Assam sits on the shoulders of the Himalaya and the floodplains of the Brahmaputra, a land where tea gardens meet tropical forests and ancient Shakta temples crown misty hills. In four tightly curated days, this itinerary pairs Guwahati’s river-city soul with the wilderness of Kaziranga National Park, home of the Greater one-horned rhinoceros.

Guwahati offers a living tapestry: Kamakhya Temple’s powerful rites, ferries to tiny Umananda Island, and an ever-evolving food scene anchored in family-run Assamese kitchens. Kaziranga, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, spreads across grasslands and oxbow lakes alive with rhino, elephants, wild buffalo, deer, and—if fortune smiles—tiger.

Practical notes: Kaziranga’s core safari zones are typically open November–April (monsoon closures vary by year; confirm before booking). Dress modestly for temples, plan early for limited elephant safari slots, and savor Assamese staples—khar, tenga (sour fish curry), bamboo shoot, and smoked meats.

Guwahati

Guwahati is Northeast India’s gateway—ancient Pragjyotishpur in the epics—framed by Nilachal and Chitrachal hills and split by the wide Brahmaputra. Mornings sound like temple bells; evenings drift into pink-gold river light and street snacks at Fancy Bazaar.

• Top sights: Kamakhya Temple on Nilachal Hill, Umananda Island by local ferry, Assam State Museum (art, ethnography), and Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra (performing arts and crafts).
• Where to eat: Gam’s Delicacy (Beltola) for bamboo shoot pork, khar, duck curry; Khorikaa (Ulubari) for smoked meats and Assamese thalis; Paradise (GS Road) for classic fish tenga; coffee at 11th Avenue Cafe & Bistro (Dighalipukhuri) for single-origin pour-overs and waffles; evening snacks at Reboti Chat House for pani puri and chaat.
• Fun fact: The Brahmaputra is among the world’s few male-gendered rivers in local lore and one of Asia’s widest, with seasonal sandbars that appear and vanish.

Stay in Guwahati: Browse stays on VRBO Guwahati or Hotels.com Guwahati. Favorite picks: Radisson Blu Hotel Guwahati (resort-like setting on the city’s edge), Vivanta Guwahati (sleek rooms, excellent breakfast), and budget-friendly Hotel Siroy Lily.

Getting there: Fly into Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (GAU). Compare fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Typical nonstop times: Kolkata→GAU ~1h15m ($45–$110), Delhi→GAU ~2h30m ($70–$160). Long-distance trains are also an option in Asia—search on Trip.com Trains.

Bookable experiences in Guwahati:

Private Heritage Walking Tour in Kamakhya Devalaya
Deep dive into temple history, iconography, and hilltop views with a local expert.

Amchong Tea Estate + Factory Visit (with Hi‑tea)
Tour fields by 4x4, see withering/rolling rooms, and taste fresh Assam teas.

Guwahati Day Tour with Assamese Lunch and Sunset River Cruise
A guided city circuit culminating in a golden-hour cruise on the Brahmaputra.

Kaziranga National Park

Kaziranga is India’s rhino heartland: tall elephant grass, shimmering beels (wetlands), and forest tracts that host the “Indian Big Five”—rhino, elephant, wild water buffalo, swamp deer, and tiger. Safaris run by zone (Central/Kohora, Western/Bagori, Eastern/Agoratoli), each with distinct scenery and birdlife.

• What to expect: Bumpy jeep safaris across grasslands; dawn light is magical for birds—storks, eagles, and hornbills—and mammals emerging from mist.
• Where to eat: Maihang (Kohora) for Assamese thalis, pork with bamboo shoot, and black rice pudding; Bhatbaan at IORA The Retreat for polished regional plates; Hornbill Restaurant (near Aranya Lodge) for hearty curries.
• Good to know: Elephant rides are extremely limited and subject to conservation protocols; if unavailable, book a second jeep safari in a different zone for varied habitats.

Stay near the park: Search Hotels.com Kaziranga or VRBO Kaziranga for lodges around Kohora (central to zones).

