TOURIST PLACES IN ASSAM

Assam is a great destination for leisure, cultural, and adventure trips because of its proximity to the Brahmaputra river and its status as a biodiversity hotspot. Tourists flock to explore its wildlife sanctuaries, take river cruises, and enjoy the cultural diversity. A large number of temples in Assam also makes it a perfect destination for pilgrimage tours.

Each city is unique in its offerings to every kind of traveller, such as Sivasagar, which attracts history buffs; Majuli, which gives a glimpse of Assam’s arts and crafts; and Bhalukpong, which offers the perfect laidback destination for leisure travellers. Let’s not forget Assam’s hill stations that give respite from city life and the beautiful city of Shillong that is less than 3 hours away! Read more…

Food Of Assam- Eat Like A Local

When in Rome, be like the Romans, goes the saying. This applies to any geography. If you have not yet been to Assam, then this is to encourage you to travel to and try your hands at local delicacies while you are there. A typical Assamese meal consists of rice, lentils, masor jool (fish stew), mangsho (meat stew), and stir-fried greens or herbs and vegetables. There is a liberal use of both fresh and fermented ingredients in this style of cooking. The two main characteristics of a traditional meal in Assam are khar (named after the principal ingredient) and tenga (preparations with a rich and tangy flavor). Assamese love their mutton, fowl, duck/goose, fish, pigeon, pork, and beef and even the exotic foods like grasshoppers, locusts, silkworms, snails, eels, squab and other birds, which are eaten in moderation.

An interesting ingredient of Assamese food is khorisa (fermented bamboo shoots) which are used to flavor curries or made into pickles. Koldil (banana flower), Ouu (elephant apple) and squash are also widely used. The star of Assamese food is fish like the Boralí, rou, illish, or chitol to name a few. Communities also brew traditional alcoholic drinks like Laupani, Xaaj, Paniyo, Jou, Joumai, Hor, Apang, etc. which are intrinsic to local hospitality.

Interesting local food of Assam worth trying are:

Lai xaak – Leafy greens (saags) cooked with pork is an unusual yet delicious combination enjoyed by the Assamese people.
Dal Kosu Xaak – Green leaves cooked with lentils to a creamy consistency.
Sunga Chicken – Spiced minced chicken cooked inside a bamboo hollow.
Jute Leaf Curry – An interesting curry made from puree of fresh jute leaves
Ouu Katha – A sweet and sour chutney prepared using Ouu (elephant apple)
Kumurat diya Hanhor Mangxo/Duck meat curry – Duck meat is cooked with ash gourd
Silkworms – spiced and deep-fried silkworms is a delicacy
Baanhgajor Lagor Kukura – A curry made of chicken, lentils and bamboo shoots
Masor Tenga – A sour and tangy fish curry with mangosteen, accompanied with rice and a staple of Assamese kitchens

And many more. Go on an exciting culinary journey by trying out authentic Assamese food at the local markets. Read full article here: https://www.tourgenie.com/travel-diaries/travel-blogs/food-of-assam-eat-like-a-local

Explore Kaziranga National Park Assam

Are you a wildlife lover? Do you love to explore new places and experience new cultures? Then Assam is the place to go. Blessed with an abundance of national parks like the Manas National Park, Kaziranga National Park, Orang National Park, Nameri National Park, and Dibru-Saikhowa National Park, it is a wildlife lover’s dream destination. Among the many, Kaziranga National Park, Assam is the most popular. It is spread over an area of 430 sq km, is the habitat of the world’s largest population of one-horned rhinoceroses as well as many mammals including tigers, elephants, panthers, and bears. Kaziranga National Park, Assam, is also home to thousands of bird species. No wonder, Kaziranga National Park, Assam, was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO for its unique natural environment.

