Assam | Will the distant state be Indias subsequent huge journey vacation spot?

I grew up in Guwahati within the Nineteen Nineties, a time when Assam hardly ever made it to nationwide conversations, not to mention international information. It was usually outlined by insurgency, bandhs, and a way of isolation — each geographical and cultural. Yet, life carried on in its personal unhurried rhythm. Rainy mornings smelled of petrichor, afternoons had been reserved for siestas and freshly brewed lal cha, and summer time evenings unfolded by the Brahmaputra’s banks. Bihu and Durga Puja introduced the town alive, momentarily dissolving the troubles of the time. But for these past its borders, the state remained a distant, unfamiliar land — diminished to tea gardens, dense forests, and one-horned rhinoceros. The concept of it as a thriving tourism hub felt inconceivable.

Cut to 2025, and Assam is making headlines for all the suitable causes. There was the current UNESCO addition of Charaideo Moidams — the 700-year-old mound burial system of the Ahom dynasty, usually referred to as the ‘Pyramids of India’ — to its World Heritage List. It has introduced the medieval kingdom’s legacy into the worldwide highlight, resulting in the announcement of a brand new Charaideo Museum. The state, which banks closely on its wildlife locations to draw vacationers, has additionally declared Sikhna Jwhwlao, an important hall between Manas and Raimona National Parks, as its eighth nationwide park, additional cementing its fame as a biodiversity hotspot. The indisputable fact that Assam was ranked No. 4 on The New York Times’ ‘52 Places to Go in 2025’ record — for its “incomparable biodiversity”, “tea estates and river islands”, and its deep-rooted historical past and indigenous cultures — has additionally added to the thrill.

And the developments don’t finish there. Luxury tourism is on the rise with The Postcard Hotel’s debut within the Durrung Tea Estate and Reliance’s partnership announcement with the Oberoi Group to construct a seven-star lodge. Is Assam lastly on the point of a long-awaited tourism breakthrough?

The numbers converse

Tourist arrivals in Assam have surged dramatically over the previous 5 years, signalling a shift within the state’s journey panorama. Domestic footfall, which had plummeted to simply 13.5 lakh in 2020-21 because of the pandemic, rebounded sharply to 98.12 lakh in 2022-23 earlier than settling at 70.36 lakh in 2023-24. International arrivals inform the same story — rising from a mere 347 in 2020-21 to a excessive of 26,128 final yr, in accordance with Assam Tourism. Come summer time, when temperatures climb to a toasty 32 levels Celsius, the state authorities hopes the numbers will enhance much more.

In help of this, final month, on the Advantage Assam 2.0 Summit held in Guwahati, the state secured ₹4.91 lakh crore in investments, with 270 MoUs signed, specializing in tourism, tradition, and hospitality. At a time when overtourism in standard locations resembling Goa and India’s many hill stations — and its attendant troubles of environmental degradation, rising actual property prices, and overstretched infrastructure — are driving vacationers to hunt much less congested choices, Assam hopes to step up as a tranquil different.

“Earlier, folks solely knew about Kaziranga [home to the endangered rhino] and, to a lesser extent, Manas. Now, with Instagram and content material creators, even neighborhood festivals that had been as soon as native occasions are getting nationwide consideration,” says Amit Kumar, govt editor of EastMojo, one of many Northeast’s main digital multimedia information platforms. He factors to hidden gems resembling Goalpara’s Jain Caves and Kaipholangso Waterfall in Karbi Anglong, now weekend locations because of social media creators looking for recent, high-engagement content material. “With insurgency at an all-time low [according to Minister of Home Affairs Amit Shah this week, “violent incidents in the state decreased by 70%”], beforehand inaccessible areas are actually welcoming extra guests,” he provides.

The state can also be additional strengthening its attraction. There are the ‘Awesome Assam’ campaigns in different Indian states, proactive tourism initiatives, higher street and digital connectivity, and the introduction of a vacationer police pressure to make sure customer security. The Guwahati airport is present process a significant growth, too. Scheduled to open quickly, it’s rising its runway capability and can have the ability to accommodate 13.1 million passengers yearly.

Rural tourism is developing, with homestays in Majuli, Goalpara and Nagaon providing immersive experiences. “I work with ladies to assist them arrange homestays — not simply as a enterprise however as a solution to introduce genuine Assamese tradition to travellers,” says Arijit Purkayastha of Koyeli Tours and Travels. Tea tourism, as soon as confined to particular seasons, can also be increasing, reinforcing Assam’s place as a year-round vacation spot.

Rise of boutique journey

There’s a shift in the direction of experience-driven tourism as effectively, exemplified by hospitality manufacturers resembling The Postcard Hotel. Set throughout the 140-year-old Durrung Tea Estate, their first boutique property within the Northeast marks a turning level for high-end hospitality in a area lengthy neglected by luxurious travellers.

