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I did a solo trip to North East India recently, which turned out to be a fantastic experience. Thanks to the detailed planning I did. And to help you enjoy your north east India trip to the max, I am sharing my North east India itinerary. Use the inspiration to create your own!
15 days North east India Itinerary
- Day 1 – Reach Imphal, begin your trip to Loktak lake. Stay the night.
- Day 2 – Explore Loktak lake area
- Day 3 – Take flight to Guwahati from Imphal. Take a shared cab to Shillong. And from there take a shared cab to Cherrapunji/Sohra.
- Day 4 – Visit Double Decker Root bridge. Take a public bus in morning, hitchhike, or a private cab.
- Day 5 – Cherrapunji/Sohra Sightseeing.
- Day 6 – Travel to Shillong in morning. Do Sightseeing.
- Day 7 – Go from Shillong to Tezpur. Take shared cab from Shillong Police Bazaar Square.
- Day 8 – Spend night in Tezpur. Try local food. Book a shared sumo ticket to Tawang for next morning.
- Day 9 – Full day of travel to Tawang from Tezpur . Try to leave by 4 AM sumo
- Day 10 – Tawang full day sightseeing (Tawang Nunnery, Tawang monastery) Book a cab. Take permit for visiting China border.
- Day 11 – Day trips from Tawang – Madhuri Lake, Indo-China Border crossing etc. Book your shared sumo ticket to Tezpur.
- Day 12 – Get from Tawang to Tezpur. Full day journey.
- Day 13 – In morning. Get from Tezpur to Guwahati – bus/shared cabs. Short 3-4 hours journey. Do Guwahati sightseeing.
- Day 14 – Visit iconic Kamakhya Temple. Second half – Take the airport bus to Guwahati airport from railway station.
- Day 15 – Keep one day buffer/ break in between to slow down a little.
If you have an extra day consider visiting Kaziranga National Park famous for the sightings of one-horned Rhino. From Guwahati it takes around 5-5.5 hours by bus to get there, so obviously you will need to stay in the nearby town overnight. But from Tezpur it takes about an hour to 1.5 hours to reach there, so adding to your last leg of itinerary is ideal. You can do the safari same day and return back to Guwahati in the evening.
Highlights of this two weeks North East India Itinerary are:
- Beautiful Loktak Lake in Imphal
- Double Root Bridge Trek
- Tawang Monastery, Tawang Nunnery
- Trips to Madhuri Lake, Indo China Border
You can read my individual posts on these destinations and the backpacking Northeast India guide for the tips to help you further plan your trip.
North East Itinerary 14 days
Cut the buffer day from the 15 days itinerary or cut short the Sohra Sightseeing.
20 Days North East India Itinerary
- Day 1-2: Guwahati – Explore the city’s cultural attractions, such as the Kamakhya Temple and the Assam State Museum.
- Day 3-4: Shillong – Visit natural attractions such as Umiam Lake, Elephant Falls, and scenic viewpoints, and explore local markets and colonial architecture.
- Day 5-6: Cherrapunji – Visit natural attractions such as Nohkalikai Falls, Mawsmai Caves, and experience the beautiful views from Dawki river.
- Day 7-8: Kaziranga National Park – Embark on a wildlife safari to spot one-horned rhinos and other wildlife.
- Day 9-10: Majuli – Explore the river island and visit the unique monasteries.
- Day 11-12: Arunachal Pradesh – Visit Tawang Monastery and other scenic spots in the area.
- Day 13-14: Nagaland – Visit the villages of the Angami Naga tribe in Kohima, explore local markets and handicraft centers.
- Day 15-16: Manipur – Visit the floating islands of Loktak Lake and explore the Loktak Wetlands National Park.
- Day 17-18: Meghalaya – Visit the root bridges of Cherrapunji, and natural attractions such as Mawlynnong village and Living Root Bridge of Mawlynnong.
- Day 19-20: Assam – Take a river cruise on the Brahmaputra and explore the city of Tezpur before departing.
North East tour itinerary 10 days
- Day 1: Guwahati – Visit Kamakhya Temple and take a sunset cruise on the Brahmaputra River.
- Day 2-3: Shillong – Explore colonial architecture, local markets, and scenic viewpoints, and visit natural attractions such as Nohkalikai Falls and the Mawsmai Caves.
- Day 4-5: Cherrapunji – Continue exploring natural attractions, including the Living Root Bridges, and take in the views from the Dawki river.
