North East India Tour Packages
Travelling from Gujarat? See Sikkim & Darjeeling tour packages from Ahmedabad →
Three very different holidays – Sikkim and Darjeeling, Meghalaya with Kaziranga, and Arunachal's Tawang – 62 North East packages with permits, flights from Ahmedabad and vegetarian food sorted.
"North East" is not one destination. Sikkim and Darjeeling are a Himalayan hill holiday with snow at Nathula and tea gardens below Kanchenjunga. Meghalaya is waterfalls, living root bridges and the clear water of Dawki, usually combined with a rhino safari at Kaziranga in Assam. Arunachal's Tawang is a high-altitude monastery road trip for travellers who have already done the first two. Most Gujarati families booking from Ahmedabad pick one circuit for a 6–7 night trip; a few combine two in 10–12 nights.
This page helps you choose. Below the live packages you will find a circuit chooser, honest notes on vegetarian food town by town, how Inner Line Permits work and who arranges them, flight routings from Ahmedabad to Guwahati and Bagdogra, three day-wise itineraries, and a month-by-month table that tells you when Kaziranga is open and when Nathula is snowed in.
Available holiday packages
North East tour package price guide (2026)
Packages on this page start at ₹11,500 per person. North East trips cost more per night than Himachal or Kerala because distances are long, roads are slow, vehicles are shared by fewer people, and hotel supply in places like Lachung, Cherrapunji and Tawang is limited. The bands below are per person on twin sharing with breakfast and dinner, a private vehicle and permits, excluding flights.
| Trip | Standard (3★) | Deluxe (4★ / boutique) | Premium (5★ / luxury lodges) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4N/5D Gangtok – Darjeeling | ₹14,000 – 19,000 | ₹22,000 – 30,000 | ₹40,000+ |
| 6N/7D Gangtok – Lachung (Yumthang) – Darjeeling | ₹22,000 – 29,000 | ₹32,000 – 42,000 | ₹55,000+ |
| 5N/6D Shillong – Cherrapunji – Dawki – Kaziranga | ₹18,000 – 24,000 | ₹27,000 – 36,000 | ₹48,000+ |
| 7N/8D Guwahati – Dirang – Tawang – Bomdila | ₹28,000 – 36,000 | ₹40,000 – 52,000 | ₹65,000+ |
| 9N/10D Sikkim – Darjeeling + Meghalaya – Kaziranga | ₹40,000 – 50,000 | ₹58,000 – 72,000 | ₹90,000+ |
Add for flights: Ahmedabad–Guwahati fares are usually ₹6,000–11,000 one way, Ahmedabad–Bagdogra via Kolkata or Delhi ₹7,000–12,000 one way; both climb sharply in the Diwali and May-vacation weeks. Usually extra on the ground: Nathula and Yumthang day trips are often quoted as add-ons (they need a separate permit and vehicle), Kaziranga elephant safari and camera fees, toy-train ride in Darjeeling, cable car at Gangtok, boating at Dawki and Umiam, and the Bumla Pass trip from Tawang. We spell these out on every quote.
Sikkim–Darjeeling, Meghalaya–Assam or Tawang – which circuit is right for you?
This is the table we wish every North East page had. Choose by who is travelling, how many days you have and how much altitude you want.
| Sikkim – Darjeeling | Meghalaya – Assam (Kaziranga) | Arunachal – Tawang | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gateway | Bagdogra (IXB) or NJP station | Guwahati (GAU) | Guwahati (GAU) or Tezpur |
| Ideal length | 5–7 nights | 5–6 nights | 7–8 nights |
| Altitude | Gangtok 1,650 m; Tsomgo 3,750 m; Nathula 4,300 m; Yumthang 3,500 m; Gurudongmar 5,400 m | Shillong 1,500 m; Cherrapunji 1,300 m; rest low | Dirang 1,600 m; Sela Pass 4,170 m; Tawang 3,000 m; Bumla 4,600 m |
| Roads and drive days | Hill roads, 3–5 h a day; Lachung road rough | Good roads, 2–4 h a day; Dawki road winding | Long – 6–8 h on two days each way; landslide-prone |
| Best months | Mar–May (rhododendrons), Oct–Dec (clear views, snow at Nathula from Dec) | Oct–Apr (Kaziranga open), Nov cherry blossom in Shillong | Mar–Jun and Oct–Nov; snow at Sela Dec–Feb |
| Permits | No ILP for Indians; Protected Area Permit for Nathula, Tsomgo, Lachung/Lachen – we arrange | None | Inner Line Permit for Arunachal – we arrange online in advance |
| Veg / Jain food | Easy in Gangtok and Darjeeling; limited in Lachung (pre-arranged) | Easy in Shillong and Guwahati; limited in Cherrapunji and Dawki (pre-arranged); lodges at Kaziranga cook to order | Limited beyond Guwahati; our hotels in Dirang and Tawang cook pure-veg on request |
| Who it suits | Families, honeymooners, first-timers; seniors fine if Gurudongmar is skipped | Families with children, seniors, photographers, wildlife lovers | Fit travellers under 60, couples and friends' groups who enjoy road trips |
| Starting band | ₹14,000 for 4N | ₹18,000 for 5N | ₹28,000 for 7N |
Nagaland (Hornbill Festival, 1–10 December at Kisama near Kohima), Mizoram and Manipur need Inner Line Permits and are better as a second or third North East trip; ask us for a custom plan.
