Northeast India—often called the “Seven Sisters”—is a tapestry of ancient kingdoms, soaring cloud forests, bamboo-laced cuisine, and music-filled hill towns. This 10-day itinerary focuses on three gateway cities—Guwahati (Assam), Shillong (Meghalaya), and Kohima (Nagaland)—to keep travel time sane while showcasing the region’s best day trips.

You’ll glide along the Brahmaputra at sunset, trace monsoon-sculpted valleys to Cherrapunji, drift across the glassy Umngot River at Dawki, and step into the living heritage of Nagaland’s villages. Expect generous hospitality, earthy flavors (think bamboo shoot, black sesame, smoked meats), and a pace that invites both exploration and conversation.

Practical notes: Monsoon (May–September) brings heavy rain and occasional landslides; the drier Oct–April window is ideal. Indian citizens need an Inner Line Permit (ILP) for Nagaland; foreign travelers may be exempt from ILP there but must complete local registration—always check the latest rules before you go. Some areas are remote; carry cash, download offline maps, and book key legs early via Trip.com flights, Trip.com trains, or Kiwi.com.

Guwahati

Assam’s bustling gateway sits on the Brahmaputra, a river so broad it feels like an inland sea. Guwahati pairs sacred sites—like the hilltop Shakti Peeth of Kamakhya—with a food scene that celebrates Assamese thalis, river fish, and pitha sweets.

Top reasons to start here: flight connectivity, access to Kaziranga National Park, and a mellow riverfront perfect for your first Northeast sunset.

• Don’t miss: Kamakhya Temple at dawn; Umananda (Peacock Island) ferry; Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra; Brahmaputra sunset cruise.
• Eat & drink: Paradise (iconic Assamese thali), Gam’s Delicacy (bamboo shoot, tenga fish), Khorikaa (smoked meats), 11th Avenue Cafe Bistro (coffee and cakes), Terra Mayaa (rooftop, live music).
• Stay: Search stays on VRBO Guwahati or Hotels.com Guwahati. Riverside areas near Pan Bazaar or GS Road are convenient.
• Getting in: Fly into GAU via Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Airport to city: 45–60 min by taxi.

Day 1: Arrive Guwahati

Afternoon: Land in Guwahati and check in near the riverfront. Shake off the flight with coffee at 11th Avenue Cafe Bistro; their cold brew and caramel tarts are local favorites.

Evening: Take a Brahmaputra sunset cruise to watch the river turn copper. Dinner at Paradise: order the Assamese thali with tenga (sour fish curry), pitika (mashed potato with mustard), and black rice kheer.

Day 2: Temples, islands, and Assamese flavors

Morning: Be at Kamakhya Temple by 6:00–7:00 a.m. to avoid queues and to catch hazy views over the city. Breakfast after at JB’s for hot jalebis and samosas, or grab doi-chira (curd with flattened rice) from a local stall.

Afternoon: Ferry to Umananda (Peacock Island); look for the resident golden langurs. Continue to Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra to understand Assam’s Vaishnavite arts. Lunch at Gam’s Delicacy—try the pork with lai xaak and tangy fish tenga.

Evening: Stroll Fancy Bazaar for tea, pithas, and local pickles. Rooftop drinks and dinner at Terra Mayaa; the smoked pork momos and live music pair perfectly with twilight over GS Road.

Day 3: Day trip to Kaziranga National Park (wildlife focus)

Full-day: Depart 4:00 a.m. for Kaziranga (200 km; 4.5–5.5 hours). Book a morning jeep safari in the Central or Western Range for the best chances to see the one-horned rhinoceros, swamp deer, wild buffalo, and birdlife. Ethical note: choose jeep safaris over animal rides. Brunch at Wild Grass Lodge or a local dhaba in Kohora; return via tea garden viewpoints. Back in Guwahati by 9:00–10:00 p.m., dine light at Khorikaa (smoked pork with bamboo shoot, steamed rice). Tip: The park usually operates Nov–Apr; in off-season, swap for Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary (closer; 1.5–2 hours).

