15 Sep, 2022

7 Best Tourist Destinations in Assam That Will Keep You Captivated

One of the amazing northeastern states of India, Assam is known as the Land of Blue Hills. It is a famous tourist destination in the country, which is famed for its scenic beauty, wildlife collection, lush greenery, rolling hills, aromatic tea and gushing rivers. There is not a single place in Assam which won’t satisfy your quest for a memorable vacation. The diverse range of activities one can have in Assam is unmatched to any other places in India. Confused about where to start? Read this blog to know about some best places in Assam which you should add to your itinerary.

Activities you can experience in the best places to visit in Assam:

• Places for Wildlife Spotting - Kaziranga National Park, Manas National Park, Orang National Park, Dibru Saikhowa National Park
• Hill Station to Visit for a Refreshing Trip - Haflong
• Places for Birdwatching in Assam - Dibru Saikhowa National Park, Manas National Park, Kaziranga National Park, Haflong, Barak Valley
• Places to Spot One-Horned Rhinos - Kaziranga National Park and Orang National Park
• Places with Historical References - Manas National Park (Palace of King of Bhutan), Barak Valley: Cachar (Kachari Fort)
• Places for Elephant and Jeep Safari - Kaziranga National Park, Orang National Park, Manas National Park
• Places to Experience River Cruise - Guwahati, Dibru Saikhowa National Park, Orang National Park
• Places to Stay in a Houseboat - Dibru Saikhowa National Park

Read about the best places to visit in Assam here:

Kaziranga National Park, World Famous Residence of One-horned Rhino!

One of the top tourist places in Assam, Kaziranga National Park attracts a diverse range of travellers throughout the year and remains a crowning glory of Assam Tourism for years. The national park and tiger reserve was established in 1905 and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Park, declared in 1985. Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve, which is also popularly known as the Eastern Himalayan biodiversity hotspot is home to the two-third population of the world’s one-horned rhinoceros, large breeding populations of swamp deer, wild water buffalo and elephants as well as is an Important Bird Area. The national park covers an area of 859 square kilometres and is spread across five villages in Assam. Regardless, it is an ideal place for wildlife safari in Assam to explore the exotic flora and fauna of Assam including Royal Bengal Tigers, rhinos, elephants and more than 125 rare species of birds.

Distance from Guwahati Airport: 208 kilometres

Special Attractions

• Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary
• Hathikuli Tea Estate
• Karbi Anglong District
• Kaziranga National Orchid & Diversity Park
• Kaziranga Wildlife Rehab Centre

Top Things to Do

• Elephant Ride
• Jeep Safari
• Tea Garden Visit
• Trekking
• Hiking
• Village Walks
• Birdwatching

Best Places to Stay

• Borgos The Wild Haven, Kaziranga
• Jungleciti House, Kaziranga
• IORA The Retreat, Kaziranga
• Diphlu River Lodge
• Kaziranga Eco Village

Manas National Park, Combination of Wildlife with History!

One of the popular tourist attractions in Assam, Manas National Park is located on the bank of the Manas River, which acts as a border between Bhutan and India. A major biosphere reserve, Manas National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is home to hundreds of species of animals, plants and birds. The park, which has its other part in Bhutan, holds the status of being a tiger and elephant reserve, both. Apart from these two animals, it also houses some rare species of wildlife such as wild water buffalos, pygmy hog, red panda and golden langur. Another attraction of the park is the summer palace of the King of Bhutan, which is a must-visit. However, you have to get permission from Bhutan authorities and hire a boat to reach the palace, which is located on the other side of the border.

Distance from Guwahati Airport: 137 kilometres

Special Attractions

• Tiger and Elephant Reserve
• Summer Palace of King of Bhutan
• Bansbari Tea Plantation
• Manas River
• Mathanguri
• Bornadi Wildlife Sanctuary
• Bogamati

Top Things to Do

• Elephant Safari
• Jeep Safari
• Birdwatching
• River Rafting
• Village Walks
• Tea plantation visits
• Eating

Best Places to Stay

• Eagle Nest Eco Retreat
• Hornbill Eco Camp
• Musa Jungle Retreat
• The Sikhiri Cottages
• Florican Cottage

Guwahati, The Starting-point of North-East India Trip!

