I decided to travel after a gap of eleven months due to the ongoing pandemic crisis, and I chose Assam as my next stop. The northeastern jewel is famous for its sacred temples, unique culture, and fantastic festivals. One of the seven sisters, I travelled to Assam with a desire to tick off ‘visit the world’s smallest river island’ from my bucket list. An added benefit of exploring this Indian state was that I spotted the majestic wildlife in its natural habitat. Whether I took a walk by a freshwater lakeside or visited a temple, the memories are going to stay fresh in my soul for life.
If you are also planning to see Assam and wonder which places to visit, then go through my itinerary to experience the best of it. To make your vacation exciting and memorable, check out the places I mentioned in this ultimate travel guide to Assam. And of course, that too on a budget!
Kharghuli Hills
Well-known for scenic beauty, this group of hills can be seen on the river Brahmaputra banks. The top offers a comprehensive and picturesque view. You can see almost every corner of Guwahati with a binocular on a sunny and clear day. On the other side of the hills, you can witness the magnificent Brahmaputra River. There are places where you can slide down towards the sandy coast of the river on the roadside near the foot of the hills. Feel the fresh breeze, click some beautiful pictures, and sit there to enjoy the sunset at Kharghuli Hills. If you want to escape from the city’s hustle and bustle, then it is a popular hangout place.
Umananda Island/Peacock Island
Ferry fare per person- ₹100
When in Assam, you have to include this smallest inhabited river island in the world in your travel bucket list. This river islet is present in the middle of the river Brahmaputra and can be reached via ferry from Umananda Temple Ghat. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple on the island is very popular among natives and tourists alike. The rock-cut figures of Lord Surya, Ganesh and Shiva will make you appreciate the craftsmanship of Assamese people who have shown their devotion towards spiritual energy. I set foot on this island to enjoy the beauty of this region from the river banks. This day-trip allowed me to admire nature’s cradle.
Dipor Bil/Deepor Beel
A freshwater lake located in the southwestern part of Guwahati, Dipor Bil, is considered one of the biggest lakes of Brahmaputra valley. ‘Beel’ is a local Assamese word that means lake. Surrounded by steep highlands on the northern and southern sides, you can see various aquatic vegetation types here comprising water lilies, water hyacinth, underwater grasses, and other floating foliages. This Beel is also a habitat for different birds, some of which are even migratory. The spot-billed pelican and Siberian crane are the main attractions here. You can capture marvellous glimpses of the wildlife and nature’s beauty.
Kamakhya Temple
The most popular place to see in Assam, I also visited this famous temple that is nestled on the top of the beautiful Nilachal Hill. There are nearly 20 temples in the Kamakhya Temple complex, and the largest among them is the temple of Goddess Kamakhya. It is one of the oldest and most sacred of the 51 Shakti Peethas. Even if you are not someone religious like me, you will be able to feel the positive vibes that sacred places like these are filled with. This Indian Temple Celebrates It’s Menstruating Goddess Breaking The Stigma Around Periods.
Kaziranga National Park
Safari fare (visiting zone+jeep hiring charge)- ₹2650
Best time to visit- November to April
Whenever I travel, I always try to have a look at the wildlife of that place in its natural habitat. After visiting Jim Corbett National Park (Uttarakhand) and Ranthambore National Park (Rajasthan), it was time to visit my third national park in India and the pride of Assam—Kaziranga National Park. It is home to more than 2400 one-horned rhinoceros (approximately 2/3rd of their total world population). This wildlife haven is popular all over the world for one-horned rhinoceros that are under threat from poaching for their horns. Tourists Can Now Explore Kaziranga In A Eco-Friendly Manner On Boats & Bicycles.
The park is divided into four tourism zones—Central Zone, Eastern Zone, Western Zone, and Burhapahar Zone. I chose the central range and the afternoon shift for my jeep safari. Fortunately, I was able to spot a few rhinos. Looking at these majestic animals walking amidst lush greenery is definitely a mesmerising experience! It’s quite tough to explain in words how much excitement and calmness I felt at the same time when I saw the first one.
Kaziranga National Park’s 430 square kilometre area is sprinkled with grassy meadows, swampy lagoons, and dense forests. It is the breeding ground of Hoolock gibbon, tiger, leopard, elephant, sloth bear, wild water buffalo, swamp deer, etc. If you are fortunate enough, you can also spot tigers here. Moreover, the park is a paradise for bird lovers. You can see birds like a lesser white-fronted goose, ferruginous duck, Baer’s pochard duck, lesser adjutant, greater adjutant, black-necked stork, Asian Openbill stork that especially migrate from Central Asia during the winter season.
The UNESCO-declared World Heritage Site has rich flora as well. Indian gooseberry, the cotton tree, and elephant apple are amongst the famous trees that can be seen here and a good variety of aquatic flora in lakes, ponds, and along the river shores. If you want to see a place where nature unwinds its pristine form in millions of hues, where wildlife roams fearlessly, and where humans and nature meet together, then you should visit Kaziranga National Park at least once in your life.
Kaziranga National Orchid and Biodiversity Park
Entry fee per person- Rs.70
Located not far from the national park, you should see Kaziranga National Orchid and Biodiversity Park while you are there. It sprawls in the area of around 6 acres in the Durgapur village and is considered the largest orchid park in India’s Northeast belt. With over 500 varieties of wild orchids, 132 species of sour fruits and leafy vegetables, 46 species of bamboo, 12 species of cane, and many other plants along with various species of local fishes, nature lovers are sure to find solace here along with Instagram-perfect pictures as well! Also, don’t miss out on taking a stroll in the stunning tea gardens here.
Ganeshguri Market
I kept the last day of my trip for shopping and went to this famous market. Considered to be the commercial centre point of Guwahati, Ganeshguri is a bit congested due to the narrow bylanes and stalls that invade the footpaths. It is a hub for designer wear for occasions like weddings, pujas and Bihu. The food joints here specialise in Assamese food and other Indian delicacies too. If you want to try bhut jolokia, (Ghost Pepper), counted among the world’s hottest chillies, then you can easily buy it from roadside vegetable vendors. To relax after a day full of shop-hopping, you can also spend some time at bars and pubs here.
Fun Places For Hanging Out In Guwahati
I spent seven crazy days in Assam by seeing and knowing something new every day. No time to rest throughout the day, I ensured that I unwind at a nice cafe at night. I loved little hangout places in Uzan Bazar so much. Enjoying a cup of coffee while writing in my travel journal was a much-awaited time of the day for me.
Also read: Guwahati Gets India’s Longest Ropeway At 1.8 Km Over Brahmaputra River
Café UC 24
An excellent place to enjoy delicious Alfredo sauce pasta and a nice cup of vanilla latte. I found this coffee shop’s ambience very cute.
Patty Oh!
I love this restaurant for its comfy setting and tasty snacks. I liked its special cappuccino a lot.
Brown Beans Cafe
A trendy restaurant, it is an excellent place to read a book while enjoying warm muffins with caffè macchiato.
Freemason’s Brewworks
A vivacious brewpub, here I tried brewery-fresh pineapple wheat beer (German), which I instantly liked. Ordering pita pockets and arancini balls here was indeed a good idea.
This was how I spent a week in this beautiful northeastern state of India and had some unique experiences. Let me know if you have any travel queries in the comment section below.