Northeast India can feel like several different trips stitched together. One day you’re walking beside the Brahmaputra, a few days later you’re in misty Meghalaya, and then you’re crossing into the hills of Nagaland.
For 15 days, I’d keep the route focused. Trying to cover all 8 northeastern states in one trip will leave you spending half your holiday in cars and shared taxis.
This route gives you a good mix of Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland, with enough time to actually enjoy each place.
Days 1-2: Guwahati, Assam
Start your trip in Guwahati. It’s the easiest gateway for this route, with good flight and train connections.
Spend your first day exploring the city at an easy pace. Visit Kamakhya Temple, take a Brahmaputra river cruise around sunset, and try some Assamese food.
On Day 2, make a day trip to Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary if you want to see one-horned rhinoceroses. It’s much closer to Guwahati than Kaziranga, so it works well when you’re short on time.
Stay: Guwahati
Nights: 2
Days 3-5: Shillong and Cherrapunji, Meghalaya
Leave Guwahati early on Day 3 and drive towards Shillong.
The road climbs through green hills, small settlements and viewpoints. Stop at Umiam Lake on the way if the weather is clear.
Spend the afternoon exploring Shillong. Ward’s Lake, Shillong Peak and Police Bazaar are easy additions to the day.
Day 4: Cherrapunji
Head to Cherrapunji, also known as Sohra.
Visit Nohkalikai Falls, Mawsmai Cave and the surrounding viewpoints. If you’re visiting during the monsoon, expect serious rain. Pack accordingly.
Day 5: Living Root Bridges
Keep Day 5 for the living root bridges around Nongriat.
The hike to the Double Decker Living Root Bridge involves a lot of stairs. Give yourself several hours and carry enough water.
If the hike feels too demanding, spend the day around Mawlynnong and Dawki instead.
Stay: Shillong or Cherrapunji
Nights: 3
Days 6-8: Kaziranga and Tezpur, Assam
Drive back towards Assam and head for Kaziranga.
Day 6: Kaziranga
Check into your hotel or lodge and keep the afternoon relaxed.
If your schedule allows, take an evening safari. Safari zones and timings depend on the season and local regulations, so check before planning the day around one particular zone.
Day 7: Kaziranga safari
Start early for a jeep safari.
Kaziranga is famous for its greater one-horned rhinoceros, but you can also see elephants, wild water buffalo, deer and a large variety of birds.
Spend the afternoon resting. Another safari can be added later if you’re keen on wildlife.
Day 8: Tezpur
Leave Kaziranga for Tezpur.
Visit Agnigarh and Cole Park, then spend a quiet evening by the Brahmaputra.
Stay: Kaziranga/Tezpur
Nights: 3
Days 9-11: Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh
This is the longest and most demanding part of the route.
Travel from Tezpur towards Tawang through Bomdila and Dirang. The mountain roads can take much longer than the distance suggests, especially when weather or road conditions slow things down.
Day 9: Tezpur to Dirang
Drive towards Dirang and stay overnight.
Take it easy once you arrive. The altitude starts becoming noticeable as you climb.
Day 10: Dirang to Tawang
Continue towards Tawang via Sela Pass, subject to road and weather conditions.
The scenery changes dramatically as you climb higher.
Arrive in Tawang and rest.
Day 11: Tawang
Spend the day exploring Tawang Monastery and nearby sights.
If conditions permit, visit places such as Bum La Pass and Sangetsar Lake. These trips require the necessary local permissions, and access can depend on weather and security conditions.
Stay: Tawang
Nights: 3
Days 12-13: Return to Assam
Start your journey back towards Assam.
The drive from Tawang is long, so don’t try to squeeze too many sightseeing stops into the same day.
Stay around Dirang or Bomdila on the first night, then continue towards Guwahati or Tezpur the following day.
Stay: Dirang/Bomdila, then Guwahati
Nights: 2
Days 14-15: Nagaland
If you still have energy for another state, finish the trip in Nagaland.
Fly or travel towards Dimapur, then continue to Kohima.
Day 14: Kohima
Explore Kohima and visit the Kisama Heritage Village if your dates coincide with the Hornbill Festival.
The local food is worth trying too. Smoked pork, bamboo shoot dishes and Naga-style preparations are very different from the food you’ll find in Assam or Meghalaya.
Day 15: Kohima
Keep your final day relaxed.
Visit the Kohima War Cemetery and explore the local markets before heading back towards Dimapur for your onward journey.
If your return flight is from Guwahati, you can skip Nagaland and use these 2 days to spend more time in Meghalaya or Assam.
15-day route at a glance
| Day | Place | Main plan |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Guwahati | Kamakhya Temple, Brahmaputra |
| 2 | Guwahati | Pobitora day trip |
| 3 | Shillong | Guwahati to Shillong |
| 4 | Cherrapunji | Waterfalls and caves |
| 5 | Meghalaya | Living root bridge |
| 6 | Kaziranga | Travel + safari |
| 7 | Kaziranga | Wildlife safari |
| 8 | Tezpur | Local sightseeing |
| 9 | Dirang | Mountain drive |
| 10 | Tawang | Sela Pass + arrival |
| 11 | Tawang | Monastery + local sights |
| 12 | Dirang/Bomdila | Return journey |
| 13 | Guwahati | Return to Assam |
| 14 | Kohima | Kohima sightseeing |
| 15 | Kohima | Cemetery + local markets |
How much will 15 days cost?
Your budget depends heavily on transport.
For a comfortable budget trip, I’d keep roughly ₹35,000-₹55,000 per person, excluding flights to and from Northeast India.
A rough breakdown:
- Hotels/homestays: ₹1,000-₹2,500 per person per night
- Food: ₹500-₹1,000 per day
- Shared transport: cheaper, but slower
- Private car: considerably more expensive, especially for Tawang
- Safaris and permits: extra
- Flights: separate
For 2 people travelling together, hiring a car for the Meghalaya and Arunachal sections can make the trip much easier, although it will push the budget up.
Best time for this itinerary
October to April is the safest general window for this route.
October and November are particularly good for clear mountain views. December and January can get properly cold around Tawang.
Meghalaya is spectacular during the monsoon, but heavy rain can affect roads, hikes and sightseeing. Tawang is a different story because high-altitude roads can become difficult in winter.
A few things I’d plan before leaving
Carry some cash. ATMs aren’t equally easy to find once you’re deep into the hills.
For Arunachal Pradesh, check the current permit requirements before travelling. Foreign travellers also have different rules from Indian citizens.
Keep buffer time for road journeys. A Google Maps estimate can look perfectly reasonable until a mountain road, landslide, traffic jam or weather delay gets involved.
And pack light. You’ll be moving around a lot.
The route I’d choose: Guwahati → Shillong → Cherrapunji → Kaziranga → Tezpur → Dirang → Tawang → Guwahati → Kohima.
It gives you mountains, wildlife, waterfalls, monasteries and several very different local cultures without turning 15 days into a road-trip endurance test.
Featured Image Credit: Generated/Sourced via Chatgpt.com.
Editorial note: Some articles may use AI-assisted research or drafting. Our editorial process includes human review and editing, and important travel information should be verified with official sources before your trip.
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