Kaziranga National Park is about a 5-hour drive from Guwahati in Golaghat in the Nagaon district of Assam. There are many hotels, lodges and, resorts in Kaziranga that you can check into a day before your safari, which tends to start early in the morning. If you are an early riser, do opt for the Elephant safari which begins as early as 5 am. If not, you can always get on a jeep safari which is equally exciting. The park is divided into 4 zones and the jeep takes you through them all. The safaris are regulated and controlled by the Forest Department (Government of Assam) and can be booked through them directly or through travel agents, or even hotel desks.

The next day you can enjoy a scenic drive along, and a ferry ride across the Brahmaputra river to visit Majuli, the cultural capital of Assam and also the largest river island in the world. It is home to tribals with a unique culture. You can experience this through a visit to the Satras, institutional centers for the preservation of traditional indigenous practices and culture of the Assamese society, which is still practiced here. You can spend the night at a homestay to accentuate your cultural immersion with good hospitality. You can choose to return back to Kaziranga the next day and take a spa day at some wonderful resorts here before you head back or take a longer drive down to Guwahati and spend the evening indulging in shopping for souvenirs and local goodies.

You can plan an exciting trip to Kaziranga. Know more here: https://www.tourgenie.com/assam-tour-packages/explore-kaziranga-national-park-assam

Kamakhya Mandir in Guwahati to Wonderful Meghalaya

Have you ever wanted to go on a holiday that fulfills your parent’s religious wants, your brother’s thirst for adventure and your love for serene picturesque locales? Then a trip to Guwahati, Shillong and Cherrapunjee will do the trick.

Begin as most of the trips to North-East India do, at Guwahati, which also happens to be the ‘City of Temples’ and the largest metropolis in North-East India. The main attraction for anyone visiting Guwahati is Kamakhya Mandir, a 16^th-century temple complex dedicated to Goddess Kamakhya. The best time to visit Kamakhya Mandir, Guwahati, to see a special occurrence in this temple, is in June, when the river turns red around the temple. There are many other temples in and around Guwahati like the Umananda Temple on Peacock Island which is dedicated to Lord Shiva, The Bhimasankar Jyotirling temple ot the recent addition of the Sree Balaji Temple. You can also enjoy a visit to the Assam State Zoo cum Botanical Garden, which is the largest of its kind in the North East region and is spread across 432 acres or take a delightful evening cruise on the Brahmaputra. You can also choose to indulge in some od fashioned shopping at Paan Bazaar.

The next day, you will take a scenic drive down to the hill station of Shillong. En-route, you will visit the Umiam Lake, a delightful man-made lake with amazing views. On reaching Shillong you can visit the Nan Polok or Ward’s Lake, Lady hyderi Park and the Don Bosco Musuem. There is also an amazing Butterfly Museum, if that interests you. In the evening, you can shop for souvenirs or local goodies at the Police Bazaar.

The next day, head towards Cherapunjee, which once was the wettest place on earth. En-route, visit the fourth highest waterfall in the world, Nohkalikai Falls, Elephant Falls, Shillong Peak, and Mawkdowk view point where you can go for zip lining if you choose to. Later visit more exciting places like the Seven Sister Falls, Dainthellen Falls , Eco Park and, the Mawsmai Cave and Arwah Cave which involve a bit of short trekking. You can then return back to Shillong from where you can proceed towards your onward destination the next morning.

You can plan an exciting trip to Kamahya, Shillong and Cherrapunjee. Know more here: https://www.tourgenie.com/assam-tour-packages/leisure-tour-to-kamakhya-shillong-cheerapunjee

Explore Guwahati to Shillong

From the land of the one-horned rhinoceros to the home of clouds and rain, a journey to Assam and Meghalaya is always refreshing. While Assam boasts of tea gardens, the mighty Brahmaputra, the Kaziranga National Park and a host of temples, Meghalaya is home to rolling highlands, innumerable waterfalls, caves and even the cleanest village in India.

