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Must have Travel Experiences: Enchanting Northeast

 
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Awesome Andamans
Bastar-Tribal Country
Sunderbans Cruise
Spiritual Varanasi
Enchanting Northeast
Incredible Kashmir
Wild Bandhavgarh
Rafting the Zanskar
Road Trip - Rajasthan
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Northeast of India is virgin and spectacular, which make it a must have travel experience
| Assam | Sikkim | Manipur |Arunachal Pradesh | Meghalaya | Mizoram | Tripura | Nagaland

Northeast of India is like the Andaman & Nicobar Islands - untouched by the hordes of tourists and beautiful. There are places - virgin and spectacular - that make the Northeast a must have travel experience. Situated in the north eastern part of India, this region comprise of eight states – Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Sikkim, Manipur, Nagaland, Tripura, Megalaya and Mizoram.

Each state in the Northeast has a charm of its own, if Assam is known for its Bihu celebrations and the famous Assam Tea, Sikkim is popular for its orchids; Nagaland is the famed land of 16 major tribes with colorful dresses; Manipur is a beautiful state with fascinating culture and tradition; Arunachal Pradesh is a treasure trove of natural beauty and Tripura bordering Bangladesh is yet another beautiful place in the North East. Megalaya, the abode of clouds and Mizoram, the land of highlander are also worth visiting.

Assam
Assam


Breathtaking scenic beauty, flora and fauna, mighty waterways and festivals – Assam is certainly the place to be in. Assam was earlier known as Pragjyotishpur as well as Kamrup but with the defeat of the Kamrup ruler by Ahoms and Shan tribes, the region is known as Assam.

Sight-seeing in Assam
Majauli: The world's largest river island, Majuli is situated in the midst of river Brahmaputra. A centre of Vishnava culture, Majauli has over fifteen Vaishnava monasteries or satras. Majauli is 200 kilometers from Guwahati.

Haflong: Famous for its scenic beauty, Haflong is situated at an altitude of 680 meters. It is often referred to as the land of blue hills. Pineapple and oranges are grown here in abundance. A beautiful lake 'Haflong Lake' is located in the heart of the town. Haflong is 410 kilometers from Guwahati.

Wildlife Assam

Wildlife in Assam
Assam has number of wildlife parks, which draw tourists from all over the country. Of the many wildlife sanctuaries, Kaziranga and Manas National Park are quite popular. A World Heritage Site, Kaziranga National Park is spread over an area of 430 sq. kms. Kaziranga National Park is home to the Unicorn Rhinoceros, Elephant, Indian Bison, Swamp Deer, Samber, Hog Deer, Sloth Bear, Tiger, Leopard cat and Jungle cat. Kaziranga is 217 kilometers from Guwahati and 96 kilometers from Jorhat by road.

Festivals in Assam
Bihu is the most popular festival in Assam, which is celebrated by all despite cast, creed and faith. There are three Bihu festivals celebrated every year known as Rongali, Bhogali and Kangali. The most important of these is the spring festival ‘Bohag Bihu’ or ‘Rongali Bihu,’ which is celebrated in April.

Manas National Park: Manas is situated on the bank of the river Manas at the foothills of the eastern Himalayas. The park covers an area of 519.77 Sq. km, it has a core area of 360 Kms and is situated in Barpeta District. Besides Tiger, Manas National Park is home to Hispid Hare, Pigmy Hog, Golden Langur, Indian Rhinoceros and Asiatic Buffalo.

Reaching Assam & Best time to go
By Air: Guwahati is well connected by air from Delhi, Kolkata and other cities.

By Rail: Guwahati is the nearest railway station, which is connected with rest of India.

Best time to visit Assam: October to March

› Sikkim
Sikkim

One of the most beautiful states – Sikkim is bounded by three sovereign nations, Nepal in the west, Bhutan in the east and China's Tibet in the north. Sikkim has an area of around 7096 sq km and it is about 64 kilometers from east to west and 110 kilometers from north to south. Mt. Kanchendzonga, the third highest peak in the world dominates the landscape of the State and is revered as Sikkim's guardian deity. The state has a good number of glaciers. The river Tista is the lifeline of Sikkim and it originates from Lake Cholamu.

