Northeast India rewards the curious. Ancient river valleys, living root bridges, tea estates, monsoon-carved caves, and bamboo-smoked cuisine weave together a landscape as varied as its many tribes. This 10-day, mid-budget itinerary begins with a flight from Chennai to Guwahati, then sets you up with a self-drive car to roam Assam and Meghalaya—before a short flight to Aizawl in Mizoram for a culture-rich finale. You’ll also step across the Arunachal Pradesh border at Bhalukpong for orchids and Himalayan foothill scenery.

Historically, the Brahmaputra has shaped Assam’s fertile plains and foodways; the Khasi hills of Meghalaya preserved living bridges crafted over generations; Mizoram’s highlands nurture a lyrical culture, warm hospitality, and striking churches. Wildlife is a headline here—rhinos at Pobitora and Kaziranga, hornbills and Himalayan foothill birds near Nameri—balanced by serene lakes, misty canyons, and bustling markets.

Practical notes: carry your driving license and vehicle papers, plan to drive only in daylight (fog and roadwork are common), and secure Inner Line Permits (ILP) in advance for Mizoram (Indian citizens) and Arunachal Pradesh (for Bhalukpong/Tipi). Monsoon (Jun–Sep) brings heavy rain and occasional landslides; Oct–Apr has the clearest skies. Expect hearty Assamese thalis, Khasi jadoh (rice and pork), bamboo shoot stews, smoky chutneys, and fresh river fish on menus throughout.

Guwahati (Assam)

Gateway to the Northeast, Guwahati sprawls along the mighty Brahmaputra. From the hilltop Kamakhya Temple to sunset cruises and thriving Assamese kitchens, it’s both spiritual and modern. Use it as your pickup point for a self-drive car and a base for tea gardens and wildlife day trips.

• Top sights: Kamakhya Temple, Umananda Island, Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra, riverfront ghats.
• Tastes to try: Assamese thali with khar, tenga (sour fish curry), bamboo shoot, pitika (mashes), pitha sweets.
• Good to know: Amchong Tea Estate lies just 30–40 minutes from town; Pobitora’s one-horned rhinos are the closest safari to the city.

Stay: Compare centrally located stays on Hotels.com (Guwahati) or browse homestays on VRBO (Guwahati).

Shillong + Sohra/Cherrapunjee (Meghalaya)

Nicknamed the “Scotland of the East,” Shillong charms with pine-dotted ridges, cafes, colonial lanes, and the mirror-bright Ward’s Lake. Just south, Sohra (Cherrapunjee) reveals thunderous waterfalls, misty canyons, limestone caves, and living root bridges.

• Top sights: Umiam Lake, Elephant Falls, Laitlum Canyon, Nohkalikai Falls, Mawsmai Cave, Seven Sisters Falls.
• Local flavor: Khasi staples like jadoh (red rice and pork), dohneiiong (black sesame pork), tungrymbai (soybean relish), and fiery bamboo shoot pickles.
• Fun fact: Sohra once held the world record for annual rainfall; pack a light rain shell even outside the monsoon.

Stay: See hill-view options on Hotels.com (Shillong) or cottage stays on VRBO (Shillong). For those who’d like to overnight near waterfalls, check Hotels.com (Cherrapunjee).

Tezpur, Nameri & Bhalukpong (Assam + Arunachal Pradesh)

Tezpur is an old cultural hub on the north bank, perfect for exploring Agnigarh hill and as a springboard for Nameri National Park’s gentle rafting and birding. Nearby Bhalukpong (across the state line) is your doorway into Arunachal Pradesh: tropical foothills and the celebrated Tipi Orchidarium.

• Top sights: Agnigarh viewpoint, Kolia Bhomora Bridge, Nameri (rafting and trails), Bhalukpong check gate, Tipi Orchid Research Centre (Arunachal).
• Permits: Apply online for the Arunachal ILP (West Kameng sector) ahead of your day visit to Tipi/Bhalukpong.

Stay: Look for Tezpur/Nameri bases on Hotels.com (Tezpur). If planning a nature stay near the park, also compare homestays on VRBO (Tezpur).

Aizawl (Mizoram)

Perched along ridgelines, Aizawl is a captivating mosaic of white-steepled churches, lively bazaars, tidy neighborhoods, and Mizo fare scented with sesame and bamboo. A short flight from Guwahati lets you sample a distinct culture and cool mountain air.

• Top sights: KV Paradise (a hilltop memorial), Solomon’s Temple, Durtlang viewpoints, Reiek Tlang day hike (time-permitting), Bara Bazar for textiles and smoked delicacies.
• Food notes: Try bai (leafy stew with bamboo shoot), sik lawk (smoked pork), sawhchiar (meat and rice), and seasonal fern salads.
• Permits: Indian citizens need a Mizoram ILP (available online or on arrival at Lengpui Airport); carry passport-size photos and ID.

