Meghalaya & Kaziranga Northeast Loop
Seven days through India's green northeast — the one-horned rhinos of Kaziranga, the hill capital of Shillong, the waterfalls and root bridges of Cherrapunji, Asia's cleanest village Mawlynnong, and the crystal Umngot river at Dawki.
- Duration
- 7 days
- Pace
- Comfortable
- Theme
- Nature
- Cities covered
- 6
- Best season overall
- October to April (Kaziranga safaris run roughly November to April; the Umngot river at Dawki is clearest November-February); avoid the heavy June-September monsoon and Brahmaputra floods
- Mid-range budget
- ₹28,000 – ₹50,000
About Meghalaya & Kaziranga Northeast Loop
The northeast Indian states of Assam and Meghalaya hold some of the most extraordinary landscapes in the country — vast Brahmaputra grasslands teeming with rhinos, cloud-wrapped hills laced with waterfalls, footbridges grown from living tree roots, and rivers so clear the boats seem to float on air.
- This seven-day loop from Guwahati combines the wildlife of Kaziranga with the green wonders of the Khasi Hills in a single, well-paced journey.
- It begins in Guwahati, Assam's gateway city on the Brahmaputra, with the hilltop Kamakhya temple, before driving east to Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that shelters two-thirds of the world's great one-horned rhinos — seen on dawn jeep and elephant-back safaris across the dewy grassland.
- The loop then climbs south into Meghalaya, the "Abode of Clouds," to the hill capital of Shillong, with its lake, colonial air, and lively café culture.
- From here it reaches Cherrapunji (Sohra), one of the wettest places on Earth, with India's tallest plunge waterfall at Nohkalikai and the famous double-decker living root bridge at Nongriat; then Mawlynnong, celebrated as the cleanest village in Asia, with its flower-lined lanes and bamboo sky-view tower; and finally Dawki, where the glass-clear Umngot river on the Bangladesh border offers the surreal "floating boat" experience.
- Throughout, the food is kept vegetarian — Assamese khar and pitika, Khasi rice-and-greens, fresh estate Assam tea, and the local oranges, pineapples, and honey of the hills.
- The best season is October to April (the Kaziranga safaris run November to April; the Umngot is clearest November to February).
- Hill roads are winding and journeys can be slow, so the unhurried seven-day pace is ideal, and no Inner Line Permit is needed for Assam or Meghalaya, making this one of the most accessible of the northeast circuits.
- It is a journey of rhinos and rain, root bridges and rivers — the essential introduction to India's green northeast.
Day-by-day timeline
1
overnightDay 1
Guwahati
Arrive Guwahati. The hilltop Kamakhya temple (one of the 51 Shakti peethas); an evening Brahmaputra river sunset and the Umananda island temple. Overnight Guwahati.
Vegetarian highlight Assamese veg — khar, aloo and brinjal pitika, seasonal greens and pitha; fresh estate Assam tea.
2
overnightDay 2
Kaziranga National Park
Drive east to Kaziranga (~193 km). Afternoon arrival; check in near the Kohora central range; evening orientation and a tea-estate stroll. Overnight at Kaziranga.
Vegetarian highlight Assamese vegetarian thali at the Kohora resorts; khar, pitika and dal-rice; fresh Assam tea.
Transit · Guwahati → Kaziranga National Park · Road · 4-5 hours — About 193 km east on NH-715 to the Kohora gate of Kaziranga; Guwahati (GAU) is the nearest major airport for the whole loop.
3
overnightDay 3
Kaziranga National Park
Dawn elephant-back or jeep safari across the grassland for the one-horned rhino, wild buffalo, swamp deer, and birds; afternoon safari in the Western (Bagori) or Eastern (Agaratoli) range.
Vegetarian highlight Vegetarian resort buffet — Assamese and North Indian veg; pitha rice cakes and tea.
4
overnightDay 4
Shillong
Long, scenic drive into Meghalaya to Shillong (~270 km). En route, the vast Umiam Lake. Evening at Ward's Lake and the Police Bazar café and music scene. Overnight Shillong.
Vegetarian highlight Khasi vegetarian jadoh and South Indian fare; Police Bazar evening tea and momos.
Transit · Kaziranga National Park → Shillong · Road · 7-8 hours — About 270 km — the longest drive of the loop, climbing from the Brahmaputra plains into the Khasi hills, past Umiam Lake. Start early after a final morning safari.
5
overnightDay 5
Cherrapunji
Drive to Cherrapunji (Sohra, ~55 km). The Nohkalikai Falls (India's tallest plunge), the Mawsmai limestone cave, and the Seven Sisters Falls. Optional descent to the Nongriat double-decker root bridge.
Vegetarian highlight Simple Khasi veg — rice with greens, bamboo shoot; local oranges, pineapples and honey; hot tea.
Transit · Shillong → Cherrapunji · Road · 2-2.5 hours — About 55 km on a scenic plateau road; the Mawkdok Dympep valley viewpoint is a fine stop en route.
6
overnightDay 6
Mawlynnong
Drive to Mawlynnong (~50 km), the cleanest village in Asia. The flower-lined lanes, the bamboo Sky View tower, and the Riwai (Nohwet) living root bridge nearby. Overnight homestay.
Vegetarian highlight Khasi vegetarian homestay meals — rice with seasonal greens and bamboo shoot; village pineapples and honey.
Transit · Cherrapunji → Mawlynnong · Road · 2-2.5 hours — About 50 km across the East Khasi Hills via Pynursla; Mawlynnong and Dawki lie close together, 15 km apart.
7
transitDay 7
Dawki
Short drive to Dawki (~30 km). A boat ride on the glass-clear Umngot river on the Bangladesh border, where the boats seem to float on air. Return to Guwahati (~175 km) for departure.
Vegetarian highlight Simple Khasi-Jaintia veg at the riverside camps — rice, dal, vegetables, veg momos; local oranges.
Transit · Mawlynnong → Dawki · Road · 1 hour — Just 30 km between Mawlynnong and Dawki; after the river, it is ~175 km back to Guwahati (4-5 hours) for the onward flight.