How to reach the North East from Ahmedabad
- Guwahati (for Meghalaya, Kaziranga, Tawang): non-stop flights from Ahmedabad's SVPI Airport operate on most days and take about 3 hours; one-stop options via Kolkata or Delhi take 5–7 hours. Guwahati to Shillong is 100 km and about 3 hours by road; to Kaziranga's Kohora gate about 200 km and 4–5 hours.
- Bagdogra (for Sikkim and Darjeeling): there is no non-stop flight from Ahmedabad; the usual routing is via Kolkata or Delhi, 5–7 hours including the connection. Bagdogra to Gangtok is about 125 km and 4–5 hours; to Darjeeling about 70 km and 3 hours. New Jalpaiguri (NJP) station is the rail option but trains from Gujarat take two days, so we recommend flying.
- Travel-day reality: count the first and last day as travel days. A "6-night" Sikkim trip gives you five sightseeing days; this is normal for the North East and we never hide it.
- Getting around: private Innova or Xylo for a family, Tempo Traveller for a group; Sikkim requires locally registered vehicles for Nathula and North Sikkim, so a change of car at Gangtok is standard, not a cost-cutting trick.
- Combining circuits: fly into Bagdogra and out of Guwahati (or the reverse) for a Sikkim-plus-Meghalaya trip; the Siliguri–Guwahati road link is about 10 hours, so we usually add a short flight instead.
Best North East itineraries by circuit
6 nights / 7 days – Gangtok, Lachung and Darjeeling (family or honeymoon)
- Day 1: Fly Ahmedabad–Bagdogra via Kolkata or Delhi; drive to Gangtok (4–5 h). Evening on MG Marg.
- Day 2: Tsomgo lake, Baba Mandir and Nathula Pass (permit arranged; Nathula is closed Mondays and Tuesdays, so we fix this day accordingly). Back to Gangtok.
- Day 3: Drive to Lachung (about 6 h) past Seven Sisters waterfalls; overnight in a simple hotel with pure-veg dinner pre-arranged.
- Day 4: Yumthang Valley (and Zero Point if roads allow), return to Gangtok.
- Day 5: Gangtok local – Rumtek monastery, Banjhakri falls, ropeway, Enchey monastery; drive to Darjeeling (4 h) or stay a sixth night in Gangtok for seniors.
- Day 6: Tiger Hill sunrise, Ghoom monastery, Batasia Loop, toy-train joy ride, Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and zoo, tea estate.
- Day 7: Drive to Bagdogra (3 h), fly home.
5 nights / 6 days – Shillong, Cherrapunji, Dawki and Kaziranga (families and seniors)
- Day 1: Fly Ahmedabad–Guwahati; Kamakhya temple darshan, drive to Shillong (3 h) with a stop at Umiam lake.
- Day 2: Drive to Cherrapunji – Elephant falls, Mawkdok valley, Nohkalikai falls, Mawsmai caves, Seven Sisters falls; overnight Cherrapunji.
- Day 3: Mawlynnong village and its single-decker root bridge, Dawki river boating, Shnongpdeng; return to Shillong. (The double-decker bridge at Nongriat is a 3,000-step trek each way; we offer it to fit travellers as a separate day.)
- Day 4: Shillong local – Ward's lake, Don Bosco museum, Laitlum canyon, Police Bazar; drive to Kaziranga (5–6 h) in the afternoon.
- Day 5: Early elephant safari (booked in advance) and afternoon jeep safari in the Central (Kohora) or Western (Bagori) range.
