One of the best places to visit in Sikkim is Rumtek Monastery, the largest and most significant of all the monasteries in Sikkim located on a hilltop near Gangtok. Gangtok also offers stunning panoramic views of Sikkim. MG Road is a boulevard that functions as the shopping center of Gangtok. Nathu La Pass is a mountain pass where hikers go hiking. Tsomgo Lake is one of India's unique high mountain lakes, which flows between the mountains at an altitude of 12,400 feet above sea level.

Arunachal Pradesh

Due to its proximity to China, travel to this region was highly restricted to foreigners. The Indian government has relaxed permit requirements somewhat and has added new tourist circuits, bringing the total number to 12. However, limitations on independent travel, places to visit, and the high cost of travel discourage foreign tourism. . However, adventurous young Indian backpackers are beginning to flock there. The Tawang Monastery is the most well-known attraction in the state.

In the North East India the monastery is the largest Buddhist religious community. It also has a fascinating collection of Tibetan paintings. Suppose you can visit during the Torgya Festival in January or the Tawang Festival in October. Other attractions include pristine national parks and notable tribes. In the Ziro district, the annual Dree Festival and Myoko festival of the Apatani tribe and the Ziro Music Festival are also famous. The Mopin Festival of the Gaul tribe is celebrated in Arunachal Pradesh in early April.

Manipur

Located on the far northeastern border below Nagaland, Manipur has been described as the Jewel of the East due to its picturesque hills and valleys. The capital, Imphal, is surrounded by forested hills and lakes. Loktak Lake, with its multitude of floating marshy islands, is notable for being the only floating lake in the world. Stay at Sendra Park and Resort to have the best experience in this regard. Manipur has recently started taking steps to develop its tourism potential, which is essential as the state struggles to overcome poverty in rural areas and inter-ethnic rebellions. Every January in Kachai a Lemon Festival is celebrated, and the Kang Chingba Festival is also a big event in this region.

What things you can do in North East India.

Your vacation in northeast India can be accompanied by activities that can give you an adrenaline rush and make your heart beat faster if you wish.

Trekking

In northeast India, hiking in the Tawang region is famous. Throughout the entire route, stunning landscapes will accompany you, which is difficult in places due to the varying complexity of the landscape.

River rafting in Kalimpong

The entire North East of India is crisscrossed with rivers offering many opportunities to look at this region differently. Rafting is not only an adventure but also a great way to see the sights.

Rock climbing

The hilly and ravine terrain of the northeast is a natural amusement park for adventure seekers. Cherrapunji offers an excellent opportunity for those who enjoy the exciting sport of rock climbing.

Camping

The best part of a night camping in the northeast is the unobstructed view of the stunning starry sky, which shines without the usual light pollution.

Find Harmony

On the island of serene peace in the quiet surroundings of Tawang. Take time for introspection and try to find harmony in the environment of spirituality.

What to Know Before You Go to the Northeast

India's remote northeastern region remains relatively untouched and untouched by development. It is a haven for those looking to get off the beaten track and its distinctive tribal culture is very different from that of the rest of India.

However, traveling in northeastern India can be exhausting. If you consider a trip, you should know a few things before you go.

Knowledge of Permits Requirements:

Although permit requirements have relaxed somewhat in recent years to aid tourism, some states still require permits. Getting these permits can be challenging and confusing, especially if Indians and foreigners want to travel together. Therefore, the best way to get a permit is through a tour operator.

Helpful Tour Operators to Explore:

You will find several tour operators on other government and tourism websites. However, the information provided is often outdated or useless. Some tour operators no longer exist, others are unresponsive, and still, others will force their trips onto you even if they say they offer customized trips. One of the most helpful tour operators is Kipepeo. Other notable choices include Root Bridge, The Greener Pastures, North East Explorers, and The Vacation Scout.

Itinerary:

Please don't underestimate the time it takes to travel in the northeastern region. You may find that tour operators offer you a 13-21 day tour covering most of the northeast. It's not worth it. It may appear in terms of distance, but the reality is very different. Most roads are in poor condition; it is dark early, many places are closed in mid to late afternoon, and unforeseen circumstances.

Infrastructure in North East India:

Infrastructure in the northeast is poor. You will encounter power outages, a lack of running water, and substandard accommodation. If you are traveling during winter, the nights will be cold, and the erratic power supply will mean that the heating will not work. If you are a woman, be prepared to face a shortage of toilets.

Accommodation:

If possible, choose a homestay. Not only will you be helping local families generate income, but homestays are also often run more professionally than hotels.

