If you love travelling and exploring new places, then this article is for you. In this article, we will discuss the top 20 places to visit in North East India.
The north-Eastern part of India is known for its beauty and simplicity. The North-Eastern states (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura) are collectively known as the Seven Sisters. North-East India shares its borders with Bhutan, Myanmar, Tibet, and Bangladesh. This area has so much greenery and mountains, thus making it the best place for Tourism.
Here are the Top 20 places to visit in North East India:-
1. Kaziranga National Park
Kaziranga National Park is a national park in the Golaghat and Nagaon districts of the state of Assam, India.
Kaziranga National Forest is famous for its one-horned Rhinoceros which were being hunted before but due to endangerment but now their population is more than 2000. World’s great one-horned Rhinoceros resides here. Best time to visit here is winter because, at this time, long grasses become short so that the Rhinos will be clearly visible to the Spectators.
Kaziranga is home to the highest density of tigers among protected areas in the Worlds and was declared Tiger Reserve in 2006. The park is home to large breeding populations of elephants, wild water buffalo, and swamp deer.
In 1985, Kaziranga was declared as one of the World Heritage Site by UNESCO for its unique Natural Environment. This is one of the best places to visit in North East India.
2. Tawang monastery
Tawang Monastery is located in Tawang city of Tawang district in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. Tawang Monastery is one of the largest Monastery of India. Merak Lama Lodre Gyatso founded it in 1681 according to the wish of 5th Dalai Lama.
This is Asia’s 2nd largest Monastery.
More than 500 Buddhist Monks reside in this Monastery. There is a residential building for the monks, a library, a museum and school for the basic education for the monks.
There is a painting of goddess Palden Lhamo in the monastery. There are an 8 m high gilded statue of Lord Buddha that dominates the sanctum. There is a great rotating prayer wheel, priceless thangkas, and the drone of monks in prayer, sputtering butter lamps in the Monastery.
Due to its location at the mountains, one can see the whole Tawang Valley while standing at the Monastery. This Monastery is one of the best places to visit in North India.
3. Ziro Valley
Ziro Valley is located in Arunachal Pradesh. This Valley’s beauty is filled with sprawling rice fields, quaint villages and rolling green hills veiled under thick layers of vibrant flora. There is scenic beauty in this Valley that photographers from far places come here to capture its beauty in their Cameras. It is an ideal place for adventure seekers too. You can reach the Valley by air, train and even by road.
Ziro Valley is famous for its “Ziro festival of Music”. It was launched in 2012. This festival is held in the month of September. It is a 4-day festival in this festival numerous music lovers, top national & international music bands and folk artists from every corner of the world travel here. This place is like a heaven for Music Lovers. Ziro Valley is one of the best places to visit in North East India.
4. Nathula Pass
Nathula pass is an international border which connects the India-China border. This the border through which trading between India & China takes place. It is the shortest path for Mansarovar Yatra for Hindu & Buddhist Pilgrims.
Nathula Pass is a part of East-Sikkim Tourism. Nathula pass is a restricted area where tourist are just allowed to visit; there is no accommodation for staying here for tourists, so the tourists have the option of staying at Gangtok. Nathula is about 56 kilometres away from Gangtok.
Best time to visit here is from the month of October to May. There is heavy snowfall in this region during winters. The temperature drops down to a sheer minus 25 degrees. During May to mid-November, the temperature ranges around 10 degrees Celsius.
For visiting Nathula Pass, tourists just need to get the permit done through a local tour operator authorized by Sikkim Government Tourism.
5. Siang river
The Brahmaputra River is known as Siang in Arunachal Pradesh. It is an ideal place for river rafting. Siang River is inarguably the best for River Rafting.
For rafting here, the rafters have to face mighty rapids like big drops, Riffles, Roaring Rikor, Zebra Rock, Cheering, and Toothfairy, and Karko. The River Siang passes through local villages, tea plantation and even gushing waterfalls, making the adventure of rafting quite exciting for the rafters. This river is one of the best places to visit in North East India.
