North East India — Month by Month
When to visit Meghalaya, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. Month-by-month weather, permit rules and the best time for waterfalls and wildlife.
Visit the North East between October and April. October and November are the strongest months overall — waterfalls still running after the monsoon, clear skies, and Kaziranga open for safaris.
At a glance
| Month | What to expect |
|---|---|
| October–November | Best overall. Waterfalls full, clear air, parks open |
| December–February | Cool and dry, excellent for Kaziranga, Tawang very cold |
| March–April | Warm, green, good for Arunachal as passes clear |
| May | Pre-monsoon storms build, humidity rises |
| June–September | Monsoon. Meghalaya at its wettest, parks closed |
The monsoon paradox in Meghalaya
Cherrapunji and Mawsynram are among the wettest inhabited places on earth, and the waterfalls that make Meghalaya famous depend entirely on that rain. Visit in the driest months and some of them are barely trickling.
The sweet spot is late September to November. The heaviest rain has passed, the roads are usable, and the falls are still running at strength. This is when Meghalaya looks the way people imagine it.
Assam and Kaziranga
Kaziranga is generally open from November to April and closed through monsoon, when the Brahmaputra floods much of the park. November to February is ideal — cool mornings, good visibility and the world's largest population of one-horned rhino.
Confirm current opening dates before you fix travel plans. Flood levels vary year to year and can delay reopening.
Arunachal and Tawang
Tawang sits above 10,000 ft and is reached over the Sela Pass, which can close with snow between December and March. March to October is the practical window, with April to June the most comfortable.
Arunachal Pradesh requires an Inner Line Permit for Indian nationals. We arrange this in advance with your ID documents. Also plan generously: Guwahati to Tawang is a two-day drive, not a day trip.
How to plan the distances
The most common mistake with a North East itinerary is trying to include too much. The region is vast and the roads are slow.
Guwahati to Shillong takes about three hours, Shillong to Cherrapunji two, and Guwahati to Kaziranga around five. A six to eight night trip covers Meghalaya and Assam well. Arunachal deserves a separate trip rather than being squeezed onto the end.
We arrange North East trips from our office in Jaigaon, from ₹24,999 per person. See North East packages or message us on WhatsApp with your dates.
Common questions
Which permits do I need?
Meghalaya and Assam need no permit for Indian nationals. Arunachal Pradesh requires an Inner Line Permit, which we arrange in advance from your ID documents.
Is the root bridge trek difficult?
The double-decker bridge at Nongriat is roughly 3,000 steps down and back up, and the return climb is genuinely hard. The bridge near Mawlynnong is far easier and suits most visitors.
What is the best month for photography?
Late October and November. Waterfalls are still strong from the monsoon, the air is clear, and the light is soft in the mornings.
Sources
Permit rules, park opening dates and government fees change. Always confirm the current position before you travel — and we confirm it directly with these authorities before finalising any itinerary.
Planning a trip to North East?
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