- Day 6-7: Dirang – Explore the orchid sanctuary, hot springs, and other attractions in the town.
- Day 8-9: Tawang – Visit Tawang Monastery, Sela Pass, and other scenic spots in the area.
- Day 10: Guwahati – Explore the city’s cultural attractions, such as the Assam State Museum, before departing.
7 Days Itinerary for North East India
- Day 1: Guwahati – Visit Kamakhya Temple and take a sunset cruise on the Brahmaputra River.
- Day 2: Shillong – Explore colonial architecture, local markets, and scenic viewpoints.
- Day 3: Cherrapunji – Visit stunning natural attractions such as Nohkalikai Falls and the Mawsmai Caves.
- Day 4: Kaziranga National Park – Embark on a wildlife safari to spot one-horned rhinos and other wildlife.
- Day 5: Majuli Island – Experience local crafts and traditions on one of the largest river islands in the world.
- Day 6: Jorhat – Visit the historical Raja Maidam burial mounds and enjoy a tea garden tour.
- Day 7: Guwahati – Explore the city’s cultural attractions, such as the Assam State Museum.
North East tour itinerary 5 days
- Day 1-2: Shillong – Explore colonial architecture, local markets, and scenic viewpoints, and visit natural attractions such as Umiam Lake and Elephant Falls.
- Day 3: Cherrapunji – Visit natural attractions such as Nohkalikai Falls, Mawsmai Caves, and take in the views from the Dawki river.
- Day 4: Kaziranga National Park – Embark on a wildlife safari to spot one-horned rhinos and other wildlife.
- Day 5: Guwahati – Explore the city’s cultural attractions, such as the Assam State Museum, before departing.
Famous Destinations:
- Loktak Lake – North East India Itinerary
Join me on an adventure to Loktak Lake, the largest freshwater lake in Northeast India. We’ll cruise around its floating islands, hike through the surrounding forests, and encounter rare wildlife like the endangered Sangai deer. The beauty of Loktak’s rich biodiversity will leave you awestruck and make this trip an unforgettable experience.
Loktak Lake has much more to offer than just cruising and hiking. Here are some additional activities and experiences you can enjoy:
- Visit the Thanga village and learn about the traditional fishing techniques used by the local fishermen.
- Explore the nearby villages and interact with the locals to experience the unique culture and way of life of the region.
- Take a bird-watching tour to spot some of the 400+ species of birds that call the lake and its surroundings home.
- Try your hand at water sports like kayaking, canoeing, or paddle boating on the lake.
- Enjoy a relaxing picnic by the lakeside and savor the delicious local cuisine while taking in the serene surroundings.
2. Double Root Bridge
I recently embarked on a solo trek to the Double Root Bridge in Meghalaya, India. The journey was not an easy one, but the beautiful surroundings of lush greenery and fragrant wildflowers made it all worthwhile. As I hiked, I crossed streams, climbed steep terrain, and walked through dense forests.
The real adventure began when I arrived at the Double Root Bridge, an incredible feat of natural engineering crafted entirely from living roots by generations of the Khasi tribe. As I descended down the narrow path, I could feel the cool mist rising up from the river below.
Finally arriving at the bridge, I was greeted with a breathtaking view of the dense forest and the magnificent living root bridge. This solo trek has left a lasting impression on me and I highly recommend it to anyone seeking an unforgettable adventure.
3. Tawang Monastery – North East India Itinerary
I recently visited the Tawang Monastery in Arunachal Pradesh, India, and it was a breathtaking experience. As I approached the monastery, I was struck by its impressive size and stunning location on a hilltop overlooking the valley.
Inside, I was greeted by rows of prayer wheels, colorful murals, and intricate carvings. The sound of chanting monks filled the air, creating a peaceful and serene atmosphere.
The highlight of my visit was witnessing the morning prayers, a deeply spiritual and moving experience. The monks, dressed in vibrant robes, chanted and performed sacred rituals, transporting me to a state of deep contemplation and reverence. What to see:
- Library: The monastery houses a large library containing ancient Buddhist texts, manuscripts, and other important documents.
- Museum: The museum displays a collection of thangkas (Buddhist religious paintings), statues, and other artifacts related to Tibetan Buddhism.
- Monks’ quarters: Visitors can also explore the living quarters of the monks, which are simple but functional, and gain insight into the daily life of the monastic community