A trip to these two fascinating states starts at Guwahati, which is a base for entering any of the other 6 north-eastern states in India. In the heart of Assam, close to Guwahati, lies the Kaziranga National Park, a world heritage site as declared by UNESCO. You can reach Guwahati and take a 5-hour drive down to this National Park. As safaris only take place in the mornings, you can relax and absorb the surroundings as you prepare for an exciting day. The next day, you can take a jeep-safari or even an Elephant ride, which is controlled by the Forest Department of the Govt. of Assam, into the sanctuary and experience the exotic wildlife this place has to offer. The rest of the day can be enjoyed by visiting a tea garden and local communities in villages nearby.

The next day, drive down to Shillong, the charming hill-station capital of Meghalaya and fondly called the ‘Scotland of the East’. Indulge in good old-fashioned sightseeing in and around Shillong which offers museums, waterfalls, lake, and picturesque view points. After a day at Shillong, move towards Cherrapunjee, which was at one time, the wettest place on earth. Explore the Living Root Bridge and a short trek which will be around 3.5 km from the resort you can put up at. The next day is for an excursion to Mwallynong which is a 3 hrs drive from Cherrapunjee. It is dubbed the cleanest village in India by Discover India Magazine. Have an insight into Khasi culture and way of life here and return back to Shillong.

For your final stop, you will head back to Guwahati because the next day, you will be visiting the famous Kamakhya Mandir on the Nilachal hill. You can also visit the Sankardev Kalakshetra, a cultural institution in the Panjabari area of Guwahati or take a cruise down the Brahamputra river before you bid adieu this fascinating land. Don’t forget to indulge in some shopping at Paan bazaar to pick up curios and souvenirs.

Plan your dream visit to Guwahati and Shillong at: https://www.tourgenie.com/assam-tour-packages/explore-guwahati-to-shillong

Understanding the Weather and Temperature in Guwahati

Guwahati is the largest city in Assam and in the whole of North-east India. Its name is derived from ‘Guwa’ which means areca nut and ‘haat’ which means a ‘bazaar’ or market. Situated on the Brahmaputra River, Guwahati is a port city and one of the fastest-growing cities in the country. Even historically, Guwahati has been a bustling trading center. Assam is also equally famous for being the ‘Corridor to the North East’ and rightly so said because you can practically go to any of the other six of the ‘seven sisters’ states of India by road with Guwahati as its base. It even shares its border with the countries of Bhutan, Myanmar, and Bangladesh

It is also famous as a pilgrimage site, being home to famous temples like the Kamakhya, Navagraha, and Umananda (which also happens to be the largest river island in the world) to name a few. No wonder it receives thousands of visitors every year, especially during Hindu festivals. When taking of tourist attractions, how can one leave out the UNESCO listed Kaziranga National Park which is home to the one-horned rhinoceros and many other exotic wildlife. Not to forget amazing sunsets over the Brahmaputra, that can be viewed in all its glory on a lazy river cruise.

Geographically, Guwahati is in the foothills of the Shillong plateau and is divided into two valleys by the Brahmaputra and the Barak rivers. It, therefore, has a sub-tropical climate and experiences a semi-dry summer (peak time: April and May) with a maximum temperature of about 36⁰C on an average during this time. Monsoons come in from June and last mostly till September with an annual rainfall which ranges between 1500- 2500 mm and an average humidity around the year of 75%. Winters start from November and last till the end of February. The minimum temperature stays around 10⁰C, which means the temperature makes this time quite pleasant to move around. This is the perfect time to visit Guwahati and see its diverse attractions and maybe travel to Shillong or Tawang or even to Myanmar or Bhutan from there.

