You might have known Guwahati as a major educational and commercial hub with the second largest tea production in the world. However, there’s far more than what the naked eyes can see in this fast-growing Indian city. Guwahati has a treasure trove of natural and man-made wonders worth seeing. And, a visit to this city has to cover its rich and abundant wildlife and the several ancient temples among other things. Essentially, a 4-5 days trip would be ideal to get around all these stunning spots, but if you’re on a tight schedule, a 2-day trip would suffice. To help you make the most of every hour of your 2-day trip, here’s our 48 hours in Guwahati itinerary.
It would be a great way to start the first day of your trip by visiting Umananda Temple which has a serene, refreshing view. This temple is situated on Peacock Island, also known as Umananda Island, and is surrounded by the vast Brahmaputra River. Legend has it that the temple gets its name ‘Umananda’ from ‘Uma’, which is another name of Lord Shiva’s wife Sati, and ‘Ananda’, which means happiness.
Sitting on a hill overlooking the river, this temple was originally built by King Gangadhar Singha in 1694 A.D. Though it was later destroyed by an earthquake, it was rebuilt and to date, it stands tall with all its charm. What makes this place stand out is that apart from worshipping the gods and goddesses, you can also sit and absorb the beauty of the island.
After visiting the temple, you can go for a rejuvenating stroll at Nehru Park and take a sneak peek at the recreational activities or have a small picnic.
Timings: 5:30 am to 6 pm.
Entry Fee: None.
Also Read: Experiencing Bihu Festival In Assam
From Umananda Temple, you can head over to the Shukreshwar Ghat/Park, which is a 10-minute walk away. This place is especially known for housing one of the largest lingas or idols of Lord Shiva in the Shukreshwar Temple. Located right by the banks of the Brahmaputra River, this temple is a well-known holy place among the Hindus. It is said that performing the final rituals of a person here can help them attain ‘moksha’ (salvation). One of the must-try things on your 48 hours in Guwahati itinerary has to be taking a ferry ride on the Brahmaputra River and exploring the scenic beauty of the temple and the ghat.
Timings: 8 am to 8 pm.
Entry Fee: No entry fee for the temple. But, the round trip on the ferry can cost you about INR 250.
If you’re up for a star-gazing session, then you would really appreciate the Guwahati Planetarium in this itinerary. Apart from being an astronomical research and science center, it is also the only planetarium in all of Northeast India. The center has amazing equipment including a theatre sound system, starfield projector, and special effects.
You can go around the center looking at the various exhibits and solar eclipses in an outdoor setting. Also, don’t miss out on the sky-gazing sessions that they host regularly at 2-hour intervals. Watching and learning about the universe through the dome-shaped overhead screen would truly be a fascinating experience.
Timings: 11 am to 4 pm.
Entry Fee: INR 15 for students and INR 30 for others.
Once you’re done exploring the planetarium you can then go on and have an appetizing meal before you go on to the next stop. Hot Pot, The Highlanders Shawarma, Grill Republica, and Roadside Storyz are some of the nearby restaurants that you can check out.
Also Read: Assam Travel Guide
Next on the 48 hours in Guwahati itinerary is the Kamakhya Temple, one of the four important Shakti Peethas in India. Dedicated to Goddess Shakti, this temple is considered extremely sacred among the followers of Hinduism. This temple honors the power of women to give birth to a child.
With ornate designs at the entrance of the temple and a massive dome, Kamakhya Temple overlooks the charming Nilanchal Hills. If you plan on visiting Guwahati in June, you can even witness the celebrations of the Ambabuchi festival, which is a 3-4 day long fair that is set up at this temple.
Timings: 8 am to 1 pm and 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm.
Entry Fee: None.
After spending some time at the Kamakhya Temple, you can move on to Dipor Bil or Deepor Beel. Sprawling over an area of 40 sq. km, this is the largest permanent freshwater lake along the Brahmaputra Valley in Assam. The lake is known to attract a variety of waterbirds as well as migratory birds from all over the world.
If you want to catch a glimpse of some hibernating birds, you should definitely come here during the winters. With such biodiversity to offer, it isn’t surprising that Dipor Bil is listed as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by Birdlife International. It would be indeed mesmerizing to spend the evening taking a boat ride at this lake and spotting various colorful birds.
Timings: 9 am to 5 pm.
Entry Fee: None. If you want to take a boat ride at the lake it’ll cost between INR 100 and INR 200 approximately.
Post spending a fabulous time at the Dipor Bil lake, you can end your day 1 tour by heading to the popular market of Guwahati - Fancy Bazar. Being one of the best flea markets, Fancy Bazaar is known as the ‘Chandni Chowk of Guwahati’. Studded with a bazillion shops, stalls, and roadside set-ups, it is full of chaos and delectable local street food.
Fancy Bazaar is popular for buying Assam silk garments and savory Assamese sweets. You can also purchase items like jewelry, stationery, artifacts, and accessories at wholesale prices. Once your heart is full after shopping for your favorites and relishing the lip-smacking street food, you can head back to your accommodation for a good night’s rest.
Timings: 10 am to 9 pm.
Entry Fee: None.
The second day of your trip will be pretty different than the first day. So, get ready for a new day and new adventures!
Your second day in Guwahati can start with a visit to the Assam State Museum, also known as Assam Rajyik State Museum. This museum was established in 1940 during the colonization of the British. On your visit here, you’ll witness loads of exhibits like antique sculptures, crafts, history and folk art forms, and many other rare collections. You can also find some eye-catching paintings made of ivory, royal garments, coins, and even unique musical instruments.
