Top 10 places to visit in Assam.

1. Kaziranga National Park

"Home to the One Horned Rhino"

Home to two-thirds of the world's one horned rhinoceros population, this national park has been declared as a World Heritage Site.

Made unique with a vibrant, well preserved and sustained ecology this park has a very versatile bio diversity which makes Kaziranga National Park a very important and popular tourist destination. Other than the one horned Rhino which almost defines the area, the park also offers pleasant surprises to tourists as they spot Swamp deer, elephants, wild buffalos, Chinese pangolins, Bengal foxes, gibbons, civets, sloth bears, leopards and flying squirrels are a few animals that can be spotted here. The park is also home to the Indian tiger and it is a tiger reserve.

Along with this you'll find your heads turning up to see eagles, hornbills and pelicans. Apart from the wildlife, the park itself is immensely beautiful with water bodies and forests. One can opt for safari rides in the park in either jeeps or SUVs and this is the best way to get around the park. Elephant rides can be arranged and they have to be booked in advance as they are popular.Kaziranga is the place to go for a trip full of excitement into the best and most of what Assam's nature has to offer.

1. Majuli Island

"World's Largest Fresh Water Island"

Majuli is a lush green environment-friendly, pristine and pollution free fresh water island in the river Brahmaputra, just 20 km from the Jorhat city.

With a total area of 1250 sq. km, Majuli is the world's largest river island and it attracts tourists from all over the world. Among one of the most surreal places in India, Majuli is also a strong contender for a place in UNESCO's World Heritage Sites. Mostly inhabited by Tribals, the culture of Majuli is unique and quite interesting and is one of the key reasons why people love this place so much. It is also called the cultural capital of Assam. The festivals celebrated here are all joyous and vibrant. The main festival in the town of Majuli is called Raas and witnessing it is an interesting spectacle."

3.Nameri National Park

"An exciting Himalayan foothill"

Nameri national park is famous for its elephants and other animals including tigers, leopards, gaurs, wild pigs, sambars, etc. and also for being a bird watchers paradise.

Safaris are available and are the most popular way to create a trip full of excitement, into the national park. Also, along with the rich fauna of the place, the lush and evergreen flora too, tends to enchant the visitors. Facilities for activities such as water rafting, fishing, swimming are available though permission from the forest department is essential for fishing. One can also dwell a little in peace and sunbathe in the area.

The river in Nameri is full of a variety of fish. The Forest Department here conducts fishing related activities. Golden Masheer Fish is the famous fish of this region and measures 3-9 feet. It is also known as "Tiger of the Himalayan rivers".

The river rafting is also held at the south-east side of the park on river Jai Bharali. The rafting route is 13 km long and takes around 3 hours. A great, tiring and enjoyable experience.

The Eco Camp in Nameri is a famous place to stay. With thatched cottages and a clean environment, the pristine surroundings make up for anything amiss. There are many many accommodation facilities in Tezpur, which is the nearest town. Lodging in Tezpur is very convinient and will fit all kinds of budgets. From wallet friendly motels to extravagant hotels - one can find anything in Tezpur. It is advisable to make reservations in advance.

1. Sibsagar

"Imprints of Ahom Dynasty"
Sibsagar Tourism
Dating back to the Ahom dynasty, this cultural town is full of historic tourist attractions from forts with underground architecture to numerous temples.

Sibsagar is a state ofÊAssamÊthat provides various tourist attractions related to architectural marvels, history and culture. Some of the most popular places here include a water tank called Bhorpukhuri along with Joysagar, a man-made lake, Ahom Museum, Rudrasagar tank and temples, Gaurisagar tank and temples. One can also visit the Kareng Ghar and the Rang Ghar.

1. Sualkuchi

Sualkuchi is a small sleepy village that displays the culture and traditions of Assam in its best form. The weaving village is however, best known for its skills and craftsmanship for producing one of the best kinds of silk in the state and thus earning its self a nickname of 'Manchester of East'.

One can witness the ethnicity and rustic view of the village in form of the bamboo houses and walls covered with mud in order to maintain cool in summers and warmth in winters. Also rich in flora and fauna, Sualkuchi is an ecologically diverse area inhabiting not only the local exotic animals and birds but also varied species of migratory birds. Dotted with temples, namghars and monasteries at every step, the village is a wholesome package for tourists. Silkwork is yet another feather in Sualkuchi's hat. Some very fascinating and intricate designs are developed on the naturally golden Muga silk in the karkhanas or workshops that can be found beside almost every house. The village of Sualkuchi situated on the northern banks of River Brahmaputra with sprawling green hills all around is a beautiful place to visit, exhibiting a charm that will leave you completely awe-inspired.