You can also see this article at: https://www.tourgenie.com/travel-diaries/travel-blogs/temperature-in-guwahati

National Parks in Assam: Manas National Park

Situated at the foothills of the mighty Eastern Himalayas, Manas National Park is a densely forested area at an average elevation of 85m above sea-level. It got its name from the Manas River, which, in turn, is a great tributary of the river Brahmaputra that passes through the park. It is interesting to note that in 1992, UNESCO had declared this national park as a world heritage site in danger, owing to heavy poaching and terrorist activities. Manas National Park is flooded by tourists from all over the world who visit to catch glimpses of many wildlife species such as the Golden Langur, Pygmy Hog, Hispid Hare, Assam Roofed Turtle, Wild Water Buffaloes, etc.

If you are planning to visit Assam, you must include the Manas National Park in your itinerary. The Manas National Park area is located between two districts of Assam- Chirang and Baksa. The nearest airport to Manas National Park is Guwahati, which is around 5 hours drive away. Bansbari is the entry point to Manas National Park where Musa Jungle Retreat is located. Hotels are quite scarce in Manas National Park but one can find a host of comfortable lodges offering decent accommodation and they arrange safaris too.

Manas National Park tourism offers a wide range of activities for tourists to enjoy. Jeep Safari: Being home to over 20 endangered species of birds and animals, Manas National Park promises sightings of exotic wildlife and an excellent Elephant safari. Being home to local Bodo villages, the sanctuary has several small indigenous communities of Ghatigaon and Ragu Bil living peacefully together. The best time to visit the Manas National Park is between November and April. Note that Manas National Park is partially open in the months of May and October. On the other hand, Manas National Park remains closed from June to September due to monsoons.

Pack your bags and head to Manas National Park today!

Read full article at: https://www.tourgenie.com/travel-diaries/travel-blogs/national-parks-in-assam-manas-national-park

Kaziranga National Park

No trip to Assam is complete without visiting the iconic Kaziranga National Park. It is located amidst two districts of the state, Nagaon, and Golaghat. Not just rhinos and tigers, the majestic Kaziranga National Park also shelters huge numbers of elephants, buffalos, swamp deer, and other animals. Tropical broadleaf forest, tall elephant grass, and marshland form an excellent biosphere for the wildlife here. The airport nearest to Kaziranga National Park, Assam, is Jorhat (Rowirah) Airport, which is located 96 kilometers away. Other major railway stations with proximity to Kaziranga National Park are Furkating Junction and the Guwahati railway station. Kaziranga has numerous government and private lodges, hotels, as well as luxury hotels close to Kaziranga National Park that promise a comfortable stay for all visitors.

Kaziranga in Assam receives a lot of rainfall, which sometimes leads to flooding in Kaziranga National Park. Hence, Kaziranga National Park remains closed for visitors from May to October. The best time to visit Kaziranga National Park in Assam is between November and April.

The best way to experience the wilderness here, is through an elephant safari or jeep safari provided by the park itself. The forest department of the Government of Assam also arranges jeep safaris for the tourists inside Kaziranga National Park. Unlike elephant safari, jeep safari covers a larger area of Kaziranga National Park. The primary visitor activities here, are observing wildlife and birding. Safaris allow photography inside Kaziranga National Park. Numerous ponds are spread across Kaziranga National Park adding to its beauty. Additionally, the forest department has set up an interpretation center at Bagori, Kaziranga, to let visitors learn more about Kaziranga National Park, Assam. The Kaziranga National Orchid and Biodiversity Park is a recent set up at Durgapur village located in Chirang district in Assam. It has become one of the latest attractions to tourists visiting Kaziranga National Park, Assam.

General guidelines when visiting Kaziranga National Park, Assam

Maintain silence
Do not try to agitate animals
Do not leave litter behind
Do not get out of the vehicle except at designated areas
Do not leave the designated trails
Avoid wearing bright colored clothing

Read full article at: https://www.tourgenie.com/travel-diaries/travel-blogs/kaziranga-national-park

Guwahati to Shillong

Heading to Guwahati for your next vacation? Then add the scenic city of Shillong to your trip as well which is about a 3-4 hours drive. Clubbing these two cities offers a wonderful contrast to tourists. The bustling port city of Guwahati is popularly known for its temples and river cruises and its hustle and bustle. Whereas Shillong, also called the ‘Scotland of the East’ has a serene landscape of rolling highlands, picturesque vistas and pleasant weather year round

