Northeast India: Sikkim, Assam & Nagaland — 16 Days
Kaziranga National Park, Darjeeling tea estates, and Naga villages across five states
This 16-day itinerary moves through five states of northeastern India — West Bengal, Sikkim, Meghalaya, Assam, and Nagaland — combining wildlife observation, agricultural engagement, and village-level cultural contact. The route centers on Kaziranga National Park, home to the world's largest population of Indian rhinoceroses, and includes time in Darjeeling's tea-growing region, the monasteries and floating villages of Assam, the living root bridges of Meghalaya, and Naga villages in Kohima district. Accommodation ranges from tea-estate farm stays to standard hotels, with one overnight train journey. A local guide leads throughout, and the itinerary balances scheduled activities with free time in each location.
Highlights
- Two-jeep safari mornings and evenings through Kaziranga National Park in search of Indian rhinoceroses, elephants, wild boar, and tigers
- Tea leaf picking and processing session with a farming community in Darjeeling, followed by a tasting with local hosts
- Hike to a living root bridge near Mawkyrnot, Meghalaya — structures formed by training aerial rubber-tree roots into traversable spans
- Visit to Rumtek Monastery in Gangtok, including architectural detail and historical context of the Karmapa succession dispute
- Ferry crossing to Majuli Island on the Brahmaputra River, one of the world's largest river islands, with stops at Vaishnavite monasteries
- Half-day excursion to Khonoma Village in Nagaland to observe wildlife conservation practices and local settlement patterns
- Sunrise observation at Tiger Hill overlooking Kanchenjunga, the world's third-highest mountain
Day by day
1Arrival in KolkataKolkata · Victoria Memorial · Howrah Bridge
The journey begins in Kolkata, West Bengal's principal city and a historic center of Bengali theatre, literature, art, and cinema. A welcome meeting is scheduled for the evening. Early arrivals may visit the Victoria Memorial or cross Howrah Bridge for views of the Hooghly River. The trip leader provides dinner recommendations for the welcome gathering.
2Kolkata to Darjeeling via flightKolkata · Darjeeling · a tea-estate farm stay
After breakfast leave Kolkata and fly to Darjeeling. Check-in is at a tea-estate farm stay. The remainder of the morning is unscheduled. In the afternoon, a local guide leads a walking tour of Darjeeling's colonial-era architecture set against the Himalayan foothills. Dinner is hosted by the farm proprietors. Activity level: moderate.
3Darjeeling: Tiger Hill sunrise and tea estateTiger Hill · Darjeeling's old station · working tea estate
Get up early this morning to go to Tiger Hill to catch a glorious sunrise over the snowy peak of Kanchenjunga – the world's third-highest mountain. The route then passes through Darjeeling's old station, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its narrow-gauge tracks and steam locomotives that connected mountain communities to the plains below. A local guide explains the line's history and engineering. Mid-day includes a visit to a working tea estate where participants observe handmade processing of tea leaves and join a tasting with farm staff. The afternoon is free. Dinner is provided by the farm hosts. Activity level: moderate. Hiking duration: 2–3 hours.
4Darjeeling to GangtokDarjeeling to Gangtok · a local viewpoint · a hotel
Travel from Darjeeling to Gangtok, capital of Sikkim state, by road (approximately 4 hours). Upon arrival, the route passes a local viewpoint with potential views of Khangchendzonga, Sikkim's highest peak. Check-in is at a hotel. The evening is unscheduled for independent exploration or rest. Activity level: light.
5Gangtok: Rumtek Monastery and city explorationGangtok · Rumtek Monastery (Dharma Chakra Centre)
The morning visit to Rumtek Monastery (Dharma Chakra Centre) includes observation of its colored architecture, painted interiors, and religious art. The guide provides historical background on the Karmapa succession dispute, a legal case in Indian courts involving rival organizations and competing claims for the 17th Karmapa. Walking tour duration: 2–3 hours. The remainder of the day is unscheduled; options include hiking to the Old Gompa, visiting the Tibetology Museum, or further exploration of Gangtok. Activity level: light to moderate.
6Gangtok to overnight trainGangtok · local train station · New Jalpaiguri Station
The morning remains unscheduled in Gangtok. In the afternoon, a road transfer reaches the local train station (approximately 4 hours). An overnight sleeper train departs for New Jalpaiguri Station, traveling through the foothills with views during daylight hours before nightfall. Accommodation: train berth.
7New Jalpaiguri to Cherrapunji and Shora VillageNew Jalpaiguri to Cherrapunji · Shora Village
After the overnight train, a road transfer proceeds to Cherrapunji in Meghalaya state (approximately 5 hours). Upon arrival, a walking tour visits Shora Village, an area where local residents practice sustainable agriculture and ecological land management. Walking tour duration: 2–3 hours. The afternoon is unscheduled. Accommodation: hotel or guesthouse. Activity level: light to moderate.
