Famous for its heart-throbbing scenes of nature, aromatic and lush green tea estates all over, and protecting many rare species in its heart, Assam is one of the most beautiful tourist destinations of India. Having an idea about the best season to visit Assam helps immensely to visit this hilly rain-drenched state.
One of the Seven Sisters of North-Eastern India, Assam’s natural beauty is still not much explored by tourism. Probably this is what makes Assam the best place to retreat for souls that are tired of living amidst concrete jungles and electronic devices. Move ahead to know the best season to visit Assam.
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Best Time to Visit Assam
Before planning a trip to Assam, always research the best time to visit Assam. This is because India has majorly 3 seasons. And also, the climate in India varies from state to state even in a given season. The rains in Assam are heavy. In fact, the state receives the highest rainfall in India. Summer or winter is the best season to visit Assam.
Seasons in Assam
Assam’s tropical climate is mainly divided into three seasons:
Summer
- From April to June
- Temperature varies from 35-38 degrees C
- Mild heat, compared to the rest of India.
- Makes best Assam tourist season
- Carry mosquito repellents, goggles, and water bottles.
- Wear light shaded cotton clothes.
Winter
- From October to March
- Temperature varies from 6-8 degrees C
- Cold and best for a cozy vacation
- Makes best Assam tourist season
- Pack sweaters and scarfs
- Avoid if you cannot tolerate colder climates and have respiratory issues
Rainy/Monsoon
- From July to September
- Temperature varies from 26-32 degrees C
- Heavy rains with floods and landslides
- Not at all the best Assam tourist season.
- All tourist activities come to halt. Not suggested season to visit Assam.
Assam Summer Season Tourism
Summer makes the best season to visit Assam. The weather is just perfect to spend the whole day sightseeing and moving without any discomfort or delays.
If you are not habituated to sunny places, you may feel little sweat and hot. But let us assure you that summer is the best season to visit Assam. The temperature is bearable and comfortable even for foreigners.
Considering the number of months, you may feel that the time is short. If you take a look at the following things to do in the Assam summer vacation, we promise you will never feel like missing this sweet short period:
Enjoy a ferry ride on Majuli river island
Famous for offering serene views of green forests surrounding it, Majuli is a river island in Assam. It is the world’s largest river island. This spot makes it a perfect choice to spend a summer with your dear one or for a honeymoon trip to Assam without any fear of floods and heavy rains. The local dance Sattriya is a not to miss experience if you are keen to explore Assam’s culture. To enjoy the river ride, the best season to visit Assam is summer or winter.
Explore the tea estates in Jorhat
Assam is world-famous for tea and tea estates. The sights of the slopy green lands turn more scenic in Jorhat. Enjoy nature walk amidst these green fields, take a selfie with the tea workers, or try a hand picking the tea leaves.
Witness the lifestyle of local tribes
Assam is a home of many tribes of India such as Dimasa kachauris, Zeme Nagas, The Hmars, and The Kukis. Summer is the best Assam tourist season that gives you a scope to witness the lifestyles of these tribes from up close.
Watch the sunrise and set on Brahmaputra river
Catch a cruise on the Brahmaputra. Equip yourself with a fully charged camera to catch the breath-taking sights of sunrise and seton the Brahmaputra river. What else season suits well than to explore the beauty of hills and the river flowing amidst them? That’s’ why we said summer is the best season to visit Assam.
Visit the famous Kamakhya Temple
Kamakhya temple holds immense significance and power as per Hindus’ beliefs. Visit this temple and get enchanted with its spiritual vibes. Remember to dress in Indian wear before visiting this temple and enjoy your visit.
Shop some Assam handlooms
Like most other parts of India, Assam has its own handloom known as eri and muga. They are silk fabrics and handspun. Locals wear them with love and they make a great choice to add a collection in your heritage collection too. Summer makes it the best season to visit Assam as you can shop comfortably without feeling too cold or getting drenched in rains.
Assam Winter Season Tourism
Winters in Assam are chilling. The temperatures fit perfectly for those who want to experience winters of India that do not drop to minuses. Spanning from November to May, the winter season in Assam offers a whole good 6-month time to plan winter vacation leisurely. Hence, winter is also the best season to visit Assam.
Enjoying a hot cup of local Assam tea on a winter morning while losing yourself in the pleasant unmatchable scenic sights of Assam is definitely a dream come true. Unlike most other parts of India, winters are not humid in Assam thanks to the cold air coming from the Great Himalayas.