Here is our recommendation to make the most of this route on a holiday. Start at Guwahati. If you are travelling from outside, enjoy the evening at leisure over a candle-light dinner atop a cruise on the Brahmaputra. Spend the next day covering major tourist spots here like the Kamakhya temple (one of the 51 shakti pithas), then head to Peacock Island to see Umananda Temple located on the famous Kachari Ghat in Guwahati. There are many other temples to visit here too if you wish to. Otherwise indulge in shopping at Paltan Bazaar. You can spend another day visiting the Assam State Zoo, the Guwahati Planetarium, enjoy a picnic at Nehru Park and pick up curios from the Maati Centre and Paan Bazaar.

The next day drive down to Shillong, enjoy the scenic route and watch the sun glisten over the Umiam Lake just outside town. Enjoy the evening at leisure. The next day start the day by visiting the stunning blue colored Don Bosco church and museum, the Butterfly Museum, the Ward lake and the Japanese themed Lady Hydari Park. The following day can be enjoyed visiting the Elephant Falls, Air Force Museum, Shillong Peak. Enjoy a boat ride at Umiam lake or enjoy evening shopping at Police and Bara Bazaar for local handicrafts. On your way back to Guwahati on the final day, Visit Sankardev Kalakshetra, a cultural institution near Guwahati and enjoy one last cruise before you head back.

Read full article at: https://www.tourgenie.com/travel-diaries/travel-blogs/guwahati-to-shillong

Guwahati- the Gateway to Northeast: Tourist places in Assam

Guwahati’s graph of interest started rising after the capital was shifted from Shillong to Dispur (part of the city) in 1972. Assam is fondly called the “Gateway to the Northeast” as it is connected to the 8 states in this region as well as neighbouring countries such as Bhutan and Burma. Guwahati’s Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi International Airport is one of the busiest in India connecting to most of the major cities and towns as well as international destinations such as Bangkok (Thailand) and Paro (Bhutan). This kind of connectivity makes Guwahati a leading tourist destination. Guwahati, Assam, is not only a place but has a large heart too, catalysing the process of assimilation of various South Asian cultures and offering the best of hospitality. From fabulous viewpoints and bird-watching spots to theme parks and river cruises, the tourist city of Guwahati, Assam, offers almost everything for every type of tourist.

Apart from connectivity, Guwahati is also a treasure trove of culture, feature and history. Kamakhya, Guwahati has many ancient and medieval temples, 19th century mosques, churches, and gurudwaras. One of the modern additions is the Balaji Temple, the showpiece of South Indian cultural influence in Assam. Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra on the southern edge of Guwahati is a microcosm of Assam’s cultural diversity of various communities that have shaped Assam. At Guwahati’s heart is an epic tank named Dighalipukhuri, named after its elongated (dighal) shape. Then there is Guwahati Planetarium, Assam State Zoo, and Botanical Garden housing 200 species of captive and resident mammals. Again, luxury liners offer more meals with fabulous accommodation and trips to popular tourist destinations such as the silk town of Sualkuchi and Kaziranga.

Other tourist places to visit in Guwahati are the Assam State Museum, Assam State Zoo cum Botanical Garden, the Guwahati Planetarium, the Guwahati War Cemetery, Nehru Park etc. Apart from Guwahati, there are many tourist places in Assam that are worth visiting. Like Nameri National Park, Padam Pukhuri in Tezpur, Majuli Island, Hoollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary, Kakochang Waterfalls, Tocklai Tea Research Centre in Jorhat and Haflong Hill, Haflong Lake, Panimoor Falls in Haflong

Read full article at: https://www.tourgenie.com/travel-diaries/travel-blogs/guwahati-the-gateway-to-northeast-tourist-places-in-assam