Full-day excursion to two of Meghalaya's signature villages. Drive to Mawlynnong, repeatedly rated Asia's
cleanest village, famed for its bamboo dustbins, spotless lanes and a living root bridge on its outskirts. Continue to
Dawki, just 2 km from the Bangladesh border on the banks of the Umngot River, where a boat ride over the
impossibly clear, emerald-green water — the boat appearing to float in mid-air — is the highlight. Return to
Shillong by evening. Overnight at Shillong.

Day excursion to Cherrapunjee (Sohra), perched at 4,823 ft and once recorded as the wettest place on earth.
Visit the Nohkalikai Falls, among the tallest plunge waterfalls in India, and the seven-streamed Nohsngithiang
(Seven Sisters) Falls. Explore the Mawsmai limestone caves, the cascading Dainthlen Falls, steeped in local
Khasi legend, and the three-tiered Wei Sawdong Falls, reached by a short trek down bamboo steps to a natural
turquoise pool. Return to Shillong for overnight.

Before leaving Shillong, a morning tour of the city's landmarks: the Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians, one of
the largest cathedrals in Meghalaya with striking European-influenced architecture; the horseshoe-shaped Wards
Lake, with its boating and walking paths; the Shillong Golf Course, a historic 18-hole course at 5,200 ft often
called the “Glen Eagles of the East”; and Lady Hydari Park, a landscaped Japanese-style garden with a small
zoo and deer enclosure. Then descend from the Khasi Hills back to the Brahmaputra plains and drive east to
Kaziranga, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the world's largest population of the Great One-Horned
Rhinoceros, alongside wild elephant, wild water buffalo, swamp deer and over 500 recorded bird species. Check
in and relax; evening at leisure. Overnight at Kaziranga.

A full day dedicated to wildlife. Early elephant safari into the core zone for close-range rhino sightings across the
misty grasslands, followed by an afternoon jeep safari covering a wider range of the park in search of tiger,
elephant herds and the park's rich birdlife. In the evening, visit the Kaziranga Orchid and Biodiversity Park,
home to a large collection of orchids and medicinal plants alongside a cultural showcase of Assam's tribal
communities (entrance paid directly at the gate). Overnight at Kaziranga.

An early start for the long but spectacular drive north out of Assam and into Arunachal Pradesh, crossing the
Brahmaputra and climbing steadily via Bhalukpong and Bomdila into the Himalayan foothills. Weather and
road-condition permitting, pause en route at the Tipi Orchid Sanctuary (over 300 orchid species) and the Nag
Mandir temple overlooking the Tenga Valley. On arrival at Dirang, visit the Thupsung Dhargye Ling Monastery,
a Tibetan Buddhist temple and study institute named by the Dalai Lama, and the old Dirang Dzong fortress,
before checking in for the night. Overnight at Dirang.

Before departing Dirang, a short morning visit to the well-known kiwi orchards. Drive on through the wide,
willow-lined Sangti Valley — winter home to the rare black-necked crane — before climbing to Sela Pass (13,700
ft), with its frozen Paradise Lake. Stop at the Jaswant Garh war memorial, dedicated to a Mahavir Chakra
awardee, before descending into Tawang. Overnight at Tawang.

Full day exploring Tawang. Visit the 400-year-old Tawang Monastery, the second largest Buddhist monastery in
the world, housing an 8-metre gilded Buddha statue and a library of over 850 manuscripts. Continue to the Giant
Buddha Statue and the War Memorial (Namgyal Chorten), honouring soldiers of the 1962 Indo-China war. Visit
Urgelling Monastery, birthplace of the 6th Dalai Lama, and Gyangong Ani Gompa, the district's oldest nunnery.
Overnight at Tawang. Optional: guests wishing to venture further into the high Himalaya can add the Sangestser
(Madhuri) Lake and Bum La Pass excursion today, permits and weather permitting — see Optional Excursion
note at the end of this itinerary.

Retrace the route toward Bomdila, stopping at the spectacular Nuranang (Jang) Falls, tucked into a forested
gorge and often catching a rainbow in the afternoon light. Arrive Bomdila, a quieter hill town at 8,500 ft with views
of the Kangto and Gorichen peaks on a clear day; visit the Bomdila Monastery, home to over 200 monks.
Overnight at Bomdila.

Descend from the mountains via Bhalukpong back onto the Assam plains and drive on to Guwahati. Given the
distance, an early departure from Bomdila is recommended to allow comfortable stops en route. Check in on
arrival. Optional this evening: a sunset cruise on the Brahmaputra (approx. Rs. 850 per person, subject to
availability and river conditions), time at the riverside Sati Radhika Park, or some shopping at Fancy Bazar,
Guwahati's busiest market. Overnight at Guwahati.

After breakfast, visit the Kamakhya Temple atop Nilachal Hill, one of the most revered Shakti Peeths in India, and
— if time permits — the Umananda Temple on Peacock Island in the middle of the Brahmaputra. Transfer to
Guwahati airport or railway station in time for your onward journey, marking the end of a memorable circuit
through the hills of Meghalaya, the grasslands of Kaziranga and the high Himalaya of Arunachal Pradesh.