It can be fun and exciting to plan a trip from Meghalaya to Guwahati. Guwahati is a unique place to visit because of its rich culture, beautiful scenery, and lively atmosphere. In order to help you get the most out of your trip, this guide gives you a lot of information about Meghalaya to Guwahati travel tips, like the best places to see in Guwahati, how to get there, where to stay, and what to eat there.
Top Places to Visit in Guwahati
1. Umananda Temple, Guwahati
There is a beautiful temple called the Umananda Temple on Peacock Island, which is the smallest populated island. This temple is for Lord Shiva and is at the base of the great River Brahmaputra. A lot of people come to worship there all year, but especially during the Maha Shivratri holiday.
You can take a walk on the island and enjoy its simple beauty if you do not want to go to the temple. To get to Peacock Island, you have to take a boat. Get ready for a fun ride!
- Timings: 5:30 AM to 6:00 PM
- Ferry cost starts at INR 20.
2. Dipor Bil, Guwahati
Many kinds of birds live in Dipor Bil, also written as Deepor Beel, a beautiful freshwater lake in the city of Guwahati. The Kingfisher, the Fishing Eagle, the Whistling Teal, and the Pintail are some of the less common bird species that you might see here.
People think this is the biggest lake in the Brahmaputra valley because it is profound and gets its water from the rivers Basistha and Kalamini. Birdwatchers love the area, but you should still plan to do something else while you are there, even if it is not your main activity. From October to March is the best time to visit this spot.
- Distance from Guwahati: 13 kilometers.
- Timing: 24 hours.
3. Kaziranga National Park, Guwahati
You can not plan a Meghalaya to Guwahati trip without going to the famous Kaziranga National Park. In this national park, the Great Indian One-Horned Rhinoceros lives in large groups. It is one of India’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Seeing wildlife in its natural environment is very exciting.
The morning safari is the best choice because it is less busy and there are more chances to see animals. The Chinese Pangolin, Bengal Fox, and Gibbon are some of the rarest animals that you can see. April through May and November through February are the best times to visit these wild places.
- 190 km away from Guwahati.
- Safari Timings: 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM and 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM
- Entry fee: INR 500 for foreign tourists and INR 50 for Indian citizens
4. Guwahati Zoo, Guwahati
As a part of the Hengrabari Reserve Forest, Guwahati Zoo gives you a unique chance to get close to nature. The Botanical Garden and the zoo are right next to each other on the edge of a vast area of land. A lot of people think of it as the city’s “green lung,” and many rare animals and birds live there.
You should also go to the zoo museum and look at the unique Herbarium collection, which has more than 500 kinds of plants that grow in the area. Make sure you have enough time because it takes at least two hours to cover the whole area. So, this is one of the most popular places in Guwahati.
- Timings: 7:00 AM to 4:30 PM (closed on Fridays).
- Entry fee: INR 10.
5. Nehru Park, Guwahati
Nehru Park is in the city, but it can help you escape the noise and chaos of the city. The park has musical waterfalls, a play area for kids, and rows of bright flowers, but the sculptures of famous Northeastern dances like Ojapali, Bihu, and Bor Taal are what really make it stand out.
There is also an outdoor theater in the park where local artists can show off their work.
- Hours: 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM
- The entry fee is INR 10 per person.
Essential Tips for Planning a Guwahati Trip
To make sure your Meghalaya to Guwahati route planning goes smoothly and is fun, you need to plan your trip carefully. Here are some essential tips:
1. Best Time to Visit:
Guwahati is during the tropical rainy season. Between October and April, when the weather is nice and warm, is the best time to go. If you want to travel, do not go during the rainy season (June to September), when it rains a lot.
2. Budgeting:
There are hotels in Guwahati for every budget, from cheap hotels to high-end resorts. It is affordable to get around the city, and food from around the area is also pretty inexpensive. But be ready to spend more if you want to go shopping or eat at a fancy restaurant.
3. Packing:
Bring clothes that are light, comfy, and right for the weather. For those of you who plan to be outside, do not forget to bring sunscreen, a hat, and shades. If you are going in the winter, bring warm clothes because it can get cold at night.
4. Local Etiquette:
It is essential to follow the rules and practices of the area. When you go to sacred sites, dress modestly. To talk to people in Assam, learn a few simple words.
5. Transportation:
Buses, cabs, and other forms of public transit in Guwahati work well. You can easily see the city and its areas at your own pace, though, by renting a private car or bike.
How Can You Reach Guwahati?
Guwahati has excellent connectivity by air, train, and road, making it easily accessible from major Indian cities.
1. By Air:
The Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Guwahati has good flights to all of the country’s big cities. Several airlines offer daily flights to and from Guwahati, making it easy and quick to get there.
2. By Train:
The Guwahati train Station is one of the most important train hubs in Northeast India. A cheap way to travel is to take one of the many trains that connect Guwahati to other parts of the country.
3. By Road:
Guwahati has good road connections to states nearby. National Highway 37 is the main road that goes from Guwahati to other Northeastern cities and towns. There are a number of bus routes that go between Guwahati and India’s biggest cities.
Where to Stay in Guwahati?
There are many places to stay in Guwahati, so there is something for everyone, no matter their budget or taste.
1. Luxury Hotels:
If you want to stay in style, you might want to check out five-star hotels in the city center. These hotels have features that are among the best in the world, excellent service, and beautiful views of the Brahmaputra River.
2. Middle-Range Hotels:
There are a number of mid-range hotels that offer nice rooms at reasonable prices. These hotels are great for visitors on a budget who care most about cleanliness and ease of use.
3. Guesthouses and Budget Hotels:
Guwahati is full of guesthouses and budget hotels that offer essential services at very low prices. These choices are great for budget tourists and people traveling alone who want to save money.
4. Homestays:
Staying at a homestay is a great way to get to know the culture of the area. If you want to experience the warm kindness of the Assamese people and see how they live their daily lives, homestays are the best way to do it.
What to Eat in Guwahati?
Assamese food is a wonderful mix of fragrances and tastes. Here are some foods you should try:
- Pitha are rice cakes that are filled with things like black sesame seeds, coconut, and sugar.
- Masor Tenga: This is a sour fish soup with a very different taste.
- Aloo Pitika is a hot mashed potato dish.
- Dimsa: This is a flavorful steamed fish cake.
- Khar is a traditional Assamese dish made from dried banana stems. It is often eaten with rice.
The Bottom Line
To sum up, planning a trip from Meghalaya to Guwahati can be fun if you do your research and know what the city has to offer. Guwahati is a great place to visit because it has a lot of cultural history, beautiful nature, and a lively atmosphere.
Guwahati’s major tourist attractions include the Kamakhya Temple, the Assam State Zoo and Botanical Garden, Umananda Island (Peacock Island), and the Navagraha Temple.
Guwahati’s humid subtropical environment makes it preferable to visit during the winter months of October to March when the weather is pleasant, and the minimum temperature hardly hits 5 degrees Celsius.
If you are seeking a low-cost way to go about Guwahati, local service buses are the best option. Other transportation alternatives include cabs, automobiles, and rental bikes and cars.
People are unaware that Guwahati’s nightlife is constantly active. Terra Maya, Topaz 2.0, Cafe Hendrix, Underdogg, and XS are among the spots to experience the city’s active nightlife.
Some of the distinctive Assamese food delights to taste in Guwahati are Khorika (traditional Assamese-style BBQ), fried silkworms, lucchi with curry, and payash (sticky rice pudding).