Most accessible regions to visit:

Assam and Meghalaya are the easiest countries to visit and have the best infrastructure. There are no permits or registration requirements for Indians or foreigners in these countries. Nagaland is thriving as a tourist destination, but roads are still poor. Arunachal Pradesh is perhaps the most challenging state due to its permit requirements and remoteness.

Northeast India is a group of eight states comprising of the famous 7 sisters and Sikkim. The term ‘7 sisters’ was coined by a journalist in the year 1972 because of the similarities in political, social and economic spheres. But they’re still different in terms of religion and ethnicity. This region is full of scenic views, and the culture of this region is different from its northern and southern counterparts. The landscape consists of valleys, caves, waterfalls, mountains. Visiting this region in different seasons provides the visitor with a different ambience, while you will get snow-capped mountains during winters, whereas in summers you’ll be greeted by lush green valleys.

Gangtok- Gangtok is the capital of Sikkim, India. This city is a Buddhist pilgrimage site and has a mountainous landscape presenting its visitors with lush green valleys, waterfalls, lakes and monasteries. Enchey monastery present here is a 200-year old monastery that teaches the ideology of Vajrayana Buddhism. Enchey monastery is the most recognized monastery in Sikkim, the name translates to ‘the solitary temple’. Today, it remains a Tibetan Buddhist centre and a base for hikers organizing permits and transport for treks through Sikkim’s Himalayan mountain ranges. Tsomgo Lake located at the height of 12,400 ft. Is another astounding site. This lake freezes during the winter and in the summer the lake surface reflects different colours with change of season and is held in great reverence by the locals. Baba Harbhajan Singh Memorial located at 13200 ft is a memorial that was built to commemorate Baba Harbhajan Singh, an Indian army soldier who was martyred in 1968 near the Nathu La mountain pass. After his death he was revered and worshipped, his devotees believe that anyone who approaches his shrine with a clear heart will be granted their wish.

Sites worth visiting- Tsomgo Lake, Baba Harbhajan Singh Memorial, Enchey Monastery
Nearest airport- Bagdogra International Airport
Distance between Airport and City- 129 Km, 4 hours 26 minutes

Pelling- Get a glimpse of Kanchenjunga and Himalayas as they lie in close proximity with this small hill town. Pelling also acts as a base to trekkers and adventurers who want to indulge in tenacious treks. The land around Pelling is still a virgin territory and is bathed in alpine vegetation, with numerous waterfalls lining the hillside. In winter, Pelling is sometimes covered in a blanket of snow. Rimbi waterfalls present here was constructed by the last Sikkimese king in the 1970s, this is the oldest waterfall in Pelling. The state government has built Sewaro rock garden here which includes various rocks, pathways, pools and manicured gardens. Pemayangtse Monastery is a monastery that was built for pure monks I.e. monks with Tibetan lineage who were celibate and without any physical deformities. This monastery is colourfully painted depicting Tibetan designs, it contains a noticeable collection of ancient Buddhist antique idols, scriptures, decorated paintings and sculptures. This monastery overlooks the Rabdantse ruins, these ruins used to be the second capital of Sikkim before it was colonized by Bhutan. These ruins have been declared as a heritage monument by the Archeological Survey of India.

Sites worth visiting- Sewaro rock garden, Pemayangtse monastery, Rabdantse ruins, Rimbi waterfalls
Nearest Airport- Bagdogra International Airport
Distance between Airport and City- 142 km, 5 hours

Kaziranga National Park- Located in Nagaon District in Assam, India. This national park is the pride of India. Known for having two-third of world’s one-horned rhinoceros this park was also declared as a Tiger Reserve in 2006. In addition to being a Tiger Reserve, Kaziranga has been recognized as an important bird area by Birdlife International for the conservation of avifauna species. Located on the edge of the Eastern Himalaya Biodiversity Hotspot, the park combines high species diversity and visibility. Kaziranga is open for only six months throughout the year I.e. from 1st November to 30th April.
Charges for Kaziranga National Safari:

Elephant Safaris- INR 900 for Indians, INR 1950 for Foreigners
Jeep Safari- INR 1750- 3000 depending on the part of the park that you want to visit
Entry fees- INR 100 for Indians, INR 650 for foreigners

National Park timing:
From 1st November to 30th April 7:00 A.M. to 9:30 A.M. (Morning Trip) and 1:30 P.M. to 3:30 P.M. (Evening Trip)

Elephant safaris start earlier than the regular safaris. Their timings are:
5:30 A.M. to 7:30 A.M. (Morning Trip) and 3:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. (Evening Trip)