6. Gorichen Peak
Gorichen Peak is the highest peak in Arunachal Pradesh and is situated on the border with China in Tawang District. Gorichen Peak is only for the seasoned climbers as it is a rocky and icy peak that can challenge even the best mountaineers.
Apart from the alluring peak and its surroundings, trekkers can also get to see the Monpa tribe who inhabit the villages along the trekking route. For them, the Gorichen peak is a sacred peak that protects the locals from all evil. Hence, it is locally referred to as Sa-Nga Phu, which translates to ‘Kingdom Of Deity’.
7. Nurunang Falls
This waterfall is 100 metres high and is located in Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh. It is also known as the ‘Jang Falls’.
There are high hills all around, covered with thick greenery. Best time to visit here is from February till November; the temperatures are pleasant yet cold. To visit here, Visitors requires a permit from the government of Arunachal Pradesh. It is one of the best places to visit in North East India.
8. Cherrapunji
It is well known as the wettest place in India, and thus it is a popular holiday destination. Cherrapunji is one of the marvellous gems of nature. Cherrapunji is a town in the East Khasi Hills district in the Indian state of Meghalaya. Cherrapunji’s historical name is Sohra. The name “Cherrapunji” means ‘land of oranges’.
Cherrapunji weather is pleasant throughout the year, the town witnesses rainfall during the whole year. Best time for planning Cherrapunji tour is between the months of October and May to experience relatively lesser droplets and cooler temperature.
Cherrapunji is a popular tourist destination to visit in India for both nature lovers and adventure freaks. Cherrapunji is an ideal place for trekking. There are living root bridges located in the Tyrna village which gives thrills to adventure seekers. The two-tier bridge is 100 feet long in length and is known around the world as the 150-year old man-made natural wonder.
Cherrapunji is one of the best places to visit in North East India.
9. Jaintia Hills
Jaintia hills are a part of the former Jaintia Kingdom. It is a land of majestic hills, filled with rich natural vegetation and mineral deposits. It is located in Meghalaya.
Places to visit in Jaintia Hills:-
• Nartiang
• Tadhlaskein Lake
• Khim Moo Sniang
• Syndai
• Borghat Temple
• Ruparsor Bathing Ghat
The weather of Jaintia Hills is pleasantly warm during the summers and extremely cold during the winters. During the monsoons, the Jaintia Hills receive heavy rainfall. The most ideal time to visit Jaintia Hills is during the summer season.
10. Madhuri Lake
Madhuri Lake is formerly known as Shonga-the Lake, which is one of the most popular lakes in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh.
This lake was renamed after the shooting of Bollywood movie ‘Koyla’, starring Madhuri Dixit. A flash flood formed this lake after an earthquake in the year 1950. The lake is surrounded by wonderfully lush valleys and snow-capped mountains.
11. Sandakphu Trek
The Sandakphu trek lies on the border of India and Nepal. All the campsites are actually in Nepal. Through the trek, one can go between India and Nepal.
The Sandakphu trek is one of the few treks from where one can see some of the tallest mountains in the World. This view is popularly known as the ‘Sleeping Buddha’ because it is an image that will stay in mind for years. One of the unique features of this trek are tea-houses; they are similar to the hotels and restaurants but are inexpressibly different.
For adventure seekers, this is one of the best places to visit in North East India.
12. Phodong Monastery
Phodong Monastery is a Buddhist monastery located at Phodong near Gangtok in Sikkim, India. It is one amongst the six most significant Buddhist monasteries in Sikkim and among the best places of pilgrimage in Gangtok. It was built in 1740 AD by the fourth King of Sikkim, Gyurmed Namgyal.
At present, the monastery is considered as one of the most beautiful monasteries of Sikkim. The monastery accommodates approximately 260 monks. The walls of the monastery are decorated with beautiful murals, paintings, and frescos which can amaze anyone. Visitors can get an attractive view of the mountains and the nearby valleys from here. Visitors can also visit nearby Lhabrung Monastery and Tumlong Palace & Monastery along with Phodong.
