Tiger territory, riverside camping, and the road to Dawki
This seven-day loop opens in Manas National Park, one of Assam’s two tiger reserves and home to rhinos and elephants as well, with a jeep safari that takes you right up to the Bhutan border. From there it’s on to Guwahati for the Kamakhya Temple and Umananda Island, then Shillong for Umiam Lake and the Police Bazaar market. A full day at Cherrapunjee covers its famous waterfalls and caves, before the trip takes a different turn: a night camping riverside at Shnongpdenge, with kayaking, cliff jumping, ziplining and a bonfire dinner by the water. The route wraps up at Mawlynnong’s living root bridge before heading back to Guwahati for departure. Accommodation, daily breakfast and dinner, transfers, and an English-speaking guide are included throughout, with a traditional Assamese welcome to start things off.
8 reasons travellers pick this trip
Manas National Park jeep safari through tiger, rhino and elephant territory, with views across to the Kingdom of Bhutan.
Optional elephant ride and river rafting at Manas, depending on river flow.
Guwahati's spiritual and river side: Maa Kamakhya Temple, Umananda Island, and an optional Brahmaputra sunset or dinner cruise.
Umiam Lake and an evening at Shillong's Police Bazaar flea market.
A full day at Cherrapunjee's waterfalls and limestone caves, with the option to dress in traditional Khasi attire at Elephant Falls.
A night of riverside camping at Shnongpdenge, with kayaking, cliff jumping, ziplining, swimming and a bonfire dinner.
Mawlynnong village and its famous living root bridge, with an optional boat ride on the Dawki river.
An English-speaking guide throughout, with a traditional Assamese welcome (Bihuwan) on arrival.
Follow the route
D1 · Guwahati to Manas National Park ▼
Meet our driver at Guwahati Airport or Railway Station and drive to Manas National Park. In the afternoon, take a jeep safari or game drive to Mathanguri, one of the most beautiful points in Manas, from where you can see across to the Kingdom of Bhutan. Alternatively, spend the late afternoon visiting nearby local ethnic villages.
Manas is known for its Project Tiger status and its rhinos and elephants, one of Assam's two tiger projects. The scenic beauty and rare wealth of wildlife combine with this unique World Heritage Site to offer one of the most enthralling experiences.
Evening free for leisure or to explore the local market.
Overnight accommodation in Manas.
Terrain: Plains
D2 · Manas National Park to Guwahati ▼
Early morning, take an optional elephant ride through the Bansbari range for a chance to experience the jungle's beauty from the elephant's back, about one hour.
After breakfast, checkout, with the option to go river rafting depending on river flow. Drive to Guwahati. On arrival, visit Umananda Island, the smallest inhabited island in India, home to a Shiva temple reachable only by ferry. A ropeway ride over the Brahmaputra River is also available on direct payment.
In the evening, take a walk around the market for shops selling fine Muga silk.
Optional: Sunset or Sundown Brahmaputra River Cruise (on direct payment basis)
4:30 PM Sunset Cruise: ₹750/₹650 per person
5:30 PM Sundown Cruise: ₹750/₹650 per person
7:30 PM Dinner Cruise: ₹1,750 per person
Report 30 minutes ahead of your cruise time, and book at least a day in advance if possible.
Overnight accommodation in Guwahati.
Terrain: Plains
D3 · Guwahati to Shillong ▼
After breakfast, checkout and visit Maa Kamakhya Temple and Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra, a museum of Assam's diverse culture. Then transfer to Shillong, the Scotland of the East, set in the centre of a plateau surrounded by Khasi hills. En route, visit Umiam Lake. In the evening, explore Police Bazaar on your own.
Browse the flea market at Police Bazaar, or try some local street food.
Umiam Lake, popularly known as Barapani, is the biggest artificial lake in the state: surrounded by sylvan hills and framed by green Khasi pines under clear blue skies. Built on the reservoir of the Umiam Hydro Electric Project, the Water Sports Complex offers row-boats, paddle-boats, cruise boats, sailing boats, water scooters and speed boats, and is popular for picnics, fishing and watersports.
Overnight accommodation in Shillong.