Nearest Airport- Jorhat Airport
Distance between Airport and Park- 115 km, 3 hours

Guwahati- Guwahati is the largest city in the Indian state of Assam. Guwahati is one of the fastest-growing cities in India. Presence of some major Hindu temples has given this city the name “city of temples”. Umananda temple present on the Peacock island is one of the most popular sites in the city, this temple was built honouring Lord Shiva, its serene surroundings and scenic view is utterly mesmerizing. Kamakhya temple is another temple that is a famous religious site for Hindus, this temple was constructed to honour goddess Shakti. This temple follows a unique tradition where the temple keeps its doors closed to the devotees for five days as they believe that the goddess experiences mensuration during that period. On the sixth day, they bathe the goddess and perform rituals. Guwahati zoo is a large expanse consisting of exotic and rare animals like the kangaroo, one-horned rhinoceros, giraffes, etc. Nature enthusiasts visit from all over the world to catch a glimpse of all the inmates. Fancy Bazaar is the most popular markets in the city. It is famous for wholesale and retail stores. You can shop for designer clothes at wholesale prices here. Other things that you can add to your shopping list include wholesale products ranging from food and beverages to hardware.

Sites worth visiting- Umananda temple, Kamakhya temple, Fancy Bazaar, Guwahati zoo
Nearest Airport- Guwahati International Airport
Distance between Airport and City- 27 km, 1 hour

Shillong- Shillong is considered as the ‘Scotland of the East’. Shillong is a hill station in northeast India and the capital of the state of Meghalaya. The manicured gardens of Lady Hydari Park are a sight to behold, these Japanese styled gardens also comprise of an artificial lake and a zoo this a wholesome experience for every visitor. Located close to this park is Ward’s Lake, it is an artificial lake with garden and boating facilities, built during the colonial era. In the Northern part of the state, you can visit the Don Bosco Centre which is a hexagonal shape structure that showcases artefacts, paintings, figures significant to the Indigenous Culture of the northeast. Elephant Falls located to the southwest of the city is known for its mesmerizing three-step fall. Located east of here is the forested Shillong Peak which is the highest point of the state and offers a panoramic view of the city. Also present here is the largest golf course in Asia. Not only is this golf course picturesque but it’s also a tough nut to crack for golfers.
Sites worth visiting- Ward's Lake, Don Bosco Centre, Shillong peak, Mawalynnong village, Lady Hydari Park

Nearest Airport- Shillong airport
Distance between Airport and City- 31 km, 1 hour

Lachung and Yamthung valley- Lachung is a small mountain village close to the Tibetan border, in the northeastern Indian state of Sikkim. Sparkling water streams mixed with snow-capped mountains create a stupefying image. The village is home to the 19th-century Buddhist Lachung Monastery, this monastery is engulfed in the green expanse that’s created by apple orchards. Lachung also acts as a base to campers who want to indulge in the Rhododendron trek. Lachung and Yamthung are divided by Lachung River. On the other side of Lachung river lies Yumthang Valley. Shingba Sanctuary located in this valley protects 40 different species of rhododendron tree. The valley is also known for its waterfalls, pine forests and hot springs. Some famous waterfalls include Seven Sister Waterfalls, Naga Water Falls, etc.

Sites worth visiting- Lachung Monastery, Shingba Sanctuary, Naga waterfalls, Seven sister waterfalls
Nearest Airport- Pakyung Airport
Distance between Airport and City- 135 km, 5 hours

Manas- Manas wildlife sanctuary is a national park, a Natural World Heritage Site as recognized by UNESCO, a Project Tiger reserve, an elephant reserve and a biosphere reserve in Assam. Apart from Tigers and Indian elephants the other faunas of the sanctuary are Indian rhinoceros, gaurs, Asian water buffaloes, barasingha, Indian tigers, Indian leopards, clouded leopards, Asian golden cats, dholes, capped langurs, golden langurs, Assamese macaques, slow loris, hoolock gibbons, smooth-coated otters, sloth bears, barking deers, hog deers, black panthers, sambar deers and chitals. The park is well known for species of rare and endangered wildlife that are not found anywhere else in the world like the Assam roofed turtle, hispid hare, golden langur and pygmy hog. Bengal Florican point present inside the park, as the name suggests is the perfect spot to view the Bengal Florican. A tourist can go for a jungle safari as well as a boat ride here.

