Food and Travel in Northeast India
Eight days of eating across Assam, Meghalaya and Nagaland — Khasi kitchens in Shillong and Mawlynnong, Assamese and Mishing food at Kaziranga, and the smoked meats and chilies of the Naga Hills, with safaris and village walks in between.
The food of Northeast India is easy to overlook. The region is home to more than two hundred tribes whose roots run back to Mongolia and Southeast Asia, and their kitchens are unlike anywhere else in the country. This trip is built around that food, and the landscapes and people that come with it. It starts in Guwahati, where cooks from every state in the region have set up shop. From there you climb into the hills of Meghalaya: Shillong for Khasi restaurants, and Mawlynnong, the famously clean village, where you eat with a family and learn a few dishes. At Kaziranga, between elephant and jeep safaris, you eat Assamese and Mishing food at the small places near the park. The trip ends in Kohima, in the Naga Hills, where the food is the most adventurous in India — smoked meats, fermented bamboo shoot, and chilies that need respect — alongside plainer pork, chicken and beef dishes anyone can enjoy. The tour runs all year, though the safaris are only possible in the winter season.
Traveling with Greener Pastures means hassle-free, insightful journeys in the hands of passionate experts. All our naturalist guides are from the region and have deep knowledge of the local wildlife, terrain, and communities. Every tour can be tailored to your interests and fitness level.
At a Glance
Culinary Adventure
Eat your way through Assamese, Khasi, Mishing and Naga kitchens.
Nature and Wildlife
Safaris in Kaziranga and the green hills of Meghalaya and Nagaland.
Tribal Cultures
Meet the Khasi, Mishing and Naga peoples in their own villages.
Day by Day
Guwahati
Arrive at Guwahati airport and drive into the city. Guwahati draws people from every state and tribe in the region, so dinner can be Assamese, Naga, Manipuri, Khasi or plain Indian, whichever you like. Watch the sunset on the Brahmaputra, and spend the evening in the markets and craft shops.
Guwahati
Arrive at Guwahati airport and drive into the city. Guwahati draws people from every state and tribe in the region, so dinner can be Assamese, Naga, Manipuri, Khasi or plain Indian, whichever you like. Watch the sunset on the Brahmaputra, and spend the evening in the markets and craft shops.
Guwahati - Shillong
After breakfast, drive up to Shillong (3 hours), the capital of Meghalaya and a hill station the British came to in the hot months. Lunch and dinner are at two local places serving Khasi food. The rest of the day is for the lakes, waterfalls and Shillong Peak.
Guwahati - Shillong
After breakfast, drive up to Shillong (3 hours), the capital of Meghalaya and a hill station the British came to in the hot months. Lunch and dinner are at two local places serving Khasi food. The rest of the day is for the lakes, waterfalls and Shillong Peak.
Shillong - Mawlynnong
Drive to Mawlynnong (3 hours), the cleanest village in Asia, in the foothills above the plains of Bangladesh. The village runs its own tourism, so you stay in a homestay and eat home-cooked Khasi food with the family. The rest of the day is for nearby villages, a swim in the natural pool, and the living root bridge at Riwai. The Khasi are matrilineal: property passes from mother to youngest daughter.
Shillong - Mawlynnong
Drive to Mawlynnong (3 hours), the cleanest village in Asia, in the foothills above the plains of Bangladesh. The village runs its own tourism, so you stay in a homestay and eat home-cooked Khasi food with the family. The rest of the day is for nearby villages, a swim in the natural pool, and the living root bridge at Riwai. The Khasi are matrilineal: property passes from mother to youngest daughter.
Mawlynnong - Kaziranga National Park
A long drive to Kaziranga National Park (7-8 hours), home to the largest population of one-horned rhinos in the world and a good number of tigers. Evening at leisure.
Mawlynnong - Kaziranga National Park
A long drive to Kaziranga National Park (7-8 hours), home to the largest population of one-horned rhinos in the world and a good number of tigers. Evening at leisure.
Kaziranga National Park
An early elephant safari and two jeep safaris in different ranges of the park. Between them, eat at two traditional places near the park for Assamese and Mishing tribal food.
Kaziranga National Park
An early elephant safari and two jeep safaris in different ranges of the park. Between them, eat at two traditional places near the park for Assamese and Mishing tribal food.
Kaziranga - Kohima
Drive to Kohima (4-5 hours) in the Naga Hills. Around the town you visit Naga villages, meet the people and eat the food Nagaland is known for across India — smoked meats, fermented bamboo shoot, and the hottest chilies in the country. There are also the markets, the museum and the war memorial.
Kaziranga - Kohima
Drive to Kohima (4-5 hours) in the Naga Hills. Around the town you visit Naga villages, meet the people and eat the food Nagaland is known for across India — smoked meats, fermented bamboo shoot, and the hottest chilies in the country. There are also the markets, the museum and the war memorial.
Kohima - Dimapur
After breakfast, drive to Dimapur (2-3 hours) for your flight. End of tour.
Kohima - Dimapur
After breakfast, drive to Dimapur (2-3 hours) for your flight. End of tour.
Your Retreats
01The Guwahati Address
A newer upscale hotel in central Guwahati, quietly and carefully done. Rooms have wooden floors and modern comforts, the restaurant has a warm atmosphere, and the lobby is large enough to sit and talk in.
“Wooden floors, a big lobby, and a restaurant people linger in.”
02The Heritage Club — Tripura Castle
The only heritage property of its kind in Shillong, built as a retreat for the royal family of Tripura and still run in that spirit. Half-timbered cottages sit in wooded gardens above the town, with period rooms, open fires, and tables laid outside when the weather allows.
“Garden tables under the pines, on the first evening.”
03West Corner Homestay
A family homestay at the west end of Mawlynnong, a few minutes’ walk from the old parking lot, built from bamboo and wood with some concrete. It is an independent unit — one room sleeping three or four, with its own bathroom. Marcelos and his family host, and breakfast is served in the garden. The Riwai living root bridge is a mile or so away, and Dawki about an hour.
“Breakfast in the garden, and a village that sweeps itself.”
04The Kaziranga Heritage
Directly opposite Kaziranga's central Kohora gate. Twenty-eight rooms across heritage bungalows and river-view cottages, built in Assam-type architecture with bamboo wickerwork and local artwork. Its kitchen, Kazi Nemu, cooks Assamese dishes such as khar and masor tenga.
“The Kohora floodplain opens up beyond the verandah”
05The Heritage
Once the District Commissioner’s bungalow, now a small boutique hotel that has kept its early-20th-century raj-era character — high wooden ceilings, airy verandas, and armchairs set out for the view over Kohima. Accommodation is comfortable and straightforward.
“Old bones, warm rooms, and a veranda built for sitting.”
Why Travel With Greener Pastures?
Curated Experiences
Our itineraries are one of a kind, carefully detailed from our own personal travel experiences — from choosing the best logistically correct routes to the most interesting stay options.
Native Guides
With guides native to the region, you get an insider view of local life and culture.
Experts in the Region
You are in the hands of a team who know and are passionate about Northeast India.
“By choosing us, we share together a pledge towards responsible tourism, and a belief that travel has the power to positively transform local livelihoods, cultures, and the environment.”
— The Greener Pastures Promise
Travel news from Northeast India.
Stories from the field, our upcoming experiences, and other travel related news from Northeast India.