Sight-seeing in Sikkim
Sikkim, no doubt is in the wish list of many discerning traveller. Its beautiful landscape and snow-laden mountains have been attracting tourists from around the world. There are various good places in Sikkim that one can visit when traveling to Sikkim.

Gangtok

Gangtok: The capital and a laid-back town straddling a ridge with houses spilling down the hillside; Gangtok is first stop of any traveller to Sikkim. Some of the places of tourist interest in and around Gangtok include Rumtek Monastery, Enchey Monastery, Tashi Ling and the Orchid Sanctuary.

Tsango Lake: You can also visit Tsango Lake in Sikkim. Tsango is a scared lake, which is located at an altitude of 3780m on Gangtok, Nathula highway. The lake lies amidst picturesque mountains and remains frozen almost half the year. Nathula Pass is the last point of India and Chinese occupied Tibet.

Festivals in Sikkim
Sikkim celebrates a number of festivals throughout the year. Bumchu is held during January/February at the monastery of Tashiding. Saga Dawa in May is a popular festival of Mahayana Buddhists, which is celebrated in all the important monasteries of Sikkim. Losoong in December marks the end of the harvest season and is celebrated in the Monasteries of Tsug Lakhang, Phodong and Rumtek with religious dances (Chaams) feasting and archery contests.

Lachung: Lachung in Sikkim is another interesting place, which is located about 115 kilometers from Gangtok. Lachung is a small Bhutia village spread on either side of river Lachung Chu.

Pelling:
Situated at an altitude of 2,061 m from the sea level, Pelling, Sikkim offers breathtaking views of the snow-capped mountains.

› Reaching Sikkim
By Air: The nearest airport is Bagdogra (near Siliguri), which is 125 kilometers away from Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim. Bagdogra is connected to cities like Delhi and Kolkata by regular flights.
By Rail: The nearest Railways Station is New Jalpaiguri (near Siliguri), which is connected to Gangtok by road.

Best time to visit Sikkim: September - March

Manipur
Manipur

Manipur has been bestowed with nature’s beauty. Tourists love its exotic scenery, mystic atmosphere and vibrant cultural heritage. Manipur is also known as the land of Lord Krishna and Radha. This state has gifted India its one of the specialized classical dance form repertoire lyrical Ras Leela. Manipuri is another famous dance of the state.

Sight-seeing in Manipur
Untouched by the onslaught of tourism, Manipur promises to offer an exciting travel experience. The land of diversified culture and traditions, Manipur has a host of wonderful places that one can travel to.

Imphal

Imphal: The capital city of Manipur is beautiful land winding rivers and blue green hills. Tourist places in and around Manipur include Govindajee Temple, War Cemetery, State Museum and Khairamband bazaar.

Khonghampat Orchidarium: A must visit place in Manipur, Khonghampat is the place to enjoy over 120 species of orchids.

Bishnupur: The conical roofed temple dedicated to Lord Krisha is the main attraction here. Bishnupur also has the Loktak Lake and Red Hill where a fierce battle between the British and the Japanese took place during the World War II.

Moirang: The town is one of the main seats of early Manipuri folk culture with the ancient temple of the pre-Hindu deity Lord Thangjing, situated here.

Reaching Manipur & Best time to go
By Air: You can take a direct flight to Imphal from Delhi, Kolkata and Guwahati.
Festivals in Manipur
Gang-Ngai (Dec-Jan)
Lui-Ngai-Ni (15 Feb)
Cheiraoba (April)
Lai-Haraoba (May)
Rath Jatra (June-July)
Christmas
Idul-Fitr
Indian airlines operates regular flights to this city and other important cities in northeast India.

By Rail: Manipur does not have any train service. But there are other northeastern cities like Guwahati, Dimapur, Silchar which have Railway Stations and are serviced by important trains to and from the rest of the country. From these cities one can reach Manipur by road.

By Road: Manipur is well connected by with other parts of the country. National Highway 39 connects Manipur with major cities like Guwahati, Dimapur, Kohima, Schilchar in the northeastern part of India.

Best time to visit Manipur: November to March

Arunachal Pradesh
Arunachal Pradesh

The largest of all eight states in the Northeast, Arunachal is big and beautiful. The state of Arunachal Pradesh shares international boundaries with Bhutan, China and Myanmar to the west, north and east respectively, and the state boundaries with Assam and Nagaland.