One of the best places to explore in Assam, Guwahati is preferred as the starting point of the North East India trips by a large number of travellers. For offering a diverse range of connectivity and accommodation, it is frequented by travellers who want to explore other northeastern states and the best visiting places in Assam. Not only the other states, Guwahati is such a place without which an Assam trip cannot be concluded. From temple visits to different adventure activities including river cruising, hiking, trekking and many more - Guwahati remains on top of the list. Seeking blessings in one of the best tourist places to visit in Guwahati, Kamakhya Temple, which is one of the shaktipeeths in India is one of the favourite things to do in Assam for travellers.

Distance from Guwahati Airport: 17 kilometres

Special Attractions

• Kamakhya Devi Temple
• Umananda Temple
• Assam State Museum
• Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra
• Nameri National Park
• Assam State Zoo
• Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary

Top Things to Do

• Temple Visits
• River Cruise
• Museum Visits
• Wildlife Spotting
• Climbing
• Hiking
• Trekking

Best Places to Stay

• Gibbon Backpackers Hostel
• Brahmaputra Jungle Resort
• Exotic Villa Homestay
• Zizina Resort
• Spring Valley Resort

Barak Valley, Valley of The Second-largest River in North-East India!

Assam is geographically divided into two parts, Brahmaputra Valley and Barak Valley, where the latter is spread across three districts, named Cachar, Hailakandi and Karimganj. People visit Barak Valley to enjoy its unspoilt nature, historical sites and rich collection of flora and fauna. Located in south Assam, the valley is named after the Barak River, which is the second-largest river in the whole of North-East India and Silchar is the main city of this valley. One of the top tourist places in Barak Valley is the Kachari Fort in the Cachar District. It offers strong historical references to the mediaeval times. The picturesque fort is surrounded by lush greenery on all sides and the carvings on the ruins depict the then lifestyle of the Assamese.

The other two famous tourist spots are Kanch Kanti Kali Temple and Maniharan Tunnel. The former is a temple dedicated to Goddess Kanch Kanti (a combination of Kali and Durga), built by a Kachari King in the 19th century and located around 10 kilometres from Silchar. Maniharan Tunnel is an ancient tunnel found in Barak Valley, which is believed to be used by Lord Krishna. Barak Valley is also home to 550 species of birds and 100 species of mammals. Moreover, a wildlife sanctuary named Barak Bhuban Wildlife Sanctuary has been declared in 2022 to protect the biodiversity of this area.

Distance from Guwahati Airport: 26 kilometres

Special Attractions

• Kachari Fort
• Shiv Temple
• Kanch Kanti Temple
• Maniharan Tunnel
• Barak Bhuban Wildlife Sanctuary
• Bhuvani Hills
• Siddyashar Bari Sibmandir
• Badapur Ghat
• Karimganj

Top Things to Do

• Trekking
• Birdwatching
• Boating
• Temple Visits
• Hiking
• Eating
• Shopping

Best Places to Stay

• Paul’s Inn
• Hotel Cachar Club by Siara
• Hotel Nakshatra
• Seak Lodge
• MSG Lodge

Orang National Park, Mini Kaziranga of Assam!

Orang National Park is the best wildlife destination in Assam after the internationally acclaimed biodiversity hotspot, Kaziranga National Park. Spread across an area of 78.80 square kilometres in the Darrang and Sonitpur Districts, Orang NP was established in 1985 as a sanctuary. Located by the shores of the River Brahmaputra, it is also known as the mini Kaziranga for offering similar landscapes and shelters for one-horned rhinoceros. Orang National Park was declared a tiger reserve in 2016 as a step to protect the Kaziranga-Orang riverine biodiversity. Apart from the great Indian one-horned rhinos and Bengal tigers, the park houses a varied collection of endangered species such as Wild Boars, Indian Hog Deer, Civets and Porcupines. It is also a perfect place to explore a large variety of birds including woodpeckers, mallards, fishing eagles, kingfishers and many more.

