Lilabari to Guwahati Flights

  About Lilabari

Located in the North Lakhimpur district is the small and quaint town of Lilabari. The town is close to the Brahmaputra river and has good connectivity with other cities in Assam. The city also has its own airport.

Best time to visit Lilabari

Thanks to being nestled up at an altitude, Lilabari witnesses cold winters and pleasant summers. Winters in Lilabari are between November to February and see quite extreme cold. Although it doesn't snow in Lilabari, the temperature does drop to below 10 degree Celsius. In fact, the months December and January see quite low temperatures as it ranges between 6 degree Celsius and 10 degree Celsius. Lilabari is not a typical tourist destination as it does not have many places to visit or things to do. However, the quaint weather in the city often attracts many people to come over for solitude and relaxation. The place is usually shut during winters as it doesn't experience a lot of tourists. The hotel prices in Lilabari are not too high as well. In fact, during winters, you might be able to find some cheap hotels in Lilabari. Even the expensive accommodations in Lilabari witness a drop in the prices as tourism is at its low. It becomes easier to book hotels in Lilabari during this time. However, with fewer accommodations open, it is best to book in advance.

Summers are considered to be the best time to visit Lilabari. The temperatures are perfectly balanced during summers in the hill station. The months March to June are when the town witnesses summer. Interestingly, the days in Lilabari are quite hot. Simultaneously, the nights are cold in summers. During summers, the town witnesses a good footfall of tourists. Many do flock over to enjoy the hot and cold days and nights in Lilabari. The hotel prices do see a surge during this time. You might have to make prior hotel bookings in Lilabari to avoid the exorbitant costs. Not to mention how the town has fewer accommodation options available. Hence, before the rooms get occupied, you should make your hotel bookings. While the summers and winters can be perfect for tourism, monsoon should be avoided at all cost. In fact, the floods actually become too difficult and risky for tourists to deal with. The rivers also get flooded as the area is low-lying. Airports and roads also get shut, and it becomes next to impossible to step out for sightseeing.

Places to visit in Lilabari

Lilabari does not have many tourist attractions. The places to visit here are hardly one. The odds of finding something with historical and cultural significance is profoundly low. Towns close to Lilabari such as Jorhat and Dibrugarh have more tourist attractions. However, the city does have the Namdapha National Park. This park is located on the banks of the fierce Brahmaputra river. The park is famously known to house various rare and exotic species of Leopards, elephants, gaur and the famous black beer. Much like the best time to visit Lilabari, which is between October to April, the National Park can also be visited at around these months. The place is gorgeous and has been maintained perfectly well by the park authorities.

Things to do in Lilabari

The best thing about Lilabari is the fact that the exquisite hills and gorgeous greenery make it possible for various activities. You can actually indulge in some of the best adventure sports that do not require any equipment. Trekking is easily the best activity to take up in Lilabari. You can easily find a trekking trail and go exploring. While you are at it, you can further carry your cameras and take up photography. The place is easily the best to capture beauty in its natural habitat. Aside from these, you can also take up rafting by the Ganga and Sela lake. Interestingly, there are some chill rafting activities that do take place in Lilabari. The locals of the area will help you with rafts for rafting. You can also take up boating as another activity in the small town along with fishing. The best way to go about would be to team up boating and fishing. You can easily take the boat to a silent spot and enjoy the serenity of Lilabari while you engage in fishing. A lot of people actually take up this activity in Lilabari as it is the perfect getaway from the noise that big cities have.

Food and Restaurants in Lilabari

Lilabari celebrates Assamese cuisine, much like the rest of the state. From the cooking techniques to the fresh ingredients used to make the dishes, the Assamese way of culinary is interesting and certainly delicious. Much of their dishes have pork and bamboo shoots. However, these are not the only two ingredients that they resort to when they get down to making food. From doi-chira to fish cooked in banana leaf, there are a lot of interesting dishes that you should indulge in. Pitha, especially, is a delicacy that you will find in Bihu, their annual harvest festival. If you do visit Lilabari during winters, you might actually get hold of this luscious delicacy.

No matter what, do not miss the exquisite fish which has been cooked in banana leaf. The meal is actually garnished with fresh chillies, coriander and chopped onions. It is quite amazing. Bengena pitika is also a popular food that you can find in Assamese thali. It is basically a twist to boiled and mashed potatoes. It is mixed and garnished with chillies and coriander. The Assamese also make water snails, also known as pani hamuk. If you are in the mood for some experimenting, you should definitely opt for this dish. They get the freshwater ingredients for the same and are cooked with pumpkin.

