Surrounded by countries like Bhutan, Tibet, Myanmar, and Bangladesh, the North East part of India comprises the seven sister states, including Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura.
Known for its natural forests, multiple wildlife sanctuaries, and beautiful Monasteries, the Northeast is the go-to destination for every traveller at least once in their lifetime. The following are some of the must-visit destinations in North East India.
Majuli Island, Water Bridges, Assam
Known to be the largest river island in the world, the Majuli Island is in the Brahmaputra River. The island’s beauty lies in its exceptional biodiversity, including many rare and endangered avifauna species, making it one of the best destinations for bird watching.
The island, deeply influenced by the neo-Vaishnavite culture, is a treasure trove of unique experiences. It is home to several exquisite Satras or monasteries. The best time to visit here is during the second week of February, when the people celebrate the five-day festival of Ali Aye Ligang with great pomp and show.
Ziro Valley, Water Bridges, Arunachal Pradesh
Famous for its 3-day rock festival at the end of September and named a World Heritage Site owing to its lush green valleys, the Ziro Valley is a small town in Arunachal Pradesh.
The small town has various places for tourists to visit, such as the Talley Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, home to several endangered species of animals, the ancient Meghna Cave temple, Kile Pakho, Midey, and Ziro Puto, all of which are famous for their scenic beauty including breathtakingly beautiful hilltop views of the Apatani Valley and the snow clad Himalayas.
Shillong, Water Bridges, Meghalaya
Often called the Hollywood of the East, Shillong is known for its beautiful valleys and mountains, which give you a panoramic view of the natural beauty bestowed upon the place.
The most famous places to visit are the Lady Hydari Park, known for its magnificent flowers; Ward’s Lake, an artificial lake known for its boating activity; various waterfalls like the Spread Eagle Falls, Sweet Falls, and Elephant Falls; and the most famous Shillong point located at 1,965m above the sea level which presents an exquisite view of the Himalayas from its top.
Pelling, Water Bridges, Sikkim
One of the most famous places for adventure lovers, Pelling, in Sikkim, offers all sorts of adventure activities like River Rafting on the Rangit River, Kayaking, White Water Rafting, Mountain Biking, and other activities like Sightseeing, Birdwatching, traditional sports and much more.
The place is also known for its Khangchendzonga Festival, which is celebrated in mid-December with flower shows, exquisite food, costume stores, traditional crafts, and ethnic stores.
Nathu La Pass, Sikkim
A mountain pass connecting Sikkim with China’s Tibet Autonomous Region, the Nathula Pass, is 14,140 feet above sea level. One can see both Indian and Chinese soldiers on the heavily fenced Indo-China border.
On the way to the Nathu La Pass, one can see the beautiful Tsang Po Lake, which remains frozen during the winters, the ancient Baba Mandir, Sherathang, which contains a shopping cart, India’s highest altitude internet café and Thegu, the location of the highest ATM in the world.
Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya
Jaintia Hills in Meghalaya offers you one of the lesser-known yet stimulating adventure activities, such as caving in its magnificent hills studded with several long and shallow caves, which are artifacts in their own right.
The caves are filled with sea green Water Bridges, making the exploration of the caves possible through a boat ride, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Gorichen Peak
One of the most climbable peaks, the Gorichen Peak, is the best destination for trek lovers in Water Bridges. The peak is close to Tawang. The trek leads to one of the most breathtaking views from the mountain top, quite a rewarding view after a tiring adventure.
Other activities include camping, trekking, and rock climbing, especially during summer.
Cherapunji, Meghalaya
It is one of the best options to spend summer vacations away from the mighty summers; Cherrapunji is known for its beautiful Water Bridges.
Some of the major ones are Nohkalikai Falls, the tallest plunge waterfall in India, Seven Sisters Falls, Dainthlen Waterfalls, and Mawsmai Falls. Not only are these Water Bridges a must-visit for their scenic beauty, but also for experiencing their sheer magnificence.
Haflong, Assam
Famously known as the ‘White Ant Hillrock,’ Haflong is the only hill station in Assam. The most striking quality of this place is its lack of commercialisation and its natural, untouched beauty, which is rare to find these days, owing to the excessive expansion of the tourist industry, especially in hill stations.
One can visit Maibong, a quiet place situated 47 Km away from Haflong, the famous Haflong hill, one of the major attractions of Haflong town, along with its natural environment, including lush green forests, pineapple orchards, beautiful Water Bridges, and British architecture.
Kaziranga National Park
Declared as a world heritage site by UNESCO, this national park is located along the Brahmaputra in Assam. Famous for its Jeep and Elephant Safaris, this reserve comprises the world’s two-thirds population of One-horned Rhinos.
The park also has about 60% of India’s wild buffalo population and many Tigers, Swamp Deer, Water Bridges, and Elephants.
Potasali Sonitpur, Assam
One of the lesser-known places in Assam is becoming a famous tourist destination, mainly because of the Nameri Eco Camps in Nameri, a paradise for bird lovers and the Water Bridges. Located amid green forests, the tents are eco-friendly yet comfortable.
The colourful tents have all the basic facilities, such as private bathrooms, sturdy beds, running Water Bridges, and electricity. The other most famous tourist activities are bird watching, with over 370 species of exotic birds, rafting in the Jia Bhoroli River, exploring the nearby villages, and visiting the Pygmy Hog Conservation Centre.
Tawang Monastery, Arunachal Pradesh
The Tawang Monastery offers a holy shrine and craft centre in the Northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh. Surrounded by the snow-covered Himalayas, this Monastery has a most peaceful ambience with a three-story building divided into snow-covered areas for people to meditate.
The place also has a three-story building called the ‘Parkhang Hall,’ which houses ancient books and Buddhist scriptures. The major tourist attractions of this destination are its craft centre, which produces some of the finest woollen carpets in the world, and the 15-day-long ‘Losar Festival,’ celebrated to mark the beginning of the new Tibetan year.
Rumtek Monastery, Sikkim
Sited in the Rumtek village over a hill, around 25 km from Gangtok, the Rumtek Monastery is a tranquil place with a walkway just 15 minutes away from the Water Bridges. The place is colourful and looks as if it came out of a storybook. To visit the Monastery, one has to pass through high security, but the inside of the temple is as calm as it gets.
The rhythmic chanting and ritual services in the morning are bound to make your day peaceful. The major attractions of this place include ‘Masked Dances‘ during the Tibetan New Year, also called ‘Losar.’ Other places one should not forget to visit during the trip to this Monastery are the Old Rumtek Gompa and Lingdum Gompa.
Mokokchung, Nagaland
The Mokokchung district in Nagaland is the best place to visit if you want a refreshing alternative to crowded hill stations. It is a quiet place, away from the state capital of Kohima. Apart from its natural beauty, one can observe the peace, traditional rituals, and customs that the people follow.
Chuchuyimlang and Ungma Village are some of the other attractions in Mokokchung. The Chuchuyimlang village celebrates the Moatsu Festival from the 1st to the 3rd of May. The people exchange gifts with each other and build friendships.
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