Assam Tourism
Heritage | Religious
Assam Tourism Overview
Ideal duration: 4 - 12 days
Best time: October to April (Read More)
Major Airports: Guwahati, Dibrugarh, Silchar
Read more about Airports in Assam
"The Gateway to North-East India"
Assam, India
A treasure trove of natural beauty and diverse history, Assam is one of the least explored regions in the country, lending it an immaculate, untouched aura that will allure you. A land of wild forests, mighty rivers, and acres and acres of tea plantations, Assam, located in North East India, has a breath-taking landscape and is on the list of the top biodiversity hotspots in the entire world. A veritable paradise, Assam shares international borders with both Bangladesh and Bhutan and boasts of its vibrant culture and scenic beauty, as well as its historic significance. One of the most beautiful states of India, Assam is the gateway to the enchanting and unexploited northeastern part of the country. With the majestic Brahmaputra river, magnificent hills, its rich flora and fauna and wildlife, the state is a tourist paradise.
Spread over an area of 1250 kilometres, Majuli is the largest river island of Asia and is famous for its traditions and its vibrant culture. Home to the 'Mising' tribe, Majuli is a great place to sit back and take in the beauty of the village which is surrounded on all sides by water. The Misings have a unique lifestyle, and they celebrate various festivals with a lot of pomp and show.
Assam is renowned for its tea, with Dibrugarh being known as the Tea City of India. Assam exports tea to all parts of the world, and a visit to the lush green tea gardens is a magical experience that is unparalleled by any other.
Hajo, an extremely ancient pilgrimage centre for not one, not two, but three different religions, stands as a beautiful example of the secular diversity that is India. The area is dotted with numerous temples, mosques and churches, as well as other religious and sacred artefacts.
Haflong is Assam’s only hill station and is a stunningly beautiful place, marked with rolling mountains and lush green valleys. Also known as Land of the Blue Hills, Haflong offers adventure activities such as paragliding and trekking, which are very popular with the tourists. The Haflong Lake, which is located in the heart of the town, is one of the largest lakes in Assam, and you can enjoy a boat ride on the clear waters of the lake while enjoying the mesmerizing view of the Himalayas.
The confluence of a variety of cultural influences in Assam has led to a huge diversity in Assamese cuisine. Local dishes mainly consist of rice and fish, while seafood is also a predominant part of Assam’s local cuisine.
Top Places to Visit In Assam
Top Attractions In Assam
Assam Packages
Compare quotes from upto 3 travel agents for free
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Allure of Shillong & Kaziranga National Park | 4 Days 3 Nights
₹ 8,000 onwards
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Delights of Shillong, Cherapunjee & 2 places | 4 Days 3 Nights
₹ 10,000 onwards
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Romantic Shillong & Guwahati | 4 Days 3 Nights
₹ 11,900 onwards
Stories about Assam
Top Things To Do In Assam
What's Great?
Spectacular scenic beauty. Convenient air travel. Connected to all other Northeastern cities. Pleasant temperature.
What's not so Great?
Relatively less developed tourist facilities as compared to rest of India. All cities are not easily accessible. Heavy rainfall may hinder travel
For Whom
Assam is the perfect family getaway. The tour of cities reveals the abundant scenic beauty that this state holds in store. It is also an abode of wildlife enthusiasts due to the unique ecology.
Brahmaputra - The Soul of Assam
Flowing through most areas of Assam, the Brahmaputra is more than just a geographical entity. It has integrated into the culture and society of Assam. On its bank, all the major cities thrive and provide livelihoods to thousands of people. The river also nurtures the vast amount of forests in Assam that are teeming with wildlife. The river has been at the centre of art, culture, folklore and literature for its aggressive temperament during the monsoons. Today, it has become an important part of the tourism industry, and many cruises operate along the river.
