Overview
Included/Excluded
Tour Plan

Duration: 10 Days / 9 Nights

Route: Guwahati → Orang → Shergaon → Chug Valley → Kaziranga → Panimur → Jowai → Pobitora → Guwahati

Approximate Distance Covered: 1000–1100 km

Trip Style: Wildlife & Nature | Cross-State Road Trip | Culture & Community | Offbeat Travel

Themes: Nature and Silence | Culture and Community | Story and Spirit | Food and Flavour

Overnight Stays

  • Orang – 1 Night
  • Shergaon – 2 Nights
  • Chug Valley – 1 Night
  • Kaziranga – 2 Nights
  • Jowai – 2 Nights
  • Pobitora – 1 Night

Highlights:

  • Jeep safari at Orang – a lesser-visited gem of Assam’s wildlife reserves
  • Monastic and cultural immersion in Shergaon’s Sherdukpen community
  • Panoramic stop at Mandala Top en route to the remote Chug Valley
  • Wildlife and wetland adventure in Kaziranga National Park
  • Authentic Assamese cuisine experience in Kaziranga
  • Sunset at Kaziranga Orchid Park and local folk performances
  • Drive through scenic Panimur Falls to Jaintia Hills
  • Hill culture and waterfall trails in Jowai
  • Pobitora’s rhinoceros grasslands and forest village walk

Who This Is For

  • Road trippers looking to combine wildlife, nature, and culture in a single circuit
  • Wildlife and birding enthusiasts seeking both popular and little-known habitats
  • Curious travelers eager to explore remote valleys and tribal communities
  • Photographers and writers in search of hidden rivers, monasteries, and highland stories
  • Families, couples, or solo explorers with a love for winding roads and organic discovery

 

Traverse through two states, multiple ecosystems, and a dozen stories. This unique 10-day journey begins in the lesser-explored grasslands of Orang and winds upward into the misty Himalayan foothills of Arunachal. From sacred mountain top chortens to deep monsoon-fed forests, from the famed Kaziranga wetlands to the cliffs and caves of Meghalaya — this is a travel tapestry stitched with wilderness, whispers, and wonder.

 

A road trip that connects river and rhino, valley and village, in a slow, reflective rhythm of exploration.

Note:

This itinerary is indicative. Experiences may be rearranged depending on weather, local conditions, and host availability.

 

Included/Excluded

  • Accommodation in handpicked hotels, homestays, or eco-lodges
  • Breakfast on all days
  • Private transport with driver: fuel, toll, parking, driver TA included
  • Jeep Safari in Orang and Kaziranga National Park
  • Inner-line Permits
  • Entry tickets unless specified
  • Meals not mentioned
  • Tips, snacks, laundry, personal shopping
  • Emergency medical costs or insurance
  • Optional/add-on activities beyond itinerary
  • Guides and experiences not mentioned under inclusions

Tour Plan

Day 01 Arrival in Guwahati

Distance: ~25 km | Travel Time: 1 hr

• Arrive at Guwahati Airport where a representative welcomes you and assists with hotel transfer
• Check in and refresh at your centrally located stay
• If time allows, visit the sacred Kamakhya Temple, one of India’s most powerful Shaktipeeths
• Enjoy a seasonal sunset cruise on the mighty Brahmaputra River (October–March)
• Evening free to explore a local market or unwind over traditional Assamese cuisine

Overnight Stay: Guwahati

Day 02 Guwahati to Shergaon

Distance: ~290 km | Travel Time: 8–9 hrs

• Drive out of Assam and into the eastern Himalayan foothills of Arunachal Pradesh via Bhalukpong Gate
• Scenic journey through tea gardens, pine forests, and riverbanks
• Arrive in Shergaon, a hidden gem inhabited by the Sherdukpen tribe
• Visit Shergaon Monastery tucked within serene pine groves
• Check in to your eco-lodge surrounded by orchard-lined valleys and birdsong

Overnight Stay: Shergaon

Day 03 Explore Shergaon

Distance: Local travel only

• Walk through fruit-laden orchards of apples, walnuts, and kiwis cared for by the Sherdukpen community
• Hike to a waterfall nestled deep within cedar groves for a forest-side picnic
• Interact with village elders and hear folklore, myths, and seasonal customs
• Visit a community weaving center and observe traditional textile craftsmanship
• Enjoy a local-style dinner followed by a bonfire and tribal storytelling under the stars