Stay: Compare hill-view stays on Hotels.com (Aizawl) or browse apartments on VRBO (Aizawl).

Day 1: Chennai → Guwahati (Arrival, Car Pickup, Riverside Evening)

Travel: Fly Chennai to Guwahati (3–5 hrs, nonstop or 1-stop). Search fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. On arrival, collect your self-drive car (book in advance; bring physical DL, PAN/Aadhaar, and credit card).

Afternoon: Check in and stretch your legs along the Brahmaputra riverfront. If time allows, take the brief ferry to Umananda Island for a sunset stroll and temple visit.

Evening: Classic Assamese dinner at Paradise (old-school thali with khar, tenga, pitika), or Heritage Khorikaa (grilled fish and meat with bamboo shoot). For coffee and dessert, 11th Avenue Café has river views and good bakes.

Day 2: Guwahati City, Assamese Lunch, and River Cruise (Full-Day Tour)

Book this well-paced city experience that includes the essentials and ends on the river.

Guwahati Day Tour with Assamese Lunch and Sunset River Cruise

Includes hotel pickup, Kamakhya Temple, old neighborhoods, an authentic Assamese lunch, and a sunset cruise on the Brahmaputra. Ideal if you prefer to keep driving minimal on your first full day.

Dinner ideas if you’re still out: Terra Mayaa (rooftop, live music on select nights) or The Socialite for pan-Indian small plates.

Day 3: Guwahati → Shillong (3 hrs), Umiam Lake, Cafes, Colonial Lanes

Morning: Drive to Shillong via NH6 (100–105 km; 2.5–3 hrs). Pause at the Umiam Lake viewpoint (Kyrdemkulai) for a tea-and-photo break.

Afternoon: Check in, then wander Ward’s Lake and the Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians. Shop for handwoven shawls and spices in Police Bazar.

Evening: Cafe Shillong (acoustic sets, Khasi snacks), Dylan’s Café (music shrine to Bob Dylan; burgers, momos, cheesecake), or Trattoria (tiny, beloved spot for Khasi jadoh and dohneiiong). Nightcap at ML 05 Café in Upper Shillong if you want a quiet view.

Day 4: Sohra/Cherrapunjee Waterfalls and Caves (Day Trip from Shillong)

Morning: Drive 1.5–2 hrs to Sohra. Start with Nohkalikai Falls—India’s tallest plunge waterfall—then the short walk-through at Mawsmai Cave (carry a small torch).

Afternoon: Viewpoints for Seven Sisters Falls and the green canyons of Sohra. Lunch at Orange Roots (reliable veg thalis) or Café Cherrapunjee (tea and sandwiches in a heritage bungalow).

Evening: Return to Shillong. Dinner at City Hut Dhaba (veg-friendly North Indian) or Deja Vu (pan-Asian, warm lighting). Try a slice of plum cake from You & I Arts Café if you love bakes.

Day 5: Mawlynnong & Dawki’s Glass-Clear Umngot River (Guided Day Tour)

Let a local guide handle the roads and timings today so you can enjoy the villages and river views.

Day Trip to Mawlynnong (Guided Private Sightseeing Experience from Shillong)

Mawlynnong (once dubbed “Asia’s cleanest village”) offers bamboo skywalks and a living root bridge nearby; Dawki’s Umngot River is famed for crystal water—go for a boat ride if conditions are calm. Expect an 8–10 hr day door-to-door.

Eat: Simple Khasi home-cooked lunch en route (ask your guide) and, back in Shillong, warm curries at Jadoh by Don Bosco.

Day 6: Shillong → Guwahati (3 hrs), Amchong Tea Garden with Gourmet Lunch & Hi-Tea

Morning: Return drive to Guwahati. Drop bags at your hotel.

Afternoon (Tour): Explore a working estate with a 4x4 garden ride, factory visit, gourmet lunch, and high tea in serene surroundings.

Guwahati Tea Garden Tour with Lunch & Hi Tea (Premium Experience)

Evening: Sample grills and tenga at Khorikaa. For coffee, 11th Avenue or Café Hendrix if you’re in the mood for music.

Day 7: Guwahati → Tezpur (4–5 hrs), Agnigarh & Old Tezpur

Morning: Drive NH27 toward Tezpur (180–200 km; 4–5 hrs). Break near Jagiroad or Nagaon for chai and fresh snacks.

Afternoon: Check in and visit Agnigarh—spiral up to river views, sculptures, and a breezy garden. Stroll Kalia Bhomora Bridge viewpoint for Brahmaputra panoramas.

