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A Travel Guide For Northeast India

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A Travel Guide For Northeast India

Written by

Rishabh Tiwari

07 Sept 2023

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It is a common belief that if you want to experience beauty untouched by the footprints of man, Northeast India is your haven. Where tourism hasn’t got its claws in to the lay of the land yet, there is a surprise waiting at every corner. The codependence of its people with nature is refreshing to witness - it is a true give and take between the elements as opposed to the callous exploitation of the land and its resources as witnessed in other parts of the country.

Northeast is a naturalist’s paradise for its wealth in flora and fauna. A journey into any corner of this land is truly an experience which is vastly unique for its unusually rich diversity of ethnic groups, languages, religions, climates and landscapes.

Even though they are bunched up together on the other side of the 22 km long Siliguri Corridor, each state is so exquisitely unique in its offerings yet so similar in its allure and the warmth of its people. From the marketplaces, to construction of life, kinds of houses, landscapes, festivals, cultures, traditions, rivers, indigenous life, wildlife - all of it. It is a trip off the beaten path not only because it is comparatively hard to access but because it’s a world of its own – so vast and varied.

Where is Northeast?

North East India stretches from the amazing heights of the Himalayas in the north to the green lush plains of the Bay of Bengal. The Seven Sisters and one brother state (Sikkim) that constitute 8% of the total geographical area of India are together termed as Northeast India. The Seven Sisters are Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Assam, Mizoram and Tripura and they together share 2% of their boundary with mainland India as they sit across the other side of the 22 km long strip of land called the Chicken’s Neck or the Siliguri Corridor. Sikkim became a member state of the NEC as recently as 2002 making it the eight state and the only brother of the Seven Sisters. While all the other seven states share 98% of their boundaries with Myanmar, Bhutan, China and Bangladesh, Sikkim is the only Northeastern state to be connected fully to mainland India. Sikkim and the seven Northeastern States make up the most geographically isolated and least visited parts of India.

(Read, Interesting facts about Northeast India)

While everything about Northeast India is extremely inviting, one of the biggest challenges of travelling to the region is the dearth of documentation and relevant information available. We have put together answers to some frequently asked questions to help you kick off your planning to visit the region.

1. How hard is it to travel to Northeast India?

Guwahati – the capital of Assam, is the gateway to the Seven Sisters. Because of the distance from mainland India to the other side of the corridor and the associated time of travel, air is the most convenient mode of transport for the Northeastern States. With the recent surge of development in the region, all Northeastern states now have an airport with as many as 17 operational airports across the 8 states. This has made the entire region extremely accessible as compared to just a few years ago.

Guwahati is also well connected to most major cities by rail. Once at Guwahati, you can choose to travel to other regions either by air or by road through shared vehicles or private cabs. Sikkim, which is connected more securely to mainland India is relatively easier to get to. There is an airport in Sikkim, but the frequency of flights in and out of this airport is quite low. It is easier to fly to Bagdogra in West Bengal and make your journey onwards to Gangtok from there. Alternatively, if you are coming by train, you can reach New Jalpaiguri (NJP) railway station and head on to Gangtok from here.

(Read, Tips to Travel to Northeast India) to know more about some things to remeber at planning stages of your trip

2. What are the facilities for tourists like in Northeast India?

Given that tourism hasn’t taken a stronghold in the region yet, the facilities and infrastructure related to tourism in terms of stay options, transport facilities for internal travel and the like are scarce. However, to adapt to the region’s shortcomings as a tourist location is a small price to pay for the kind of culture and beauty you get to experience here. It may be a little harder to access and a tad bit more difficult to navigate than other regions on the map, but it only takes getting acquainted to the region to figure all of this out.

Usually the capital cities of these states are a good entry point to start your exploration. The capital cities are hubs for information and facilities. From tourist offices to state libraries, offices of local tour operators and decent accommodation - once you figure out which states you want to travel to, the state capitals should ideally be your first stop.

3. What is the best season to travel to the Northeastern States?

This is probably the most frequently asked question of all frequently asked questions about travelling to the Northeast. It’s so often asked that we wrote a whole article on it. Check out, (link here) to get a detailed answer to this. But for the short version, all the eight states of Northeast India have a wide variety of experiences to offer; the best season to travel here will depend on which region within this larger cluster you pick and what you decide to do there. You have some decisions to make before choosing the season!

