure and holiday schedule before setting out, as this is the day’s key booking and timing dependency. Entry is typically around ₹100–₹200 per adult. The museum is spread across several floors, so comfortable shoes are useful; a taxi waiting nearby is preferable because local app-based availability can be inconsistent.
Return toward Laitumkhrah and visit the Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians, Shillong’s best-known Catholic church, for around 45 minutes. Keep the visit respectful and avoid service times unless attending worship; modest clothing is appreciated, and photography may be restricted inside. A short taxi ride then brings you to Café Shillong for dinner. Expect approximately ₹500–₹900 per person, with a relaxed café setting and, on some evenings, live music. Because the group is large, call ahead for seating and confirm the evening performance rather than assuming it is scheduled. After dinner, pre-arrange taxis back to your hotel—Shillong’s roads can be busy at night, particularly around Laitumkhrah and Police Bazar.
Leave Shillong around 7:00 AM in your pre-arranged private taxi and allow 2–3 hours door-to-door to Cherrapunji (Sohra), including the winding hill road, a tea stop, and hotel check-in. For seven adults, confirm a larger SUV or two vehicles rather than assuming a standard six-seater will be comfortable. The driver can wait while you visit the sights, which is much easier than trying to find separate transport around Sohra.
After dropping bags at your accommodation, go first to Mawsmai Cave, a short drive from the main Sohra road. Set aside about an hour for the limestone passage; the walk involves low ceilings, uneven rocks, and some damp sections, so wear shoes with good grip. Entry is usually modest—roughly ₹30–₹50 per person, though local charges and timings can change—so carry small notes. Continue by taxi to Nohkalikai Falls, allowing another hour for the viewpoint and the short walk around it. The falls are especially impressive after rain, but mist can obscure the drop, so do not be disappointed if the view comes and goes.
Have a simple local lunch near the falls or back along the main Sohra market road, then continue to the Seven Sisters Falls viewpoint at Mawsmai. Allow about 45 minutes. In December, the waterfall may be thinner than in the monsoon, and visibility is entirely weather-dependent; the layered green escarpment is still worth seeing when the falls themselves are faint. Keep the afternoon unhurried—clouds can move across the plateau quickly, and the roads become less pleasant after dark. Viewpoint and parking charges are generally small, but keep cash available.
Drive onward to Cherrapunji Holiday Resort in Laitkynsew for dinner, allowing roughly 1½ hours. Its restaurant is a comfortable choice after a full sightseeing day, with regional dishes alongside familiar Indian options; budget approximately ₹500–₹900 per person. Call ahead through your hotel or driver to confirm the restaurant is serving dinner and to request an early table for seven, as resort kitchens may work to fixed meal times. Arrange the return ride before eating—mobile coverage can be patchy around Laitkynsew, and evening driving on the plateau is slow in fog.
Leave Cherrapunji (Sohra) around 7:00 AM in your pre-arranged private taxi. The drive to Mawlynnong takes about 2.5–3.5 hours, depending on village-road conditions and stops. For seven adults, confirm a spacious SUV—or two vehicles if luggage is substantial—and carry water and a light breakfast, as reliable roadside food becomes less frequent closer to the villages. Ask the driver to drop you near the main village entrance, where parking is usually outside the pedestrian lanes.
Spend roughly 1.5 hours walking through Mawlynnong Village, taking in the tidy paths, bamboo-and-timber homes, flower gardens, and small roadside stalls. The village is best enjoyed slowly rather than as a checklist; keep voices low around residential areas and ask before photographing people or homes. Afterwards, climb to Mawlynnong Sky View, a locally maintained bamboo lookout. Allow about 45 minutes including the climb and queue. Access, maintenance, and visibility can vary, so do not count on clear views of Bangladesh in mist or rain; wear shoes with a good grip and avoid leaning against the bamboo railings.
Take a short local transfer to Riwai village and walk to the Living Root Bridge, allowing 1.5–2 hours for the return walk and time at the bridge. The trail includes uneven steps and can be slippery even in December, so this is not ideal for anyone with knee or mobility problems. A local guide is useful if the path is wet or confusing; agree the price before setting off, generally around ₹200–₹500 for the group depending on duration.
Return to the Mawlynnong village area for a simple Khasi lunch at a family-run local establishment. Budget approximately ₹250–₹500 per person for rice, dal, seasonal vegetables, chicken or pork, and tea. Choices may be limited and service unhurried, so allow about an hour rather than trying to fit in another attraction. After lunch, collect the taxi from the agreed parking point; keep the afternoon flexible, as the next day’s return toward Guwahati is best started early and the driver should already be confirmed.
Leave Mawlynnong around 7:00 AM in your pre-booked private taxi. Allow 4–5 hours door-to-door via Dawki, Shillong, and NH6; the winding roads, photo stops, and traffic entering Guwahati can easily add time. For seven adults, confirm a spacious SUV—or two vehicles if you still have substantial luggage. Ask the driver to drop you at the ferry point near Uzanbazar rather than going directly to the hotel, provided you arrive by early afternoon.
From the riverside, take the public ferry to Umananda Island for the temple visit, allowing roughly two hours including waiting time. Ferries are subject to river conditions and may not run on a fixed tourist timetable, so check locally before setting out; carry small cash and wear shoes with a good grip, as the island steps can be uneven. Return to the city and take an auto-rickshaw or app cab—usually 20–30 minutes, depending on traffic—to the Assam State Zoo cum Botanical Garden on RG Baruah Road. Allow about two hours for the zoo and botanical sections, and verify the day’s opening hours before committing, as entry schedules and last admission can change.
Head back toward the Guwahati riverfront for a Brahmaputra river cruise, allowing 1.5–2 hours. Sunset departures are the most atmospheric, but services are seasonal and can sell out, so arrange tickets in advance rather than relying on walk-up availability. After the cruise, allow around 20–30 minutes by taxi to Silpukhuri for dinner at Paradise Restaurant, a good final stop for Assamese specialities such as khar, masor tenga, and pitha. Expect approximately ₹500–₹900 per person; for seven people, call ahead for a table, especially on a Friday evening.
For your Guwahati–Ahmedabad flight, leave your hotel around three hours before the confirmed departure time. Allow 30–60 minutes for the transfer to Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, depending on your starting point and Guwahati traffic. With seven adults and luggage, pre-book a large taxi or two vehicles the previous evening rather than relying on last-minute app cabs. Keep identification, tickets, medicines, and valuables in hand luggage, and allow extra time for check-in, baggage drop, and security queues.
Confirm the flight schedule, terminal details, baggage allowance, and any fare restrictions in advance; flight timings and direct or connecting arrangements can change. Reach the airport at least two hours before a domestic departure, or earlier if you are checking several bags. If you have spare time after security, the terminal has basic cafés and snack counters, but it is better to eat lightly before boarding rather than depend on limited airport choices.
The flight from Guwahati to Ahmedabad will take several hours, with the total door-to-door journey longer once airport check-in, security, baggage collection, and the onward transfer are included. On arrival at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, arrange your pickup in advance—especially if the group is splitting between different homes—and allow 30–60 minutes for baggage collection and the drive out of the airport area. Keep the evening unplanned after this long travel day.
No packing list attached yet.