The topography of the state is punctuated by a series of valleys that run from the Himalayas in the north to the Brahmaputra in the south. Along the valleys and on the banks of the Brahmaputra lie the many beautiful places that add to the unique Northeast experience.

Sight-seeing in Arunachal Pradesh

Khonsa: Frozen in time Khonsa is a loveable hideaway. It is a tiny township in south-east Arunachal Pradesh that promises unadulterated beauty and amazing vistas. Khonsa offers exhilarating treks through uncharted forests and fascinating excursions. There are orchids, which are believed to be finest of over 500 species found in the state. You can also visit Khonsa museum that has a collection of traditional tribal artifacts. Khonsa is about 216 kilometers from Dibrugarh.

Tawang: Arunachal’s most popular tourist destination, Tawang is the last frontier, strategically placed between China, Tibet and Myanmar. Tawang is an important centre of Buddhist learning and is particularly famous for its 400- year old Twang Monastery. Twang is located about 200 kilometers from Guwahati.

Ziro: Situated in the heart of Apa Tani Plateau, Ziro is far better than it sounds. It is the ultimate place to get away and get lost to find one’s inner self. It is quite and untouched world to enjoy bamboo architecture and paddy farming. Ziro in Arunachal Pradesh is about 138 kilometers from North Lakhimpur and 167 kilometers from Itanagar.

Namdapha national Park
Namdapha National Park: Namdapha National Park is a botanist dream with over 150 trees, flowers and orchids. Namdapha in Arunachal Pradesh is the place to wake up in the misty mornings to the sounds of screeching Gibbons and to the chirping of the endangered Hornbills, Bar Tailed Cuckoo Doves and Red Eared Woodpeckers. Namdapha in Arunachal Pradesh is approximately 150 kilometers from Dibrugarh.

Reaching Arunachal Pradesh & Best time to go
Quick Facts
Area :
83,743 Sq Km
Population :
1,091,117(Provisional 2001census)
Capital :
Itanagar (Population-34970 (Provisional 2001 census)
Clothing :
Summer-cotton, Winter - Heavy woolen
National Parks :
Namdapha, Mouling
By Air: The nearest airport is Lilabari (North Lakhimpur) in Assam, 57 kms from Naharlagun and 67 kms from Itanagar. Indian Airlines operates direct flight from Calcutta to Tezpur (216 kms from Itanagar).

By Rail: The nearest railway station is Harmuty (near Banderdewa check gate) only 23 km from Naharlagun and 33 km from Itanagar. However the convenient railhead is North Lakhimpur in Assam, 50 km from Naharlagun and 60 km from Itanagar.

By Road: Itanagar, the capital of Arunachal Pradesh is well connected by road Guwahati - 381 km, Shillong - 481 km and Agartala - 980 km.

Best time to visit Arunachal Pradesh: November to March

Festivals in Arunachal Pradesh

Losar: Losar is the festival of the Monpas. Losar is their New Year and is celebrated for five days.

Reh:
The six-day Reh festival is celebrated by the to appease the deities who control the peace and prosperity of the people.

Festivals are celebrated by one or the other tribe throughout the year in Arunachal Pradesh. Some of the important festivals are Solung, Mopin, Boori Boot, Dree, Nechi Dau, Khan, Kshyatsowai, Loku, Longte Yullo, Moi, Nyokum, Ojiale, Reh, Sanken, Si-Donyi and Tamladu.

Meghalaya
Meghalaya

The abode of clouds as Meghalaya literally means is the land of three principal tribes – Garos, Khasis and Jaintias. It is the tribal culture and beauty of verdant hills that make Meghalaya a special travel experience. The three tribes are scattered in three different directions. The Khasis reside in the centre, the Jaintias in the east and Garos in the west of the state.

Meghalaya is a state of great scenic beauty. Gift wrapped in green, Meghalaya is bestowed with lush rolling hills, fertile valleys, 250 species of orchids, meandering rivers, waterfalls and gurgling mountain streams.

Sight-seeing in Meghalaya

Shillong: The capital city of Meghalaya has a picturesque setting and a pleasant climate throughout the year. There are places beauty and interest in and around Shillong, which include the 100-year old Ward’s Lake, Lady Hydari Park, the State Museum, the Butterfly Museum and the Botanical Survey of India Orchidarium.

