12 Days Tour Package North East India (11N/12D)
Overview
This 12-day North East India tour package links two very different worlds in one loop from Guwahati (the high Buddhist valleys of western Arunachal Pradesh and the waterfalls, caves and living root bridges of Meghalaya). It's ideal for those with time to spare and who are happy to do a lot of mountain driving in exchange for some of the most spectacular scenery in India.
From Guwahati and the Kamakhya Temple, you head into Arunachal to Dirang (with monastery, old dzong, kiwi orchards and the Sangti Valley) then cross the Sela Pass (approx 13,700 ft) to Tawang, which is home to the largest Buddhist monastery in India. There's an optional excursion (at extra cost) to Madhuri Lake and Bum La on the Indo-China border. On the way down, you'll see Jung Falls and Bomdila before stopping in Tezpur on the Brahmaputra.
The second half is in Meghalaya: Umiam Lake and Shillong, then two nights in Cherrapunjee to see the Nohkalikai Falls, Mawsmai Cave and the trek to the Double Decker Root Bridge at Nongriat. Your final full day is Mawlynnong village and the Umngot River (clear as can be) at Dawki before a final night in Shillong. You stay in 3-star hotels (with breakfast each day), travel by private vehicle and are picked up and dropped off at Guwahati airport or railway station.
Package Features
Cross Sela Pass to Tawang's great Buddhist monastery.
Monastery, old dzong, kiwi orchards and a birdwatchers' valley.
Indo-China border pass and Madhuri Lake, at extra cost.
Nohkalikai, Elephant Falls, Seven Sisters Falls and Mawsmai Cave.
Day trek to Nongriat's famous living root bridge.
Asia's 'cleanest village' and the glass-clear Umngot River.
Included
- 11 nights' stay in 3-star hotels on double occupancy (1 night Guwahati, 2 nights Dirang, 2 nights Tawang, 1 night Bomdila, 1 night Tezpur, 2 nights Cherrapunjee, 2 nights Shillong)
- Daily breakfast at the hotel
- Pick-up and drop-off at Guwahati airport or railway station
- All transfers and sightseeing by private vehicle as per the itinerary
- Sightseeing and activities as listed in the itinerary (items marked optional or at extra cost are not included)
- GST
Excluded
- Flights or train tickets to and from Guwahati
- Lunch and dinner, including the village lunch at Mawlynnong
- Inner Line Permit (ILP) for Indian citizens and Protected Area Permit (PAP) for foreign nationals to enter Arunachal Pradesh, and any permit fees
- Extra-cost items: Brahmaputra River cruise, Madhuri Lake and Bum La Pass excursion, Umiam Lake speedboat ride, local taxi to Shillong Peak and boating on the Umngot River
- Monument and park entry tickets, camera fees and local guide fees, unless specifically included
- Personal expenses such as shopping, laundry, phone calls and tips
- Travel insurance
- Anything not listed under Included
Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in Guwahati & Sightseeing
- Arrive at Guwahati airport or railway station, where our driver meets you and takes you to your hotel.
- Guwahati is a sprawling city on the banks of the Brahmaputra and the gateway to the North East.
- Visit the hilltop Kamakhya Temple, one of India's most important Shakti Peethas.
- In the evening, take an optional Brahmaputra River cruise (tickets at your own cost), then return to the hotel. Overnight stay in Guwahati.
- Highlights of the Day: Kamakhya Temple, Brahmaputra River Cruise (at your own expense)
Day 2 Guwahati to Dirang
- After breakfast, set off on the long, scenic drive to Dirang, a small hill town in the West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh.
- As the road climbs, the plains of Assam give way to forested mountains and river valleys.
- In the Dirang valley, visit Kalachakra Gompa (Dirang Monastery), the kiwi orchards and Dirang Dzong, an old fort with fine views of the surroundings.
- Time permitting, see the hot water springs, the sheep farms and the Yak Research Centre around Dirang.
- Check in to your hotel on arrival. Overnight stay in Dirang.
- Highlights of the Day: Kalachakra Gompa (Dirang Monastery), Dirang Dzong (fort), hot water springs, regional sheep farms, Sangti, Yak Research Centre
Day 3 Dirang Sightseeing
- After breakfast, drive to Sangti Valley, about 15 km from Dirang, known for its orchards of apples and kiwis, fields of corn and greens, and the migratory birds that draw birdwatchers.
- Continue to Mandala Hilltop, famous for birdwatching and its 108 stupas (subject to road clearance).
- Visit Lubrang Valley and Dirang Monastery before returning to Dirang for the night. Overnight stay in Dirang.
