Self-Launched Eastern India: Kolkata, Assam, Meghalaya & the Northeast

Arrive in Kolkata (Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport). Take the Airport Metro or a prepaid taxi (~£4–6) to your accommodation in the Sudder Street backpacker district. Spend the evening exploring New Market and grabbing street food on Park Street. Check into a well-rated budget guesthouse such as Zostel Kolkata or Sunflower Guest House.

🚌Airport Metro (Noapara line) or prepaid taxi from airport

🛏Zostel Kolkata or Sunflower Guest House, Sudder Street (~£8–12/night)

• →Arrive at Kolkata airport — take the Airport Metro or prepaid taxi to Sudder Street (~£4–6)
• →Check into a budget guesthouse in the Sudder Street area
• →Evening stroll along Park Street and New Market for street food

Take an early IndiGo or Air India domestic flight from Kolkata (CCU) to Dibrugarh (DIB) — book in advance for ~£35–55 one-way. On arrival, head straight to the tea estate belt. Book a tea estate tour independently through your guesthouse or via GetYourGuide to observe tea growing, picking, and grading. In the evening, ask your hotel to arrange a local Assam folk dance performance or check community halls near Mancotta.

🚌Domestic flight Kolkata → Dibrugarh (~£35–55). Auto-rickshaw or taxi from airport to town (~£3)

🛏The Gateway Hotel Dibrugarh or a budget guesthouse (~£12–18/night)

• →Fly Kolkata (CCU) to Dibrugarh (DIB) — book IndiGo or Air India in advance (~£35–55)
• →Self-booked tea estate tour: tea growing, picking & grading (~£8–12 via GetYourGuide or direct)
• →Evening Assam Bihu folk dance performance at a local cultural venue (~£5)

Hire a local auto-rickshaw or shared jeep to Namphake village (~25 km from Dibrugarh). Visit the Buddhist monastery at the heart of the village and spend time interacting with the Tai Phake tribal community. Explore their traditional bamboo stilt houses and watch local artisans weaving intricate hand-woven textiles. Optional: join a tea tasting session at a local tea garden in the afternoon (many offer walk-in sessions for ~£3–5).

🚌Hired auto-rickshaw or shared jeep from Dibrugarh to Namphake (~£3–5 each way)

🛏The Gateway Hotel Dibrugarh or budget guesthouse (~£12–18/night)

• →Visit the Buddhist monastery at Namphake village
• →Interact with the Tai Phake tribal community and explore bamboo stilt houses
• →Watch traditional hand-loom weaving and bag crafting
• →Optional: tea tasting session at a nearby tea garden (~£3–5)

Take a shared bus or hire a local taxi for the ~90 km journey from Dibrugarh to Sivasagar (~2.5 hrs). Explore the Ahom-era temples — the Shivadol, Vishnudol, and Devidol — which are among the finest examples of Ahom architecture. Continue by local bus to Jorhat (~40 km, ~1 hr). Check into a budget guesthouse near the town centre.

🚌Shared bus Dibrugarh → Sivasagar (~£2), then local bus Sivasagar → Jorhat (~£1–2). Total ~3.5 hrs

🛏Hotel Paradise or similar budget hotel in Jorhat (~£10–15/night)

• →Travel Dibrugarh → Sivasagar by shared bus (~£2) or hired taxi (~£10)
• →Explore the Ahom-era temples: Shivadol, Vishnudol & Devidol (free entry)
• →Onward by local bus from Sivasagar to Jorhat (~£1–2)

Wake early and take a shared auto or local bus to Nimati Ghat (~15 km from Jorhat). Board the government ferry to Majuli Island — the world's largest river island — for ~£0.50. Spend the day exploring the Sattra (Vaishnavite monasteries), particularly Auniati, Kamalabari, and Dakhinpat Sattras. Visit local Mishing and Deori tribal villages. Return on the afternoon ferry back to Jorhat.

