By road
From Jorhat, take a shared car or bus to Nimati Ghat (about 30 minutes), then the government ferry across the Brahmaputra (about an hour). Ferries run a few times a day and stop by late afternoon.
Assam · Northeast India
Majuli travel guide
A huge river island in the Brahmaputra, home to centuries-old Vaishnavite monasteries, mask makers and stilt-house villages. Slow, green and best explored by bicycle.
Photo: Rohit Dey / Unsplash
Quick facts
- Best time
- October to March; the Raas festival is in November
- How long
- 2–3 days
- Daily budget
- ₹1,200–2,000 backpacking
- Getting in
- Jorhat (airport and station), then a ferry from Nimati Ghat
Costs are typical per-person ranges in Indian rupees, reviewed September 2026. Check current prices and conditions before you book.
Majuli sits in the middle of the Brahmaputra in upper Assam, a flat island of paddy fields, wetlands and bamboo villages. It's the heart of the Vaishnavite tradition started by the saint Srimanta Sankardev, and its satras (monasteries) still keep up music, dance and mask-making traditions.
Getting there means a ferry across the river from Jorhat, which is half the charm. Once on the island, life is slow: cycle between satras, stay in a bamboo cottage, and watch the sun set over the water. River erosion is shrinking the island every year, so it's worth seeing sooner rather than later.
When to go
Best time to visit Majuli
- Oct–MarBest
Dry, mild weather and migratory birds in the wetlands. The Raas festival, with performances at the satras, takes place in November.
- Apr–MayMixed
Warm and humid with pre-monsoon storms; ferries can be disrupted.
- Jun–SepAvoid
Monsoon floods regularly cut off parts of the island and ferries may stop.
Getting there
How to reach Majuli
By air
Jorhat airport has a few daily domestic flights; Guwahati is the main hub for the Northeast.
By train
Jorhat Town has trains from Guwahati; from there it's road and ferry as above.
Budget
Majuli trip cost per day
| Per day | Backpacker | Mid-range |
|---|---|---|
| Stay (bamboo cottage or homestay) | ₹600–1,200 | ₹2,000–3,500 |
| Food | ₹300–500 | ₹600–1,000 |
| Bicycle or scooter hire | ₹150–400 | ₹1,500–2,500 (car for the day) |
| Ferry and extras | ₹100–300 | ₹300–700 |
Many homestays include home-cooked Mising meals. There are few ATMs on the island, so carry cash from Jorhat.
Itinerary
3-day Majuli itinerary
- 1
Day 1: Across the river
Morning ferry from Nimati Ghat, settle into a bamboo cottage near Garamur, and watch sunset over the paddy fields.
- 2
Day 2: Satras by bicycle
Cycle to Kamalabari, Auniati and Dakhinpat satras, and visit Samaguri Satra to see traditional masks being made.
- 3
Day 3: Villages and wetlands
Walk through a Mising village of stilt houses and look for birds in the wetlands before the afternoon ferry back.
Don't miss
Top things to do in Majuli
Satras
Vaishnavite monasteries founded from the 16th century onwards, with prayer halls, music and dance traditions.
Samaguri Satra masks
Masks made from bamboo, clay and cloth for traditional theatre; you can watch them being crafted.
Mising villages
Stilt houses, handloom weaving and rice-beer culture of the island's largest tribal community.
The ferry crossing
An hour on a crowded river ferry with cars, bikes and villagers across the Brahmaputra.
Kids and pets
Visiting Majuli with kids or pets
With kids
Good with planning- The ferry ride, mask-making at Samaguri and cycling between villages are great for older kids.
- Medical facilities on the island are basic; carry a kids' first-aid kit and regular medicines.
- Ferries can be crowded; keep children close and away from the edges.
With pets
Not recommended- Getting there means a crowded public ferry, and vets are scarce on the island.
- Satras don't allow animals inside.
- Village dogs roam freely; keep yours on a lead if you do bring one.
Pet and child policies vary by stay and operator and change often. Confirm before you book.
Before you go
Practical tips
- Ferry timings
- Ferries are limited and the last ones leave in the afternoon. Check the day's timings in Jorhat and arrive at the ghat early.
- Satra etiquette
- Remove shoes, dress modestly, and ask before photographing monks or ceremonies.
- Cash and connectivity
- ATMs and mobile data are patchy. Carry cash and download offline maps before crossing.
Questions
Majuli FAQs
How do I reach Majuli?
Get to Jorhat, take a car or bus to Nimati Ghat, then the ferry across the Brahmaputra. Allow half a day for the whole journey.
Is Majuli the largest river island in the world?
It's often described as one of the largest. Erosion has shrunk it considerably over the past century, and it's still changing.
When is the best time to visit Majuli?
October to March. Avoid the monsoon, when floods can cut off the island and ferries stop.
Know Majuli well? List yourself as a local guide and travellers can message you here.
Planning Majuli with friends?
Send them this guide so everyone sees the same costs and route.
More travel guides
Meghalaya
Meghalaya
5–7 days · ₹1,800–3,000 backpacking
Arunachal Pradesh
Tawang
6–8 days from Guwahati, including two days each way on the road · ₹2,000–3,500 backpacking
Sikkim
Sikkim
6–8 days · ₹2,000–3,200 backpacking