12 Places to Visit in Assam (2026): Tourist Spots, Timings & Entry Fees
Assam's headline is Kaziranga, home to most of the world's one-horned rhinos. Around Guwahati are Kamakhya Temple on Nilachal Hill, Umananda on its Brahmaputra island, the rhinos of Pobitora and the old pilgrim town of Hajo. Guwahati is also where most Northeast trips begin, so these sights fit at the start or end of a Meghalaya, Arunachal or Sikkim trip.
1.Kaziranga National Park
Golaghat and Nagaon districts, central Assam
Kaziranga National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to most of the world's one-horned rhinos. The four safari ranges, when the park is open, timings, safari costs, how to reach and how many days to plan.
- Timings
- Jeep safari entry 7:30–10 am and 1:30–3 pm (2026-27 season)
- Entry fee
- Jeep safari roughly ₹3,600–5,500 per jeep for up to six, including park entry
- Distance
- About 200 km from Guwahati (4–5 hours); about 100 km from Jorhat airport
- Time needed
- 2 nights
- Best time
- November–April (park open roughly October–May)
Kaziranga National Park: full guide, how to reach and tips →
2.Kamakhya Temple
Nilachal Hill, Guwahati
Kamakhya Temple on Nilachal Hill is one of India's most important Shakti Peethas and the most visited temple in the Northeast. Timings, the ₹501 special darshan, queues, dress code, Ambubachi and how to reach it from the airport.
- Timings
- About 5:30 am to evening, with a break of about 1–2:30 pm (check the official site)
- Entry fee
- Free general darshan; special darshan ₹501 per person, booked online
- Distance
- About 8 km from Guwahati city centre; about 20 km from the airport
- Time needed
- 2–4 hours on a normal day, much longer on festival days
- Best time
- October–April; weekday mornings for shorter queues
3.Umananda Temple
Umananda (Peacock) Island, Guwahati
Umananda is a Shiva temple on a small island in the middle of the Brahmaputra at Guwahati, reached only by ferry. Here are the temple and ferry timings, the fare, the ghat to board at and the best time to go.
- Timings
- About 5:30 am–6 pm; ferries run roughly 7 am–5 pm
- Entry fee
- Free; government ferry about ₹20–40 return, private boats more
- Distance
- Ferry from Uzan Bazar (Kachari) Ghat, about 10 minutes across
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours with the ferry
- Best time
- October–March; avoid high water in the monsoon
4.Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary
Morigaon district, near Guwahati
Pobitora has the highest density of one-horned rhinos in the world and is the closest place to Guwahati to see them, about an hour and a half away. Safari timings, rough costs, distance and the best time to go.
- Timings
- About 7 am–4 pm; jeep safaris through the day, elephant rides early morning
- Entry fee
- About ₹50 for Indians; jeep and elephant safaris charged separately
- Distance
- About 40–50 km from Guwahati, 1.5 hours by road
- Time needed
- Half a day, or a day trip from Guwahati
- Best time
- November–March (closed in the monsoon)
Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary: full guide, how to reach and tips →
5.Basistha Temple
Beltola, Guwahati
Basistha Temple, also called Basistha Ashram, is a Shiva temple on the edge of Guwahati linked to the sage Vasistha, with streams running through a forested campus. Timings, history, how to reach and what to expect.
- Timings
- About 6–7 am to 9 pm
- Entry fee
- Free
- Distance
- About 13–14 km from Guwahati railway station
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Best time
- October–April; Shivaratri for festival crowds
6.Hajo
Kamrup, north bank of the Brahmaputra
Hajo, across the Brahmaputra from Guwahati, is a pilgrimage town sacred to Hindus, Buddhists and Muslims: the Hayagriva Madhava temple and the Poa Mecca shrine. Timings, distance and how to combine it with Sualkuchi.
- Timings
- Hayagriva Madhava temple about 6 am–7 pm; Poa Mecca about 6 am–8 pm
- Entry fee
- Free
- Distance
- About 30 km from Guwahati, 1 hour by road
- Time needed
- Half a day with Sualkuchi
- Best time
- October–March
7.Chandubi Lake
Kamrup district, near the Meghalaya border
Chandubi is a forest-ringed lake about 60 km from Guwahati, formed by the great earthquake of 1897. Boating, lakeside camping, the drive from Guwahati and the best months to go.
- Timings
- Daylight hours
- Entry fee
- Small local fee; boating charged separately
- Distance
- About 60–65 km from Guwahati, 2–3 hours by road
- Time needed
- A full day, or an overnight camp
- Best time
- November–February
8.Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary
Near Mariani, Jorhat district
Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary near Jorhat protects India's only ape, the western hoolock gibbon, in a small patch of tall evergreen forest. Guided morning walks, entry and how to reach from Kaziranga or Jorhat.
