Assam, located in northeastern India, is a beautiful state known for its lush green landscapes, rich culture, and tea gardens. If you are planning to visit Assam as the starting point of your Northeast tour or just as a standalone destination, read on to know about the best Assam Tourist places.
I have curated the below list based on my stay in November 2023. It will take at least 4 to 5 days to cover all the below-mentioned top tourist places in Assam.
Top 5 Assam Tourist Places
Kaziranga National Park
Days/How to Reach – you can reach Kaziranga National Park from Guwahati by car, the distance is approximately 205 km and takes about 5 hours to reach. You will need to keep 2 days for this visit. So the day you arrive at Guwahati, you can drive down to Kaziranga and reach by evening. Next day early morning you can take the elephant safari or jeep safari and experience the jungle. In the afternoon, you can return to Guwahati.
The Experience – Spanning over 430 square kilometers in the heart of the northeastern region, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is renowned for its breathtaking biodiversity and its successful conservation efforts. The park is celebrated for its population of the iconic one-horned rhinoceros, which roam freely across its grasslands and marshes. These prehistoric-looking creatures, along with other megafauna like Asiatic elephants, wild water buffalo, and Royal Bengal tigers, make Kaziranga a haven for wildlife enthusiasts seeking unforgettable encounters.
Kaziranga is a birdwatcher’s paradise, boasting over 500 species of birds, including rare and migratory species such as the great Indian hornbill, swamp francolin, and the globally threatened Bengal florican.
You can experience all this natural beauty and wildlife through jeep safaris and elephant safaris. For prices & booking information, check this out.
Maa Kamakhya Temple
The Kamakhya temple in Guwahati is one of the most revered temples in India where Goddess Sati is worshipped in the form of Goddess Kamakhya. Considered as the oldest of the 51 Shaktipeeths in the world, this temple is enshrouded in mystery and wonder. Being at the heart of Tantric Hinduism, this temple is an enigmatic confluence of religion, faith, and legends meeting reality.
Visiting this temple is an experience of a lifetime. As a Bengali who has grown up worshipping Goddess Shakti, I have heard countless tales of the awe-inspiring Kamakhya Devi Mandir and the elusiveness of getting darshan of Kamakhya Devi. Decades have passed, and yet, the Kamakhya Devi Temple continues to live up to its reputation of being extremely difficult to visit and get darshan.
Given the rush at the temple, you will need to set aside one day to visit the temple. You can start early and hope for your visit to be done by afternoon or sunset. If you want to know more about visiting the Kamakhya temple, check my post on Kamakhya Temple Visit.
Umananda Temple
The Umananda Temple is a significant religious site located on Peacock Island in the middle of the Brahmaputra River in Guwahati. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, it holds immense spiritual and historical importance in the region. The temple is believed to have been built by the Ahom King Gadadhar Singha in the 17th century. The name “Umananda” is derived from two Sanskrit words, “Uma,” another name for Goddess Parvati, and “Ananda,” which means happiness or joy. Apart from the idol of Lord Shiva enshrined in the temple it also enshrines ten other Hindu Gods.
The Bhasmakuta Hill at the top of which the temple is made has a legend. Legends believe that Lord Shiva transformed Lord Kamadeva into ashes when he interrupted Lord Shiva while doing meditation which resulted in the occurrence of the name of Bhasmakuta.
Devotees and tourists alike visit the temple throughout the year, especially during the festival of Shivratri, to seek blessings and witness its serene beauty amidst the river. Apart from its religious significance, the island also offers a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life, with lush greenery and panoramic views of the Brahmaputra River. This makes this temple one of the best Assam Tourist Places.
The best time to visit Umamanda Temple is after your Kamakhya Temple visit. but do note, that it remains open for visitors and worshipers for all the days of the week from morning 5:30 AM to Evening 6 PM. You can reach Peacock Island by ferries and motor boats, which are both government-owned & private.
Ferry timings to visit the temple and the island operate between 7 AM and 6 PM. Both government and private boat ferry services are available at the Kachari ghat in Guwahati. The private ferries are more expensive while the government ferries are less expensive. The government-owned ferries run from 9:30 to 10:00 AM onwards and stop at 4 PM and the private ferries start around 8:30 AM and continue up to 5 PM. Typically a government ferry will cost you Rs.20 per seat.