Shillong

Nicknamed the “Scotland of the East,” Shillong blends colonial-era lanes, indie music cafes, and Khasi culinary traditions. It’s the ideal base for day trips to Cherrapunji (Sohra), the living root bridges, and the crystal waters of Dawki.

Expect cool mornings, mist-laced hills, and a café culture soundtracked by Bob Dylan and blues riffs.

• Highlights: Umiam Lake (Barapani) vistas, Ward’s Lake, Don Bosco Museum, Laitlum Canyon, Police Bazar strolls, live music nights.
• Cafes & food: Dylan’s Cafe (burgers, brownies), Cafe Shillong ( Khasi pork ribs ), Trattoria (jadoh, dohneiiong), City Hut Dhaba (reliably good Indian/Chinese), Jadoh by Don Bosco (Khasi staples), ML 05 Cafe (biker-themed, great coffee).
• Stay: Hunt stays on VRBO Shillong or Hotels.com Shillong. Look near Police Bazar or Laitumkhrah for walkability.

Day 4: Transfer to Shillong + lakeside afternoon

Morning: Road transfer from Guwahati to Shillong (100 km; 2.5–3.5 hours). For flexibility, hire a car; shared sumos run ~INR 500–700 per seat. Stop at Umiam Lake viewpoint for sweeping panoramas and pineapple vendors.

Afternoon: Check in and unwind with a loop around Ward’s Lake, then the botanical garden next door. Coffee and fries at ML 05 Cafe en route back.

Evening: Dinner at Trattoria for a Khasi thali—jadoh (rice cooked in meat stock), dohneiiong (pork in black sesame), and tungrymbai (fermented soybean). Post-dinner stroll in Police Bazar for shawls and bamboo handicrafts.

Day 5: Cherrapunji (Sohra) waterfalls and caves

Full-day: Leave at 7:00 a.m. for Cherrapunji (2–2.5 hours). Start at Nohkalikai Falls (India’s tallest plunge waterfall), then visit Mawsmai or Arwah caves for limestone formations. If conditions permit, add Wei Sawdong’s tiered cascade or the Dainthlen Falls viewpoint. Lunch at Orange Roots (pure veg, quick service). Return to Shillong for an easy dinner at City Hut Dhaba—order their tandoori platters or light khichdi if you’re tired.

Day 6: Dawki and Mawlynnong (living root bridges + clear river)

Full-day: Drive 2.5–3 hours to Mawlynnong, famed as “Asia’s cleanest village.” Walk the Riwai single-decker living root bridge and a bamboo skywalk for Bangladesh plains views. Continue 1–1.5 hours to Dawki/Shnongpdeng for a glass-bottom boat ride on the Umngot River; on clear days the boats look like they’re floating on air. Return to Shillong by evening; dinner at Deja Vu (pan-Asian) or Cafe Shillong (music and ribs).

Day 7: Shillong slow day—canyons, museums, and music

Morning: Head to Laitlum Canyon (45–60 min from town) for cliff-edge views and gentle walks. Pack a windbreaker; it gets breezy.

Afternoon: Don Bosco Museum for an excellent overview of Northeast India’s tribes, textiles, and architecture—arguably the region’s best-curated museum. Coffee and carrot cake at Dylan’s Cafe on the way back.

Evening: Shop for handwoven stoles near Police Bazar. Dinner at Jadoh by Don Bosco; try jadoh topped with fried pork and a side of tungrymbai. If it’s a live-music night, stop by Cafe Shillong or Cloud 9 for local bands.

Kohima

Nagaland’s capital is a ridge-top city framed by blue hills, WWII history, and a living mosaic of Naga cultures. Even outside December’s Hornbill Festival, Kohima rewards with village walks, smoked flavors, and sweeping valley views.

Culture here is vivid: morungs (traditional youth dormitories), terraced fields, and woodcarving coexist with modern cafes and galleries.

