Our Assam Meghalaya Trip Day 1: A Late Flight, an Exhausting Night Drive & Our First Big Mistake

Not every travel day is about sightseeing. Some days exist purely to teach you what not to do—and Day 1 of our Assam–Meghalaya journey was exactly that.

This blog is a real, unfiltered account of our first day, starting from Jaipur, landing in Guwahati, and pushing ourselves into a late-night drive to Kaziranga. If you’re planning a similar trip, this one day can help you avoid exhaustion, bad timing, and unrealistic routing.

A Normal Afternoon Before an Unusual Journey

Our flight was scheduled at 2:00 PM, which gave us the rare advantage of not having to rush. Instead of pulling Jiya out of routine, we decided to send her to school, pick her up as usual, and then head to the airport together. It kept the day grounded and calm before what would turn into a very long night.

The moment we entered Jaipur International Airport, the contrast hit us instantly. Jaipur outside is vibrant, chaotic, and full of life—but the airport feels like another city altogether.

Polished floors, disciplined queues, calm announcements actually no announcements, and sharply dressed travellers. Jokingly, it felt like everyone looked like an heir of Ambani. That quiet, premium environment almost tricks you into believing the journey ahead will be just as smooth.

Flying On Time & Landing in Guwahati

Our flight departed on time, and the journey was comfortable. We landed at Guwahati around 4:30 PM (16:30 hours).

Now, landing time and exit time are two very different things.

Between:

• Waiting at the baggage conveyor belt

• Coordinating with the driver

• Getting out of the airport premises

…it was already 5:30 PM by the time we finally started our road journey.

This one-hour gap may sound small, but in Northeast travel, every hour after sunset matters.

The Decision We Regret: Driving to Kaziranga the Same Evening

Looking back, this is where we made our first itinerary mistake.

Instead of staying overnight in Guwahati, we decided to drive straight to Kaziranga, as our resort was already booked for the night.

Reality check:

• Distance: Guwahati to Kaziranga – ~250 km
• Average driving time: ~6 hours

Starting this journey after 5:30 PM automatically meant:

• Driving deep into the night
• Limited food options
• Increased fatigue

We went ahead anyway—something we do not recommend for most travellers.

On the Highway: Guwahati to Kaziranga After Sunset

As we moved away from Guwahati, traffic reduced and the roads opened up. But night driving in this region is mentally taxing, especially after a flight.

Tea Break at Sadarji Dhaba

Our first stop was Sadarji Dhaba, where we took a short tea break.

• Tea cost: ₹30 per cup
• Clean, functional, no-frills stop
• Good enough to refresh before continuing

This was more about staying awake than enjoying food.

Searching for Pure Vegetarian Food on the Highway

We had clearly told our driver that we wanted to eat only at pure vegetarian restaurants, preferably places where no non-veg is cooked at all.

Such options are limited on this route, especially after sunset.

Dinner Stop at NHI 4 (Pure Vegetarian Restaurant)

Around 8:30 PM, we stopped at NHI 4.

Our honest food experience:

• Taste: Good, freshly prepared
• Hygiene: Decent
• Pricing: On the higher side

For context:

• Roti cost: ~₹50 per roti

Compared to Rajasthan or Gujarat, this felt expensive. However, given:

• Pure veg assurance
• Highway dependency
• Late-night timing

…it was still a safe and acceptable choice, especially for vegetarian and Jain families.

Reaching Kaziranga at 11:30 PM

We finally reached the Kaziranga area at around 11:30 PM.

This was possible only because:

• Our driver was driving faster than average
• We kept stops minimal

Under normal driving conditions, this journey could easily stretch to 12:30 AM or later.

This is why we strongly say:

Do not plan Guwahati → Kaziranga on the same evening if you land after 3 PM.

Our Kaziranga Resort: First Impressions After a Long Day

By the time we checked into our resort, we were physically done.

Honest first impression:

• Room quality: Average
• Luxury: Nothing exceptional
• Value for money: Acceptable
• Compared to nearby resorts: Fair for the price paid

At that hour, we weren’t looking for luxury. We needed:

• A clean bed
• A hot shower
• Rest

Day 1 ended without sightseeing, without exploration—just recovery.

The Bigger Mistake Revealed on Day 1 Itself

The biggest issue wasn’t just the night drive.

The real mistake was this:

Staying only one night in Kaziranga.

By the end of Day 1, it was already clear that:

• Kaziranga deserves more time
• Combining late arrival + early safari + same-day departure would be exhausting

And yet, that’s exactly what we had planned for Day 2.

Day 1 Key Learnings (Very Important)

• ✈️ Afternoon flights + long road journeys don’t mix well
• 🚗 Guwahati to Kaziranga should ideally be a day drive
• 🍽️ Pure veg food is available, but limited and costly
• 🛏️ Arrival-day hotel expectations should be realistic
• 📍 Kaziranga needs minimum 2 nights, not one

These are the lessons guidebooks rarely tell you.

What Was Planned for Day 2 (And Why It Was Tough)

Day 2 was planned as:

• Early morning Kaziranga safari
• Immediate checkout
• Long drive towards Shillong

In hindsight, this was overambitious and physically draining—but it’s a lesson worth sharing.

Final Thoughts on Day 1

Day 1 wasn’t exciting, but it was honest travel. And honest travel stories are what help future travellers plan better journeys.

This experience, documented as part of our travel philosophy at Lazy Yatra, reinforces one key belief:

A good itinerary respects time and energy—not just destinations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Is it a good idea to drive from Guwahati to Kaziranga after landing in the evening?

No. Based on our experience, it’s physically exhausting and not recommended, especially for families.

Q2. How many nights are required in Kaziranga?

Minimum 2 nights are recommended to properly enjoy the safari without rushing.

Q3. Are vegetarian food options available on the Guwahati–Kaziranga route?