10 Places to Visit Near Guwahati (2026): Day Trips, Timings & Entry Fees
Guwahati is a good base for day trips. Within two or three hours are the rhinos of Pobitora, the pilgrim town of Hajo, Chandubi Lake, and the whole Shillong side of Meghalaya: Umiam Lake, Elephant Falls, Shillong Peak and the Laitlum canyons. This list is sorted by distance from Guwahati, closest first.
1.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
2.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 →
3.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
4.Umiam Lake (Barapani)
Ri-Bhoi, 15 km before Shillong
Umiam Lake, or Barapani, is a large reservoir among pine hills on the Guwahati–Shillong road, 15 km before Shillong, with boating and water sports.
- Timings
- Viewpoints any time; water sports about 9am–5pm
- Entry fee
- Viewpoints free; water sports priced per ride
- Distance
- About 15–20 km from Shillong; 85 km from Guwahati
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Best time
- October–April
5.Don Bosco Museum
Mawlai, Shillong
The Don Bosco Museum of Indigenous Cultures in Shillong is a seven-storey museum of Northeast India's tribes, with more than 17 galleries and a rooftop skywalk over the city. It's closed on Sundays.
- Timings
- Mon–Sat 9:30am–5:30pm (summer), 9:30am–4:30pm (winter); last entry an hour before
- Entry fee
- About ₹50–100 for Indians reported; confirm at the counter
- Distance
- About 3 km from Police Bazar
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Best time
- Any time; good on a rainy day
6.Lady Hydari Park
Shillong
Lady Hydari Park is a landscaped garden in central Shillong with a pond, Japanese-style gardens and a small deer and bird enclosure. Timings, the Monday closure, entry fee and what to expect.
- Timings
- About 8 am–5 pm (4:30 pm in winter); closed Mondays
- Entry fee
- Roughly ₹10–20 per adult; camera extra
- Distance
- About 1.5 km from Police Bazar
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Best time
- March–May for flowers; October–November
7.Shillong Peak
Laitkor, on the edge of Shillong
Shillong Peak, at Laitkor, is the highest point around Shillong, with a viewpoint over the whole city inside an Indian Air Force area. Bring your ID; here's what to expect at the gate.
- Timings
- About 9am–3:30pm reported; some sources say closed Wednesdays
- Entry fee
- About ₹30–50 reported, plus parking
- Distance
- About 10–11 km from Police Bazar
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Best time
- October–March, mornings
8.Elephant Falls
Upper Shillong, 12 km from the city
Elephant Falls is a three-tier waterfall in the forest 12 km from Shillong, reached by a short flight of steps. It's on almost every Shillong sightseeing day.
- Timings
- Daytime; reported hours vary from 9am–5pm to 6am–6pm
- Entry fee
- ₹20 per person plus ₹20 for a camera (most reports)
- Distance
- About 11–12 km from Shillong, 30 minutes
- Time needed
- 45 minutes–1 hour
- Best time
- June–October for the most water
9.Mawphlang Sacred Forest
Mawphlang, East Khasi Hills
Mawphlang's sacred grove is a patch of old Khasi forest protected for centuries by belief: nothing, not even a fallen leaf, may be taken out. Visits are on a guided walk with a local guide.
- Timings
- Daylight; guided walks only
- Entry fee
- Entry plus a local guide (about ₹30 entry reported; guide extra)
- Distance
- About 25 km from Shillong, 45 min–1 hour
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Best time
- October–May
Mawphlang Sacred Forest: full guide, how to reach and tips →
10.Laitlum Canyons
East Khasi Hills, about 25 km from Shillong
Laitlum, 'the end of the hills', is a clifftop above deep green gorges about 25 km from Shillong. It's best at sunrise or sunset, and a steep stairway leads down to Rasong village.
- Timings
- Daylight; best at sunrise or sunset
- Entry fee
- Free or a small local fee (reports vary)
- Distance
- About 22–25 km from Shillong, 45 minutes–1 hour
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours; a full day to walk down to Rasong
- Best time
- October–April
Best time to visit Guwahati
October to April for clear, dry days on the road. Pobitora is best from November to March. The Meghalaya side is cooler year round and its waterfalls are fullest from June to September.
How to reach Guwahati
All of these are by road from Guwahati. Hajo, Pobitora and Chandubi are 1–2 hours away; Shillong and its sights are about 3 hours on a good highway. A private cab for the day is the easiest way.
See Guwahati with a local team
Private trips with a driver, hotels and permits arranged, built around the places above.
Meghalaya tour packages from Guwahati →Guwahati: frequently asked questions
Which are the best day trips from Guwahati?+
Pobitora for rhinos, Hajo's temples, Chandubi Lake, and Shillong with Umiam Lake and Elephant Falls.
Can I do Shillong as a day trip from Guwahati?+
Yes, though it's a long day: about 3 hours each way. Staying a night in Shillong lets you add Cherrapunji.
How far is Pobitora from Guwahati?+
About 40–50 km, around 1.5 hours by road.
What is the best time for day trips from Guwahati?+
October to April, when roads are dry and views are clear.
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 Assam
- 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 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