4. How long would it take to cover all 8 states of Northeast India?

Northeast of India is usually spoken about and looked at as one singular region on the map of India. We generally forgot that it is a combination of 8 distinct states namely Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, Tripura and Meghalaya. Each of these states are diverse from each other and also within themselves. Northeast India covers only a small part of the Indian subcontinent but this 2.62 lakh square kilometers has so much to offer in terms of its natural beauty, multitude of cultures, indigenous peoples, religions, national parks, mountains, rivers, weather patterns and so much more; a lifetime would not be enough to explore the lengths and breaths of this 8% of Indian subcontinent.

It is a massive task to truly explore all that these states have to offer because IT.IS.A.LOT. We would recommend you pick smaller regions and not try to cover all of it together. It may seem like a small part of the country but it is huge.

Distance of state capitals from Guwahati, the Gateway to Northeast India

5. Which of the Northeastern states are best connected with each other?

We understand that if you going so far off, you might want to cover as much ground as possible. As far as connectivity between states is concerned, with the number of operational airports in the region, it is extremely easy to travel between states here.

But some of the states like Guwahati in Assam and Shillong in Meghalaya or Imphal in Manipur to Kohima in Nagaland are well connected for quick travel by road in case you want to make it a road trip. In fact, you will find a lot of shared cabs or other transport options for these intercity travels.

6. Are there any documents or permits I will need to travel here?

Yes, 3 different kinds of permits are required to gain access to 4 different states of Northeast India. These are just to enter the border of the state. There are separate permits required to access other specific (restricted) regions within the states. Since 98% of the boundaries of NER are international borders, these states are sensitive from a defense point of view. For domestic travelers, an ILP i.e. an Inner Line Permit is required by Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Nagaland and Manipur. For international travelers, the permit is called a PAP i.e a Protected Areas Permit. For more information on why the permit is important and how it can be obtained, read Permits Required for Northeast India.

7. What is Northeast India famous for?

The Northeastern end of India is usually hailed as a region of limitless diversity, rich heritage and a rare kind of natural splendor - a land of superlatives blessed not only with the best that nature has to offer but also some of the most progressive societies that humans have managed to design. It has natural wonders which are far beyond imagination but also has people who work hard to maintain the right kind of balance with nature so as to live a sustainable life.

While the uniqueness of its culture and the unbound natural beauty of the region is widely known by anyone who can point to the region on the map, the Northeastern states are a warehouse of experiences. From the highest Himalayan peaks in Arunachal Pradesh, to the rolling hills of Meghalaya, to the fertile plains of Assam that house the one-horned rhino, to its wildlife sanctuaries, waterfalls, deep caves and jumpy rivers, the Northeastern region has a little something for everyone. From the coming together of different faiths and the architecture of religion to the parts of the land which are grave reminders of their tumultuous past, every street and building in these magnificent states has a story to tell. Getting to know the people of the region and experiencing their life in these lands remains one unique experience that no other place can offer, however.

8. Is it easy to travel between states in the Northeastern region?

There are airports in all the states of Northeast so changing states may not be very difficult – it can however, turn out to be expensive. The airports are also very far away from the main cities so be prepared to keep some funds aside for that.

Once you have managed to enter the state, there are shared jeeps that run in all the 8 states for travelling within the different cities and districts within the states. State buses are also available but not on all routes – they do however run between all the popular tourist spots within the state. But if you plan to take an offbeat trip, buses may not serve the purpose. The best way to get around in the Northeast is to hire a self-drive vehicle or alternatively book a tour if you don’t have the time to plan logistics around shared vehicle routes. An important thing to remember when travelling to these states is that the distances are huge and that the roads are not always the best. Remember to factor these in.

9. What are some of the most popular tourist circuits in Northeastern states?

While this remains open to choices and must be customized to your preferences, some of the most feasible intracity tourist circuits are:

10. What is special about the Northeastern festivals?

The numerous festivals of the Northeast are rich in history and culture with a strong story as a backbone. Each festival is a celebration of the toils of the people in the midst of all the conflict and how they managed to keep their hearts warm. Being part of these celebrations is truly feeling one with the contagious energy of the complexities that make this a region so distinctive and pure.

