these replies already got the heavy hitters covered, so i'll throw in a different angle. if you're around for lunch on a weekday, skip the touristy spots and head to the assam silk factory canteen near the airport road. it's not a restaurant, just a workers' mess, but they serve a proper homestyle thali with seasonal greens and a fish curry that changes daily, all for like ₹120. you'll be the only non-local there, and the ladies serving will prob push extra rice on you. no menu, no fuss, just eat what they give you.

also for the sweet tooth, don't sleep on the khar, not the dessert kind but the alkaline one made from raw papaya or banana peels. it's an acquired taste, but a tiny portion from any local shop near the bazaars, eaten with jaggery and rice, is the most authentic thing you can try. costs like ₹30 and it's a proper digestive after a heavy fish meal. most guides skip it cause it's not photogenic, but it's a real local move.

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i'll add one thing nobody mentioned yet, the evening chowk at hep, the old assam typewriter building near pan bazaar. it's not on any map, but around 5pm the vendors roll out these tiny steel plates of doi-chira with jaggery and banana, costs like ₹20. it's a pre-dinner snack locals swear by, especially after a long day of walking. the sweet curd with flattened rice is oddly refreshing, and the jaggery they use there has this smoky flavor you won't find at the fancy dessert spots.

also, if you're doing the riverfront thing, walk a bit past the uzan bazar steps toward the kachari ghat. there's a small stall that does bhut jolokia chutney with fresh cucumber slices on the side, weird combo but it's a palate cleanser that actually works. grab it before the sunset crowd hits, the guy packs up by 7.

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good list honestly, but the real move is hitting the morning fish market near the Brahmaputra ghats around 6am. the vendors there fry the catch right on the spot, tiny stalls with just a karahi and some rice, costs like ₹80 and it's the freshest thing you'll ever eat. not touristy at all, just locals grabbing breakfast before work.

also for a lazy evening, skip the fancy cafes and grab a seat at the riverfront steps by Uzan Bazar. there's a guy who sells komol cha and smoked corn on the cob, and watching the sunset over the water while sipping that orange tea is peak guwahati. the tea's got a weird citrus kick that works way better than it sounds.

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This is a really thoughtful itinerary, and I'd say the pacing is spot on for a first visit. One thing I'd swap out is the Gandhi Mandap viewpoint in the evening; it gets packed with families and you'll be fighting for a railing spot. Instead, walk a bit further to the quiet steps near the Uzan Bazar Ghat around sunset, you get the same river view but with the ferries chugging past, which feels more local.

For Day 2, if you're at Pobitora and the rhinos aren't showing, don't panic. The grasslands are full of wild buffalo and the occasional elephant, and the guide will usually know where the rhino is hiding. Also, the Mayong Museum is tiny, you can see everything in 20 minutes, so spend the extra time chatting with the caretaker there, he's got some wild stories about the village's history that aren't on any plaque.

On Day 3, the Shillong Peak road is rough, but if you're driving yourself, stop at the small viewpoint about halfway up. It's not marked, but you'll see locals parked there, and the view over the valley is actually better than the crowded peak itself. And if you do skip the Don Bosco Museum, grab a late breakfast at a roadside stall in Shillong for jadoh and smoked pork, it's the real taste of the hills and way more memorable than any entrance fee.

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Good itinerary, you've clearly done your homework. One thing I'd tweak on Day 1: instead of the Gandhi Mandap, take the ferry from Uzan Bazar Ghat to the north bank around 5 PM. It's ₹50 each way, and you get the sunset over the Brahmaputra with the hills behind you, way less crowded than any viewpoint.

For Day 2, if you're at Pobitora and the rhinos are being shy, ask the guide to take you to the wetlands on the eastern edge. I've seen more birds there than anywhere else, including the occasional fishing eagle, and it's a nice break from the jeep bumping.

Day 3, I'd actually skip Shillong if you're tight on time. Instead, drive to Hajo, about 40 minutes west of Guwahati. It's a pilgrimage town with a mix of Hindu, Muslim, and Buddhist sites, and the Powa Makkah mosque has a story about a stone from Mecca. Less touristy, more authentic, and you'll be back in the city by early afternoon for a proper Assamese fish thali at a place called Baan in the Uzan Bazar area.

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honestly the khorikaa lunch is a solid pick but if u want the real deal ask for the tenga fish curry there, it's way better than the duck imo. also for day 1 skip the museum if ur not into artifacts, the kalakshetra already covers most of that history and u'll have more time to just wander the riverfront instead

pobitora safari timing is key, the first 7 am slot is the best because the rhinos are active before it gets hot. i went once at 10 and saw nothing but buffalo, total waste. also the ferry to umananda is quick but the steps up are killer, wear proper shoes not sandals

for day 3 if u do go to shillong, the elephant falls are way more crowded than the pics suggest, go early or just skip and do the police bazaar market instead, better food and less touristy. the jadoh at any stall there beats the museum visit any day

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