Cherrapunjee

Cherrapunjee: Cherrapunjee made a cut into the books when it became the wettest place on earth, though the tag now has gone to nearby Mawsynram, Cherrapunjee is as beautiful as ever.  Earlier known as Sohra, Cherrapunjee is home to Nongsawlia Church, the oldest in the region. Other places worth checking out include the Nohkalikai and Nohsngithiang Falls and the illuminated Mawsmai Cave.

Garo, Khasi and Jaintia Hills: Though located in different locations, they have one thing in common – all the three are beautiful and have something unique to offer. Garo Hills ooze with life and you can base yourself at Tura, Headquarter of the West Garo Hills. A number of ancient monoliths and table stones are found in the Khasi Hills, which are perhaps memorials where the ashes of the dead are deposited in cairns. The upright stones represent men generally and are of considerable size, sometimes projecting 6 meters or more above ground. Jaintia Hills are known for their beautiful caves.

Reaching Meghalaya & Best time to go
By Air: Shillong is connected from Kolkata, Silchar and Aizwal with regular flights.
Festivals in Meghalaya
The three main tribes - Garo, Khasi and Jaintia celebrate a number of fairs and festivals in Meghalaya. Khasis celebrates the five-day long religious festival Ka Ka Pamblang Nongkrem. During this festival Nongkrem dance is held annually at village Smit, 11 km from Shillong.
The airport is at Umroi, 35 km from downtown. Taxis are available at the airport for transportation to the city.

By Rail: The nearest railway station to reach Shillong in Meghalaya is Guwahati in Assam.

By Road: Meghalaya is well connected by road with other parts of the country. National Highway 40 is an all-weather road running through the state. The road connects Shillong with Guwahati, which in turn is connected to other parts in the country.

Best time to visit Meghalaya: October - March

Mizoram
Mizoram

Situated on the southernmost corner of the Northeast, Mizoram is one of the remotest states in the country. The land of the Blue Mountains is flanked by Tripura, Assam and Manipur in the north and Bangaldesh and Mynamar in the west and east respectively. Mizoram is a scenic and cultural treasure trove with breathtaking natural beauty and a wide array of festivals, dances and handicrafts. The people of Mizoram are friendly and hospitable.

Sight-seeing in Mizoram

Phawngpui in the south of Mizoram is regarded as the abode of the Gods and is a highly revered peak. Good for adventure seeker, the 2150 m–high mountain peak offers beautiful views and good trekking option. The peak rises close to the Myanmar border and provides fine views of the Chimtuipui river.

Aizawal is certainly the well-known tourist destination of Mizoram. The capital city of Mizoram is fine hill station set on a ridge at an altitude of 4000 ft above sea level. Its blue skies, dewy mornings and sunlit days appeal to discerning traveller. Aizawl promises an unforgettable holiday experience throughout the year.

Vantawng

Vantawng is Mizoram’s tallest waterfall located at Vantawng. The waterfall lies at 150 kilometers from Aizawal on the Lau river. The 750 ft-high Vantawng waterfall is surrounded by bamboo groves and forests.

Tamdil popularly known for the Tamdil Lake is about 110 kilometers from Aizawal. The lake is ringed by dense forests and is an abundance source of fish and prawns.

Champhai, located approximately 200 kilometers from the capital city, Champhai offers stunning views of the emerald rice fields bordered by the hills of Myanmar.

Reaching Mizoram & Best time to go
By Air: Aizawl, the capital city is well connected by air with Kolkata,
Festivals in Mizoram
Mim Kut & Pawl Kut (Nov-Dec)
Chapchar Kut (March)
Thalfavang Kut (November)
Christmas (December)
Guwahati and Imphal. The nearest airpor is Lengpui, Aizawl.

By Rail: The nearest railhead is at Silchar in Assam (184 km away).

Best time to visit Mizoram: September - March

Tripura
Tripura

Tripura is tucked away in a corner of the Northesat and is bounded on the north, west, south and south-east by Bangladesh whereas in the east it has a common boundary with Assam and Mizoram. Tripura is a lush green state with mountains and valleys covering most of the area in the state.