• Essentials: Kohima War Cemetery, State Museum, Khonoma Green Village, Kisama Heritage Village, Dzukou Valley trek (season-dependent).
• Food & coffee: The Hut Restaurant (classic Naga dishes), Dine Hill (local and North Indian), Orami Cafe (coffee, sandwiches, views), Symphony Cafe (cozy bakes), Big Bite (quick snacks).
• Stay: Browse VRBO Kohima or Hotels.com Kohima. Choose central PR Hill or Forest Colony for easy access.
• Permits: As of 2025, Indian citizens require an ILP for Nagaland (apply online or at entry points). Foreign nationals typically don’t need ILP but must complete local registration—verify current rules before travel.

Day 8: Shillong to Kohima via Dimapur

Morning: Drive from Shillong to Guwahati (2.5–3.5 hours). Catch a daytime train from Guwahati to Dimapur (4.5–6.5 hours; ~INR 300–1,200 depending on class) via Trip.com trains. Book seats facing windows for tea garden views.

Afternoon: From Dimapur, continue by shared taxi to Kohima (2–3 hours; ~INR 350–500 per seat or INR 2,500–3,500 for a private cab). Check into your stay and take a breather.

Evening: Sunset reflection at the Kohima War Cemetery—immaculately kept and deeply moving. Dinner at Orami Cafe (try Naga-style smoked chicken sandwich, lemon tea) or The Hut Restaurant for smoked pork with bamboo shoot and axone (fermented soybean) if you like bold flavors.

Day 9: Khonoma Green Village and Kohima’s culture

Morning: Drive 45–60 minutes to Khonoma, India’s first green village and a model for community-led conservation. Take a guided heritage walk through terraced fields, morungs, and ceremonial gates; learn how the village banned hunting and revived traditional craft.

Afternoon: Enjoy a Naga lunch at a Khonoma homestay—think sticky rice, smoked meats, and seasonal foraged greens. Return to Kohima to browse the State Museum for tribal costumes and weaponry.

Evening: Shop for handwoven shawls around PR Hill. Dinner at Dine Hill (reliable, family-friendly). If you prefer light bites, Symphony Cafe’s bakes and ginger tea hit the spot.

Day 10: Dzukou Valley views or Kisama Heritage Village, then depart

Morning: If you’re trek-ready, start early for the Viswema route to Dzukou Valley for ridge-line panoramas and seasonal lilies (a full trek can take 6–8+ hours; do a shorter ridge hike if you have an afternoon departure). Easier alternative: visit Kisama Heritage Village (Hornbill Festival venue) and nearby Kigwema for village architecture.

Afternoon: Transfer to Dimapur Airport (2–3 hours) for flights via Trip.com or Kiwi.com. If connections work better from Guwahati, continue by train to GAU (5–7 hours) using Trip.com trains.

Evening: Homebound. If overnighting near the airport, plan a simple Assamese dinner—light fish curry and rice—to end on a gentle note.

Optional logistics and budget snapshot

• Local transport: Private cars save time on hill routes; shared sumos are economical but slower. Trains are best for Guwahati–Dimapur.
• Typical costs (per person): City taxis INRs 200–600 per hop; Shillong day trips INR 2,500–5,500 by private car; Guwahati–Dimapur train INR 300–1,200; Dimapur–Kohima shared taxi INR 350–500.
• Seasonal notes: Kaziranga generally open Nov–Apr; Dzukou is lush after monsoon but trails can be slippery; carry rain gear year-round.
• Etiquette: Ask before photographing people or sacred spaces; dress modestly at temples and villages; Nagaland is officially “dry” in parts, so alcohol availability is limited.

Accommodations quick links:
- Guwahati: VRBO | Hotels.com
- Shillong: VRBO | Hotels.com
- Kohima: VRBO | Hotels.com

Transport quick links:
- Flights (into/out of the Northeast): Trip.com flights | Kiwi.com
- Trains (Guwahati–Dimapur and more): Trip.com trains

In 10 days you’ll taste three states of the Seven Sisters—Assam’s riverine soul, Meghalaya’s green drama, and Nagaland’s living heritage. Expect big skies, kind hosts, and flavors you’ll miss the moment you leave. When you’re ready for a deeper dive, add Arunachal’s monasteries or Mizoram’s rolling hills next time.