- Day 6: Drive to Guwahati (4–5 h), fly to Ahmedabad.
7 nights / 8 days – Tawang monastery road trip (complete Arunachal)
- Day 1: Fly to Guwahati, drive to Tezpur or Bhalukpong (4–5 h); ILP checked at the Arunachal border.
- Day 2: Drive to Dirang (5–6 h) via Bomdila; Dirang dzong and hot springs.
- Day 3: Dirang to Tawang (5–6 h) over Sela Pass (4,170 m) and Jaswant Garh war memorial; Nuranang falls.
- Day 4: Tawang monastery at dawn, war memorial, Urgelling, local market.
- Day 5: Bumla Pass and Sangetsar (Madhuri) lake with army permit, weather permitting.
- Day 6: Return to Bomdila (7 h); monastery and apple orchards.
- Day 7: Bomdila to Guwahati (8 h); overnight Guwahati.
- Day 8: Fly home. We add Kaziranga on Days 7–8 for travellers with two more nights.
Permits, altitude and vegetarian food – the honest guide
Inner Line Permits and Protected Area Permits
- Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur: Indian citizens need an Inner Line Permit (ILP). For Arunachal it is applied for online in advance with a photo and ID proof (Aadhaar, voter card, passport or driving licence) and carries a small fee; it is checked at the entry gate. We apply for every guest and hand you the printout with your vouchers.
- Sikkim: no ILP for Indians, but Tsomgo lake, Nathula, Lachung–Yumthang and Lachen–Gurudongmar are restricted areas needing a Protected Area Permit issued through a registered Sikkim operator – that is us and our Gangtok partner. Carry two passport photos and a photo ID per person. Nathula is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays and permits are issued the day before, so weather can still cancel a trip; we always keep a buffer day.
- Meghalaya and Assam: no permits for Indian tourists.
Altitude – who should skip what
Gangtok, Darjeeling, Shillong and Tawang town are fine for almost everyone. Nathula (4,300 m), Zero Point (4,700 m), Sela Pass (4,170 m) and Bumla (4,600 m) are day trips where you spend an hour or two at altitude; healthy seniors manage them with a slow pace and we keep the vehicle warm. Gurudongmar lake (5,400 m) is not recommended for children under five, pregnant women, or anyone with heart or lung conditions, and we do not include it in family packages by default.
Pure-veg and Jain food, town by town
| Town | Reality | What we do |
|---|---|---|
| Gangtok, Darjeeling | Easy – Marwari and Gujarati thali restaurants, Jain options on MG Marg | Share a restaurant list with your voucher |
| Shillong, Guwahati | Easy – several pure-veg restaurants, Kamakhya area has Gujarati bhojanalayas | Hotel dinners confirmed pure-veg |
| Lachung, Cherrapunji, Dawki | Limited – small towns, mostly local cuisine | Pure-veg or Jain dinner and breakfast pre-arranged at the hotel; packed lunch for Yumthang and Dawki days |
| Kaziranga | Lodges cook to order | Menu confirmed in writing before travel |
| Dirang, Tawang, Bomdila | Limited – a few Indian restaurants, no Jain kitchens | We book hotels whose kitchens cook separate pure-veg meals; most Gujarati groups carry thepla, khakhra and instant upma for the long drive days |
Best time to visit the North East – month by month
| Months | Weather | Good for | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| October – November | Clear skies, 10–22°C in the hills; the best Kanchenjunga views of the year | Diwali trips to Sikkim–Darjeeling; Kaziranga reopens in phases from October; Shillong cherry blossom (usually mid-November); Tawang before the snow | High in Diwali week; otherwise moderate |
| December – February | Cold – Gangtok 2–12°C, snow at Nathula, Yumthang and Sela; Shillong crisp and dry | Snow seekers, Hornbill Festival (1–10 December), Kaziranga at its best, Meghalaya walking weather | Christmas–New Year high; January–February good value |
| March – April | Spring, 8–20°C; rhododendrons in Yumthang; occasional showers | Honeymoons, families; Kaziranga's final open weeks | Moderate |
| May | Warm in Guwahati (30°C+), pleasant in the hills | Gujarat summer vacation – Sikkim–Darjeeling is the natural choice; Kaziranga closes | High for Gangtok and Darjeeling; book 6 weeks ahead |
| June – September (monsoon) | Very heavy rain – Cherrapunji and Mawsynram are among the wettest places on earth; landslides on Sikkim and Arunachal roads | Waterfall lovers in Meghalaya with flexible plans; Ziro music festival (usually September) in Arunachal | Lowest of the year; we do not sell Sikkim–Lachung or Tawang in July–August |
Kaziranga's jeep and elephant safaris run roughly from October or November to the end of April; the park is closed through the monsoon from about May to September–October. If a rhino safari matters to you, travel between November and April.
