10-Day Northeast India itinerary: where should you go?

Ten days sounds like plenty until you look at Northeast India on a map.

Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur, Tripura and Sikkim can easily swallow a month. For a 10-day trip, you need to pick a compact route and stick with it.

My pick for a first trip is Assam + Meghalaya. You get wildlife, waterfalls, mountains, caves, villages and some seriously good food without spending half the trip inside a vehicle.

Days 1-2: Guwahati and Kaziranga

Start in Guwahati.

Spend your first day around the city, then head toward Kaziranga National Park. The journey takes roughly 4 hours by road, depending on traffic and your starting point.

Kaziranga is famous for its greater one-horned rhinoceros. Take a safari and give yourself enough time to actually look around. Rhinos aren’t exactly interested in your itinerary.

If your schedule allows, spend the night near the park.

Days 3-4: Shillong

Drive from Kaziranga toward Shillong.

Shillong works well as your Meghalaya base. Spend your first day seeing Shillong Peak, Elephant Falls and the city’s older neighbourhoods. Keep some time for cafés and local food.

The next day, head toward Cherrapunji, officially known as Sohra.

Day 5: Sohra and the waterfalls

Cherrapunji is where the scenery gets properly dramatic.

Visit Nohkalikai Falls, Seven Sisters Falls and nearby viewpoints. During the wetter months, the waterfalls can be enormous.

The weather changes quickly here, so carry a rain jacket even when the morning looks perfectly dry.

Day 6: Nongriat and the living root bridge

This is the day I’d protect.

Head to Nongriat and hike down to the famous double-decker living root bridge. You’ll climb a lot of stairs, so give yourself time.

The bridge itself is fascinating because it’s made by guiding the roots of rubber fig trees over many years. It feels very different from ticking off another viewpoint from a car.

Stay around Sohra afterward if possible.

Day 7: Dawki and Shnongpdeng

Drive toward Dawki.

The Umngot River is the star here. When conditions are right, the water can look almost impossibly clear.

Continue toward Shnongpdeng for a quieter riverside stay. You can spend the afternoon boating, relaxing by the river or simply doing very little.

Honestly, the last option is underrated.

Day 8: Mawlynnong

Head to Mawlynnong.

Walk around the village, see the surrounding countryside and visit the nearby viewpoints. Keep expectations sensible. Mawlynnong is pleasant because of its village setting and surroundings, so give yourself time to wander rather than rushing through it for a photo.

Day 9: Return toward Guwahati

Start making your way back toward Guwahati.

Depending on your flight time and energy levels, you can stop at a few places around Meghalaya along the way. Keep this day relatively light. A 10-day itinerary becomes miserable when every day is packed from sunrise to dinner.

Day 10: Guwahati and departure

Keep your final day simple.

You could visit Kamakhya Temple if it fits your schedule, pick up Assamese food or souvenirs, then head to the airport.

And that’s your 10 days.

The route at a glance

Guwahati → Kaziranga → Shillong → Sohra → Nongriat → Dawki → Shnongpdeng → Mawlynnong → Guwahati

This route works because the destinations connect reasonably well by road. You’re still going to spend plenty of time travelling, though. Northeast India is mountainous, and Google Maps doesn’t get a vote on how fast a winding hill road moves.

What if you want mountains instead?

Then I’d swap Meghalaya for Arunachal Pradesh.

A 10-day Arunachal trip could focus on Guwahati → Bhalukpong → Dirang → Tawang → Guwahati. The mountain scenery is spectacular, but the roads make this a more demanding trip.

You’ll also need to check current permit requirements before travelling.

What about Nagaland?

Nagaland is a great choice if you’re more interested in culture, food and mountain towns.

A 10-day trip could centre on Dimapur → Kohima → Khonoma → Dzukou Valley, with extra time around Kohima.

If your trip falls around the Hornbill Festival, build the itinerary around the festival dates rather than trying to squeeze it into an already crowded route.

Should you visit all Northeast states in 10 days?

I’d strongly advise against it.

You’ll spend too much of the trip changing hotels and sitting in cars. Pick 2 states, build a sensible loop and leave some empty space in the schedule.

For a first visit, my ranking would be:

1. Meghalaya + Assam for the easiest mix of nature and wildlife.
2. Arunachal Pradesh for big mountain scenery.
3. Nagaland for culture, food and village experiences.
4. Sikkim if Himalayan landscapes are your main priority.

Your best route also depends heavily on the month you travel. Meghalaya during heavy rain is a very different trip from Meghalaya in a drier period.