Interestingly, Lilabari has some good range of Indian cuisine that you can choose from. At the Rajasthan Hotel and Fast Food, you will find some of the best dishes from the desert state. Their fast food with the classic paos are a big seller. Close to the airport is Hotel Gungun. Here, you can actually find some classic Assamese food such as pani hamuk, dhekia xaak and kol-phool. Pakghar is another food establishment in Lilabari where you can find authentic Assamese cuisine. For a quaint fine dining experience in the little town of Lilabari, Manash Restaurant is the place to visit. Also check out Dokpun restaurant, Dulal hotel, M2 Fast Food N Restaurant, Juti Hotel Cum Restaurant, Heritage Naga Kitchen, to name a few.

How to reach Lilabari (Transportation)

By Air

The Lilabari airport is recognised as one of the most popular and important airports in the North East. Situated in the Lakhimpur district in the North of Assam, the airport sees tremendous tourist action after the Guwahati, Dibrugarh and Silchar Airport. There are two dedicated airlines, namely, Alliance Air and Air Asia, that have regular flights to Lilabari. The flight connectivity to Lilabari is not very strong. You will need to get connecting flights from Guwahati, Delhi and Kolkata airport if you need to reach Lilabari from other metropolitan cities of India. The most popular route to reach Lilabari is from Guwahati airport. The Lilabari airport is touted to be the fourth aviation hub in India, after Allahabad, Hyderabad and Delhi. The airport is only 8 km away from the town of Lilabari. It has been announced that Air Asia will be offering dedicated flights to Lilabari from Delhi. Lilabari airport is also known as North Lakhimpur Airport so you will have to make sure of the name when you start looking for flight deals online to Lilabari. Travelling by air is considered to be the most comfortable way to reach Lilabari.

By Rail

Lilabari has no dedicated airport, and the closest one is in Dibrugarh. There are trains that travel to Dibrugarh from Guwahati. It is advised that you make prior bookings for the train as reserving a seat would be tough. Since not many trains travel to Dibrugarh and Jorhat, the best way to go about it would be to book them before time. Even though it is a cheap option for travelling to Lilabari, it is not the most comfortable mode of transport. Due to the change in modes of transport to reach Lilabari is train and renting a vehicle, train is not a viable option to choose for travelling to the small town.

By Road

After flights, the second-best way to reach Lilabari is via road. The road network that connects Lilabari to the other towns in the state is quite excellent. Hence, it is often chosen by many. There are intercity buses and vehicles that can reach Lilabari from Dibrugarh, Jorhat and other small cities in Assam. In fact, there are services of buses to reach from other cities in the North East such as Aizawl, Dispur and Imphal too. Avoid using roadways as the mode of transport to reach Lilabari during monsoon. The towns in Assam are susceptible to floods and torrential rains. Hence, flight would be ideal.

  About Guwahati

Guwahati, in Assam, is also called as the Gateway to North-East. It is the largest city in the state and a popular tourist attraction, too. The city has Shillong Plateau on one side and the river Brahmaputra on the other side. The city also has India's first railway station that is powered by solar energy. The city is also well-connected to other cities in the country. Not only is Guwahati a popular tourist destination because of its scenic beauty, but it also has religious significance. The Umanda island, which is the smallest river island in the world, is also worth a visit. Since the city has such a flourishing flora and fauna, visiting the wildlife sanctuaries and zoo.

Boarding a cruise in the Brahmaputra river is something you must do when you are in the city. It's also one of the most romantic things to do in Guwahati. Enjoy some lip-smacking food with live music and a beautiful sunset. You won't regret taking this cruise for sure. You can also visit the town of Pandu, which is named after King Pandu and the father of the Pandavas. It even has a temple dedicated to King Pandu. Visit the Bhubaneshwari temple, which is on top of the hill and has a lot of pilgrims offering their prayers to Goddess Bhuvaneshwari. The temple also offers a spectacular view of the city from atop the mountain.

The Brahmaputra is not the only river in the city. You can also go river rafting at Kameng river. You will also get to experience the rich tribal culture in the forest. This is also one of the best locations in the city, which is perfect for taking lots of pictures. The town of Dispur is also worth visiting, thanks to its beautiful waterfalls and trekking trails. The city also has a Navagraha temple which a lot of devotees visit. The temple has survived a lot of major earthquakes and was built by Raja Rajesvar in the 18th century.