Overnight Stay: Shergaon

Day 04 Shergaon → Mandala Top → Sella Pass → Tawang

Distance: ~210 km | Travel Time: 8–10 hrs

• Start early for one of Northeast India’s most scenic mountain drives
• Pause at Mandala Top, a hilltop meditation site with 108 whitewashed chortens and panoramic views
• Drive across Sella Pass, one of India’s highest motorable roads at 13,700 ft
• Stop at the turquoise-hued Sella Lake, often rimmed with snow
• Visit Jaswantgarh War Memorial en route before arriving in Tawang by evening

Overnight Stay: Tawang

Day 05 Explore Tawang

Distance: Local travel only

• Visit the majestic Tawang Monastery, second-largest in the world and a major seat of Mahayana Buddhism
• Explore the monastery museum and interact with resident monks
• Walk to Urgeling Monastery, the birthplace of the 6th Dalai Lama
• Spend quiet moments at the Tawang War Memorial during the evening retreat ceremony
• Explore local artisan markets for thangka paintings, yak wool items, and Monpa wood carvings

Overnight Stay: Tawang

Day 06 Tawang to Zemithang

Distance: ~90 km | Travel Time: 3.5–4 hrs

• Drive through dramatic alpine terrain to reach Zemithang, close to the Bhutan and Tibet borders
• Visit the massive Gorsam Chorten, an 8th-century-inspired stupa surrounded by fluttering prayer flags
• Walk through traditional Monpa villages with yaks, stone houses, and slow-paced life
• Meet a local family and share tea or buttered churpi while learning about borderland culture
• Spend your evening beside the Nyamjang Chu river under a starlit sky

Overnight Stay: Zemithang

Day 07 Zemithang → Bumla Pass → Tawang

Distance: ~130 km | Travel Time: 6–7 hrs

• Begin early for a high-altitude drive to Bumla Pass (15,200 ft), with necessary permits
• Visit PT Tso Lake and admire its crystal-clear waters nestled in rugged peaks
• Spend time at the hauntingly beautiful Madhuri Lake (Sangetsar Tso), known for submerged tree trunks
• Learn about the Indo-China border zone from stationed army personnel
• Return to Tawang and rest after a dramatic alpine adventure

Overnight Stay: Tawang

Day 08 Tawang to Sangti Valley (via Dirang)

Distance: ~160 km | Travel Time: 6–7 hrs

• Descend through forests and winding valleys towards Dirang
• Optional stop at Dirang Dzong, hot springs, or a Buddhist nunnery
• Reach Sangti Valley, a tranquil Himalayan basin dotted with grazing sheep and wildflowers
• Walk along riverside meadows, swing bridges, and terraced farms
• Settle into your eco-stay and enjoy slow living amidst dramatic landscapes

Overnight Stay: Sangti Valley

Day 09 Sangti Valley to Guwahati

Distance: ~350 km | Travel Time: 10–11 hrs

• Depart early for the long journey back into the Assamese plains
• Enjoy a final Himalayan sunrise before leaving the highlands behind
• Scenic drive via Bomdila, Tenga Valley, and the lush Bhalukpong forests
• Optional lunch or tea stop at Tezpur town
• Reach Guwahati by night and relax at your hotel

Overnight Stay: Guwahati

Day 10 Departure from Guwahati

Distance: ~25 km | Travel Time: 1 hr

• Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and reflect on your journey
• Optional visit to a local temple or craft store if time allows
• Drive to Guwahati Airport for your flight
• Depart with the whispers of the valley still echoing in your heart

End of Journey

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TIPS & ESSENTIALS

Do’s:

● Ask before photographing people or homes

● Dress modestly in villages

● Carry a refillable bottle and cloth bags

● Tip guides and drivers generously when satisfied

Don’ts:

● Don’t play loud music in natural settings

● Don’t touch sacred trees or enter altars uninvited

● Avoid plastic use, even packaged snacks

RESPONSIBLE & SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL

A few short vignettes or quote-style reflections from past journeys.

Reduce Waste:

- Avoid single-use plastics; bring refillables
- Carry back all your trash

- Use biodegradable toiletries while near
water bodies

Support Local Livelihoods:

- Choose community-run stays and eateries

- Buy souvenirs from artisans directly

- Engage meaningfully, not just for photos

Respect the Local Way of Life:

- Learn basic greetings and local etiquette

- Ask before entering sacred spaces or homes

- Go slow — don’t force schedules in remote
areas

Minimize Environmental Impact:

- Stick to designated trails during treks

- Limit electricity and hot water use in villages
- Be mindful of resource consumption

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