Places to visit in North East India
- Gangtok: MG Marg, Rumtek and Enchey monasteries, the ropeway and Tashi viewpoint – the easiest Himalayan town for a first visit.
- Tsomgo lake and Nathula Pass: a glacial lake at 3,750 m and the Indo-China border post at 4,300 m, snow-bound from December to March.
- Lachung and Yumthang Valley: the "valley of flowers" of North Sikkim, with rhododendrons in April and snow at Zero Point.
- Darjeeling: Tiger Hill sunrise over Kanchenjunga, the UNESCO toy train, tea estates and Batasia Loop.
- Pelling: Kanchenjunga views, the glass skywalk and Pemayangtse monastery – a quieter alternative to Darjeeling in West Sikkim.
- Shillong: Umiam lake, Ward's lake, Elephant falls, Laitlum canyon and Police Bazar – the "Scotland of the East" with cool weather all year.
- Cherrapunji (Sohra): Nohkalikai and Seven Sisters falls, Mawsmai caves and the living root bridges.
- Dawki and Mawlynnong: the glass-clear Umngot river for boating and Asia's cleanest village, right by the Bangladesh border.
- Kaziranga National Park: the world's largest population of one-horned rhinos, plus elephants, wild buffalo and swamp deer on jeep and elephant safaris.
- Guwahati: Kamakhya temple, one of the most important Shakti Peethas, and a Brahmaputra sunset cruise.
- Tawang: India's largest monastery, Sela Pass, Nuranang falls, Bumla and Madhuri lake – the trip for travellers who have done the rest.
- Kohima (Nagaland): the Hornbill Festival every 1–10 December, the WWII cemetery and Khonoma green village.
Hotels, packing and tips for Gujarati travellers
- Hotel categories: Gangtok, Darjeeling and Shillong have proper 3- to 5-star hotels; Lachung, Cherrapunji, Dawki, Dirang and Tawang have clean but basic hotels and homestays, and no genuine 5-star – we tell you this before you book, not after. Kaziranga has good jungle resorts near the Kohora gate.
- Pack: layered woollens and a windproof jacket for Nathula, Yumthang and Sela in any month; raincoat and quick-dry footwear for Meghalaya; sunglasses and sunscreen for altitude; a small day-bag because Sikkim day trips use a different vehicle.
- Health: carry your regular medicines and motion-sickness tablets; drink extra water at altitude; tell us about heart, BP or asthma conditions so we route you sensibly.
- Money and connectivity: UPI works in towns; carry cash for Dawki boats, Lachung and the Nathula route. Mobile signal is weak or absent in North Sikkim and beyond Dirang; postpaid connections work better than prepaid in Arunachal.
- Timings: Nathula closed Mondays and Tuesdays; Kaziranga closed roughly May to October; Tawang monastery prayers at dawn; Darjeeling toy-train joy rides need advance booking in season.
- Festivals worth planning around: Hornbill (1–10 December), Shillong cherry-blossom week (usually November), Losar in Tawang (usually February–March), Bihu in Assam (mid-April).
Why book your North East trip with Vibrant Holidays
- 11 years, Ahmedabad office: we have sent Gujarati families to Sikkim and Meghalaya for over a decade from our C G Road office; your consultant has done these roads.
- Live prices, no bait: the starting price on this page is a package that is actually on sale, with the permit and vehicle costs built in.
- Pure-veg and Jain food confirmed in writing at every hotel, including the small towns where it takes a phone call the day before.
- Flights from Ahmedabad booked with the package, so your Guwahati or Bagdogra pick-up matches your arrival and the permit paperwork is done before you land.
- 24×7 on-tour support from Ahmedabad and from our ground partners in Gangtok, Shillong and Guwahati, who re-route you when a road or a pass closes. IATA-accredited; member of TAAI, TAFI, ADTOI and IATO; recognised by the Ministry of Tourism.
North East India tour packages – frequently asked questions
How much does a North East tour package cost?
