Northeast India is where cloud forests meet ancient cultures. Assam’s Brahmaputra River shapes life in Guwahati, while Meghalaya’s misty hills hide living root bridges and plunging waterfalls. This region rewards early risers, curious eaters, and travelers who love scenic drives as much as they love a perfect cup of tea.

Guwahati is one of India’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, famed for the hilltop Kamakhya Temple and river island shrines. Just beyond the city, Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary shelters one of the world’s densest populations of one-horned rhinos. In Meghalaya, the capital Shillong offers a café scene, colonial-era lanes, and day trips to Cherrapunji (Sohra), Mawlynnong, Dawki, and the windswept Laitlum canyon.

Practical notes: No special permits are required for Assam or Meghalaya. Expect cooler evenings and possible rain year-round—carry a light rain shell and good footwear. Assamese thalis, smoked meats, bamboo shoot curries, and Khasi jadoh (pork and rice) are regional must-tries. For flights, compare options on Trip.com and Kiwi.com; trains within the region are limited, but you can browse options on Trip.com Trains.

Guwahati

Guwahati sits along the mighty Brahmaputra, a river so wide it looks like an inland sea at sunset. Pilgrims climb to Kamakhya Temple for dawn rituals; locals ferry across to Umananda, one of the world’s smallest river islands, to visit a 17th-century Shiva shrine. Food lovers circle in on Assamese thalis and river fish curries.

Top sights include Kamakhya Temple, Umananda Island, Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra, Assam State Museum, and sunset cruises. Nearby Pobitora makes a superb half-day or dawn safari for rhino sightings.

• Where to stay: Browse stays on Hotels.com (Guwahati) or apartments on VRBO (Guwahati). Good areas: GS Road, Zoo Tiniali, and riverfront.
• Getting there: Fly into Guwahati (GAU). Search fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com; Delhi–Guwahati runs ~2h45m, often $45–$120 one-way if booked ahead.

Day 1: Arrive in Guwahati, hilltop temple and river breeze

Afternoon: Land at GAU and check in. Shake off the travel day with a gentle walk along Dighalipukhuri Lake and a coffee at 11th Avenue Cafe & Bistro (light sandwiches, solid espresso). If time allows, ride the short ferry to Umananda Island from the Kachari Ghat and visit the hilltop Umananda Temple—look for golden langurs.

Evening: Book a Brahmaputra sunset cruise (1–2 hours) on a local vessel like Alfresco or a hotel-arranged boat; sunsets here are wide-screen. Dinner at Delicacy (Rukminigaon) for an Assamese thali—ask for tenga (a tangy river fish curry), pigeon or duck curry, and pitha for dessert. Nightcap with live blues at Café Hendrix, a local institution.

Dining picks near the river:

• Delicacy: Classic Assamese thali, bamboo shoot curries, and local fish.
• Khorikaa: Assamese-style grills and smoky pork with bamboo shoot.
• 11th Avenue Cafe & Bistro: Reliable cappuccinos, quiches, and pastries.

Day 2: Kamakhya sunrise and city culture

Morning: Early visit to Kamakhya Temple (aim by 6:30–7:00 a.m. to avoid queues). The Nilachal Hill views are terrific after prayers. Leave footwear in the designated stalls, carry a scarf, and be patient—this is one of Shakti Peeths and a living place of worship.

Afternoon: Explore Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra’s museum and cultural complex to grasp Assamese art, weaving, and neo-Vaishnavite traditions. Light lunch at The Corner Cafe (pizzas, paninis) or Paradise for a quick Assamese meal.

Evening: Stroll Fancy Bazaar for gamchas (traditional towels), tea, and local snacks. Dinner on a rooftop at Terra Mayaa (pan-Indian, mocktails, occasional live music). Try a dessert paan at a streetside vendor on your way back.

Day 3: Dawn rhino safari at Pobitora

Morning: Depart 5:00–5:30 a.m. for Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary (1–1.5 hours). Arrange jeep safaris through your hotel or the forest office gate on arrival; first rides usually begin ~6:30 a.m. Pobitora’s grasslands often yield close-up views of one-horned rhinoceros and wetland birds.

Afternoon: Return to Guwahati for a relaxed Assamese lunch at Khorikaa. Detour to Assam State Museum for concise regional history, or the Regional Science Center if traveling with kids.

Evening: Take it easy with a tea tasting—look for single-estate Assam teas—or enjoy a simple riverside dinner at a local dhaba with masor tenga and steamed rice.

Shillong

Perched at 4,900 feet, Shillong mixes colonial-era lanes, pine groves, and an indie-café culture. Locals unwind around Ward’s Lake and Police Bazaar, while short drives reach viewpoints like Laitlum and waterfalls like Elephant Falls.

Meghalaya’s Khasi cuisine is hearty and unique—try jadoh (pork and rice), dohneiiong (pork in black sesame), and tungrymbai (fermented soybean). Shillong also makes an ideal base for day trips to Sohra (Cherrapunji), Mawlynnong (often called Asia’s “cleanest village”), and the aquamarine Umngot River at Dawki.