Charges for Manas National Safari:
Jeep Safari- INR 300
Entry Fees- INR 20 for Indians, INR 250 for foreigners
Still Camera- INR 50 for Indians, INR 500 for foreigners
Camcorder- INR 100 for Indians, INR 500 for foreigners
Nearest Airport- Guwahati airport
Distance between Airport and Park- 138 km, 3 hours

Tawang- Tawang, located at 12000 ft. Is the birthplace of the sixth Dalai Lama, hence it is a major holy site for Tibetan Buddhists. This beautiful town is full of mesmerizing sceneries. Located here the 17th-century Tawang Monastery, the largest Buddhist monastery in India which was built in accordance to the wishes of the fifth Dalai Lama, a massive gilded Buddha statue is the main attraction of this monastery. The War Memorial present here commemorates soldiers who died in the 1962 Chinese-Indian War, from here one can get a panoramic view of the Tawang-Chu. Pankang Teng Tso Lake is surrounded by a vivid backdrop of the snow-clad Himalayan Mountains and gushing cool waters of the rivers.
Pankang Teng Tso is also known for attracting migratory birds during the summer season. Another feature of this lake is that it has two distinct ambiences during winters and summers. While its surroundings remain cool, quiet, and covered with snows during the winters, it is very pleasant with blue lapis flowers in the summer. Located nearby is the Sela Pass, situated 14000 ft above sea level this pass is World’s 2nd Highest Pass. This pass connects Tawang and Dirang, this pass is a sacred site in Tibetan Buddhism, Tibetans believe that about 101 lakes exist around this region.
Sites worth visiting- Tawang Monastery, Pankang Teng Tso, War Memorial, Sela Pass

Nearest Airport- Salonibari Airport, Tezpur
Distance between Airport and City- 334 km, 9 hours

Cherrapunjee- Known as the wettest place on earth Cherrapunjee receives the highest amount of rainfall every year, it currently holds the world record for the highest amount of rain received in a year. This city is full of waterfalls including Nohkailikai Falls (world’s fourth highest) which is the tallest plunge waterfall in India, this waterfall has a very grim legend attached to it. Other waterfalls include Nohsngithiang Falls and Dainthlen Falls. Mawalynnong Village, a village located close to Cherrapunjee is regarded as Asia’s cleanest village. The Khasi community residing in this village mandates that all citizens of the village partake in the cleaning up process. Smoking and plastics are banned here and the garbage is collected in bamboo dustbins from where it is disposed in a pit to be used as manure. Also present in this village is the unique phenomenon of Living root bridges. These bridges have been created by using bioengineering to guide the roots of Ficus benghalenis. These bridges can last up to 500 years. This city is also full of caves some of the famous caves present here are Krem Liat Prah which is the longest natural cave in South Asia, and Mawsmai cave which is engulfed in the forest and presents its visitors with scenic views. The weekly market called ‘lewbah’ I.e. the big market is a socializing event in addition to being a market. This is an utterly magical event and should be visited by any tourist that wants insight regarding the culture.

Sites worth visiting- Nohkailikai Falls, Mawalynnog village, Krem Liat Prah cave, Living root bridge
Nearest Airport- Guwahati airport
Distance between Airport and City- 170 km, 4 hours 30 minutes

Nameri- Nameri National Park is a national park in the foothills of the eastern Himalayas in the Sonitpur District of Assam. With an area of 200 sq. Km, this national park is an Elephant reserve as well as a Tiger reserve. It is an ideal habitat for a host of other animals including leopard, sambar, dhole (the Asiatic wild dog), pygmy hog, Indian wild bison, clouded leopard, leopard cat, muntjac, gaur, wild boar, sloth bear, Himalayan black bear, capped langur and Indian giant squirrel. This national park also constitutes of a wide array of vegetation. Endangered birds like White-winged duck, which is the national bird of Assa can also be found here. Many other birds including the Ibisbill and Merganser migrate to this region during the winter season.

Charges for Nameri National Safari:
Boat Safari- INR 350+ boatman charges for Indians, INR 550 + boatman charges for foreigners
Entry Fees- INR 20 for Indians, INR 250 for foreigners
Still Camera- INR 50 for Indians, INR 500 for foreigners
Nearest Airport- Salonibari Airport, Tezpur
Distance between Airport and City- 30 km, 1 hour

Last words

Embark on Northern India tours with us and explore some tribal villages of the great states of North India. Northeast India Tour will take you on a lifetime journey where you can witness the rich culture, ancient traditions, and lifestyle of the tribal people of Northeast India. We will take you to discover the tribal villages of India’s northeast region states. Plan your traveling to northeast India with us now, and we can give you all the details of any place that interests you!