Assam
Go to Assam for one-horned rhinos in open grassland, tea estates and slow travel along the Brahmaputra in India's Northeast.
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Assam is a state in northeast India, crossed by the Brahmaputra River. Most travelers come for Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for the one-horned rhinoceros, and for the tea estates that cover much of the state's lowlands. Majuli, a river island in the Brahmaputra, is known for its Vaishnavite monasteries, called satras. Guwahati, the largest city, is the usual entry point by air and rail.
Assam suits trips built around wildlife, rural travel and tea country, with a few days beyond Guwahati. Expect slow road travel, since Kaziranga is about four to five hours from Guwahati by road. The best months are roughly November to February, when the weather is drier and the parks are easier to reach. The monsoon, from about June to August, brings heavy rain and flooding across much of the state.
Assam in five
- Apply for an Indian e-Visa before you flyMost foreign visitors apply for an e-Visa on the official Indian portal and need approval before they travel. Guwahati's airport is the usual entry point, so carry the approval with your passport.Visas and entry
- Set up an eSIM before you landA local SIM for a foreigner means a registered shop, with your passport, visa and photos. An eSIM set up at home gives you maps as soon as you clear the airport.Phones and eSIM
- Book Kaziranga safaris before you arriveJeep and elephant safaris in Kaziranga run on fixed zones and time slots, so book through the park's official booking system before you arrive. The park is about four to five hours by road from Guwahati.
- Carry cash for small towns and parksCards work in Guwahati hotels and larger shops, but tea stalls, village shops and auto-rickshaws usually take only cash. Keep small rupee notes with you outside the city.Money and costs
- Check the Majuli ferry before you planMajuli is reached by ferry from Nimati Ghat near Jorhat, and sailing times change with river water levels. Check with the operator on the day and leave a spare half day in case of cancellations.Getting around
Things to do in Assam
See all attractions in Assam
Need to know
- Currency
- Indian rupee (INR)
- Entry
- e-Visa for most foreign passports, applied online before arrival Read more
- Emergency
- 112 single number, 100 police, 102 ambulance
- Tipping
- Small tip for guides and drivers
- Time
- UTC+5:30, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Festival
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCool, dry
- FebruaryDry, park season
- MarchWarming up
- AprilBihu festival
- MayHot, humid
- JuneMonsoon begins
- JulyHeavy rain, floods
- AugustFloods, wet
- SeptemberRain easing
- OctoberClearing skies
- NovemberClear, cool
- DecemberCool, park peak
Festivals: Jan Bihu · Apr Bihu · Oct Bihu
Right now in Assam
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
21
- Feels like
- 24°
- Humidity
- 92%
- Wind
- 7 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 53%
Assam
02:06 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today30°22°53%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 53%.
- Wed29°22°13%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 13%.
- Thu30°21°2%Thursday: Cloudy. High 30°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Fri29°20°0%Friday: Partly cloudy. High 29°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sat30°19°2%Saturday: Clear. High 30°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Sun30°19°0%Sunday: Clear. High 30°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 0%.
Updated 10:36 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 95.08 INR
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Every year
- Jan–OctBihuAssam
Day trips by train
- Hajoabout 1 hour by roadHindu and Buddhist sites on the Brahmaputra, reached on a short drive.Read the guide
- Shillongabout 3 to 4 hours by roadA hill town with viewpoints and waterfalls, across the state border in Meghalaya.Read the guide
- Kaziranga National Parkabout 4 to 5 hours by roadRhino and elephant safaris, best booked for a full day or an overnight stay.Read the guide
Before you go to Assam
Rules for Assam, checked
- Foreign nationals need a valid Indian visa or e-Visa, and it is checked at the airport. Confirm your eligibility on the official portal before you book.Source
- Hotels ask for your passport and visa details, because foreign guests must be registered with the police. Keep photocopies of both.
- Inside Kaziranga, stay in your vehicle and follow the ranger's instructions. Rhinos and elephants can charge.
- Photographing military bases, checkpoints and border areas is restricted. Ask a local before you take photos near them.
Plan around Assam
Kamakhya temple, Brahmaputra ghats and the airport gateway
Read the guideNortheast StatesAssam and its neighbours in the far northeast
Read the guideAll of IndiaVisas, rail and regions across the country
Read the guideGetting aroundFlights, trains and drives to Kaziranga and Majuli
Read the guideVisas and entrye-Visa steps and document checks
Read the guideWhere to stayBase choices for Guwahati and park trips
Read the guideAssam FAQ
Is Guwahati worth visiting, or is it just a transit city?
Worth one or two nights. Kamakhya temple on Nilachal Hill and the river ghats fill a full day, and the city is the usual base for trips to Kaziranga.
How many days do you need in Assam?
Four to five days covers Guwahati, one night near Kaziranga and a day on the river. Majuli adds travel time, so add a night only if you want the island.
Do you need a car in Assam?
For Kaziranga and rural areas, yes, with a driver, because public transport between parks and villages is limited. Guwahati can be done without one.
When is the best time to visit Assam?
November to February for dry weather and open parks. From June to August, monsoon floods close parts of Kaziranga and disrupt roads and ferries.
Do you need a permit to visit Assam?
Check the restricted-zone rules on official Indian government sites before going near border areas.
Do you need to speak Assamese?
No, but English is less common outside Guwahati and hotels. Learn the greeting Nomoskar, which is used across Assam.