You must also attend the Ambubachi Mela that happens around the Kamakhya Devi temple at Nilachal Hill. The mela often takes place in June and will be quite the experience. You can also plan your visit during the Bihu festival, which is celebrated with tradition and a grandiose. October to April is considered to be the best time to visit the city because of its pleasant climate. You can also book a hotel room in Guwahati as per your convenience and budget here since it is a popular tourist destination. You can choose from a lot of options. The city also has an international airport that also connects with all the domestic routes from Guwahati to other major cities. You can also travel to Guwahati by road or by rail.

It goes without saying that you must try the tea here since Assam is known for its tea plantations. Try the local Assamese food here like the Nga-Thongba, fish and ginger curry or the Erongba, a jackfruit-kernel chutney. You will also find a plethora of other cuisines that your taste buds crave for in Guwahati. Guwahati also has a lot of options for the shopaholic in you. There are a lot of markets where you can find handmade artefacts, jewellery and souvenirs to take back home.

Best Time to Visit Guwahati

Guwahati is the most beautiful and favourable to visit during winter from October to March. You can also participate in the Magh Bihu festival that is being celebrated in January. The city looks beautiful since the monsoon has already played its part in turning it into a green paradise. Though do not forget to carry your umbrella with you since there might be a chance of showers; not heavy rainfalls but it might drizzle.

July to October is when the city receives heavy rainfall, and it is advisable not to make any travel plans during this time. You will barely get to go out, and even commuting will be quite the task since there will be water clogging as well. A lot of tourist attractions will also be shut during this time. Since it is off-season, you might get cheap flight tickets to Guwahati.

The city experiences summer in April and May. This is not a bad time to visit the city, but the climate will be pretty humid during the day and can get hot, too. The evenings are pleasant during this time though. If you are planning a visit during this time, make sure you book hotel rooms in Guwahati in advance. Also, be a part of the Bohag Bihu festival celebrations.

Places to Visit in Guwahati

Kamakhya temple is a popular place to visit in Guwahati, and it is quite unique, too. The temple is approximately 7 km from Guwahati on the Nilachal Hills. It is a shrine of Goddess Shakti and is considered to be one of the holiest temples in the state. The Umananda temple is a must-visit for all the devotees of Lord Shiva. With a breathtaking view of the Brahmaputra river, the Shivratri celebrations in this temple will leave you overwhelmed.

Another important tourist attraction to visit in the city would be the revered Assam State Museum. The place would help you know more about the local lifestyle, its history and culture. Find sculptures and artefacts dating back to the 5th and 12th century. You will have to pay a nominal fee to enter the museum, but it will be worth it. The Guwahati Planetarium is a treat for kids, and you would definitely enjoy your time here. You can catch the different astronomical activities put up by the authorities. You will be amazed by what you see and learn.

The Guwahati Zoo, which is located in the Hengrabari Reserved Forest, is home to around 900 animals, birds, amphibians and reptiles from all over the world. You can also visit the Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, which is approximately 30 km away from Guwahati. The sanctuary is home to the Indian one-horned rhinoceros and around 2000 migratory birds. It is a place that almost all travellers will certainly recommend.

Stop at Fancy Bazaar, which is also called the Chandni Chowk of Guwahati, for all of your shopping needs. From traditional jewellery to outfits to fancy wooden furniture, you'll find everything you would like to own here. Haajo is yet another popular tourist destination and an ancient pilgrim, too. It's the centre for three important religions in India that are Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam. It is settled on the banks of river Brahmaputra and is a place you must visit when you plan a trip to Guwahati.

The town of Pandu is also one of the best places to see in Guwahati. Named after King Pandu, who was also the father of the Pandavas, there is also a temple dedicated to him called the Pandunath Temple. The Bhuvaneshwari temple is yet another popular temple that you must visit. Not only is the view from this temple breathtaking, but it is also considered to be one of the most prominent places of worship.

Things to do in Guwahati

Sualkuchi is a town that is known for its silk production. You will fall in love with this town, and that is certain. If you are planning a trip here in November, do not miss the Raas Mahotsav and other festivities that happen during this time. Take a cruise and enjoy the serene sunset from a cruise that sails on the Brahmaputra river. Alfresco Grand is one of the cruises that is popular here, and you must give it a try.