Getting from Guwahati to Kaziranga: Private car via NH27/37 takes ~4.5–5.5 hours (195–220 km; ~$60–$100 one way). ASTC buses run ~6–7 hours (budget $5–$10). No rail stop at the park; the nearest major station is Furkating, ~1.5 hours by taxi. For trains elsewhere in Asia, compare on Trip.com Trains.

Bookable experience in Kaziranga:

Kaziranga Indian Big Five Wildlife Tour
Private pickup from Guwahati with guided safaris focusing on rhino, elephants, buffalo, deer, and tiger habitat.

Day 1: Arrive in Guwahati, Riverfront Walk, Assamese Dinner

Morning: Fly into GAU. Compare fares and timing on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Aim for an early arrival to maximize daylight.

Afternoon: Check into your hotel (Radisson Blu or Vivanta are reliable). Take a gentle stroll around Dighalipukhuri Park and the surrounding colonial-era lanes. Coffee and a light bite at 11th Avenue Cafe & Bistro—order the cold brew and peri-peri chicken sandwich.

Evening: Ferry to Umananda Island if time permits (small hilltop temple, sweeping river views), then dinner at Gam’s Delicacy. Try the Assamese thali (rice, dal, khar), fish tenga, and banana-stem fry; request mild or traditional spice levels.

Day 2: Kamakhya Temple, Tea Estate, Brahmaputra Sunset

Morning: Join the Private Heritage Walking Tour in Kamakhya Devalaya for context-rich storytelling and hilltop panoramas.

Afternoon: Swap temple bells for tea aromas on the Amchong Tea Estate + Factory Visit (with Hi‑tea). Walk the rows, tour the factory, and taste bold, malty Assam.

Evening: Head to the riverside for a Brahmaputra sunset. If you prefer a fully guided day including lunch and the cruise, opt for the Guwahati Day Tour with Assamese Lunch and Sunset River Cruise instead of the DIY sequence above.

Post-cruise dinner at Khorikaa—order the smoky pork, tenga curry, and sesame-chutney sides. Nightcap chai at Fancy Bazaar.

Day 3: Drive to Kaziranga, Afternoon Jeep Safari

Morning: Depart Guwahati by 6:30–7:00 a.m. Private transfer to Kaziranga takes ~4.5–5.5 hours ($60–$100); buses run ~6–7 hours (budget). Check in near Kohora; lunch at Maihang—get the pork with bamboo shoot and tender banana-flower fritters.

Afternoon: Central Range (Kohora) jeep safari: classic elephant-grass landscapes and frequent rhino sightings alongside hog deer and wild buffalo. Photographers: long lens (300mm+) for birds, telephoto for mammals.

Evening: Assamese dinner at Bhatbaan (IORA The Retreat): slow-cooked duck curry, black rice kheer, and seasonal local greens. Early to bed for a pre-dawn start.

Day 4: Sunrise Safari, Return to Guwahati & Depart

Morning: Sunrise safari. If elephant rides are operating, you’ll traverse dew-lit grass within rhino range; otherwise, book a second jeep in Western Range (Bagori) for buffalo herds, raptors, and golden light. Consider the Kaziranga Indian Big Five Wildlife Tour if you want pickup/logistics handled end-to-end.

Afternoon: Brunch and checkout, then drive back to Guwahati for your afternoon flight. Recheck fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. If time remains, pick up tea tins and bamboo pickle in Paltan Bazaar.

Evening: Departure.

Why we focused on Guwahati + Kaziranga: With only 4 days, this pairing delivers a balanced, logical route with minimal transit and maximum experience. Darjeeling and Mayapur sit far to the southwest in West Bengal and merit their own dedicated trip or a longer extension.

In just four days, you’ll climb a sacred hill, sip malty Assam tea where it grows, drift down one of Asia’s great rivers at sunset, and watch rhinos break through silver grass at dawn. It’s a swift, soulful circuit—enough to taste Assam, and reason enough to return.