If you’re a history nerd, then you would enjoy glancing through old journals and periodicals on various fields at the museum library. Visiting this museum would help you gain insight into the history of the state of Assam.
Timings: 10 am to 5 pm during summers and 10 am to 4:30 pm in winters. The museum remains closed on Mondays and on 2nd and 4th Saturdays.
Entry Fee: INR 20 for Indians and INR 100 for foreigners.
By noon, you can reach the Assam State Zoo-Cum-Botanical Garden located on the outskirts of Guwahati, inside the Hengerbari Reserved Forest. Unlike any other zoo, this one not just houses several bird and animal species, but also works toward their rescue and rehabilitation. It also hosts social awareness programs and promotes animal adoption within the city of Guwahati.
Tigers, hoolock gibbons, Himalayan black bears, rhinoceros, etc. are just some of the many animals that you can spot at the zoo. Going here with your kids would be a great way to make their day awesome.
Timings: 7 am to 4:30 pm during summers and 8 am to 4 pm in winters. It remains closed on Fridays.
Entry Fee: INR 30 for adults and INR 10 for children (5 to 12 years).
After grabbing lunch to recharge your energy, you can illuminate your brains with some interesting science facts at the Regional Science Centre, locally known as the Science Museum. This center aims to not just enlighten but also entertain the visitors with the help of science and technology.
Apart from displaying interactive exhibits, the museum also features rare machinery and equipment. And, to beat the stigma that museums are boring, the Regional Science Centre has mock pre-historic parks, an in-built aquarium, a spacious auditorium, and an amazing 3D animation theater to keep you hooked. Taking a tour of the Science Museum would not only help you learn new things but also get involved in fun experiments.
Timings: 9:30 am to 6 pm every day. However, the ticket counter closes by 5:30 pm.
Entry Fee: INR 30 for individuals, INR 25 for groups of 25 people or more, INR 15 for students of private school, and INR 10 for students of govt. schools.
Also Read: 10 Things To Do In Assam For An Exciting Holiday
If you’re visiting this city for the first time and would want to know more about the Assamese culture, your 48 hours in Guwahati itinerary can end with a visit to the Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra. It has been named after the greatest unifier of Assam, Srimanta Sankaradeva, who preached unity and brotherhood among the people. And to capture the essence of his movement, the institute works toward the conservation and promotion of Assam’s rich cultural heritage.
Spread over a land of 17.5 hectares, the Kalakshetra has various sections like the Art gallery, Sahitya and Sangeet Natak building, and many more. You’ll be leaving this place amazed by attending the sound and light show they organize and learning about the wide and ethnic cultural diversity of the state.
Timings: 10 am to 7 pm. You can attend the Sound & Light show at 6:15 pm in Assamese and 7 pm in English from March to September. And, from October to February at 5:30 pm in Assamese and 6:15 pm in English.
Entry Fee: INR 30 for adults, INR 10 for children, INR 100 for foreigners, and INR 30 for the Sound & Light show.
Summing Up
A trip to Guwahati would be great to delve into the rich history and culture of Northeast India. And, all these places on the ultimate itinerary would surely help you witness this in real. So, when you plan your two-day trip to Guwahati, don’t forget to thank us!
How Many Days Are Enough For Guwahati?
With a variety of tourist places and biodiversity to explore, you would ideally need 5-6 days to witness everything that Guwahati has to offer. However, you can also take a two days trip and make the most of your visit to Guwahati. Just make sure you’re prepared with a well-planned itinerary.
Which Month Is Best For Guwahati?
Guwahati witnesses a pleasant climate during most part of the year. But, the best time to visit the city is between October and March. These winter months experience cold yet pleasant weather that’s just perfect for sightseeing. Just make sure to carry some warm clothes as the temperatures could drop to a minimum of 5°C on some days.
How Can I Spend My Day In Guwahati?
Here’s how you can spend your day in Guwahati - you can visit the various tourist attractions like Umananda Temple, Shukreshwar Ghat/Park, Kamakhya Temple, Assam State Museum, etc. Other than that, you can go stargazing at the Guwahati Planetarium, cruising on the Brahmaputra River, shopping at Fancy Bazaar, and enjoy a long drive via the Saraighat bridge.
What Is Famous In Guwahati For Shopping?
There are numerous things you can shop from the local markets of Guwahati. Some of them are Assam silk garments, Assamese jewelry with simple designs, Assamese sweets like pitha, and bamboo furniture. Fancy Bazaar is one of the best markets for shopping in Guwahati.
What Is The Famous Food Of Guwahati?
Doi-chira (made of rice and yogurt), khaar (a meat delicacy), thukpa (stew), duck meat curry with ou khatta (sweet and sour marmalade), narikol pitha (sweet coconut fritter), polu or leta (dishes made of silkworms), and masor tenga (a tangy fish curry) are some of the famous local foods of Guwahati that you must try!
Which Is The Hottest Month In Guwahati?
March to October are the months that experience high temperatures in Guwahati. However, July is the hottest month in Guwahati with the temperatures rising up to 86°C.
Are Men Allowed In Kamakhya Temple?
There are certain periods during the year when men are not allowed to enter the Kamakhya Temple. It is believed that the Goddess menstruates during these times and hence, only female priests and devotees are allowed.
What Can I Buy In Fancy Bazar In Guwahati?
Some of the best things to get from the Fancy Bazaar in Guwahati are wooden handicrafts, tribal jewelry, handbags, and home decor items like wind chimes and artificial flowers. You can also get ethnic showpieces like Jaapi (a conical hat) and Gamosa (a red woven cloth).
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