Here are the things to do in Assam in Winter vacation:
Get enchanted by national parks
Winters in Assam make a perfect time to walk in the widest national parks. The Kaziranga is a sanctuary that shelters many Indian species that are on the verge of extinction. Manas, a famous biodiversity-rich area of Assam, is another national park of India and is a listed UNESCO heritage site.
Grab the views of some of the rare exotic species of wildlife in India such as Indian hog deer, wild water buffalo, Assam roofed turtles, and many more. The one-horned Rhinoceros is one such rare species that are protected here. The pink-headed duck is another rare breed that is found only in Assam national parks. Hengrabari Reserved Forest is another not to miss bio-diversity site of Assam.
Mingle with locals on Bihu
India is a harvest-based country and Assam is not an exception. The spring festival Bihu that marks the celebration of harvest is one of the major festivals of Assam. You should not miss experiencing this colorful festival especially if you are visiting Assam in January. Doesn’t this sound like January might be the best Assam tourist season?
Witness the culture, vivid colors, and the majesty of Assam culture. Dance to the tunes of local music around the bonfire at night. Relish on festive delicacies and Bihu special traditional feast.
Enliven your spiritual side
Assam is one of the places in India which follows Buddhism. The world’s prominent Bamunimaidan temple that holds immense significance for Buddhists is in Assam. Interestingly, another temple Hayagriva Mahadeva temple in Hajo holds immense significance for both Hindus and Buddhists equally. Pay a visit Kamakhya temple too to complete the spiritual trip in Assam.
Spend time at Umananda island
Smallest of its kind, Umananda island is known for the calmness and spiritual charm it carries. It is one of the smallest islands in the world and received immense patronization during the British rule in India. Forgetting the outside world, relax yourselves on this beautiful island during the winter that is the best season to visit Assam.
Get drenched in Kakochang waterfall
One of the most scenic waterfalls in India, Kakochang is one of the places that Assam tourists never miss. The ambiance of the surroundings and the freshness in the water rejuvenates visitors every single time they visit it.
Visit tea research centers
Assam has some of the world’s prominent tea research centers. Tourists can visit the Tocklai tea research center and learn fascinating aspects related to brewing and tea varieties. Winter makes it the best season to visit Assam as it gives a chance to visit all such places without getting tired or feeling the hotness of the sun.
Shop and sight see in Guwahati
The capital city of Assam, Guwahati is best explored during winters. Winter makes the perfect climate for tourists to explore the shopping areas and sightseeing places of Guwahati. This makes winter the best season to visit Assam.
Handlooms, handmade items, variants of tea, items made of bamboo, and fiber make great collection pieces for Assam tourists. Those keen on purchasing Assam items from branded and reputed stores can visit Fancy Bazaar, Government Emporium, or Paltan Bazar. Maligaon Market, New Market, GS Road, and Chowk Bazaar are also some of the best places for shopping in Assam.
Things to know before visiting Assam
As mentioned, the rainy season is not the best Assam tourist season. The rains can be heavy often leading to floods. All the tourist activities and national parks are closed during the rainy season.
Interesting facts about Assam
- Bhoot Jolokia, popularly known as Ghost Chilli or red naga chili, grows in Assam.
- The Bramhaputra river on which Assam is built is the only male river in India. Rest all rivers are considered female and named in those lines. The name Bramhaputra literally means the Son of Lord Brahma – the Creator of the Universe.
- The Kamakhya temple in Assam is one of the Ashtadasa Shakthi Peethas of India that is known for symbolizing the power of Goddess Durga.
- Tourists can find some of the exotic activities such as Parasailing, river sailing, and angling in Assam. This is one of the top things to do in Assam.
- Asia’s one of the largest and oldest oil refineries, Digboi, is located in Assam.
- The Haflong valley of Assam is known for its blooms and is also called as Ant Hill Town or Switzerland of the East.
- A place called Mayong in Assam is famous for Blackmagic. The locals are known to perform black magic for centuries.
- Assam is also a home of music, dance, and drama. Its Sattriya Dance, Bodo dance Bagurumba and Jhumair dance are renowned. Watching these performances is one of the things to do in Assam.
- Brass metal crafts are famous in Assam. Don’t forget to buy one as a souvenir on your visit to Assam.
With its greenery and amazingly protected culture, Assam makes it a perfect tourist destination for those who want to relax in the lap of nature. Assam is one of the best states for tourism in India. However, visit this beautiful state in the best Assam tourist season – summer and winter, and avoid the monsoon season.