“From the very inception of The Postcard in Durrung Tea Estate, we recognised the immense potential of India’s Northeast. Durrung stood out for its accessibility, deep-rooted tea legacy, and seamless connection to Assam’s tradition and wildlife,” says founder and CEO Kapil Chopra. In 2022, the Assam authorities allowed tea estates to make use of 5% of their land for eco-friendly tourism.

“We selected Assam as our first vacation spot within the Northeast for a really strategic motive: India’s tea trails start right here. Durrung can also be surrounded by 5 nationwide parks and gives wonderful accessibility — simply three hours from Guwahati, two from Itanagar, and quarter-hour from Tezpur airport, which is being upgraded,” states Chopra, including that as a substitute of a large-scale improvement that disrupts the place’s pure magnificence, “we’ve taken a extra considerate strategy, with simply 12 rooms unfold throughout 1,400 acres of pristine tea property”.

At The Postcard in Durrung Tea Estate, life strikes on the unhurried tempo of the tea pluckers. Mornings start with a tea appreciation masterclass led by an property sommelier, the place company study to tell apart the best Assam brews. Meals are a deep dive into the area’s flavours, from tangy tenga curries to smoked meats ready with age-old tribal methods. Days unfold with immersive excursions — a go to to Sengeli Mari Gaon, the place 500 ladies weave eri and muga silk, or a hike by Nameri National Park, a paradise for birdwatchers. “What’s actually particular about Assam is how fantastically untouched and deeply participating the state is. Every expertise right here gives a deep connection to historical past and custom.” Assam, Chopra believes, has all of the makings of a premier luxurious journey vacation spot — it simply hasn’t been positioned that approach till now.

From December to March, a brand new three-month Brahmaputra Carnival in Guwahati is providing river cruises, water sports activities, and glamping in luxurious tent on islands. It is being projected as the most important competition of the Northeast.

Navigating the street forward

Addressing key infrastructural gaps is a precedence add journey consultants. “For boutique inns to flourish and promote Assam’s distinctive tradition and flavour, I can solely hope the federal government places some insurance policies in place,” says Shoba Rudra, founder associate of Rare India, one among India’s main aggregators of boutique properties. Though the state has come far since a 2020 examine revealed within the International Journal of Management, Technology, and Social Sciences famous that Assam suffers from “lack of infrastructure and communication bottlenecks, aside from normal geographical isolation”, making journey cumbersome for guests, there may be nonetheless a solution to go.

While cities resembling Guwahati have seen speedy improvement, many promising locations — particularly in Upper Assam and the hill districts — stay tough to entry. Initiatives such because the Assam Tourism (Development and Registration) Bill, 2024, and the tea tourism scheme, which goals to develop 50 estates as tourism hubs, sign progress.

“Kaziranga is sufficiently promoted, however Majuli is but to hit important mass. The cultural context of those locations holds a number of curiosity, as do Assam’s textiles and crafts, which have immense potential but to be explored,” Rudra concludes.

With inputs from Rahul Karmakar

Changemakers’ choose

Rima Das picks Majuli

The state’s rise as a journey vacation spot isn’t nearly its panorama and heritage; it’s additionally pushed by its folks. Five Assamese trailblazers, from filmmaker Rima Das to musician Papon, give their journey suggestions.

Rima Das, filmmaker

“In Majuli, go to the satras, and keep in a chang-ghar”

The filmmaker behind India’s official entry to the 2019 Academy Awards, continues to push the boundaries of Assamese cinema with the movie’s sequel. Village Rockstars 2 obtained an outstanding reception on the Berlinale final month. Known for her intimate, visually wealthy storytelling, Das has been instrumental in bringing Assamese cinema to the worldwide stage. “Assam has lengthy been identified for its storytelling traditions, and now, with international recognition, there’s much more curiosity about its cinema,” says Das, who has collaborated on My Melbourne, an anthology movie targeted on inclusivity.

For Das, Majuli — one of many world’s largest river islands — is a must-visit for its nature, tradition, and spirituality. “Every time I go to Majuli, it jogs my memory of how deeply storytelling is woven into Assamese life. It is dwelling to over 30 satras [Vaishnavite monasteries established by saint Sankardev in the 15th century].”

“I as soon as met an previous monk in a satra who recited historical tales with such emotion that I felt transported to a different time. These satras usually are not simply non secular areas, however dwelling museums of artwork, music and folklore.” She additionally recommends guests to the state strive the standard Mising thali that includes candy and bitter fish curry, rice steamed in banana leaves, and apong (rice beer). And for an immersive island expertise in Majuli, a heritage chang-ghar (stilt home).

Purnima Devi Barman, wildlife biologist

“Visit Sikhna Jwhwlao for its golden langurs”

Named Time journal’s Woman of the Year 2025, Barman’s journey started within the paddy fields of Pubmajirgaon. Determined to save lots of the better adjutant stork (hargila), as soon as seen as a foul omen, she took a grassroots strategy, forming the all-women ‘Hargila Army’ in 2007. By mixing science with custom, she turned conservation right into a cultural motion, internet hosting child showers for storks and integrating them into Assamese festivals. In the final decade, the hargila inhabitants has grown from 450 to over 1,800.