• Where to stay: Search Hotels.com (Shillong) or VRBO (Shillong). Good areas: Laitumkhrah, Police Bazaar, and near Ward’s Lake; Umiam Lake resorts are serene if you don’t mind the 30–40 min drive.
• Getting there from Guwahati: 3–4 hours by private car (₹2,500–₹4,000 one way for an SUV). Shared sumo services run from Paltan Bazaar (budget-friendly). The road winds—carry motion-sickness meds if needed.

Day 4: Guwahati to Shillong, lake strolls and Khasi flavors

Morning: Depart Guwahati by 8:00 a.m. for Shillong. Stop at Umiam Lake (Barapani) en route for photos; the pine ridges feel alpine in the morning light.

Afternoon: Check in and wander Ward’s Lake—loop around the water and gardens. Coffee at Dylan’s Cafe (Bob Dylan memorabilia, waffles, hot chocolate) or Cafe Shillong (old favorite with classic bakes).

Evening: Dinner at Trattoria (Police Bazaar) for Khasi jadoh and dohneiiong; seating is simple, flavors are memorable. For a sit-down multi-cuisine option, City Hut Family Dhaba is dependable with North Indian, Chinese, and tandoor specials.

Day 5: Cherrapunji (Sohra) waterfalls and caves

Morning: Day trip to Sohra (1.5–2 hours). Start at Nohkalikai Falls—the viewpoint is dramatic, and the color shifts with the season. Continue to Mawsmai Cave (well-lit, short walk) or Arwah Cave (longer, fossil walls).

Afternoon: Lunch at a simple local eatery—ask for pork with bamboo shoot and puffed rice. If weather cooperates, stop at Seven Sisters Falls and Dainthlen Falls. Photographers will love the shifting clouds across the escarpment.

Evening: Return to Shillong. Warm up with soup and bao at Deja Vu (pan-Asian, cozy) or try smoky grilled meats at ML 05 Cafe (motor-themed, cheerful crowd).

Day 6: Laitlum Grand Canyon, Mawphlang Sacred Forest, markets

Morning: Head to Laitlum Canyon (45–60 minutes). On clear days you’ll see layered ridgelines dropping into misty valleys. Carry a windbreaker—it gets breezy.

Afternoon: Continue to Mawphlang Sacred Forest for a guided walk amid monoliths and mossy groves (local guides explain taboos and biodiversity). Back in town, browse Police Bazaar for shawls and local produce.

Evening: Dinner at Jadoh (Laitumkhrah) for ultra-local plates; or book a table at Cafe Shillong Heritage (Tripura Castle) for a heritage ambiance with views. Cap the night with live music if there’s a gig posted around Laitumkhrah.

Day 7: Dawki and Mawlynnong OR transit to Delhi with a half-day city tour

Option A – Meghalaya morning and onward flight: If your flight departs later from Guwahati, do a quick early run (subject to time) towards Dawki (2.5–3 hours one way) for a peek at the glassy Umngot River and a short boat ride. Alternatively, stop at Riwai’s single living root bridge near Mawlynnong (less intense than the Nongriat trek). Return towards Guwahati in time for your afternoon flight.

Option B – Fly to Delhi in the morning and enjoy a half-day city tour before your international departure: Early transfer Shillong → Guwahati (3–4 hours), fly to Delhi (~2h45m). Store luggage at your hotel or airport facility, then join this customizable half-day tour covering Jama Masjid, India Gate, and key boulevards:

Old & New Delhi City Tour – Half or Full Day Options Available

Alternative if you route via Mumbai: If your onward flight is via Mumbai and you have a relaxed morning, consider a compact city sampler:

Private Half-Day Sightseeing Tour in Mumbai

Meals today: In Shillong, grab breakfast at Dylan’s (pancakes, eggs, coffee). If in Delhi, lunch on chole bhature or a thali near Connaught Place; if in Mumbai, try brun maska and Irani chai at a classic bakery-café before heading to the airport.

Practical planning

• Flights: Compare prices and timings on Trip.com Flights and Kiwi.com. Typical routes: Delhi/Mumbai → Guwahati (GAU); return via Delhi options for international connections.
• Ground transport: Prebook a car and driver for Guwahati ↔ Shillong and day trips; roads are winding but scenic. Expect ₹2,500–₹4,000 each way for an SUV.
• Weather and gear: Sudden showers are common. Pack a light rain jacket, non-slip shoes, sunscreen, and a power bank for long day trips.
• Food hygiene: Choose busy eateries, drink bottled water, and try tea often—you’re in Assam and Meghalaya after all.

Where to book stays

• Guwahati hotels: Hotels.com | Apartments: VRBO
• Shillong hotels: Hotels.com | Cottages: VRBO
• Delhi (transit) hotels: Hotels.com | Apartments: VRBO

Seven days in Northeast India gives you temples above rivers, rhinos in dawn mist, cliff-edge waterfalls, and kitchens where bamboo shoot and black sesame star. Whether you end in Delhi or Mumbai, you’ll fly home with memory cards full of green valleys and clear-water streams. This itinerary balances highlights with breathing room—so you can actually savor the hills.