Terrain: Plains and Hills
D4 · Shillong to Cherrapunjee to Shillong (about 150 km) 150 km ▼
After breakfast, head out on an excursion to Cherrapunjee, covering Elephant Falls, Mawkdok Dympep Valley View, Garden of Caves, Nohsngithiang Falls (Seven Sister Falls), Nohkalikai Waterfalls, Mawsmai Cave and Arwah Cave. Drive back to Shillong afterward.
At Elephant Falls, you can dress in traditional Khasi attire for photos.
If you enjoy non-vegetarian food, try local smoked pork, sticky rice and fermented dry fish.
Local pickles made from bamboo shoots and fish are worth picking up.
Overnight accommodation in Shillong.
Terrain: Hills
D5 · Shillong to Pynursla to Shnongpdenge ▼
After breakfast, checkout and drive toward Pynursla, taking in the culture of Pynter village along the way. Continue to the Shnongpdenge area on the Dawki River, where you can enjoy activities like kayaking, cliff jumping, swimming, boating and ziplining.
Check in to camp and relax by the riverside.
In the evening, enjoy a bonfire followed by a local dinner.
Overnight in tented accommodation.
D6 · Shnongpdenge to Mawlynnong to Shillong ▼
After breakfast, head to Mawlynnong, a village bordering the Bangladesh town of Tamabil, known for its living root bridge. Return to Shillong afterward.
Optional: boat ride on the Umngot River at Dawki, on direct payment basis.
Try the local pineapples while you're here.
Overnight accommodation in Shillong.
Terrain: Hills
D7 · Shillong to Guwahati, Departure 150 km, - 3 to 4 hours ▼
After breakfast, checkout and drive to Guwahati Airport for your onward journey.
What your price covers
✓ Included
- ✓ 6 nights of accommodation in the mentioned or similar hotels, base category rooms unless specified
- ✓ Daily breakfast, except on the day of arrival, as per the hotel's set menu and policy
- ✓ Daily dinner in respective hotels
- ✓ All transfers and sightseeing in the mentioned vehicle, on a point-to-point basis
- ✓ Traditional welcome on arrival with an Assamese Bihuwan
- ✓ One round of jeep safari at Manas
- ✓ 500 ml water bottle per day, per person
- ✓ One English-speaking guide throughout the tour
- ✓ One local Assamese lunch in Guwahati
- ✓ One round of boating at Dawki River
- ✓ Transfer from village to campsite
- ✓ One lunch at the campsite
- ✓ Driver's allowance, fuel charges, toll taxes and parking charges
- ✓ Rates valid for Indian nationals only
✕ Not included
- ✕ Any GST
- ✕ Any Airfare/Train fare
- ✕ Any safari other than mentioned
- ✕ Meals other than mentioned above
- ✕ Entry to monuments
- ✕ Any optional sightseeing or activity
- ✕ Telephone bills, laundry, personal expenses
- ✕ Anything not mentioned under "Inclusions"
Pack smart, travel easy
- Hill roads mean travel between points takes longer than distance alone suggests; allow extra time, especially between Shillong and Pynursla.
- Sunset in Shillong and Cherrapunjee is early, around 4:30 pm, sightseeing is planned to wrap up before then.
- Hotel standards vary across properties in the Northeast, and not all hotels have twin beds, let us know your bed preference at the time of booking.
- Weather can occasionally affect sightseeing plans; every effort is made to cover all mentioned places, though changes are sometimes unavoidable.
- Use only bottled or packaged drinking water throughout the trip, tap water isn't recommended in this region.
- Purely vegetarian hotels are rare in the Northeast, let your tour leader know your meal preference in advance.
- The Shnongpdenge camp stay is tented accommodation with an attached washroom, a genuinely different experience from a hotel room; let us know if this needs flagging clearly at the point of booking.
Frequently asked
Is the jeep safari at Manas included? +
Is river rafting included at Manas? +
What's included at the river camp in Shnongpdenge? +
Which hotel option should I choose? +
What vehicle is used for this trip? +
Are entry fees included in the package cost? +
Is the Brahmaputra river cruise included? +
What ID do I need to carry? +
What guests say
Everything was seamless — from the airport pickup to the checkout. Tiger Hill sunrise was absolutely breathtaking, and the Toy Train ride was a childhood dream come true. Will definitely book another trip with this team.
Took my wife for our anniversary and it was perfect. The hotel was lovely, the driver was very professional, and Mirik was a surprise highlight we hadn't expected. Highly recommended for couples.
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