Barman champions Assam’s lesser-known biodiversity hotspots, urging travellers to discover past Kaziranga. Apart from the 2 huge ones, “Assam has six different nationwide parks, together with the latest, Sikhna Jwhwlao, every with its personal magnificence and biodiversity”, she says. At Sikhna Jwhwlao, she asks guests to maintain their eyes peeled for the golden langur, which is “solely discovered on this area”, in addition to uncommon butterfly species resembling Moore’s Cupid. “Walking by the forest seems like getting into one other world.”

Jahnu Barua, filmmaker

“Tezpur has tales of historical kingdoms and legendary battles”

The 12-time National Award-winning director has formed Indian cinema together with his deeply humanistic storytelling. Barua’s movies, together with Halodhia Choraye Baodhan Khai (1987) and Bonani (1989), have introduced Assamese cinema international recognition. This yr, he additionally discovered sudden fame as an actor, together with his position as Uncle Ken in Paatal Lok 2. “This was the primary time I noticed a real strategy to portraying the Northeast, so I accepted the position,” he says with amusing.

Barua laments the overall lack of nationwide consciousness about Assam. “Elsewhere in India, they’ve this notion that Assam is sort of primitive. But now we have a wealthy historical past, the place women and men are equal, and dowry is exceptional.” He believes that one of the best ways to know Assam’s historical past and tradition is to interact with its dwelling traditions and historic centres. One such place is Tezpur, a metropolis steeped in mythology and historical past.

“It is not only about scenic magnificence or tea gardens — it holds tales of historical kingdoms, legendary battles, and even connections to the Mahabharata. It’s the place historical past and folklore mix seamlessly.” Barua additionally highlights Hajo, a city that displays Assam’s inclusive religious material. “It’s one of many few locations the place Hinduism, Islam, and Buddhism coexist harmoniously. That itself tells you what Assam is about.”

Papon, musician

“Try a river cruise the place each bend brings a shift in rhythm, flavour, and identification”

Angaraag Mahanta, popularly often called Papon, has delivered unforgettable hits resembling ‘Moh Moh Ke Dhaage’, ‘Jiyein Kyun’ and ‘Kaun Mera’. Beyond Hindi films, his impartial work carries the soul of his dwelling state, formed by its wealthy folks traditions and distinctive cultural crossroads.

Papon describes Assam because the bridge between India and the Far East. “I used to be fortunate to be born in a spot the place I might grasp each worlds — western and jap music, and naturally, Indian music.” He can also be keen about showcasing Assam’s cultural depth. His newest venture, a film-in-progress, traces the Brahmaputra’s journey from Assam to Bangladesh, and is meant to discover the river’s position as a lifeline of traditions, music and delicacies. He sees a river cruise as an immersive solution to uncover Assam’s hidden gems, from distant tribal villages to centuries-old religious websites.

“I’ve taken a brief journey earlier than, however this time, I wish to journey its complete size in Assam,” Papon says. “Every bend within the river brings a shift in rhythm, flavour, and identification. Through this movie, I hope to showcase 10 to 11 distinct types of music, methods of dwelling, meals traditions, and cultural expressions that thrive alongside the Brahmaputra.” Companies resembling Antara Cruises and Assam Bengal Navigation assist plan cruises.

Lovlina Borgohain, boxer

“In Karbi Anglong, strive the native greens and smoked meats”

Last month, this boxing sensation made historical past as soon as once more by clinching gold on the 2025 National Games. The Olympic bronze medallist, who rose to international fame at Tokyo 2020, has turn into a driving pressure for Indian boxing, particularly for ladies within the sport.

“There are so many gifted younger women in Assam who can excel in boxing if given the suitable alternatives. We want extra infrastructure and training on the grassroots degree,” says Borgohain. Determined to encourage the subsequent technology, she actively works to encourage younger women to take up the game. Tourists can take a look at native tournaments, such because the Assam Inter-District Junior Boxing Championship (often held mid yr), and assist unfold the phrase. “If you wish to really expertise Assam’s magnificence, you could go to lesser-known locations like Manja in Karbi Anglong. It’s a spot of unbelievable pure magnificence.

The conventional Karbi delicacies is a must-try — particularly the fragrant Joha rice, wild greens, dried fish, smoked meats and fermented bamboo shoot dishes. The native weaves [like pini, a type of skirt, and choy-an, a jacket for men] and handicrafts additionally make for lovely souvenirs.” Borgohain is hopeful that the worldwide highlight on Assam will prolong to sports activities improvement as effectively, giving younger athletes the assist they should shine.

The author is an impartial journalist and photographer who covers journey, meals, tradition and sustainability.