🚌Shared auto Jorhat → Nimati Ghat (~£0.50). Government ferry Nimati Ghat ↔ Majuli (~£0.50 each way)

🛏Hotel Paradise or similar in Jorhat (~£10–15/night)

• →Travel to Nimati Ghat by shared auto (~£0.50–1)
• →Government ferry to Majuli Island (~£0.50 each way)
• →Explore Vaishnavite Sattras: Auniati, Kamalabari & Dakhinpat (free or small donation)
• →Visit Mishing and Deori tribal villages on Majuli
• →Return ferry to Nimati Ghat and auto back to Jorhat

Take a shared bus or hire a taxi for the ~90 km journey from Jorhat to Kohora (the main gate area of Kaziranga, ~2.5 hrs). Check into a budget guesthouse or eco-lodge near the Central Range. In the afternoon, purchase your safari and park entry tickets at the Forest Department office for the following two days. Spend the evening relaxing and listening to the sounds of the jungle.

🚌Shared bus or taxi from Jorhat to Kohora (~2.5 hrs, ~£2–12)

🛏Eco-lodge or budget guesthouse near Kaziranga Central Range (~£12–18/night)

• →Travel Jorhat → Kohora (Kaziranga Central Range) by shared bus (~£2) or taxi (~£12)
• →Check in and purchase Forest Department jeep safari tickets in advance (~£15–20 per safari)
• →Evening walk along the fringes of the park buffer zone

Rise before dawn for the morning jeep safari in the Central Range — the best time to spot one-horned rhinos, wild elephants, and Asiatic water buffalo. Safaris depart from Kohora gate and are bookable directly at the Forest Department counter or via Klook (~£15–20/safari including jeep and entry). Rest in the afternoon heat, then join the afternoon safari for different wildlife sightings at dusk. Optional: visit the Kaziranga Biodiversity Centre in the evening (free–£2).

🚌Jeep safaris depart from Kohora/Central Range gate — included in safari booking

🛏Eco-lodge near Kaziranga (~£12–18/night)

• →Morning jeep safari at Kaziranga Central Range (book at Forest Department or via Klook, ~£15–20)
• →Afternoon jeep safari at Kaziranga (~£15–20)
• →Optional: evening visit to Kaziranga Biodiversity Centre (~£1–2)

The early morning elephant-back safari at Kaziranga is a bucket-list experience — book at the Forest Department counter the previous evening as slots are very limited (~£12–18 per person). Elephant safaris typically depart at first light and offer incredible up-close rhino encounters. Rest through midday. In the afternoon, take a jeep safari through the Western Range (Bagori) for a different landscape and further wildlife spotting.

🚌Elephant and jeep safaris depart from respective range gates

🛏Eco-lodge near Kaziranga (~£12–18/night)

• →Early morning elephant-back safari at Kaziranga — book the day before at Forest Dept (~£12–18)
• →Afternoon jeep safari through the Western Range/Bagori (~£15–20)
• →Optional: visit local villages near the park boundary

Check out after breakfast and take a shared bus or hired taxi ~90 km northwest to Tezpur. En route, stop at the Mahabhairab Temple on the outskirts of Tezpur — a powerful Shakti shrine perched on a hillock with panoramic views of the Brahmaputra valley (free entry). Continue ~35 km to the Nameri National Park buffer zone near Bhalukpong. Check into a forest guesthouse or eco-camp and arrange your jungle walk for this afternoon or tomorrow morning.