Packages on this page start at ₹11,500 per person. A 4-night Gangtok–Darjeeling trip with 3-star hotels costs ₹14,000–19,000 per person excluding flights; a 5-night Shillong–Cherrapunji–Kaziranga trip ₹18,000–24,000; a 7-night Tawang road trip ₹28,000–36,000. Flights from Ahmedabad add roughly ₹12,000–22,000 return per person.
Which North East circuit should a first-timer choose?
Sikkim–Darjeeling if you want mountains, snow at Nathula and a classic hill holiday; Meghalaya–Kaziranga if you want waterfalls, Dawki's clear river and a rhino safari with easier roads – this is our pick for families with young children and seniors. Tawang is for a second visit or for fit travellers who love long road trips.
Do I need a permit to visit the North East?
Indian citizens need an Inner Line Permit for Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur, and a Protected Area Permit for Nathula, Tsomgo, Yumthang and Gurudongmar in Sikkim. Meghalaya, Assam and the rest of Sikkim need no permit. We apply for every permit before you travel; you only need to send us a photo ID and passport photos.
How do I reach Sikkim or Meghalaya from Ahmedabad?
For Meghalaya and Kaziranga, fly Ahmedabad–Guwahati (non-stop on most days, about 3 hours). For Sikkim and Darjeeling, fly to Bagdogra via Kolkata or Delhi (5–7 hours including the connection), then drive 4–5 hours to Gangtok. The first and last days are travel days on every North East trip.
Is pure-vegetarian and Jain food available in the North East?
Easily in Gangtok, Darjeeling, Shillong and Guwahati, which have Marwari and Gujarati restaurants. In Lachung, Cherrapunji, Dawki, Dirang and Tawang it is limited, so we pre-arrange pure-veg or Jain meals at the hotel and confirm them in writing. Most Gujarati groups also carry thepla and khakhra for the long drive days.
When is Kaziranga open for safaris?
Kaziranga opens in phases from about October–November and closes around the end of April or May for the monsoon, when the Brahmaputra floods the grasslands. Elephant safaris run at dawn and must be booked in advance; jeep safaris run morning and afternoon. For the best rhino and elephant sightings travel between November and April.
Is the North East suitable for senior citizens?
Meghalaya with Kaziranga is the most senior-friendly circuit: good roads, short drives and no high altitude. Sikkim–Darjeeling works well if we skip Gurudongmar and keep Lachung optional. Tawang involves 6–8 hour drives over a 4,170 m pass and we recommend it only for fit travellers. We book hotels with lifts and keep one rest day on every senior itinerary.
When can I see snow in Sikkim?
Nathula Pass and Tsomgo lake usually have snow from December to March, and Yumthang's Zero Point often has snow until April or May. Fresh snowfall can close Nathula at short notice, so we keep a spare day in Gangtok. Darjeeling itself rarely gets snow but is very cold in December and January.
How many days are needed for a North East trip?
Five to seven nights for one circuit – Gangtok, Lachung and Darjeeling in six nights, or Shillong, Cherrapunji, Dawki and Kaziranga in five. Tawang needs seven to eight nights because of the drive days. To combine Sikkim and Meghalaya comfortably, plan nine to ten nights with a short Bagdogra–Guwahati flight in between.
Is the North East safe for families and women travellers?
Yes. Sikkim, Meghalaya and Assam's tourist areas are among the safest in India, with low crime and respectful local communities; Shillong and Gangtok are especially comfortable for women. Our vehicles are driven by local, verified drivers, and your Ahmedabad consultant and the Gangtok or Shillong ground team are reachable round the clock.
What is usually not included in a North East package?
Flights unless added, Nathula and Yumthang add-on trips where quoted separately, Kaziranga elephant safari and camera fees, Darjeeling toy-train joy ride, ropeway and boating tickets, the Bumla Pass trip, lunches on most days, personal expenses and 5% GST. Permits and the permit-processing charges are included in every package.
Can I customise the North East package for a group from Gujarat?
Yes. Add Pelling or Kalimpong, swap Lachung for a longer Darjeeling stay, add Kamakhya darshan or a Brahmaputra cruise in Guwahati, or plan a Hornbill Festival trip in December. Every trip is a private, customised itinerary – your own vehicle and driver, your own dates – and extended families travel together as a private group. Call 1800-313-4262 or WhatsApp us the package and we will send a revised quote within a working day.
Plan more with Vibrant Holidays
Updated October 2026 by the Vibrant Holidays team, Ahmedabad.
