North East India
Meghalaya's waterfalls and living root bridges, the glass-clear Umngot river at Dawki, Maa Kamakhya in Guwahati — and, for families who want the high Himalaya, Tawang and the 13,700 ft Sela Pass.
Packages from ₹22,000 per person, indicative · full cost breakdown ↓
North East tour packages
2 ready-made plans, both customisable. Each has an indicative price, the highlights and a full day-by-day page.
Meghalaya: Shillong, Dawki & Cherrapunji
The best first trip to the North East: Umiam Lake, Laitlum canyons, Mawlynnong and a root bridge, the clear Dawki river, Cherrapunji's waterfalls and Kamakhya darshan on the way home.
Tawang, Kaziranga & Meghalaya Grand Circuit
Three states in one trip: over Sela Pass to Tawang monastery and the China border, rhinos at Kaziranga, then Shillong, Dawki and Cherrapunji. For fit travellers who enjoy long mountain drives.
The North East is the part of India most Gujarati families have not seen yet, and that is exactly its charm. Meghalaya — the "abode of clouds" — is a green plateau of waterfalls, limestone caves and villages where the Khasi people have grown bridges out of living tree roots. A five-night loop from Guwahati covers Shillong, the clear river at Dawki on the Bangladesh border, Mawlynnong, often called the cleanest village in Asia, and the waterfalls of Cherrapunji.
Guwahati itself is a pilgrimage stop: the Kamakhya temple on Nilachal hill is one of the most important Shakti peeths, and Umananda sits on an island in the Brahmaputra. Families with more time and good health go further, into Arunachal Pradesh — over the 13,700 ft Sela Pass to Tawang, home of India's largest Buddhist monastery, and back via Kaziranga for the one-horned rhino.
Two honest notes before you plan. Roads here are slow — 100 km often takes four hours — and hotels in Meghalaya and Arunachal are simple: rooms are not air-conditioned (you do not need it) and most have no lift. We tell you this up front so the trip matches what you expect.
What to see in North East India
Maa Kamakhya temple, Guwahati
One of the 51 Shakti peeths, on Nilachal hill above the Brahmaputra. Go at 6 am, before the queues; our plans build this into the last morning.
Living root bridges
The Khasi people train the roots of rubber fig trees across streams until they become bridges strong enough to walk on. The single-decker bridge near Mawlynnong is an easy walk; the famous double-decker at Nongriat needs about 3,500 steps each way.
Dawki and the Umngot river
In winter the river is so clear that boats seem to float on air. Boating is extra, and the river is clearest from November to April.
Mawlynnong
A spotless Khasi village with bamboo dustbins on every lane and a bamboo "sky walk" looking towards the Bangladesh plains.
Cherrapunji (Sohra)
Nohkalikai, one of India's tallest plunge waterfalls, the Seven Sisters falls, and the Mawsmai and Arwah limestone caves.
Shillong and Umiam Lake
A hill town at about 1,500 m with Ward's Lake, the Don Bosco museum of North East cultures and the Police Bazaar market. Umiam Lake is on the way up from Guwahati.
Tawang and Sela Pass
Sela Pass at 13,700 ft is often snowbound in winter. Tawang Monastery is the largest in India, and Madhuri lake and the Bum La border at about 15,000 ft need special permits and good weather.
Kaziranga National Park
A UNESCO site with two-thirds of the world's one-horned rhinos. The park opens from about November to April; jeep and elephant safaris are paid on the spot.
How to reach North East India from Ahmedabad
Fly. IndiGo runs a daily non-stop from Ahmedabad to Guwahati, about 3 hours. From Guwahati airport it is 3–4 hours by road to Shillong, and a two-day drive to Tawang.
| Option | From Ahmedabad | Time | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight | Non-stop to Guwahati (IndiGo, daily) | about 3 h | The gateway for Meghalaya, Kaziranga and Arunachal. |
| Flight | Guwahati, one stop via Delhi, Mumbai or Kolkata | 5–7 h | Useful when the non-stop is full in Diwali week. |
| Train | Ahmedabad → Guwahati (direct trains run a few days a week) | over 50 h | Only for travellers who enjoy long train journeys. |
Flight days and timings checked in September 2026. Airlines move to their winter schedule on 25 October and back to summer timings in late March, so we confirm live timings when we book.
Routes in detail
By air: IndiGo flies Ahmedabad–Guwahati non-stop every day, about 3 hours. Every plan starts and ends at Guwahati airport, where our driver meets you.
To Shillong: about 100 km, 3–4 hours by road through the Khasi hills. There is a small airport at Shillong (Umroi), but flights are few, so we rarely use it.
To Tawang: it is a two-day drive from Guwahati with a night at Dirang on the way, crossing Sela Pass. An Inner Line Permit (ILP) is required for Indian citizens; we apply for it with your ID.
By train: Ahmedabad–Guwahati trains take well over two days, so we only suggest them to travellers who love long rail journeys.
Best time to visit North East India
October to April is the best time for Meghalaya, with October–November the sweet spot: waterfalls still full, skies clear and the Dawki river turning crystal clear. For Tawang, choose October–November or March–May. Avoid June–September, when the monsoon brings very heavy rain and landslides.
Month by month
- JanGood
- FebGood
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayMixed
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepMixed
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecGood
Fitting it into Gujarat's school holidays
Excellent — clear skies, full waterfalls and a clear Dawki river. The Guwahati non-stop fills up, so book flights early.
Meghalaya is cool and lovely. Tawang drops well below zero and Sela Pass can close after snow, so we keep Tawang plans flexible.
Pleasant in May at 15–25°C, but pre-monsoon showers begin and the rains arrive in early June. Plan May, not June.