8Cherrapunji to Shillong via living root bridgeShillong · Mawkyrnot
After breakfast, the route travels to Mawkyrnot (approximately 1 hour). A guided hike reaches a living root bridge—a structure created by training aerial roots of rubber trees into stable, walking-height formations, a technique developed by the Khasi people over generations. Hiking duration: 2–3 hours. Travel on to Shillong. A walking tour with the guide visits the town center. Walking tour duration: 2 hours. The evening is unscheduled for dinner and local exploration. Accommodation: hotel. Activity level: moderate.
9Shillong to Kaziranga National ParkShillong to Kaziranga National Park · Kaziranga Orchid Center
Travel from Shillong to Kaziranga National Park in Assam (approximately 4 hours). Kaziranga is a UNESCO World Heritage site on the Brahmaputra River floodplain. The park is designated for conservation of fauna and flora, including populations of Indian rhinoceroses (one-horned rhinos), tigers, Asian elephants, wild water buffalo, swamp deer, wild boar, and clouded leopards. After settling into accommodation, the remainder of the day is free. An optional visit to the Kaziranga Orchid Center is available. Accommodation: lodge or hotel. Activity level: light.
10Kaziranga National Park: safari and conservationKaziranga National Park
Set out on two jeep safaris through Kaziranga National Park today, scheduled for the early morning and the evening to maximise the chances of spotting wildlife. Sightings may include elephants, deer species, wild boar, and Indian rhinoceroses. Birdwatching opportunities include eagles, parakeets, rollers, and cormorants. Mid-day includes a lunch visit with Mrs. Roopajyoti Gogoi, a local practitioner of plastic-to-fabric recycling whose work addresses waste management around the park. Duration: 1–1.5 hours. The afternoon is free. Activity level: light to moderate.
11Kaziranga to Majuli IslandKaziranga to Majuli Island · Majuli Island
Travel from Kaziranga to Majuli Island on the Brahmaputra River (approximately 3 hours). The island is one of the world's largest river islands and has served as Assam's cultural capital since the 16th century. The group crosses by ferry, with opportunities to observe migratory birds en route. The evening includes views of sunset over the river. Accommodation: guesthouse or community lodge. Activity level: light.
12Majuli Island: monasteries, villages, and craftsAnuati Satra · Uttar Satra · Kamalabari Satra · neighboring Mishing tribal settlement · Majuli Island to Jorhat
Morning visits include three Vaishnavite monasteries—Anuati Satra, Uttar Satra, and Kamalabari Satra—where the guide introduces participants to monastic life and the Ekasarana theological tradition. Visiting duration: 3–4 hours. A walk to a neighboring Mishing tribal settlement includes visits to pottery-making and mask-making community sites, providing observation of local handicraft production and cultural practices. Walking duration: 2–3 hours. Travel then proceeds to Jorhat in Assam (approximately 1 hour). Accommodation: hotel. The afternoon and evening are unscheduled. Activity level: light to moderate.
13Jorhat to KohimaJorhat to Kohima
A full-day road journey from Jorhat to Kohima, capital of Nagaland state (approximately 7–8 hours), with breaks for meals and rest. Arrival is late afternoon. Accommodation: hotel. The evening is unscheduled. Activity level: light.
14Kohima: Khonoma Village and War CemeteryKhonoma Village · Kohima War Cemetery
A half-day excursion to Khonoma Village includes a walking tour of the settlement and discussion of community-led wildlife conservation initiatives. Walking and discussion duration: 3–4 hours. The route returns through Kohima town, stopping at the Kohima War Cemetery. The remainder of the day is unscheduled. Accommodation: hotel. Activity level: light.
15Kohima to Kolkata via DimapurKolkata · Dimapur · Kolkata Botanic Gardens · the Maidan
Drive to the airport in Dimapur this morning. Then fly back to Kolkata. Accommodation: hotel. The remainder of the day is unscheduled for independent exploration. Options include the Kolkata Botanic Gardens along the Hooghly River or walking the Maidan, a large open space in central Kolkata. An optional group dinner is available in the evening. Activity level: light.
16Departure from Kolkata
No activities are scheduled. Participants depart according to their flight times.
Included
- What's Included
- Accommodation
- Hotel (14 nights), Overnight sleeper train (1 night)
- Meals
- Breakfasts: 14, Lunches: 2, Dinners: 4
- Vegetarian options are available on all meals throughout the adventure.
- Vegetarian options available
- Local Guide
- Guided
- This adventure is led by a local guide throughout. The main language of this adventure is English. Please contact us for other languages available.
- Wifi
- Wifi is available during the adventure. In some areas and / or accommodation / transport Wifi may be free.