- Highlights of the Day: Sangti Valley, Mandala Hilltop (subject to road clearance), Lubrang Valley, Dirang Monastery
Day 4 Dirang to Tawang via Sela Pass
- After breakfast, set out on the drive to Tawang over the Sela Pass, at about 13,700 ft, with views of the snow-capped peaks of the eastern Himalayas.
- Stop at Sela Lake near the top of the pass.
- On arrival, visit Tawang Monastery, the largest Buddhist monastery in India, then check in to your hotel. Overnight stay in Tawang.
- Highlights of the Day: Sela Pass, Sela Lake, Tawang Monastery
Day 5 Tawang Exploration
- After breakfast, head out on the optional excursion to Sangetsar Lake (Madhuri Lake), set among snow-capped mountains.
- Continue to Bum La Pass, at about 15,200 ft on the Indo-China border.
- On the way back, stop at Heart Lake, Pankang Teng Tso (PTSO) Lake and Naghula Lake, then return to Tawang.
- The Madhuri Lake and Bum La excursion is arranged at extra cost, depending on time, permits and your interest.
- In the evening, visit the Tawang War Memorial. Overnight stay in Tawang.
- Highlights of the Day: Sangetsar Lake (Madhuri Lake), Bum La Pass, Heart Lake, PTSO Lake, Naghula Lake (excursion at extra cost), Tawang War Memorial
Day 6 Tawang to Bomdila via Jung Falls
- After breakfast, drive towards Bomdila, visiting the Nag Temple and Rabgye Ling Monastery and stopping at Nuranang Falls (Jung Falls) on the way.
- Check in to your hotel on arrival in Bomdila.
- If time permits, visit Gontse Garden and the craft centre run by women traders, where you can buy local wooden and bamboo products and colourful clothes.
- Visit the museum to learn about local culture. Overnight stay in Bomdila.
- Highlights of the Day: Nag Temple, Gontse Garden, Rabgye Ling Monastery, Nuranang Falls (Jung Falls), Craft Centre and Museum
Day 7 Bomdila to Tezpur
- After breakfast, check out and drive down to Tezpur on the banks of the Brahmaputra in Assam.
- Check in to your hotel and freshen up, then visit the Mahabhairab Temple and Agnigarh, a hillock linked to the legend of Usha and Aniruddha.
- Explore the local market and spend the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight stay in Tezpur.
- Highlights of the Day: Mahabhairab Temple, Agnigarh, local market exploration
Day 8 Tezpur to Shillong
- After breakfast, check out and drive to Shillong, the hill capital of Meghalaya.
- On the way, stop at Umiam Lake (Barapani), where you can take a speedboat ride at extra cost.
- Continue to Shillong and check in to your hotel. Overnight stay in Shillong.
- Highlights of the Day: Umiam Lake (Barapani), speedboat ride (at your own expense)
Day 9 Shillong to Cherrapunjee
- After breakfast, travel to Cherrapunjee (Sohra).
- On the way, visit Shillong Peak for panoramic views over the city (local taxi at extra cost).
- See Elephant Falls, one of the most visited waterfalls in the region, and Nohkalikai Falls, the tallest plunge waterfall in India.
- If time allows, stop at the Mawkdok Dympep Valley Viewpoint and Mawsmai Cave. Overnight stay in Cherrapunjee.
- Highlights of the Day: Shillong Peak (taxi at extra cost), Elephant Falls, Nohkalikai Falls, Mawkdok Dympep Valley Viewpoint, Mawsmai Cave
Day 10 Cherrapunjee Local Sightseeing
- Start early for the trek to the Double Decker Living Root Bridge at Nongriat, deep in tropical forest; the round trip takes about 5–6 hours on steep stone steps.
- If you have the energy, extend the hike to Rainbow Falls, about an hour's walk beyond Nongriat.
- If you choose the trek, only Seven Sisters Waterfall and Mawsmai Cave can be covered afterwards.
- Without the trek, you can see more of Cherrapunjee instead: Seven Sisters Waterfall, Eco Park, Wei Sawdong Falls (subject to accessibility), Arwah Cave, Wah-Kaba Falls and the Garden of Caves.
- Return to your hotel in the evening. Overnight stay in Cherrapunjee.
- Highlights of the Day: Trek to Double Decker Root Bridge at Nongriat, Seven Sisters Waterfall, Eco Park, Wei Sawdong Falls, Arwah Cave, Wah-Kaba Falls, Garden of Caves
Day 11 Cherrapunjee – Mawlynnong – Dawki (Shnongpdeng) – Shillong
- After breakfast, drive to Mawlynnong, the village named the cleanest in Asia in 2003.
- Explore the village on foot, with stops at the Balancing Rock, the Sky View (Nohwet Viewpoint) and a nearby living root bridge.