Evening: Dinner at Ambrosia (Hotel KRC Palace; North Indian and Assamese dishes) or at a local dhaba for smoky tandoor rotis and fish curry.

Stay: Compare options on Hotels.com (Tezpur).

Day 8: Arunachal Border Day—Bhalukpong & Tipi Orchidarium, Nameri Rafting

Morning: Drive ~1–1.5 hrs to Bhalukpong (Arunachal border). Carry printed Arunachal ILP and photo ID. Visit the Tipi Orchid Research Centre (seasonally blooming collections, greenhouse). Return toward Assam for an easy-rapids rafting float on the Jia-Bhoroli River in Nameri National Park (book onsite through park operators; life vests provided; look for kingfishers, eagles).

Afternoon: Late lunch at your eco-lodge or Tezpur. Quiet time by the river or short nature walk near Nameri (accompanied by a forest guard if entering core trails).

Evening: Simple dinner: Assamese thali with pitika and greens; turn in early for tomorrow’s drive.

Day 9: Tezpur → Guwahati (4–5 hrs), Return Car, Fly to Aizawl (1–2 hrs)

Morning: Drive back to Guwahati, allowing buffer for traffic. Return your self-drive car and keep fuel/toll receipts handy.

Afternoon/Evening Travel: Fly Guwahati → Aizawl (Lengpui Airport) nonstop when available (about 1–1.5 hrs) or via Kolkata. Compare fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. On arrival, take a prepaid taxi to your hotel.

Evening (Aizawl): Stroll a neighborhood lane and settle into a Mizo dinner—look for bai (leafy stew), smoked pork, fern salads, and steamed rice. Cafes like Zote Bakery are great for snacks and tea.

Day 10: Aizawl Highlights → Fly Back to Chennai (via Guwahati)

Morning: Visit KV Paradise (a hilltop memorial with sweeping views) and Solomon’s Temple (striking modern church). Time-permitting, stop by Bara Bazar for textiles and smoked delicacies.

Lunch: Try a Mizo thali at a local canteen—simple, hearty, and fresh. Pick up bakery treats for the flight.

Afternoon Travel: Fly Aizawl → Guwahati, then connect Guwahati → Chennai. Search multi-leg options on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Keep your Mizoram ILP handy at the airport.

Optional Assam Wildlife Add-On (if you extend by 1 day)

If you can add one more day, swap Day 7 or 8 for Pobitora or Kaziranga. For a guided Pobitora experience from Guwahati (closest rhino park):

Tour of Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary from Guwahati with Safari, Lunch and Guide

Getting Around, Costs, and Practical Tips

• Self-drive car: Roads are mostly good on NH routes; expect winding hill sections in Meghalaya. Budget ₹2,500–3,500/day for a compact SUV, fuel ~₹110/litre; overall fuel/tolls for this route ~₹10,000–14,000.
• Permits: Mizoram ILP (Indians) and Arunachal ILP (Bhalukpong/West Kameng) are required; apply online a week in advance and carry printouts and photo ID.
• Best time: Oct–Apr for clear skies and better road conditions. In monsoon, start drives early and check for landslide advisories.
• What to pack: Light rain shell, warm layer for hill evenings, sturdy walking shoes, small torch for caves, sunscreen, and motion-sickness remedies for twisty roads.
• Where to book flights/trains: Use Trip.com or Kiwi.com for domestic hops; trains are limited for hill sections.

Where to Eat—Quick List by City

• Guwahati: Paradise (classic Assamese thali), Heritage Khorikaa (grills, bamboo shoot), The Socialite (modern Indian), 11th Avenue Café (riverside coffee), Café Hendrix (music pub).
• Shillong: Dylan’s Café (burgers, bakes), Cafe Shillong (music and Khasi snacks), Trattoria (Khasi jadoh), City Hut Dhaba (veg-friendly Indian), ML 05 Café (quiet views).
• Sohra/Cherrapunjee: Orange Roots (veg thalis), Café Cherrapunjee (tea, sandwiches), local stalls for momos and spicy pickles.
• Tezpur/Nameri: Ambrosia at Hotel KRC Palace (North Indian/Assamese), roadside dhabas for fresh rotis and fish curries.
• Aizawl: Zote Bakery (snacks, tea), local canteens for bai, smoked pork, and sawhchiar; ask your hotel to recommend a nearby Mizo home-style eatery.

Alternate/Additional Tours You May Like (swap into any day):

Kamakhya Heritage Walking Tour

Summary: In ten days, you’ll sample three vibrant states by road—Assam, Meghalaya, and a quick hop to Mizoram—and even step into Arunachal’s lush foothills. Expect stirring scenery, rich cuisines, welcoming people, and enough variety to keep each day fresh without blowing the budget.