🚌Shared bus or taxi Kaziranga → Tezpur (~£3), then onward to Nameri (~£3–6). Total ~3 hrs

🛏Nameri Eco Camp or Forest Rest House near Nameri (~£10–15/night)

• →Travel Kaziranga → Tezpur by shared bus or taxi (~£3–10)
• →Visit Mahabhairab Temple, Tezpur (free entry)
• →Continue to Nameri National Park via local bus or taxi (~£3–6)
• →Afternoon jungle walk at Nameri with a local guide (~£8–12 via Forest Dept)

Nameri is a paradise for birdwatchers — over 370 species including the rare White-winged Wood Duck. Join an early morning birdwatching walk with a local Forest Department guide (book at the range office, ~£6–10). After breakfast, tackle a longer forest trek into the park core (~£8–12). In the afternoon, the highlight: white-water rafting on the crystal-clear Bhoreli (Jia Bhoreli) River — bookable directly through local operators near the park or via GetYourGuide (~£12–18 for a half-day session).

🚌All activities within Nameri — short walks or local jeeps to launch points

🛏Nameri Eco Camp or Forest Rest House (~£10–15/night)

• →Early morning birdwatching tour at Nameri (Forest Dept guide, ~£6–10)
• →Morning forest trek at Nameri National Park (~£8–12)
• →Afternoon white-water rafting on the Bhoreli River (~£12–18, book with local operators)

It's a long travel day (~260 km, ~6–7 hrs) from Nameri to Shillong, the 'Scotland of the East'. Take a local bus from Bhalukpong to Guwahati (~3.5 hrs, ~£4), then board a shared sumo (shared 4WD taxi) from Guwahati's Khanapara stand to Shillong (~2 hrs, ~£3). Arrive in Shillong in the late afternoon. Check into a guesthouse in Police Bazaar and explore the lively market in the evening.

🚌Local bus Bhalukpong → Guwahati (~£4). Shared sumo Guwahati → Shillong (~£3). Total ~6–7 hrs

🛏Zostel Shillong or Hotel Earle Holiday Home (~£10–15/night)

• →Local bus from Bhalukpong/Nameri area to Guwahati (~£4, ~3.5 hrs)
• →Shared sumo (4WD taxi) from Khanapara, Guwahati to Shillong (~£3, ~2 hrs)
• →Evening explore Police Bazaar market in Shillong

Take a shared taxi or hire a local driver for a day trip (~£12–18 shared) to three of Meghalaya's greatest highlights. Start at Mawlynnong — Asia's cleanest village — where you'll see the famous living root bridge and immaculate gardens. Continue to Dawki, where the Umngot River runs so clear you can see every stone on the riverbed — hire a rowing boat for ~£3. On the way back, stop at Mawsmai Cave near Cherrapunji for an atmospheric limestone cavern exploration (~£1–2 entry). Return to Shillong in the evening.

🚌Shared taxi or hired car from Shillong for the full day loop (~£12–18/person depending on group size)

🛏Zostel Shillong or Hotel Earle Holiday Home (~£10–15/night)

• →Share a taxi or hire a driver for the Mawlynnong–Dawki–Cave day loop (~£12–18 split between travellers)
• →Visit Mawlynnong village and its famous living root bridge (entry ~£1)
• →Boat ride on the crystal-clear Umngot River at Dawki (~£3)
• →Explore Mawsmai/Mawsum Cave (~£1–2 entry)

Take a shared sumo (~£2, ~1.5 hrs) from Shillong's Iewduh bus stand to Jowai, the cultural capital of the Jaintia Hills. Visit the Jowai Palace ruins and the 16th-century Durga Temple. The highlight is the extraordinary collection of ancient megalithic standing stones (monoliths) found throughout the Jowai area — memorials erected by the Pnar people in honour of their ancestors. Return to Shillong in the late afternoon.

🚌Shared sumo from Iewduh stand, Shillong to Jowai (~£2 each way)

🛏Zostel Shillong or Hotel Earle Holiday Home (~£10–15/night)

• →Shared sumo Shillong → Jowai (~£2 each way, ~1.5 hrs)
• →Visit the ruins of Jowai Palace (free)
• →Explore the Durga Temple at Jowai (free, modest dress required)
• →See the ancient megalithic monolith stone collection near Jowai (free)

Take a shared sumo from Shillong to Guwahati (~£3, ~2 hrs). Before checking in, visit three iconic sites around the city: the hilltop Kamakhya Temple (one of India's most sacred Shakti shrines, free entry to grounds), the silk-weaving village of Sualkuchi (~30 km west of Guwahati — take a local bus ~£0.50), and the Hajo pilgrimage centre, which is sacred to Hindus, Buddhists, and Muslims alike (~25 km from Guwahati, shared auto ~£1). Return to Guwahati city centre for the night.