- Have a local lunch in the village (paid separately), then continue to Dawki and Shnongpdeng on the crystal-clear Umngot River, where you can take a boat ride at extra cost.
- Drive back to Shillong and check in to your hotel. Overnight stay in Shillong.
- Highlights of the Day: Mawlynnong, Balancing Rock, Sky View (Nohwet Viewpoint), Umngot River, boating on the Umngot River (at your own expense)
Day 12 Shillong to Guwahati – Departure
- After breakfast, check out and drive back to Guwahati.
- On arrival, browse the local markets for some last-minute shopping.
- Transfer to Guwahati airport or railway station for your onward journey.
- Highlights of the Day: Return drive to Guwahati, local markets, departure
Payment Policy
- An advance payment is required to secure your booking; the balance is paid as per the schedule in your booking confirmation.
- Your booking is only confirmed once the itinerary has been agreed, the advance has been received and Luxe Trail Holidays have sent you a written confirmation.
- Full payment may be required at the time of booking for peak season dates, special hotel rates and certain activities.
- If payment is not received by the due date, the booking is subject to the applicable cancellation terms.
- Price per person on double occupancy and includes GST.
Refund Policy
- Cancellation charges will vary depending on when we receive your request, the hotel and transport supplier policies and any peak season restrictions. The applicable charges are shared with your quotation.
- Refunds are processed once the relevant suppliers approve them, so timelines can vary.
- Refunds are made to the original payment method or another method agreed with you.
- Non-refundable amounts, supplier fees and bank or payment-processing charges may be deducted.
- If a service cannot be provided because of weather, road closures, government orders or other events beyond our control, a refund or an alternative arrangement is offered as per the supplier's terms.
Policy & Important Terms
- Every traveller must carry a valid government photo ID (Aadhaar, passport, voter ID or driving licence). Foreign nationals need a passport with a valid Indian visa.
- Indian citizens from outside Arunachal Pradesh need an Inner Line Permit (ILP) and foreign nationals need a Protected Area Permit (PAP) to enter the state; permit fees are not included. Bum La Pass needs a separate permit issued in Tawang and is open to Indian citizens only.
- Mountain roads in Arunachal Pradesh can close or slow down because of snow, landslides or army movement; Mandala Hilltop and other sightseeing are subject to road clearance, and drive times vary with conditions.
- Sela Pass (c.13,700ft) and Bum La (c.15,200ft) are high altitude passes so take it easy, drink lots of water and if you have any pre-existing heart, lung or blood pressure conditions then get your doctor's permission before you go.
- The order of the sights will be subject to change due to traffic, weather, local events or monument opening times.
- The vehicle is provided for the routes in the itinerary. Any extra trips or detours will be charged separately.
- Standard check-in and check-out times apply. Early check-in and late check-out are possible subject to availability.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time for this North East India tour?
October to April is the most reliable period (clear mountain views, drier roads). Dec to Feb is very cold in Tawang, and Sela Pass will be snowed in. The monsoon (roughly June to September) brings landslides in Arunachal and very heavy rain around Cherrapunjee - though the waterfalls are at their very fullest then.
Do I need a permit to visit Dirang and Tawang?
Yes. Indian citizens from outside Arunachal Pradesh will require an Inner Line Permit (ILP), and foreign nationals will require a Protected Area Permit (PAP). The permit fees are not included in the package price. An additional permit is required for Bum La Pass (this is issued in Tawang) and the pass is only open to Indian citizens. Please share your ID details when you book, and we'll let you know what is required.
How difficult is the Double Decker Root Bridge trek?
It's a steep walk down and back up (thousands of stone steps) to Nongriat, which takes about 5-6 hours for the round trip. Most reasonably fit people will do it at their own pace. If you'd rather not do it, then the day is spent covering more of the waterfalls, caves and the Eco Park.
Are Bum La Pass and Madhuri Lake included in the price?
No. The Madhuri Lake and Bum La excursion from Tawang is at extra cost (depending on the time of year, permits and road conditions). The other extras on this tour are the Brahmaputra cruise, the Umiam Lake speedboat, the local taxi to Shillong Peak and the boating at Dawki.
Is this tour suitable for senior citizens?
It can be (with a bit of planning). There are long drives on mountain roads and high altitude at Sela Pass and Tawang, so those with heart, lung or blood pressure problems should check with their doctor prior to going. The root bridge trek can be skipped, and the pace can be eased if required.
Can I customise this itinerary?
Yes, you can add in Kaziranga National Park for a jeep safari, add in Tawang or Shillong for a couple of nights, or indeed upgrade your hotels where there are better options. Just let us know your travel dates and number of travellers, and we'll send you a revised quotation.
