“Mountains are the beginning and the end of all natural scenery”– John Ruskin.
Tired of the same old attractions in India? If yes, then it’s time to visit the most beautiful part of the country, Guwahati. It is a stunning destination, home to some gorgeous sceneries, crazy adventures, delicious food and friendly people. It is one city that will surely surprise a nature lover, the largest city of Assam, and undoubtedly one of the best cities to visit in India. The place is popular among honeymooners too, so if you stop by, even if you have only one day in Guwahati, you will have the time of your life!
Plan your trip to Guwahati
1. What’s the best time to visit Guwahati?
2. A few facts about Guwahati
3. One Day in Guwahati Itinerary
3.1. Have breakfast at Seven – Vivanta By Taj
3.2. Take blessings from the Kamakhya Temple
3.3. Spend time with animals at Assam State Zoo
3.4. Hang out at Central Mall
3.5. Have lunch at Khorikaa restaurant
3.6. Explore the wonderful Fancy Bazar
3.7. Enjoy the sunset on a river cruise
3.8. Have your last meal at Kalita Spectrum
4. Where to stay in Guwahati, India?
5. Day trips from Guwahati
6. Extra tips for visiting Guwahati
What’s the best time to visit Guwahati?
Guwahati is a mesmerizing destination and has different charms in every season.
October to March – This is the best time to visit Guwahati. The weather is mostly pleasant with the minimum temperature reaching 5°C. Also, the Magh or Bhogali Bihu is celebrated during the month of January, while Kati Bihu is celebrated during September-October. Tip: a bus is a nice way to reach the city, so consider booking your seat in advance.
April to May – The city enjoys a moderate climate even during summer season. The average temperature during the summer months is around 29°C. One can easily plan a holiday during this time. Bahag Bihu is celebrated during the month of April.
June to October – Guwahati receives moderate to heavy rainfall during the monsoon months i.e June to October. One can travel to the city during this time as the flight and hotel rates are comparatively cheaper. But sightseeing can be a problem as it rains continuously. So, one might also not be able to go for the beautiful Brahmaputra River cruise as the water level of the river increases.
A few facts about Guwahati
The beauty of this exotic place will amaze anyone with it’s beautiful hills, winding lanes and striking landscapes. It is also well-known for its gorgeous tea gardens and wildlife conservation parks. However, there are some interesting facts about it, too:
– Assam has its own state anthem, “O Mur Apunar Dex” written by famous local poet Lakshminath Bezbaroa
– The state celebrates Bihu festival thrice
– India’s largest shakti peeth “Maa Kamakhya Temple” is situated in Guwahati
One Day in Guwahati Itinerary
The following are the top attractions and things to do during your one day in Guwahati.
Start you day from the hotel in Guwahati at 9:00 AM
Have breakfast at Seven – Vivanta By Taj
Before you start your Guwahati tour, gorge on some yummy food at Seven – Vivanta Taj. Do try baked yogurt, filtered coffee or tiramisu. Celebrate and relax, away from the daily hustle bustle of city life and unwind with friends and family. The windows are made in French design and open towards the wooden deck facing the morning sun, and the sand on the beach looks so inviting. There’s a main restaurant called Latitude nearby, and you can spend a good time with your partner enjoying delectable dishes from around the Indian Ocean.
Take blessings from the Kamakhya Temple
The Kamakhya Temple, also known as Kamrup-Kamakhya Temple, is a Sakta temple dedicated to the goddess Kamakhya. It is also one of the oldest of the 51 Shakti Pithas. The shrine of the Goddess Kamakhya is situated about five kilometers from the city, on the hill of Nilachal with a mesmerizing view of the beautiful area around the shrine.
Spend time with animals at Assam State Zoo
Assam State Zoo or Guwahati Zoo is the largest of its kind in the Northeast Region. Spread across 432 acres, it is located within the Hengrabari Reserved Forest at Guwahati. The zoo has about 900 animals, birds and reptiles from around the world, and reaching it is really easy. Easy transportation by buses and taxis is available on a daily basis. If you are wandering around Guwahati, visiting this zoo becomes a must.
Hang out at Central Mall
Central Mall is a great place to hang out with loved ones. One can watch a movie, shop from several outlets and gorge on some snacks. It has the biggest Reliance Digital Store allowing you to try the latest gadgets prior to buying them and has a huge parking area. The theaters have the latest technologies and provide a great experience.
Have lunch at Khorikaa restaurant
Khorikaa offers a variety of traditional Assamese dishes like khar, masor tenga, pitika, paro mangsho and baanhgajor lagot kukura. Khorikaa denotes kabab or barbequed food, which is traditional in Assam. Having the experience of eating traditional food in this place is something you shouldn’t miss for the world.