Since the northeastern states are a boiling pot of various cultures, it automatically makes it a region full of various kinds of festivals and celebrations. Northeast is known for its festivals – the annual report for the tourism department for the last couple of years shows a steady incline in the inflow of tourists around festival seasons in these states. That shows that the brilliance of their festivals is well known. Each of these festivals celebrate the cultural beliefs of the many tribes that call these lands their home. Some of the most popular festivals from the regions are Bihu of Assam, Hornbill Festival of Nagaland, Ziro Festival of Music from Arunachal Pradesh, Wangala Festival from Meghalaya amongst countless others that draw major crowds each year. You have to experience them to feel the electric energy of these festivals and to truly feel like a part of the culture that makes northeast so very special.

11. Do I need a tour guide?

This is simply a matter of preference. We’d say with the right amount of research and an open mind, you can very well explore any part of Northeast India on your own as long as you are sticking to tourist circuits with available facilities. However, if you want to explore the depths of Northeastern states and go to off-beat destinations or explore adventure sports, it is best to get yourself a guide who knows the region best and can get all the paperwork in place for you. If you are someone who is not a stickler for plans and is okay when things get a bit chaotic and go off-track, it is a good place to make the trip your own. Fair bit of warning though, try this only if you have the luxury of time and money.

12. Is northeast India the right choice for my travel needs?

It’s true that each of us seeks something different when we explore a new region but you can trust us when we say that Northeast has something for everyone – different strokes for different folks. So, if you’ve got yourself wondering if any of the Seven Sisters and the brother have got what you are looking for, this (Who Should Travel to Northeast India) article is just for you.

13. Is there strong internet and phone connectivity?

In major cities, yes. But in the internal parts of the states, it’s a bit iffy.

14. What is the best place to get some relevant information on the Northeastern states?

Getting in touch with people who have travelled to the region of your choosing is the best way to get relevant information about those specific areas. Once you are already in the state you want to be in, tourist information centers in these regions are extremely helpful and can provide you with some really good information. Do pay them a visit

15. Is all kinds of food available there?

Northeastern states are known for their cultural diversity. The Seven Sisters alone have over 220 ethnic groups and close to 200 different languages. This wide variety of culture means a wide variety of food. We’d say exploring local cuisine is one of the best ways to experience the heart of the region.

16. Is it expensive to travel to Northeast India?

Okay, this one is a bit tricky to tackle. Northeast is well connected by air, railways and road but flights are the fastest way to get to the region. But because of the long distances one needs to cover to enter Guwahati which is the gateway to all Northeastern states, travelling to Northeast may get either too expensive or alternatively too time-consuming. It is like picking between the lesser of the devils – based on whether you have the luxury of time or a free hand with expenses. Internal travel as well may get expensive if you hire a private cab to travel locally. The internal distances are quite huge, so it is picking between planning your trip around the scantily available local transport options and hiring a private cab to make the best use of your time. Accommodation options also tend to be on the expensive side. There are cheaper options available but they usually fill up fast.

One very simple fix to this problem is pre-planning. If you plan your trip meticulously, way ahead of time, it is possible to make a pocket-friendly trip to Northeast. Pre book your flights at cheaper rates, pre-book your accommodation and pick the exact places you want to visit so you can research local transport options with timings.

17. Is it safe to travel to Northeast India?

This is a pretty common concern anyone travelling to the region expresses. There is no denying that the past of some of the Northeastern states has seen scattered but strong and sudden episodes of violence, mass unrest and spurts of protests. The internal conflicts, people’s displeasure with governmental apathy and the political unrest in the region has earned some of the states a certain reputation. While these cannot be discarded as illegitimate concerns in regards to safety, there is something you should know about the residents of the Northeast. They are the warmest and most hospitable people you are likely to ever come across – friendly, extremely polite and full of humility.

We would say, it is important to keep yourself updated about the socio-political conditions of any area you may be travelling to – whether it is a Northeastern state or anywhere else in the world. But it is also important to not generalize a certain example from the past to form an opinion about the entire region. While it is good to be cautious, one visit to any part of Northeast will put your mind at ease when you realize how welcomed the region and its people make you feel.

We hope that this gives you a fair idea about travelling to and within the Northeast of India. If you have any more questions, do not hesitate to get in touch with us. We will assist you in any way that we can.

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