Laced With Love In The Northeast

Escape to the Northeast in India, where pristine landscapes take you inside a Jane Austen novel. Divya Behl & Vikas Plakkot take to the road for a fresh dose of romance.

- Divya Behl & Vikas Plakkot

Arriving in Guwahati, the gateway to the Northeast, the change of setting is felt instantly. As early as five in the evening, the sun slips behind the horizon. There’s a nip in the air, a misty cover over the Brahmaputra, and a million stars in the night sky—all powerful aphrodisiacs for the lovestruck.

Guwahati may not have the obvious charms of a Parisian honeymoon, but an evening sail on the orange-hued Brahmaputra may just hold the je ne sais quoi that you need to kickstart your romantic getaway. Put your luggage away in the hotel and head down to the river to hop on the ‘Alfresco Grand’. As the cruiseliner struts along the river and the sun begins to set, stand on the deck, pour yourselves a glass of champagne each, and toast to a truly unique holiday. At least this is how we began our Northeast holiday—a road trip through three of the seven sister states. We ended our day by retiring early, garnering some much-needed rest for the long road ahead.

Our road-trip route was a long one, flush with both—well-laid roads and back-breaking ones. From Guwahati, the drive to Majuli takes slightly over seven hours. Hit the tarmac and cruise at your own pace for the first four hours, savouring the freedom of the open road, before arriving at Kaziranga. It’s the perfect first stop to get a dose of Assamese hospitality and rendezvous with the National Park’s famed one-horned rhinos.

Surrounded by rolling tea gardens, you will find the privacy and peace you need at IORA Retreat, a large property near the National Park. From long walks through tea gardens with no phone calls to kill the mood (thank the lack of connectivity), to sharing a cup of Assamese tea on your private balcony, the property offers tailormade settings to couples seeking quality time together. Add the thrill of spotting rare wildlife to the mix, and you’ll feel like characters in a book.