Assam State Zoo
The Assam State Zoo, also known as Guwahati Zoo, is located in Guwahati, Assam, India. It’s one of the largest zoos in the Northeast region of India. Established in 1957, it covers an area of 175 hectares (432 acres) and houses a diverse range of animals, including some rare and endangered species. The zoo plays a crucial role in wildlife conservation, education, and research. It’s a popular destination for both locals and tourists, offering a chance to observe and learn about various species of animals in a controlled environment.
How to Reach – I was staying at the Paltan Bazaar area. From any of the bazaars namely Paltan, Fancy Bazaar etc you can hire a rickshaw to reach the Assam State Zoo. Just be sure to haggle hard with the drivers. You can reach the zoo for just about Rs.100.
Entry fee: The Guwahati Zoo entry fee is Rs.33 for an adult. However, this must be paid in a digital mode like UPI, Credit or debit card. They just do NOT accept cash. There is a separate line for ladies, which has a lesser rush. Further on entry, if you are carrying any plastic bottles, you will have to deposit cash as a security deposit against the bottle. You will need to show the bottle at the exit to get your money back.
One of the best things about the Guwahati Zoo is the availability of battery-operated cars. For Rs.100 per person, you can choose to opt for the battery-operated cars that will take you through the points and help you traverse the large zoo. This can be especially helpful if you are traveling with senior citizens or young children.
The Guwahati Zoo houses some of the most unique and varied animals, birds, and reptiles. In case you miss Kaziranga, you can also see the famed one-horned rhino here. The zoo is easily one of the best Assam Tourist Places and I would recommend this as a must-visit.
Brahmaputra River
For me, being able to view and touch the mighty Brahmaputra River up close is one of the best things to do in Assam.
The Brahmaputra River is one of the major rivers in Asia, flowing through China, India, and Bangladesh. It originates from the Chemayungdung Glacier in the Himalayas in Tibet, China, where it is known as the Yarlung Tsangpo. Upon entering India, it flows through the northeastern Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, where it is known as the Siang River. As it continues its journey through Assam, it merges with the Lohit, Dibang, and other tributaries, becoming the mighty Brahmaputra.
The river then flows through Assam, where it is a lifeline for the region, supporting agriculture, transportation, and culture. It’s known for its immense power and its tendency to flood during the monsoon season, which can cause both devastation and renewal along its banks. The river is so huge that you have islands like Majuli Island and Peacock Island in the middle of its expanse!
It is here in Assam that you get to view this mighty river from up close. I got a chance to touch the sacred waters and walk on the banks of the river. It is a truly incredible experience, and walking on the banks is one of the best Assam tourist places.
If you are looking for options in Kashmir, check out my posts on Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Snowfall in Kashmir, and Best Time to Visit Kashmir. If you are looking for options in Ladakh, check out Ladakh Weather, Nubra Valley, 5 Days Kashmir Itinerary, Best Packing tips for Ladakh & best tourist places in Ladakh.
If you are looking for something in Sikkim, check Tsomgo Lake and Batasia Loop. If you are looking for some jungle safari read, Gir Safari, or Bandipur Safari, feel blessed at Sri Venugopala Swamy Temple in Mysore.
If you are looking for places to visit in the Andaman Islands, please check my post on Radhanagar Beach & Ross Island.
If you are looking for other options, check my posts on Murud Janjira, Kashid, Pirwadi Beach and Kihim Beach in Maharashtra or Malshej Ghat, Matheran Resorts, Paithan Dam (Jayakwadi Dam)& Mahabaleshwar. Alternatively, if you are interested in some Religious tourism, please check my posts on Golden Temple, Kamakhya, Trimbakeshwar, Somnath Temple and Kashi Vishwanath. If you are looking for North East Adventure tours, check my posts on Shillong, Meghalaya, Dawki, Double Decker Living Root Trek, and 7-Day North East Itinerary.
If you are looking for some spirituality, you can check out Ganga Aarti in Dashashwamedh Ghat or Ghats in Varanasi.
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