Explore the wonderful Fancy Bazar
Endearingly known as the ‘Chandni Chowk of Guwahati‘, this market is probably the best flea market in all of Guwahati. In Fancy Bazaar, there are small stalls and shop vendors providing silk fabrics, hand-crafted toys, bamboo products and traditional home décor. The Fancy Bazar, is also known as “Phaasi Bazaar” locally.
Enjoy the sunset on a river cruise
Blessed with the beautiful Brahmaputra River, Guwahati is the perfect destination to go boating. The season starts from November and lasts to April, when the monsoon season is over and the floods have receded, leaving the temperatures pleasant.
Have your last meal at Kalita Spectrum
Kalita Spectrum is perfect for dinner with friends and family. Both the interior and exterior of the cafe are very eye-catching. The quality of the food is superb, and the service is good as well. Escaping from the fussy schedule and getting to dine in Kalita Spectrum casual dining is a perfect end to your one day in Guwahati.
Where to stay in Guwahati, India?
Vivanta Guwahati
613, Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardev Road, Khanapara, 781022 Guwahati
Vivanta Guwahati, a 5 star hotel features an outdoor pool and a great spa center. It also has a sauna and fitness center. The guests can enjoy delicious meals at the restaurant or a drink at the bar.
Kiranshree Grand
New Airport Road, Mirzapur, Azara Road, Opposite SOS Village, 781017 Guwahati
One of the most iconic 5 star hotels near the Guwahati Airport, one can easily spend a night here and catch the early morning flight to the next destination.
Pemaling Lords Eco Inn Guwahati
Near Shiv Mandir, Opp. MES Gate, Borjhar,VIP Road,Guwahati,Assam 781015, 781015 Guwahati
This affordable accommodation offers a restaurant, and each room comes with free WiFi and a private bathroom, as well as a desk and a flat-screen TV. Excellent value!
Dream Homestay
Rajgarh Road 254 House No-36, Ground Floor, 781003 Guwahati
Dream Homestay has a restaurant, a 24-hour front desk and a shared kitchen. This place also provides free WiFi.
Day trips from Guwahati
Cherrapunji
It takes around 4 hours and is about 150 km from Guwahati.
It is perhaps the only place in the country with just one season: the monsoon. The rainfall varies from heavy to medium to light, but Cherrapunji is never without rain. Another interesting fact about this place is that it rains mostly during night. So, the day-to-day activity is not really disrupted by rain.
Kaziranga National Park
It takes around 4 hours and is about 190 km from Guwahati.
Home to the gorgeous one-horned rhinoceros, Kaziranga National Park is a great destination. Kaziranga Tiger Reserve has the highest density of tigers among protected areas in the world, so this is a great day trip from Guwahati for animal lovers.
Tezpur
It takes around 3 hours 45 minutes and is about 180 km from Guwahati.
Tezpur, in the Sonitpur district, is one of Assam’s oldest cities. It is also known as ‘The cultural capital of Assam’ and is located on the banks of river Brahmaputra. Now with an online bus booking option, one can easily plan a trip to Tezpur from the city of Guwahati.
Dawki
It takes around 5 hours and is about 175 km from Guwahati.
Dawki is home to pristine lush green surroundings, and it is undoubtedly a blessing in disguise! Dawki is not just a tourist attraction but also one of the nearest ‘Gateways to Bangladesh’.
Nongpoh
It takes around 1 hour 40 minutes and is about 60 km from Guwahati.
Located very close to the stunning Brahmaputra plains, this location is quite famous as a stopover before reaching the beautiful Shillong from Guwahati.
Shillong
It takes around 2 hours 45 minutes and is about 98 km from Guwahati.
A heaven in the abode of clouds, Shillong is home to surreal scenic splendor, eternal beauty and natural charm. It is also considered one of the most stunning hill stations in India. The topography of Shillong is so beautiful that it is also known as “Scotland of the East.” The beauty of the lakes will make every traveler happy. So for a peaceful day trip from Guwahati the capital of Meghalaya is a great option.
Extra tips for visiting Guwahati
– There’s no need for a permit to enter the state of Assam (but do check for the latest requirements, i.e. registering with the police station – these things can change any time).
– There are daily direct flights to Guwahati from New Delhi, Jaipur, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata.
– The majority of Guwahati speak the language Assamese and several other local dialects. Also, the language Hindi is widely spoken too.
– Are you convinced yet on paying Guwahati a visit for your next vacation? If yes, then what are you waiting for? Now that you know what to do in Guwahati, plan a trip right away. Till we meet again, happy travels!
Surbhi Bansal
A writer by profession, an actor by heart, Surbhi Bansal has written over 600 stories and has made several viral videos for ixigo.com. Hopefully, this story will help you plan your trip to Guwahati.
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Good information to share…Thank you
Nice information to share….Thank you…