Visit the Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary with your camera, and you will not be disappointed. You will spot a lot of exotic animals other than the Indian one-horned rhinoceros and in their natural habitat.

Food and Restaurants in Guwahati

Cafe Hendrix is a place you must definitely visit for good food along with great music. The cafe has a lot of musicians from the North East playing live music for everyone dining here. The ambience and food both will leave you impressed and satiated. Make sure you try the chicken fingers here. Foodvilla is a restaurant that is in the middle of the city. It is famous for its authentic Assamese cuisine and a highly recommended place, too. You will get to try a lot of different and unique recipes here.

Nga-Thongba, Erongba, Laksa are some of the local Assamese foods. You can try the street food here or opt for a fancy meal and a high-end restaurant. Khorikaa and Paradise are a few restaurants that are popular and also offer a variety of Assamese cuisine on their menu.

How to reach Guwahati

By Air

The Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, which is also called the Guwahati International Airport is the main airport in North East of India. It is well-connected to all the other major cities in the country. It is about 20 km away from the city. Look out for cheap flight tickets to Guwahati and affordable flight deals online before you plan your trip.

By Rail

Kamakhya and Guwahati are two major railway stations in Guwahati. They are connected to all major cities in the country, and you will even get super fast trains to and from Guwahati. The view from the trains is rejuvenating, which makes this a highly recommended way to travel.

By Road

State-run buses and private modes of transport run frequent services to help you get to Guwahati from the neighbouring cities and states.

  About Guwahti Airport

Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi Airport or popularly called Guwahati Airport is the primary airport that serves a majority of North-Eastern states of India. The airport is recognised to be the eighth-busiest airports in India, following Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. Guwahati Airport is situated about 26 km from Dispur, the state capital of Assam. The airport was also called Borjhar due to the location of the airport being in the said city. The airport is approximately 28 km from the city of Guwahati. It has been named after the freedom fighter and the first Chief Minister of Assam, the late Gopinath Bordoloi. Apart from being a civilian airport, it also caters to the Indian Air Force base. Although the airport predominantly sees domestic flight operations, they have recently bagged bids for two international destinations. As of 2019, Guwahati has won bids to serve international destinations such as Dhaka (Bangladesh) and Bangkok-Don Mueang (Thailand), under the UDAN scheme introduced by the government of India.

About Guwahati Airport terminals

Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi Airport currently accommodates two terminals that cater to domestic and international operations respectively. Since Guwahati Airport recently acquired the rights to operate international flights, the airport has since allowed the second terminal to cater to the same. Collectively, the terminals have about 14 check-in counters, four immigration counters and one customs counter.

Terminal 1 - Terminal 1 handles all domestic flight services and has direct connecting flights to more than 10 Indian cities, as one of the primary airports serving a major part of the North East, the airport witnesses a lot of crowd at the domestic terminal. The domestic terminal has the capacity to accommodate about 500 passengers at peak hours.

Terminal 2 - Terminal 2 has recently started flight operations. It currently serves as an international terminal with flights coming in and flying out to Bangkok and Dhaka. Druk Air is the only airline that functions from the international terminal. It has the capacity to accommodate 125 passengers in an hour. The terminals are small and have limited area. Hence, the passenger capacity is also not as high as one would expect.

About Airport Authority

The Airports Authority of India owns and operates all management-related functions of Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi Airport. The airport body caters to the expansions and maintenance of Guwahati Airport. With a view to enhancing the passenger experience at the airport, they have installed quite a few outstanding facilities. Over the years, the airport has witnessed numerous expansions and renovations ever since its genesis in 1958. AAI has expanded the passenger handling capacity of the terminals. Much recently, in 2019 to be specific, Guwahati also received permission to charter flight operations for two international cities. In the same year, Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi Airport also announced that they have privatised and have given away the airport to Adani Group on lease for 50 years. Adani Group won the highest bid and bagged the project. Although the company has not revealed more details of expansion and upgradations of Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi Airport, they do plan to further enhance the connectivity of the airport to more Indian cities.

Facilities at the Guwahati Airport

Baggage – Baggage services include baggage wrapping, free use of trolleys, porter services and baggage wrapping services. There are dedicated baggage claim conveyor belts also available.

ATMs – The airport has installed multiple ATM kiosks at several spots in the airport. To ensure accessibility of ATMs for cash withdrawals, the airport has strategically placed all the kiosks at decent intervals.