- Timings
- Roughly 7 am to 4 pm; early morning is best for gibbons
- Entry fee
- Small entry fee for Indians, higher for foreigners, plus guide and camera charges
- Distance
- About 20 km from Jorhat; about 90–100 km from Kaziranga (Kohora)
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Best time
- October–April
Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary: full guide, how to reach and tips →
9.Kaziranga Central Range (Kohora)
Kohora, Kaziranga National Park
The Central Range at Kohora is Kaziranga's most visited safari zone, with open grasslands, wetlands and the best chance of rhinos, elephants and wild buffalo on a first visit. Jeep and elephant safari timings, cost and booking.
- Timings
- Jeep safaris roughly 7:30–10 am and 1:30–3:30 pm; elephant safaris at dawn. Slots vary by season
- Entry fee
- Jeep hire roughly ₹4,000–5,500 per vehicle for Indians plus park entry and camera fees; foreigners pay more. Check the official booking site
- Distance
- About 200 km from Guwahati; about 95 km from Jorhat airport
- Time needed
- About 2–2.5 hours per safari
- Best time
- November–April; the park closes for the monsoon, roughly May to September
Kaziranga Central Range (Kohora): full guide, how to reach and tips →
10.Kaziranga Eastern Range (Agaratoli)
Agaratoli, Kaziranga National Park
The Eastern Range at Agaratoli is Kaziranga's quietest zone, with large wetlands, elephant herds and the park's best birding, including pelicans and storks in winter. Safari timings, cost and who it suits.
- Timings
- Jeep safaris in morning and afternoon slots; the afternoon slot here often runs later than other ranges
- Entry fee
- Jeep hire often a little higher than Kohora or Bagori, roughly ₹4,500–5,500 for Indians plus entry fees; check the official booking site
- Distance
- About 220 km from Guwahati; about 75 km from Jorhat
- Time needed
- About 2.5 hours per safari
- Best time
- November–March for birds
Kaziranga Eastern Range (Agaratoli): full guide, how to reach and tips →
11.Kaziranga Orchid and Biodiversity Park
Durgapur, Kohora, Kaziranga
The Kaziranga National Orchid and Biodiversity Park near Kohora has hundreds of orchid species, a cactus house, rice and fish displays and evening Assamese folk dance shows. A good half-day outside safari times.
- Timings
- Roughly 8 am to 5 pm; cultural shows in the afternoon or evening
- Entry fee
- Small entry fee per person; camera extra
- Distance
- About 2 km from the Kohora safari gate
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Best time
- Year round; many orchids bloom in spring
Kaziranga Orchid and Biodiversity Park: full guide, how to reach and tips →
12.Kaziranga Western Range (Bagori)
Bagori, Kaziranga National Park
The Western Range at Bagori has some of Kaziranga's densest rhino populations in short, open grassland, making it the best zone for close rhino sightings. Safari timings, cost and how it compares with Kohora.
- Timings
- Jeep safaris roughly 7:30–10 am and 1:30–3:30 pm; slots vary by season
- Entry fee
- Jeep hire roughly ₹4,000–5,500 per vehicle for Indians plus entry and camera fees; check the official booking site
- Distance
- About 180 km from Guwahati
- Time needed
- About 2 hours per safari
- Best time
- November–April
Kaziranga Western Range (Bagori): full guide, how to reach and tips →
Best time to visit Assam
November to April. Kaziranga is open roughly from October or November to April or May and closes for the monsoon; February to April is good for sightings as the grass is shorter. Guwahati's temples can be visited year round.
Assam weather month by month →How to reach Assam
Guwahati has the region's main airport and railway station. Kaziranga is about 200 km (4–5 hours) by road from Guwahati, or about 100 km from Jorhat airport.
See Assam with a local team
Private trips with a driver, hotels and permits arranged, built around the places above.
Assam tour packages →Assam: frequently asked questions
How many days are needed for Assam?+
Three to four days covers Guwahati and Kaziranga. Add two days for Majuli river island or Jorhat's tea estates.
When is Kaziranga National Park open?+
Usually from October or November to April or May. It closes for the monsoon, when the park floods. Jeep and elephant safaris run in the morning and afternoon.
What is the best time to visit Assam?+
November to April, when the weather is dry and Kaziranga is open.
Can I see rhinos near Guwahati?+
Yes, at Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, about 40–50 km from Guwahati, which has one of the highest densities of one-horned rhinos.
More places to visit in Northeast India
- Places to visit in Darjeeling
- Places to visit in Meghalaya
- Places to visit in Sikkim
- Places to visit in Arunachal Pradesh
- Places to visit in Gangtok
- Places to visit in Shillong
- Places to visit in Cherrapunji
- Places to visit in Tawang
- Places to visit in Pelling
- Places to visit in Guwahati
- Places to visit near Guwahati
- Places to visit in Northeast India
- Offbeat places to visit in Meghalaya
- Places to visit in Gangtok and Darjeeling
- Places to visit in North Sikkim
- Places to visit in South Sikkim
- Places to visit in Nagaland
- Places to visit in Kaziranga
- Places to visit in Dawki and Mawlynnong
- All Northeast India attractions