Distance from Guwahati Airport: 138 kilometres

Special Attractions

• Satras
• Chitralekha Udyan
• Bamuni Hills
• Madan Kamdev Temple
• Bhairabkunda
• Patharughat Swaheed Minar
• Baladev Pukhuri
• Pukhuria Beel
• Gandhi Smriti Park
• Khaling Neoli Wildlife Sanctuary
• Sualkuchi Village
• Merak Sakteng

Top Things to do

• Birdwatching
• Trekking
• Elephant Safari
• River Cruise
• Wildlife Spotting
• Temple Visits
• Village Walks
• Fishing
• Shopping

Best Places to Stay

• Satsimulu Bungalow
• Kanoka Village Resort
• Wildernest
• Green Planet Resort Orang
• Hotel Pine Yard
• Hazarika Lodge and Homestay

Haflong, Place to Witness a Mysterious Natural Phenomenon!

The popular destination in Assam, Haflong is the only hill station in the state. The place is home to various rare orchids, blue mountains and several ancient tribes. Nestled between the Borail Mountain range and surrounded by glowing lakes, breathtaking waterfalls and historically significant architecture, Haflong offers pleasant weather throughout the year. Be it witnessing a mysterious bird-suiciding phenomenon, taking a morning stroll around the lake, learning about the culture of Assam in Maibong or exploring the wildlife collection in Borail Wildlife Sanctuary, Haflong can never let down a traveller looking for a peaceful as well as fun-filled vacation amidst nature.

Distance from Guwahati Airport: 325 kilometres

Special Attractions

• Haflong Lake
• Panimoor Waterfall
• Orchid Garden
• Maibong
• Jatinga Valley
• Ramchandi Temple
• Borail Wildlife Sanctuary
• Bendao Baglai Waterfalls
• Leikul Village

Top Things to Do

• Trekking
• Paragliding
• Birdwatching
• Village Walk
• Exploring Historical Sites
• Waterfalls Hiking
• Wildlife Spotting
• Eating
• Shopping

Best Places to stay:

• Nothao Lodge
• Landmark Hotel
• Lake View Lodge
• BarGsaign Residency
• Haflong Tourist Lodge

Dibru Saikhowa National Park, A Houseboat Stay to Enjoy Birdwatching!

Spread across an area of 765 square kilometres including a core area of 340 square kilometres and a buffer zone of 425 square kilometres, Dibru Saikhowa National Park is located near the eastern border of Assam. The vast area, which is also an identified IBA (Important Bird Area) covers two districts of Assam - Dibrugarh and Tinsukia. Surrounded by Debang River, Dibru River and Patkai Hills in the south and Lohit river, Brahmaputra River and Arunachal Hills in the north, the national park is a worldwide popular residence of feral horses and rare white-winged wood ducks. Apart from these two species, if your luck holds, you can also spot a Royal Bengal Tiger, leopard, Hoolock gibbon, capped langur and rare Gangetic River Dolphin. The best ways to explore this park are by taking a boat safari or trekking. However, you cannot enter the area before sunrise and after sunset and hiring a local guide is highly recommended.

Distance from Guwahati Airport: 544 kilometres (nearest airport is Dibrugarh Airport, distance: 84 kilometres)

Special Attractions

• Maguri Beel
• Kekjori Tree
• Notun Rangagorah Eco Tourism Village

Top Things to Do

• Houseboat Stay
• Hiking
• Birdwatching
• Wildlife Spotting
• River Cruise
• Motorboat Safari
• Picnic
• Island Hopping
• Tasting local food

Best Places to Stay

• Om Houseboat
• Banashree Eco Camp
• Wave Eco Camp
• Dibru-Saikhowa Eco Camp
• Padmini Resort
• Subha’s Homestay

Here are the details of the seven best places to visit in Assam to experience a fun-filled adventurous holiday in the lap of refreshing nature. We tried to include as much information as we can in the blog and hope you have enjoyed reading it. However, if you are planning a trip to Assam this year and need some help beyond the information provided in the blog, you can browse our section of Assam Tourism or check the details of our expert-made Assam Sightseeing Tour packages. You can also ask your query in the comment section below.