The North-East of India has emerged as the offbeat paradise of India. With the Eastern Himalayas carving its landscapes, the 7 sister states of Meghalaya, Assam, Nagaland, Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur & Arunachal Pradesh are rich in culture and diversity. The state of Sikkim is also present here with its diverse mountain ranges tucked in between Nepal and Bhutan.
Perhaps India’s best-kept secret, these states are connected to India through an 18 kilometer stretch of land. Parts of these States still haven’t seen modernization & are the best places to travel to if you want to find raw and unaltered tribal culture. Mountains are everywhere you look and the lower foothills of the Eastern Himalayas give birth to some magical waterfalls. The northeast is also known for its pristine and clear rivers.
Fairly new to the list of tourism destinations, the tourism industry is still underdeveloped and disorganized in several of these states. You will be limited to bare-bones accommodation in some of the parts of the northeast, but the hospitality will more than make up for it. Sandwiched between Nepal, China, Bhutan, Myanmar and Bangladesh the northeast has close cultural ties to many of these countries and also provide a gateway of entry to some of them.
Here are the 10 Tips you should know to enjoy a perfect vacation in Northeast-India
1. Which is the North-East part of India?
Located in the eastern part of India North-East India is an isolated land surrounded by Bangladesh, Myanmar, Bhutan and China occupied Tibet in all four corners. Comprises of seven states of India Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura as well as one of the Eastern Himalayan state Sikkim formed Northeast India.
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2. Most visited places in Northeast India
Northeast Indian states offer picturesque hills, picture-perfect locations, dense national parks with a wide collection of flora and fauna, indigenous tribes and remote villages. All of them are capable of rejuvenating your soul and spirit.
From spotting the exotic one-horned rhinos of Kaziranga National Park to witnessing the Hornbill festival in Kohima, the North East is a feast to the eyes. Trek to the famous Double Decker Living Root Bridge in Nongriat. Take a boat ride in the crystal clear water of the Umngot River in Dawki. Also, check out the crystalline waterfalls scattered in every corner. Visit the famous Tawang Monastery and witness the Tibetan culture first hand, without actually being in Tibet.
Sikkim is the most sought destination in Northeast India with awe-inspiring hills and Tibetan monasteries. It draws the highest number of tourists lately from all over the world.
Enjoy boating and watch the daily activates of local people lived in the floating water lake Loktak in Manipur. Another thrilling state next to Manipur is Mizoram. Settled on the top of Mizo hills it is the home to many indigenous tribes. Hills of Mizoram is adorned with many stunning places like Phawngpui National Park, Reiek etc.
Tripura is another scenic state in Northeast India. With a touch of ancient history, tribal lifestyle and culture and gorgeous hills it is another destination must be added on your trip.
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3. What to bring?
The weather in North East is mostly unpredictable with sudden temperature shifts and endless downpours in some places. It is advised to carry a jacket every time due to the temperature fluctuations. A raincoat and an umbrella are essential as some states receive endless rain.
Carry insect repellent and water purification tablets if you are travelling to the remote parts. Cell phone connectivity is pretty much nonexistent in some parts. Power cuts are very common; hence you should always carry a power bank just in case.
September to April is the best time to visit this part of India. With the arrival of winter monsoon rainfall stops and roads are clear in most places which open the door of travel in the remote places of Northeast India.
Winter brings snowfall in Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh but sometimes road also blocked due to heavy snowfall so be careful during the month of December – February if you want to enjoy the snow.
4. Homestays are the best accommodation options
In Northeast India tourism industry was not developed as much as the rest of India. In a few places, homestays are the convenient choice of stay during your trip. You can get a chance to try staying in a cosy homestay and enjoy being a part of a local family in remote locations.
Homestays are the best option as you get to see the hospitality of the mountain people. Always, check-in early, as the sun goes down fairly quickly in these parts. Nexplore helps you get the best accommodation in Northeast India without breaking your budget.
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5. The Local food bowl has a lot to offer.
With all distinct cultures present, it comes as no surprise that the food on offer is quite different from what you would find in the rest of India. Cuisines are very much influenced by its neighbouring countries. The variety of food on offer is truly unbelievable. Most of them are rich in spices and flavour.