Arts and Crafts of Assam
Assamese crafts show a wide variety across the region and reflect local cultural influences that have evolved over time. The most famous crafts are undoubtedly the bamboo and cane products, but other crafts like woodwork are also very famous. The metal crafts in the form of articles of worship as well as household items have made Assam a favourite destination for those who want to add a touch of rusticity to their homes. The tribal masks and traditional painting styles reflect the massive tribal influence on the lifestyle of the people as well as the thriving tribal culture that still forms an integral part of the state. Weaving is the traditional art of the Assamese. The vibrant lifestyle, the all-smile people, the presence of diverse tribes and cultures, make Assam society friendly and beautiful. Assam is famous for its wood, cane and bamboo crafts, pottery, handlooms, jewellery and colourful masks. The vibrant lifestyle, the all-smile people, the presence of diverse tribes and cultures, make Assam society friendly and beautiful. Assam is famous for its wood, cane and bamboo crafts, pottery, handlooms, jewellery and colourful masks.
Vibrant Festivals of Assam
Like other North-Eastern states, festivities form the core of Assamese life, and this state has no dearth of festivals. The most famous, Bihu, is related to the agricultural cycle and is celebrated three times a year to correspond to various harvest and planting seasons. Mohang Bihu, Kaati Bihu and Magh Bihu are the three festivals celebrated by different communities in their distinctive way with dances and rituals. The Ambubachi Mela of the Kamakhya temple, Ali-ai-Ligang and Jonbil Mela are other major festivals.
Breathtaking Wildlife of Assam
Because of its geographical diversity, Assam is one of the biodiversity hotspots in the world. It has many different ecosystems like rainforests, grasslands, bamboo orchards, wetlands and marshes. Most of these forests are now protected as wildlife sanctuaries and national parks and are open to tourists except in monsoon. Many rare species of animals and birds like the Golden Langur, the One-Horned Rhino and a variety of hornbills, amphibians and vultures are found in these forests. It has been declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
People and Culture of Assam
The people of the state are friendly, and they belong to different tribes and communities. Keeping in sync with the picturesque landscapes and colourful customs, the people of Assam are a perfect example of unity in diversity. The state has the largest number of tribes within their variety in tradition, culture, dresses, and exotic way of life.
The native and official languages of the state are Assamese and Bodo. The major religions of Assam are Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism, Islam and Buddhism. From ancient times, artist and sculptors, masons and architects, and others craftsmen such as weavers, potters, goldsmiths, artisans working with ivory, wood, bamboo, cane and rawhide have flourished in Assam.
Read more about Assamese Culture
Geography of Assam
The beautiful state of Assam is located in the North East of India and borders West Bengal. It shares an international boundary with Bangladesh and Bhutan and has a hilly terrain. A large area of Assam is naturally irrigated by the two major rivers - Brahmaputra and Barak and the hills of the barail range run between these two valleys. Known around the world for its fragrant tea, Assam is home to a majority of India's tea gardens. Guwahati is the largest city and serves as the connection between the North Eastern states and mainland India. Dispur, Jorhat, Tezpur and Dhubri are some of the other main cities in the state.
History of Assam
The ancient history of Assam shows consistency with contemporary events in mainland India and has been clearly documented since the 1st century AD. It was known as Kamarupa and ruled by subsidiaries of North Indian rulers. The 13th century saw invasions from the North and East by Delhi-based Islamic rulers and the Chinese army.
The Ahoms ruled Assam at the time when Mughals were presiding over the rest of India and were deposed by the advent of the British in 1826. After independence, few parts of Assam became part of East Pakistan (Now Bangladesh) and the present day state of Assam was formed in 1962 as various states of the Northeast were carved out of it.
Local Food and Cuisine of Assam
The cuisine of Assam is a simple one in its styles and ingredients. In spite of little art in the style of cooking and minimal use of colourful and teasing spices or oil, the food here is rich given the exotic flavors and freshest and natural ingredients.
The confluence of a variety of cultural influences in Assam has led to a huge diversity in Assamese cuisine. Local dishes mainly consist of rice and fish, while seafood is also a predominant part of Assam’s local cuisine. Spices used here are subtle like cumin, coriander, mustard, ginger, garlic, fenugreek, panch foran and cardamom. Assam's Laksa (a spicy-sour fish base noodle soup) is almost as staple and popular as rice. Preparations of exotic fruits and vegetables as well as fish, duck and squab are also popular. Khar ,Tenga, Pura, Poitbhat, Pitika, Paan are what Assamese Cuisine is known for and identified with. Another item without which the very definition of Assam is incomplete is Tea. One can indulge in the finest varieties of tea in the area and lose themselves in their strong and refreshing flavour and fragrance.