The Fabulous-3 relaxed trip to Assam & Meghalaya

Detailed itinerary

Day 1: Drive from Guwahati airport to the Shillong, 100 kms away. By afternoon, you will reach Umiam and have lunch viewing the serene landscape of Umiam Lake.  We take you to the busy streets of Shillong City like Police Bazaar and Bara Bazaar where you can go for endless shopping from local culinary items to handicrafts.

In the evening, we take you to in one of the cafés and lounges where local music band perform, especially on weekends. Another fascinating visit is to archery ground. Local people gamble on local archery matches held every day except Sunday in the evening and you can spot some old traditional dreamers of archery stakes and interact with them.

Overnight: Shillong

Day 2: Today we go for local sightseeing like Shillong Peak, Elephant Falls and Sacred Groves in Mawphlang. In the Sacred Groves in Mawphlang, it is considered an offence to cut timber from within the grove.

If it’s a Sunday, catch Shillong going to the churches. Visit the oldest church in Shillong, the Church of North India, over 100 years old heritage, and mix with the local people. Walk around the alleys of Shillong, the Laban and Laitmukhrah areas, where you can see the old heritage of Shillong.

Overnight: Shillong

Day 3: Morning tour to the border town of Dawki, on the India-Bangladesh border. The famous Dawki bridge, built in 1931 by the British, then the only connection to present day Northeast India with Dhaka and Kolkata. You can see the beautiful Byrdaw Falls near Dawki, where you can go behind the actual falls and watch it flow over your head.

Late afternoon we reach Mawlynnong village, popularly known as the cleanest village in Asia. Walking on the living root bridges built over streams made by the locals. Their indigenous knowledge of making bridges using the roots of the Indian Rubber Tree (ficus elastica) is passed from one generation to the next in the Khasi Hills.

Overnight: Mawlynnong

Day 4: After breakfast, we move to Cherrapunjee; the landscape enveloped by clouds almost throughout the year is mesmerizing. Temperature is lower than Shillong and mostly covered with fog. You can see the vast expanse of the plains of Bangladesh from the Cherra Lodge. After all the sightseeing, we return to Shillong, 53 kms approx.

Overnight: Shillong

Day 5: Drive from Shillong to Kaziranga (254 kms approx) driving through countryside panorama. In the evening, we take you to nearby Karbi village. Enjoy cultural programmes organised by the locals.

Overnight: Kaziranga National Park

Day 6: Wake up early morning for elephant ride in central or western range of the park. In the afternoon, jeep safari to the eastern range presents a different landscape from what you saw during elephant ride. A boat trip in the eastern range of the park, along Dhansiri River, takes you to another perspective of the national park.

A walk to Hathikuli Tea Estate, on the edge of central range of the park, is well-known for producing organic tea.

Overnight: Kaziranga National Park

Day 7: Drive to another wildlife hotspot i.e. Nameri National Park, 90 kms approx away, located on the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas in the Sonitpur district. In the evening, stroll beside Jia Bhorali river.

Overnight: Nameri National Park

Day 8: Unlike Kaziranga National park, there is no jeep or elephant activity here. In the morning, we go for nature trails through thick jungle and dry riverbeds organised by forest authorities and accompanied by forest guards gives ample bird sighting. Rafting in the gentle rapids of the Jia Bhorali is optional Visit to local market and nearby village accompanied by a local guide.

Overnight: Nameri National Park

Day 9: We take Drive to Ziro via Tezpur, 284 kms away. This place is primarily home to the Apatanis – simple, non-nomadic, agrarian tribe who share a responsible relationship with nature. In the evening, sitting in any rooftop restaurant gives the entire view of the landscape. Try some local beer called Oho to beat the chilled night.

Overnight: Ziro

Day 10: In Ziro valley, we will show you lush paddy farms known for its unique paddy cum fish cultivation where traditional irrigation methods like farmers rear fish in the knee-deep water is practiced. Interaction with locals in one of nearby village and visit their community forest to understand their lifestyle .

Try bison meat, also known as Mithun, which is considered auspicious by the local tribe and is very tasty too! Back in the olden days, there was a strange custom of facial tattoos and colossal nose plug for Apatani women and you can still see a few old women with tattoos. Do ask for their permission before you take pictures.

We also visit Nanakoo Orchid Farm, a farm of rare and exotic orchids which was started by one local entrepreneur and Talle Valley for hiking.

Overnight: Ziro

Day 11: Drive to Tezpur. On the way back, we halt at Gohpur and Biswanath Chariali and explore local markets. Next stoppage will be near Monabarie Tea Estate, the largest tea garden in Asia.

Overnight: Tezpur

Day 12: Drive to Guwahati Airport. This time we take another route from Tezpur i.e. via north bank of Brahmaputra River. The length of this route is 161 kms approx. On our voyage, we pass by small towns like Kharupetia and Mangladoi. Road side restaurants serve quick, clean and delicious meals.

END OF TRIP

Gypsyfeet will ensure the high quality of the experience during the trip. All accommodation at all places is handpicked by us, and is safe and secure and clean.