5 Reasons That Will Force You To Visit North East India

Nature’s blessing in abundance the eight Northeastern states of India. All these states possess a compelling charm that attracts travellers towards it. Come here, and you’ll find yourself inspired by the local customs, savour sugar-less red tea with sweet potato or jaggery, wake up to the sounds of nature, and instead of unlocking your phone, watch the sun rise in the distant horizon. Northeast has always been on our special radar amongst many enthusiastic travellers, but often, doubts arise in our minds with regard to questions like, what are the best places to visit, or is it easy to reach the Northeast part of India? So, to clear your doubts, I have listed down 20 top reasons to visit Northeast India.

And NO! Visas are not required for traveling to any states of the Northeast, although an Inner Line Permit (ILP) is needed for visiting certain parts of it. Check our travel blog on Northeast India to find out the necessary requirements on how to get there.

* Beautiful Landscape

For it being a less explored destination in India, Northeast has the most stunning landscape that still preserves its original form. Sure, roads cut through the mountains, but the trees, wild ferns and several heaps of mountains are a visual treat to the eye. Most of the Northeastern states have mountainous offbeat destinations and travelling through the hairpin turns and almost cave like mountain edges makes the travel experience worthwhile. Northeast region has some of the best and varied landscape, from the dramatic mountains around Indo-Burma border area to the Meghalaya hills, not to forget the staggering glacial mountains of the northern most Sikkim. Northeast truly is divine.

* Adventurous Roads

Roads are the main means of transport in Northeast and the only option for export and import transfers. However, Guwahati in Assam has an international airport. If you want to get to the highest parts of Northeast, the roads can get pretty delirious, especially at the higher altitude. Sikkim is one of the best places to visit in Northeast India if you are looking for adventure. Tsomgo Lake, situated at 1,2310 meters, is located a few kilometres from Gangtok in Sikkim, and the scenic view of the snow-capped mountains makes the journey even better. Also, this state has the best places for nature lovers. Also, if you love a little adventure while on the highway, then you can take a scenic road trip to Zuluk Hamlet in Sikkim, Tezpur to Tawang and Shillong to Cherrapunji.

* Quiet and Lush Forest

The Northeastern mountains and the untouched forests are perfect places to rekindle with nature. Exploring Northeast is incomplete without taking a walking tour amid the lush forests. You can find various mountain ranges across the Northeastern states, from Naga Hills to Patkai mountain range, which consists of Patkai-Bum, Lushai and the Garo-Khasi-Jaintia hills. If you are visiting Meghalaya for instance, you can take a sightseeing tour to some of the famous attractions like the Living Root Bridges. The hills of Nagaland also boast scenic valleys where you can head out for picnics and enjoy the company of nature.

* Rustic Charm

When I talk about rustic charm, I mean northeast’s charming natural beauty. Probably due to its distance from other parts of India, much of the states in the northeast have not transformed into mega cities. Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh’s glacial mountains and high-altitude lakes have a dramatic appeal amongst thrill seekers who are into adventure. However, visiting Northeast states like Nagaland and Manipur, you’ll find a balanced geography consisting of plains and mountains with both hot and cold climate. The simple towns and villages across these states exude an inviting vibe which is just perfect for a refreshing vacation and detoxification.

* Unique Culture

Northeast is always in the bucket list of every traveller and it is often considered an amicable destination because of its rare and unique culture. This region traditionally had strong cultural relations with Thailand and Burma. From bizarre eating habits to interesting customary, Northeast intrigues the people from the rest of India. States like Manipur and Meghalaya follow a tradition which is quite opposite to the rest of India. After marriage, instead of a bride leaving her home, grooms leave their home and start living with the bride’s family instead. If you are up for a holiday experience unlike any other, you can witness interesting culture of the Northeasters through various festivals.