1. Guwahati

Modern cosmopolitan culture, a treasure of historic charms, endearingly called the ?city of eastern light? Guwahati is situated on the bank of Brahmaputra River and surrounded by hills on three sides which makes it an exotic travel destination. The picturesque city is located in the foothills of lower Assam encompassing an area of 216 km square and the state capital Dispur. Nicknamed as the ?Gateway to North East India? the city is rated as a cultural hub as it concentrates the entire northeastern experience within itself.

Guwahati is where you will find a rich history and culture of the state of Assam, and this is the most developed city in the entire north-east India. Most travelers covering Assam and other nearby states typically take a flight to Guwahati, maybe spend a day in the city, and then carry on to the other travel destinations. For those spending a day in Guwahati, there are some highly revered temples that they can visit - including the famous Kamakhya Devi temple. Guwahati is located on the banks of the Brahmaputra, and you can take a stroll by the riverside, or take a boat ride to the Umananda temple which is located in the center of the river. There are also various monuments, architectural showcases, museums and more. The city is also a great shopping destination, and the local market has a good collection of artifacts and pieces from the states and the cultures nearby.

1. Hajo

"An ancient pilgrimage for all"

The ancient pilgrim centre of Hajo finds it uniqueness in being an attraction for three religions - Hindu, Muslims and Buddhists.

At a distance of about 24 km from the city of Guwahati, Hajo adores the banks of Brahmaputra. Shrines dedicated to Durga, Shiva, Vishnu, Buddha and major Muslim saints are found all over this place, making it an important pilgrimage center for people from all these three religions. The most famous temple is the Hayagriva Madhava Mandir which also attracts Buddhists as it is believed to be the site where Buddha attained Nirvana while the Powa Mecca Mosque finds popularity among Muslims.

1. Orang National Park

"Home to the Orang National Park"

With one of the oldest game reserves of the state, The Orang National park located on the shores of river Brahmaputra, can be an exciting little bit of Assam with a huge variety of fauna finding its habitat here.

Located in the beautiful and diverse state of Assam, Orang National park is the oldest game reserve in the state, situated on banks of river Brahmaputra.

Orang will pleasantly surprise you with its rich variety of animals, birds and fishes and a similar abundance in flora. The park is known for its rhinoceros conservation has The Great Indian Rhinoceros and the famous Bengal Tiger. Apart from rhinos, one will find here the Great Indian Rhinoceros, porcupines, Bengal tigers, civets, water buffaloes, leopards and many more. A huge number and types of fishes are also present here. Along with this you can spot a number of birds in the park such as kingfishers, fishing eagles, woodpeckers, mallards , white pelicans and so on. A safari into the park will let you experience the refreshing beauty of the surroundings and vegetation as well as the enjoyment of watching such variety of wildlife. The park is also an important breeding ground for various fishes.

1. Dibru Saikhowa National Park

"Bird-watchers Paradise"

Dibru Saikhowa National Park is one of those places which boast of a rich collection of flora and fauna, many of them endangered. It is one of the few remaining protected sites in the Endemic Bird Area of the Assamese Plains.

Dibru Saikhowa National Park is a river island national park and one of the 19 biodiversity hotspots in the world. This National Park is situated 12 km north of Tinsukia in Assam. Of the seven parts of the park, one is a wetland and the rest is mainly covered with grasslands and dense forest. Animal life to be viewed in their natural habitat includes royal Bengal tiger, hoolock gibbons and leopards, it is also home to some restricted-range species, such as the White-winged Wood Duck, Bengal Florican, Lesser Adjutant Stork, spotted-billed Pelican, White-bellied Heron, Pallas's Fish Eagle, Swamp Partridge, Jerdon's Babbler, Black-breasted Parrotbill and Striated Grassbird. Marsh Babbler, Swamp Prinia and Yellow Weaver.

There are no roads and hence no jungle safari or elephant rides for roaming in the park, so you can explore the park only by trekking, although boat service is available which can take you to various spots. Guijan Ghat and Saikhowa Ghat are the national park's entry points.