How to Plan a 10–15 Day Trip Across Northeast India becomes essential because traveling across the Northeast is not like exploring a compact touristy region. Distances are long, connectivity varies, and each state needs time. That’s exactly why knowing how to plan a 10–15 day trip across Northeast India helps you avoid travel fatigue and make the most of every moment.
Think of your trip as a weave—Assam’s plains blending into Meghalaya’s waterfalls, Arunachal’s monasteries opening into Nagaland’s warrior villages, and the serene forests of Mizoram leading into Tripura’s royal palaces. A little planning goes a long way.
Traveling across the Northeast is not like exploring a compact touristy region. Distances are long, connectivity varies, and each state needs time. That’s exactly why knowing how to plan a 10–15 day trip across Northeast India helps you avoid travel fatigue and make the most of every moment.
Think of your trip as a weave—Assam’s plains blending into Meghalaya’s waterfalls, Arunachal’s monasteries opening into Nagaland’s warrior villages, and the serene forests of Mizoram leading into Tripura’s royal palaces. A little planning goes a long way.
Before diving into routes, one of the first steps in how to plan a 10–15 day trip across Northeast India is understanding permits:
Arunachal Pradesh: ILP required
Nagaland: ILP required
Mizoram: ILP required
Manipur, Meghalaya, Assam, Tripura: No ILP required
Apply online in advance to avoid delays.
Your experience changes drastically depending on the season:
October–April: Best time, ideal weather
May–June: Pre-monsoon, lush but humid
July–September: Monsoon magic, but roadblocks possible
For a 10–15 day trip, October and November are perfect—sunny days, clear skies, and great visibility in the hills.
A smart part of how to plan a 10–15 day trip across Northeast India is budgeting early:
Daily budget range:
Backpacking: ₹1,200–2,000
Mid-range: ₹2,500–4,000
Comfortable travel: ₹5,000+
Homestays offer the best cultural experiences—especially in Meghalaya, Nagaland and Arunachal.
There are two practical ways to divide the journey:
10-day Northeast trip (choose 2–3 states)
15-day Northeast trip (cover 4–5 states comfortably)
Below are the best sample routes.
Day 1–2: Guwahati + Kaziranga (Assam)
Imagine waking to the calls of hornbills in Kaziranga, the air cool and earthy. Start in Assam, because it’s the easiest entry point by flights and trains.
Must-do:
Brahmaputra River sunset cruise
Jeep safari in Kaziranga
Assamese thali at Paradise Restaurant
Day 3–5: Cherrapunji + Shillong (Meghalaya)
Ask any traveler: This is where the magic begins.
Highlights:
Nohkalikai Falls
Wah Kaba Viewpoint
Double Decker Root Bridge Trek
Umiam Lake
Day 6–8: Tawang (Arunachal Pradesh)
Driving through Sela Pass feels like entering the clouds.
Visit:
Sela Lake
Tawang Monastery
War Memorial
Day 9–10: Kohima (Nagaland)
Nagaland’s hills whisper stories of warriors and traditions.
What to do:
Explore Kisama Heritage Village
Taste Naga smoked pork with Axone
local markets for tribal crafts
This journey is more immersive and perfect for slow travelers.
Day 1–3: Assam
Start smooth, ease into the culture.
Places:
Majuli
Sivasagar
Kaziranga
Day 4–6: Meghalaya
Waterfalls, caves, and clean villages.
Highlights:
Laitlum Canyon
Mawlynnong
Dawki Umngot River
Day 7–10: Arunachal Pradesh
For culture lovers, this part feels surreal.
Top picks:
Dirang
Bomdila
Tawang
Day 11–13: Nagaland
Tribal culture comes alive here.
Experiences:
Kohima War Cemetery
Dzukou Valley Trek
Hornbill Festival (December)
Day 14–15: Tripura OR Manipur
Choose one based on your interest.
Tripura:
Ujjayanta Palace
Neermahal
Sepahijala Wildlife Sanctuary
Manipur:
Loktak Lake
INA Museum
Imphal markets
Flights
Best entry points:
Guwahati
Imphal
Dibrugarh
Agartala
Road Travel
Expect long but stunning scenic drives.
Pro Tips:
Hire a private car for Arunachal & Nagaland
Shared cabs available in Meghalaya & Assam
Keep buffer time; landslides sometimes delay travel
Public Transport
ASTC buses
Meghalaya shared Sumos
Arunachal shared Boleros
Hidden homestays are the heart of Northeast travel.
Top picks:
Shillong: The Habitat
Tawang: Dolma Homestay
Majuli: La Maison de Ananda
Kohima: Morung Lodge
Tip: Book early during festival seasons.
Local cuisines change beautifully across states.
Must-taste dishes:
Assam: Masor Tenga, Assamese Thali
Meghalaya: Jadoh, Dohneiiong
Nagaland: Smoked pork with bamboo shoot
Arunachal: Thukpa, Zan, Bamboo-shoot curry
Tripura: Mui Borok
Manipur: Eromba, Chak-hao dessert
Carry cash—local eateries often don’t take cards.
Budget-savvy travelers can easily explore the region cheaply.
Tips:
Use local shared cabs instead of private taxis
Stay in homestays instead of hotels
Eat at community kitchens and local markets
Pre-book long-distance travel
Travel in small groups to share costs
Roads can get foggy—avoid night driving
Medicines may not always be available in remote villages
Internet connectivity is limited in Tawang, Ziro, Dzükou
Always carry a power bank & physical map
Respect local customs & photography rules
Layered clothing
Rain gear (any season)
Trekking shoes
Thermal wear for Arunachal
Dry snacks
Waterproof backpack covers
Copies of permits
Mistake 1: Trying to cover all 7 states in one trip
Solution: Pick 3–5 states max in 10–15 days
Mistake 2: Not checking road conditions
Solution: Ask local drivers daily
Mistake 3: Underestimating travel time
Solution: Add buffer days
Mistake 4: Not respecting cultural boundaries
Solution: Ask before taking photos
At the end of the journey, it won’t be the kilometers traveled you’ll remember—it will be the warm smiles in a village home, the sound of waterfalls echoing through deep valleys, the taste of smoky local food, and the unfiltered connection with nature.
Understanding how to plan a 10–15 day trip across Northeast India is more than logistics—it’s the key that unlocks the soul of one of India’s most beautiful regions. Plan wisely, travel slow, and let the Northeast reveal its secrets one sunrise at a time.