Sight-seeing in Tripura


Quick Facts
Capital:
Agartala
Area : 10,491 sq. km
Capital :
Itanagar (Population-34970 (Provisional 2001 census)
Language(s) :
Bengali, Kokborok
Best time to go :
September to March

Agartala, the capital city of Tripura is beautiful tourist destination rich in flora & fauna, history and architecture. Agartala is also the administrative centre.

Neermahal-Tripura

It gained prominence when Maharaja Krishna Manikya shifted his capital here in the 19th century. Tourist places worth visiting in Agartala include Ujjayanta Palace, Kunjaban Palace, the Tribal Museum , Buddhist sites and the amazing Neermahal, a magnificent lake palace that was constructed as a summer resort in 1930 by late Maharaja Birbikram Kishore Manikya Bahadur in the middle of a natural lake called Rudrasagar.

Udaipur, known for its beautiful temples is a popular tourist attraction in Tripura. Udaipur was the former capital of Tripura. Udaipur today is an important market town surrounded by paddy fields.

Tripura Sundari Temple

The most important temples here are the Tripura Sundari Temple (one of the 51 pithasthans in India as per Hindu mythology and is highly respected and revered) and the Bhuvaneswari Temple (the right bank of river Gomati adjacent to the palace built by Maharaja Govinda Manikya (1660-75 A.D.). The magnificient Bhuveneswari temple that even inspired the great poet Rabindranath Tagore)

Jampui Hills also regarded, as the ‘Orange Basket’ of Tripura is a cluster of 10 villages near the Tripura-Mizoram border. Jampui Hills offer lovely views of the Chittagong hills and the Kanchanpur Dasda Valley. Winter is the ideal time to visit this place. An important festival, Orange Festival is held in November.

Reaching Tripura
By Air: The main airport of the state is located in Agartala, which is well connected by air from other parts of the country. From Kolkata and Guwahati it takes less than 45 minutes to reach Tripura by air.

By Rail: Kumarghat is the nearest railhead, which is about 140 Kilometers from Agartala. Kumarghat is linked by railways to Guwahati, which is in turn connected to the rest of the country.

By Road: National Highway No.44 connects Agartala to Guwahati via Shillong in 24 hours.

Nagaland
Nagaland

Located on the border with Myanmar, Nagaland came into existence as a state in 1963, earlier it was the part of Assam. Nagaland shares its boundaries with Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Myanmar. Most of the region of the state is mountainous. The highest peak is Saramati at 3840m, in Twensand district. The rivers Barak, Doyang, Dhiku and Chinwin flow through the state. Nagaland is inhabited by 16 major tribes, which have their distinct festivals, language and dress.

Sight-seeing in Nagaland

Kohima, the capital city of Nagaland is the starting point for your travels in the state. It is a beautiful hill station with panoramic views of the rugged Naga Hills and exotic tribal culture. The Catholic Cathedral on Aradurah Hill is one of the important landmarks in the city. It is believed to be the largest cathedral in the Northeast. Word War II memorial and the State Museum are another places of tourist interest in Kohima.

Japfu Peak, just 15 kilometers south of the city offers best trekking options.

The Dzukou Valley right behind the Japfu Peak is watered by meandering stream, which sometimes freezes in the winters. Spring is the ideal to visit the valley, as the valley is full of rhododendrons and lilies.

Festivals in Nagaland
Yemshe Festival (Sept-Oct)
• Tuluni Festival (July)
• The Nazu festival (February)
• Moatsü Festival (May)
• Hornbill Festival (December)

Dimapur is another well-known popular town in Nagaland, which is located about 75 kilometers from Kohima. Ruins of the Kacheri monuments are the worth visiting in Dimapur.

Intanki Wildlife Sanctuary located 37 kilometers from Dimapur is home to Hoolock Gibbon. The sanctuary is also home to Elephants, Tigers, Mithun, Sambhar and Wild Dogs.


Reaching Nagaland & best time to go
By Air: The state has its airport in Dimapur, which connects Nagaland with other parts of the country. One can easily fly to Dimapur from Guwahati and Kolkata.

By Rail: The major railhead in the state is Dimapur, which is linked to Guwahati.

Best time to visit Nagaland: Throughout the year

   
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