This lush Assam rainforest is called the 'Amazon of the East'—and few travellers know about it

Few landscapes in India feel as untouched and mysterious as Dehing Patkai National Park in Assam. Often called the "Amazon of the East", this sprawling rainforest is one of the last remaining stretches of tropical lowland evergreen forest in India and a biodiversity hotspot unlike anywhere else in the country.

Located in Assam's Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts, Dehing Patkai offers a completely different wildlife experience from India's more famous national parks. Here, there are no vast grasslands or long queues of safari vehicles. Instead, visitors find dense rainforest, rare wildlife, and a canopy so thick that sunlight barely reaches the forest floor.

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Why is Dehing Patkai called the 'Amazon of the East'?

Dehing Patkai protects a rare tropical rainforest ecosystem that resembles the lush forests of Southeast Asia and South America more than the landscapes many travellers associate with India. Fed by the Burhi Dihing River and shaped by the Patkai hill range along the India-Myanmar border, the region receives abundant rainfall and remains green for most of the year.

The result is a dense, multi-layered forest filled with giant Hollong, Mekai, Nahar, and Sam trees, many rising more than 40 metres above the ground. Thick vines, orchids, ferns, and bamboo thrive beneath the canopy, creating an immersive rainforest environment that feels worlds away from urban India.

Rare wildlife in Dehing Patkai National Park

The rainforest is home to seven species of wild cats, including the Bengal tiger, leopard, clouded leopard, marbled cat, Asiatic golden cat, fishing cat, and jungle cat. The park is considered one of India's most important habitats for several of these elusive species.

Dehing Patkai is also one of the best places in India to spot the Hoolock gibbon, the country's only ape species. Their distinctive calls often echo through the forest canopy during the early morning hours.

Other mammals found here include Asian elephants, capped langurs, Assamese macaques, slow lorises, barking deer, wild boar, and giant squirrels. The rainforest's rich biodiversity has made it a vital conservation landscape in Northeast India.

A paradise for birdwatchers

For birdwatchers, Dehing Patkai is among India's most rewarding destinations.

Nearly 300 bird species have been recorded within the park and surrounding forests. The region is particularly famous for its hornbills, including the great hornbill, the wreathed hornbill, and the rare Austen's brown hornbill.

Visitors may also encounter red-headed trogons, emerald cuckoos, woodpeckers, drongos, flycatchers, kingfishers, and a wide variety of migratory birds during the winter months.

The best birdwatching experiences often take place at dawn, when the rainforest comes alive with birdsong and movement in the canopy.

Things to do in Dehing Patkai

Unlike many wildlife reserves centred around jeep safaris, Dehing Patkai offers a more immersive nature experience.

Guided rainforest walks remain one of the best ways to explore the park. Walking beneath centuries-old trees allows visitors to appreciate the scale and complexity of the ecosystem while increasing the chances of spotting birds, butterflies, and smaller wildlife.

Travellers can also enjoy birdwatching excursions, boat rides along sections of the Burhi Dihing River, nature photography, and visits to nearby tea estates that dot the landscape around the forest.

The region's slower pace and relative lack of crowds make it particularly appealing for travellers looking to experience Northeast India's natural beauty beyond the usual tourist circuit.

Best time to visit Dehing Patkai

The best time to visit Dehing Patkai National Park is between November and March. During these months, temperatures remain pleasant, humidity is lower, and forest trails are more accessible after the monsoon season.

Spring is also a rewarding time to visit, especially for birdwatchers, as many species become more active during the breeding season.

Heavy monsoon rains between June and September can make travel and trekking difficult, with some areas becoming inaccessible.

How to reach Dehing Patkai National Park

The nearest airport is Dibrugarh Airport, located roughly 100 kilometres from the park. Visitors can hire taxis from the airport to reach the main entry points.

For those travelling by rail, Naharkatiya and Digboi are among the nearest railway stations.

Most visitors enter through the Soraipung Gate or Jeypore Gate. Soraipung is known for its interpretation centre and wildlife-rich salt licks, while Jeypore serves as a popular starting point for trekking routes and rainforest walks.

A different side of Assam

While Assam is often associated with Kaziranga's rhinos and its sprawling tea gardens, Dehing Patkai reveals a quieter and more ancient side of the state. It is a place where rainforests still dominate the landscape, where India's only ape swings through the canopy, and where every walk feels like stepping deeper into a living, breathing wilderness.

For travellers seeking one of India's most unique natural experiences, the Amazon of the East remains one of the country's best-kept secrets.