🚌Shared sumo Shillong → Guwahati (~£3). Local buses and shared autos for Sualkuchi and Hajo (~£2 total)

🛏Hotel Siroy or Zostel Guwahati (~£10–15/night)

• →Shared sumo Shillong → Guwahati (~£3, ~2 hrs)
• →Visit Kamakhya Temple, Guwahati (free entry to temple grounds)
• →Day trip to Sualkuchi silk-weaving village by local bus (~£0.50 each way)
• →Visit Hajo pilgrimage centre by shared auto or local bus (~£1 each way)

Take an early domestic flight from Guwahati (GAU) to Kolkata (CCU) — book in advance with IndiGo or Air India for ~£30–50. On arrival in Kolkata, take the Airport Metro to the city centre (~£0.50). Check back into the Sudder Street backpacker belt and spend the afternoon resting or revisiting favourite spots. Optional evening: head to the Princep Ghat for sunset views over the Hooghly River.

🚌Domestic flight Guwahati → Kolkata (~£30–50). Airport Metro to Sudder Street (~£0.50)

🛏Zostel Kolkata or Sunflower Guest House, Sudder Street (~£8–12/night)

• →Morning flight Guwahati (GAU) → Kolkata (CCU) (~£30–50, book IndiGo or Air India in advance)
• →Airport Metro to city centre (~£0.50)
• →Optional: evening sunset at Prinsep Ghat on the Hooghly River (free)

Pack in a full self-launched day around Kolkata. Start at the Victoria Memorial — book a timed entry ticket at the gate (~£3). Walk north through the Maidan to St Paul's Cathedral, then jump on the Kolkata Metro (the oldest in India, ~£0.20/journey) to reach Belur Math, the serene riverside headquarters of the Ramakrishna Mission (free entry). Take a ferry across the Hooghly (~£0.20) for a view of the iconic Vidyasagar Setu bridge. In the afternoon, visit the Mother Teresa Home (Nirmal Hriday) in Kalighat (free, respectful visit). End the day exploring Tiretti Bazaar (Chinatown) for Chinese-Indian street food. Book a self-guided Kolkata walking tour via GetYourGuide (~£8–15) if you want expert context.

🚌Kolkata Metro (~£0.20/journey), city buses (~£0.10–0.20), Hooghly ferry (~£0.20), auto-rickshaws (~£1–3)

🛏Zostel Kolkata or Sunflower Guest House (~£8–12/night)

• →Visit Victoria Memorial Palace (entry ~£3, book at gate)
• →Kolkata Metro experience — ride from city centre to Dakshineswar (~£0.20)
• →Visit Belur Math, Ramakrishna Mission headquarters (free entry)
• →Ferry across the Hooghly for views of Vidyasagar Setu bridge (~£0.20)
• →Visit Mother Teresa's Home (Nirmal Hriday), Kalighat (free, respectful visit)
• →Explore Tiretti Bazaar (Chinatown) — try Chinese-Indian street food
• →Optional: self-guided Kolkata walking tour via GetYourGuide (~£8–15)
• →Leisurely browse New Market

Final morning in Kolkata. Grab a last breakfast of kochuri and aloo dum from a local sweet shop, then make your way to the airport or station for onward travel. Take the Airport Metro or a prepaid taxi (~£4–6). The city will linger long in the memory.

🚌Airport Metro or prepaid taxi to airport (~£4–6)

• →Final breakfast of kochuri and aloo dum at a local sweet shop
• →Airport Metro or prepaid taxi to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (~£4–6)