Gujarat Board dates for 2026–27. CBSE and ICSE schools are usually within a few days of these.
Season by season
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Winter | November – February | Cool, dry and clear — 5–18°C in Shillong, below zero in Tawang. Dawki is at its clearest. Sela Pass can close after snowfall. |
| Spring | March – May | Pleasant, 15–25°C in Meghalaya, rhododendrons in Arunachal. Pre-monsoon showers start in May. |
| Monsoon | June – September | Some of the heaviest rain on earth around Cherrapunji. Waterfalls are spectacular but landslides close roads and Dawki turns muddy. Not advised for families. |
| Autumn | October | Rain clears, the hills are green and the waterfalls still full. One of the best months, and good for Tawang. |
Permits, rules and packing
Meghalaya and Assam need no permit for Indian citizens. Arunachal Pradesh needs an Inner Line Permit (ILP), which we apply for with a copy of each traveller's Aadhaar, passport or voter ID and a photo. PAN cards are not accepted. Bum La pass and Madhuri lake need an extra local permit that depends on weather and army clearance on the day.
What to pack
- Woollens and a proper jacket from November to February; for Tawang, thermal innerwear, gloves and a cap all year.
- A light rain jacket or umbrella in every season — Meghalaya rains without warning.
- Comfortable shoes with grip for the caves, root bridges and wet steps.
- Original ID for every traveller, including children.
- Motion-sickness tablets: the hill roads are long and winding.
- Cash: card machines are rare outside Guwahati and Shillong, and Jio has no network in Tawang.
Veg and Jain food in North East India
- Guwahati and Shillong have plenty of pure-veg restaurants, including Marwari thali places around Fancy Bazaar and Police Bazaar.
- In Mawlynnong, Cherrapunji and Tawang, hotels cook simple dal, rice, sabzi and roti; local food is meat-heavy, so we tell every hotel in advance that you are vegetarian.
- Jain meals without onion, garlic and root vegetables are possible in Guwahati and Shillong with notice; in villages and Tawang, carry khakhra, thepla and dry snacks.
- Our packages include breakfast only, so lunch and dinner are paid locally — usually ₹250–600 per person per meal.
What a North East trip costs from Ahmedabad
Indicative per-person land costs on twin sharing, with a private car, hotels and breakfast, excluding flights, entry fees, safaris and GST.
5 nights in Meghalaya with 2★ hotels and village guesthouses, 2–6 travellers
5 nights in Meghalaya with good 3★ or 4★ hotels
The 11-night circuit with Tawang, Kaziranga and Meghalaya
Where the money goes
- Flights: Ahmedabad–Guwahati return usually costs ₹10,000–18,000 per person; more in Diwali week.
- Group size matters: 2 people share a Dzire, 4–6 an Innova and 8–12 a Tempo Traveller, so groups of 4–6 get the best per-person price.
- Hotel category is the biggest variable — a 4★ trip costs about 50% more than a 2★ one for the same route.
- Extras paid on the spot: Dawki boating, Kaziranga jeep or elephant safari, the Bum La/Madhuri lake vehicle, and entry fees.
Prices are indicative for the October 2026 – February 2027 season and change with dates, group size and hotel choice. We confirm every price in writing before you pay anything.
Travelling with parents and children
- The 5-night Meghalaya loop suits most seniors. Drives are 2–4 hours a day, and the caves and root bridges can simply be skipped.
- Tawang is not for elderly parents or anyone with heart or breathing problems: Sela Pass is at 13,700 ft, and days include 8–9 hour drives.
- Hotels in Meghalaya and Arunachal are non-AC and most have no lift. Ask for ground-floor rooms for elders — we request them at booking.
- Children love Dawki boating, the caves and the rhinos at Kaziranga; carry spare clothes because everything gets wet.
- Kamakhya temple has long queues on festival days; we plan the 6 am visit and suggest paid quick darshan for elders where available.
Questions families ask us about North East India
How much does a North East trip cost from Ahmedabad?
Value ₹22,000 – 33,000, Comfort ₹27,500 – 51,000, Premium ₹47,500 – 73,500 per person on twin sharing, land only. Value and Comfort are the 5-night Meghalaya trip; Premium is the 11-night circuit with Tawang and Kaziranga. Flights from Ahmedabad (₹10,000–18,000 return) and GST are extra. We confirm every price in writing before you pay anything.
Is there a direct flight from Ahmedabad to Guwahati?
Yes. IndiGo flies Ahmedabad–Guwahati non-stop daily, about 3 hours. From the airport our driver takes you straight to Shillong, 3–4 hours by road.
What is the best time to visit Meghalaya?
October to April. October–November gives full waterfalls with clear skies, and November–April is when the Dawki river is crystal clear. June to September is very heavy monsoon and we do not advise it for families.
Do we need a permit for the North East?
Not for Meghalaya or Assam. Arunachal Pradesh, including Tawang, needs an Inner Line Permit for Indian citizens, which we arrange with your ID. Bum La pass needs an extra permit on the day.
Is Tawang safe for senior citizens?
We do not recommend it for elderly travellers. Sela Pass is at 13,700 ft, Tawang at about 10,000 ft, and the drive from Guwahati takes two long days. Meghalaya is the better choice for parents.
Is vegetarian and Jain food available?
Yes in Guwahati and Shillong. In villages and Tawang meals are simple dal-rice-sabzi cooked on request; for Jain food, carry dry snacks. We inform every hotel in advance.
Ready to plan the North East?
Send us your dates and who is travelling. We reply with a day-by-day plan, hotel names and a price — usually within 24 hours.