Currency exchange – Foreign exchange counters can be found at Guwahati Airport. They are located in the arrivals section of the terminal. You would be surprised by the good exchange rates that the airports can provide with.

Child care area – The airport has installed dedicated child care rooms. Often passengers who travel with infants need privacy to tend to them. Hence, the child care area comes in handy. The space is maintained perfectly and kept in a hygienic condition. This is to avoid any discomfort to the child as well as the parent. The rooms are also comfortable with good facilities such as cosy chairs and changing tables.

Medical facilities - Guwahati Airport has installed medical facilities that can be availed for free. There are first aid kits present at the information desk of the airport. The airport also has medical rooms where the patient can be treated, should any medical emergency take place at the premise of the airport. There are pharmacies also present in the terminals to help passengers make last-minute medication purchases. In fact, if they tend to fall sick at the airport, they can also visit the pharmacy and ask for help.

Special assistance – The airport offers special assistance to senior citizens and disabled passengers. The airport does expect the passengers to inform the airlines beforehand so that they can accordingly make the necessary accommodations. Trained professionals will be there to escort the passengers and help them through the procedures at the airport.

Transit rooms – Although specific airport hotels or dormitories are not present at the airport, they do have transit rooms for passengers. These rooms are well-equipped with comfortable seats and shower facilities. The transit rooms have been installed to cater to the needs of passengers who have flight layovers. The main idea is to enable passengers to freshen up and rest a little as well.

Smoking zones – Guwahati Airport has facilitated smoking zones for passengers. The specific rooms are located away from the main passenger lounge. Smoking lounges also have cigarette boxes that can be purchased.

Top airlines flying from Guwahati Airport

Currently, Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi Airport sees flight operations from airlines such as AirAsia India, Air India, Alliance Air, GoAir, IndiGo, SpiceJet and Vistara. A majority of the airlines have flights connecting to North-Eastern cities such as Lilabari, Imphal, Agartala, Dibrugarh, Jorhat, Aizawl, Silchar, Dimapur and Tezpur, to name a few. However, the airlines also accommodate flight operations to big cites of India such as Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Kolkata, Chandigarh, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Patna, Jaipur and more. The only international airline that operates from Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi Airport is Druk Air. The airline connects to three airports, Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi, Singapore and Paro. The international airline's flight operations commenced much recently. Plans of expansion to more international cities are in talks.

How to reach Guwahati Airport

By Bus

Buses are considered to be the best ways to reach Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi Airport. The distance between the Guwahati bus stand and Guwahati Airport is nearly 141 km. With such a massive distance to cover in hilly terrains could be quite challenging. However, the state has ensured to operate bus services that would directly reach you to Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi Airport without much hassle. The ticket price is also quite low and affordable, making it a viable source of transport. You can catch a bus to reach Guwahati Airport not just from the bus stand but from anywhere between the airport and the bus stand's route. It is essential to know the bus routes to reach Guwahati Airport. There are a plethora of bus services chartered at regular intervals that enable good connectivity. You will not have to wait for a long time as there are dedicated schedules for all the buses. The mode of transport is especially convenient for backpackers and solo travellers who are on a budget trip. Private buses are also available from the city bus stand to reach Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi Airport.

By Rail

The recorded distance between Guwahati Airport and Guwahati Railway Station is approximately 22 km. From the railway station, various modes of transport can be availed to reach Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi Airport. Trains are another powerful means of connecting small cities and towns in the North East. Besides, Guwahati Railway Station's connectivity is exceptional as it caters to not just North Eastern towns and cities but also has services to some cities in Sikkim, Kolkata and Bihar. From the railway station, you can opt to take a private vehicle to reach Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi Airport. It would be ideal to fix a price before the journey to the airport commences.

About Guwahati

Guwahati is one of the largest cities in the state of Assam as well as the biggest metropolis in the North-eastern states of India. The port city is surrounded by lovely hills and forms quite a picturesque ambience. It is also recognised as the Gateway to North East India and facilitates excellent connectivity to various other cities and towns in the North East. Guwahati is also known for its plethora of temples and is even nicknamed as the City of Temples. Guwahati lies on the banks of the Brahmaputra River and shares the foothills of the Shillong plateau. Often travellers take the Guwahati route to travel to other cities in the North-East such as Shillong, Lilabari, Agartala, Aizawl and more. Guwahati's fame also comes from its rich biodiversity as the region houses diverse flora and fauna, including rare animals such as rhinoceros, Asian elephants, tigers, gaurs, pythons and other primate species.