When is Kaziranga National Park open?

Kaziranga opens for tourists after the monsoon, usually in early October, and closes again around the end of May. In 2026 it reopened on 3 October. Jeep safaris start first; elephant safaris usually begin a few weeks later.

How many days are enough for Assam?

Three to four days cover Guwahati and Kaziranga. Add two days for Majuli, or combine Assam with Meghalaya in a 5 to 7 day trip.

Do I need a permit to visit Assam?

No. Indian and foreign tourists do not need a special permit for Assam. Carry a government photo ID for hotels and safari bookings.

How do I reach Majuli?

Drive from Jorhat to Nimati Ghat and take the ferry to Kamalabari Ghat on Majuli. The crossing takes about an hour. Ferry times depend on the river, and the last ferry back leaves in the afternoon.

Which Kaziranga zone is best for rhino sightings?

The Central (Kohora) and Western (Bagori) ranges usually give the best rhino sightings. If you have two safaris, choose two different ranges.

Assam Travel Guide: Kaziranga, Majuli & Guwahati

Assam is where most Northeast trips begin. Its capital region, Guwahati, is the gateway to the whole region, and the state itself has some of India's best wildlife, culture and food. The mighty Brahmaputra runs through the middle of Assam, with tea gardens, grasslands and river islands on both banks.

In this guide you will find the best places to visit in Assam, the right season for each, and a 5-day plan you can copy.

Top places to visit in Assam

1. Kaziranga National Park

Kaziranga is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to about two-thirds of the world's one-horned rhinos. You will also see wild elephants, swamp deer, wild buffalo and many birds. Tigers live here too, but sightings are rare.

Season: The park opens after the monsoon, usually in early October (it reopened on 3 October in 2026), and closes again around the end of May.
Safari ranges: Central (Kohora), Western (Bagori), Eastern (Agaratoli) and Burapahar. Central and Western are the best for rhinos.
Jeep safari: There is a morning and an afternoon slot. Book a day in advance in peak season and carry the same ID you used for booking.
Elephant safari: Early-morning rides in the Central and Western ranges usually start a few weeks after the park opens.

Kaziranga is about 200 km and 5 hours by road from Guwahati. Stay at least two nights so you can do two different ranges.

2. Guwahati

Do not treat Guwahati as just an airport. Spend a day here:

Kamakhya Temple on Nilachal Hill, one of the most important Shakti Peethas in India. Go early to avoid long queues.
Umananda Temple on a tiny island in the Brahmaputra, reached by a short ferry ride.
Sunset cruise on the Brahmaputra, and the Assam State Museum.
Food: Try an Assamese thali with masor tenga (sour fish curry), khar and pitha.

3. Majuli, the river island

Majuli is one of the world's largest river islands and the centre of Assam's Vaishnavite satra culture, started by the saint Srimanta Sankardeva. Visit satras such as Auniati, Dakhinpat, Garamur, Kamalabari and Samaguri, where monks make traditional masks.

How to reach: Drive to Jorhat, then to Nimati Ghat (about an hour), and take the ferry to Kamalabari Ghat. The crossing takes about an hour and the last ferry back leaves in the afternoon, so stay at least one night. Ferry times change with the river level, so check locally.

4. Manas National Park

Another UNESCO site, on the border with Bhutan. It is quieter than Kaziranga and known for its forests, the Manas river, golden langurs and rare birds. Combine it with Pobitora, a small sanctuary close to Guwahati with a high density of rhinos.

5. Tea gardens of Upper Assam

Assam grows more than half of India's tea. Around Jorhat and Dibrugarh you can stay in old planters' bungalows, walk through the estates and watch tea being made. The plucking season runs roughly from March to November.

6. Sivasagar

The old capital of the Ahom kings, who ruled Assam for about 600 years. See the Rang Ghar (an amphitheatre for royal games), Talatal Ghar and the Shiva Dol temple by the Sivasagar tank.

Best time to visit Assam

November to April: Best overall. Cool, dry weather and Kaziranga is open.
Mid-April: Rongali (Bohag) Bihu, Assam's biggest festival, with music and dance everywhere.
June to September: Hot, humid and rainy. Kaziranga is closed and floods are common in low areas.

A simple 5-day Assam and Meghalaya plan

Day 1: Arrive in Guwahati, visit Kamakhya Temple, evening river cruise.
Day 2: Drive to Kaziranga (about 5 hours), afternoon jeep safari.
Day 3: Morning safari in another range, visit a tea garden, rest.
Day 4: Drive to Shillong via Guwahati, stop at Umiam Lake.
Day 5: Shillong sightseeing and drop at Guwahati airport.

Want more time in the hills? Read our Meghalaya travel guide, or see all Assam tour packages.

Getting around Assam

Distances are long. Guwahati to Kaziranga is about 5 hours, Kaziranga to Jorhat about 2 hours, and Guwahati to Manas about 4 hours. Roads are mostly good highways, but trucks and village traffic slow things down. A private cab is the most comfortable option; see our taxi service from Guwahati.

Tips for your Assam trip

Wear neutral colours on safari and keep your voice low.
Carry a light jacket for early-morning safaris in winter, which can be foggy and cold.
Book Kaziranga stays early for December, January and Bihu.
Try local tea at a garden shop; it is fresher and cheaper than at the airport.

Not sure what to choose? Tell us your dates on the plan my trip page and we will suggest a route.