In Assam you can test some special fish, Chicken and pork curry cooked using local ingredients like Masor Tenga, Kaldil Gahori, Lai Shak Gahori etc. You can eat these dishes with rice or any other Sabji. Arunachal Pradesh adds its twist to the noodles, Thupka as it is locally known, is mixed with meat and veggies to form a beautiful dish. Nagaland’s smoked pork and King Chilly is world-renowned, so is the Meghalaya’s Jadoh. Manipur also has rich varieties of food like Eromba, kaang-hou and Shidol fish chutney, Bengali fish curry of Tripura are some of the mouth-watering dishes you must try.
The occasional silkworm snacks intrigue your taste buds even further. The Northeast will never disappoint the food connoisseur in you.
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6. Restricted Area & Inner line Permits
Recently, the government has eased the need for permits in most of the states, this has led to the current boom in tourism. However, you still need permits to enter into some of the remote locations. It is always better to let your tour operator get the permits as getting them on your own is quite the hassle. Assam, Meghalaya & Tripura are the states where you don’t need a permit to enter, it applies both to Indian citizens and foreigners.
Foreigners do not need to permits to enter Nagaland, Mizoram & Manipur, but must register with the local police or FFRO within 24 hours of entry.
Check here to obtain ILP for Nagaland ilp.nagaland.gov.in
Click here to apply ILP for Arunachal Pradesh arunachalilp.com
Foreigners require protected area permits(PAP) to enter Arunachal Pradesh & Sikkim. They are valid for 30 days and cost 55 dollars. At Nexplore, we handle all your permits leaving you with more time to explore the mountains than be at the local office.
Indian citizens require an Inner Line Permit to visit the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Sikkim. Assam, Tripura, and Meghalaya can be freely accessed.
7. Make a flexible Itinerary
To explore the remote places in Northeast India it is best to take ample time in your hand. Sometimes you need to change the route or stay in the same places for more days due to some unavoidable circumstance. Or there may be a chance you can discover another most attractive place in close vicinity and want to explore it closely.
Do not limit your number of days in an itinerary while based on the distances as well. It will not advisable to make your travel plan based on google map. Always consult a local expert before finalizing your plan. The roads are pretty bad in some places and the distance takes a lot longer to cover in the hilly areas.
Delays can also occur as the occasional rain might result in landslides. Besides, to truly wander off into the remote areas you need a lot of time.
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8. Weather
Weather conditions in the Northeast range from extreme cold to moderate temperate climate. Some regions see heavy rainfall. The average temperature can be -2 to 10 degrees in the upper reaches and a milder 5 to 40 degrees in the lower foothills like Assam.
Monsoon wreaks havoc in these parts. So winter is the best time to travel in these parts. September to April is the best time to visit Northeast India. Summer months are very humid in parts of Assam and Meghalaya. Summer also brings a rise in temperature.
9. Road condition
The road condition is still not perfect in some states. Several roads are not even mapped. Assam & Meghalaya are easy to get around by road. They are the only states where independent travel is possible. Arunachal and Nagaland are the most difficult to travel around as the mountain landscape makes it very difficult to build and maintain roads.
State highways can be a relief but as soon as you enter the mountain road all hell breaks loose. Expect bumpy roads and you should never let your guard down while travelling in the mountains. The snaking mountain roads make you endure pain for the mountain beauty they are giving back. Landslides are common during the rainy season. For the foreign tourist, the best option is to fly down to Guwahati & start his journey. The only alternative to this is to fly down to Delhi or Kolkata enter the Northeast by road or rail.
If you are planning to enter Northeast India by road it is recommended to travel through West Bengal. Local taxis are available all throughout the states and they are the most effective method of transport. Always look for 4×4’s when travelling in the mountains.
10. Don’t forget to pack your camera
The Northeastern states are a photographer’s paradise, from the lush green forests to the pristine alpine ranges, the northeast has a lot to offer. The ever-changing landscapes of these states promise breathtaking shots on pretty much every bend you take. You can also capture the different lifestyles, the tribal festivals and wild animals which the outside world has seen rarely.
11. Travel into the remote villages
Travel into the remotest parts of North-East and you will get to witness the true culture of different tribes. These villages are very different from each other and some speak their own languages. It seems like you are travelling back in time because for the most part these villages have never been affected by modernization.
Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram are few best places of offbeat travellers. Far from city life, you can uncover the simplicity of native tribes. Never limit yourself to the roadside views. States of Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal & Nagaland offer much more if you travel deep into the. At Nexplore Travels, we have experienced local tour guides that accompany you to all these places and takes to the furthest reaches of the states.
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You can check our Northeast India Tour packages here. If you wish to book a package tour to any places in India please drop us a mail at support@nexplore.org.
