Photo: Rohit Dey / UnsplashMajuli
Assam, India
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.
- Backpacker / day
- ₹1,200–2,000
- Mid-range / day
- ₹4,400–7,700
- Best time
- October to March; the Raas festival is in November
- Ideal length
- 2–3 days
- Gateway
- Jorhat (airport and station), then a ferry from Nimati Ghat
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.
Day by day
3-day itinerary
₹3,600–6,000per person on a backpacker budget (estimate), excluding travel to get there
- 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.
When to go
- Jan★ Best
- Feb★ Best
- Mar★ Best
- Apr—
- May—
- Jun—
- Jul—
- Aug—
- Sep—
- Oct★ Best
- Nov★ Best
- Dec★ Best
- Oct–Mar: BestDry, mild weather and migratory birds in the wetlands. The Raas festival, with performances at the satras, takes place in November.
- Apr–May: MixedWarm and humid with pre-monsoon storms; ferries can be disrupted.
- Jun–Sep: AvoidMonsoon floods regularly cut off parts of the island and ferries may stop.
Getting there
- 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.
- 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 per person per day
| Item | 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 |
| Typical day | ₹1,200–2,000 | ₹4,400–7,700 |
Many homestays include home-cooked Mising meals. There are few ATMs on the island, so carry cash from Jorhat.
Highlights
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.
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.
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.
Guide reviewed September 2026. Costs are estimates, not live prices. Check current prices, permits, weather, safety advice and schedules before you travel.