Is Assam Safe for Tourists in 2026? Guwahati, Kaziranga and Majuli

Yes, Assam is safe for tourists. Guwahati is a busy, ordinary Indian city and the gateway to the whole Northeast, and Kaziranga draws hundreds of thousands of visitors every season. The insurgency that gave Assam a difficult reputation in the 1990s and 2000s has largely ended. A major faction of ULFA signed a peace agreement with the central and state governments in December 2023, and tourists have not been a target.

What you should plan for in Assam is more practical: monsoon floods, wild animals on the highway near Kaziranga, crowds at Kamakhya during festivals, river ferries to Majuli, and night driving. Here's what to know.

Guwahati

Guwahati is safe for visitors. The main things to watch for are the same as in any growing city:

• Traffic is heavy at peak hours, especially on GS Road and around Paltan Bazaar. Allow extra time for the airport.
• Waterlogging after heavy rain can flood parts of the city for a few hours in the monsoon.
• Pickpocketing can happen in crowded markets, at the railway station and at Kamakhya on busy days.
• Taxis: use app cabs or a trusted operator, especially late at night or from the railway station.

See our list of things to do in Guwahati.

Kamakhya Temple

Kamakhya is one of India's most important Shakti temples. It's safe to visit, but it gets very crowded:

• During Ambubachi Mela in June, the temple closes for three days and huge crowds gather. Avoid it unless you're coming for the mela.
• On normal days, the general queue can take hours. Watch your phone and wallet in the queue.
• Our Kamakhya darshan guide explains queues and timings.

Kaziranga: wildlife and safari safety

Kaziranga's wildlife is the attraction, and it's also the main safety point.

• On safari, stay seated in the jeep and quiet near animals. Rhinos and wild elephants do charge vehicles. Never ask the driver to leave the track.
• On the highway (NH 715) through Kaziranga, animals cross between the park and the Karbi hills, particularly in the floods. Speed limits apply in the animal corridors. Don't stop for selfies near elephants.
• Avoid driving through the park stretch at night if you can.
• Elephant safaris run at dawn. Follow the mahout's instructions.

For the safari itself, see our Kaziranga safari guide and Kaziranga opening and closing dates.

Floods and the monsoon

Assam has one of the heaviest monsoons in India, and the Brahmaputra floods every year.

If you travel in the monsoon, keep flexible plans, check news for flood warnings, and avoid river crossings in high water.

Majuli and river ferries

Majuli, the river island, is reached by ferry from Neamati Ghat near Jorhat. Ferries are an everyday part of life there, but:

• Wear the life jacket if one is given, and keep children close.
• Don't board an obviously overloaded boat. Wait for the next one.
• Ferries stop or reduce in bad weather and high water.

See our Majuli island guide.

Women travellers

Guwahati and Assam's main tourist places are generally comfortable for women travellers, including solo travellers. Use the usual precautions: well-reviewed stays, trusted cabs at night, and dressing modestly at temples and satras.

Roads and night driving

Assam's highways are mostly good, but they carry heavy truck traffic and, near forests, wild animals. Plan to finish long drives before dark. If you're continuing to Meghalaya or Arunachal, read about taking one car for the whole Northeast trip.

Plan with a local operator

We're based in Guwahati and arrange Kaziranga safaris, Kamakhya visits and trips across the region. See our Assam tour packages or book a Kaziranga jeep safari directly.