Phodong Monastery presents an annual festival, which is observed on the 28th and 29th day of the 10th month of the Tibetan calendar equivalent to the month of December to January. At this Occasion, the Chaam Dance is performed by the monks along with religious rituals at the monastery. Timings of this programme are 8 AM- 5 AM. It is one of the best places to visit in North East India.
13. Ravangla
Ravangla is a small hill town located in South Sikkim district of the Indian state of Sikkim. At an altitude of 7000 feet, Ravangla is one of the attractive places to visit in Sikkim and among the best Sikkim Tourism. Ravangla is a hot tourist destination lauded with mesmerising tea gardens, adventure activities and ancient monasteries. The town and its surrounding areas present an undisturbed view of Mt. Kanchenjunga, Mt. Pandim, Mt. Sinialchu, and Mt. Kabru. Ravangla provides a romantic look with the colours and fragrance of the flowers which are in full bloom during April-May.
Places to visit in Ravangla:-
• Buddha Park
• Rayong Sunrise Viewpoint
• Ralang & Borong Hot Springs
• Ralang Monastery, Doling Gompa
• Tumlong Monastery, Temi Tea Garden
• Kheunpheling Carpet Centre
• Rangit Water World
14. Dampa Tiger Reserves
Dampa Tiger Reserve is the largest wildlife sanctuary in the World. It was declared a Tiger Reserve in 1994. It is located in the western part of Mizoram State. It occupies an area of 500 sq. km.
The rich rainforests of Dampa give shelter to several species such as the swamp deer, tiger, leopard, elephant and hoolock gibbon. The Dampa Tiger Reserve is probably one of the last few safe havens for the tigers. It is a part of Project Tiger and is funded by Government of India. This is one of the best places to visit in North East India.
15. Yak Safari
Yak Safari is a very unique and memorable experience that is organized in various parts of Sikkim. Tsomgo lake of Gangtok is one of the prevalent areas that host Yak Safari. During the harsh winter season, when the hilly tracks are completely covered with snow, yaks can go carrying heavy luggage for several days without food. This is the best time to experience Yak Ride or Yak Safari.
The yaks are dressed in colourful clothing with bells laced between their wide horns making the experience feel a bit like a ceremonial or parade. One can ride around alpine lakes, through glacial valleys, and even up mountains on the back of these strangely adapted, hairy, high-altitude beasts.
16. Talatal Ghar
The Talatal Ghar is located in the northern region of Assam. Talatal Ghar is famous for housing two secret tunnels. It was initially built as an Army Base. It was built with purely organic materials – bricks and organic cement (a mixture of rice powder and duck eggs).
Visitors can only view the ground floor, the first floor, and what remains of the 2nd and 3rd floors. The floors of the Talatal Ghar below ground have been sealed off, and most of the wooden parts of the palace have vanished over time.
17. Bihu Festival of Assam
The Bihu festival is celebrated in Assam for a very long time. Bihu’s festivals occur according to the farming schedule. Bihu is the “National Festival of Assam”. On Bihu Festival, farmers and people offer their prayers and gratitude to God for the successful harvest.
The three festivals reveal the different phases in the harvest calendar; different tribes from different parts of Assam have various ways of celebrating this auspicious occasion. All three Bihu festivals have different significance for each.
The first one is called Rongali or Bohag Bihu, which is celebrated in the month of April and is the main one among the three. It signifies the start of spring and also the Assamese New Year.
To experience what actually happens during Bihu Festival, tourists must visit during October.
18. Majuli Island
It is the World’s largest River Islands.it is blessed with supreme beauty and rich culture. This island is a prehistoric world in itself where people can be seen living in bamboo huts, making things by hand and cooking on the fire. Visitors can find plenty of natural beauty, diverse wildlife and perfect stillness.
The locals here are very kind, friendly and can be seen wearing colourful dresses and creatively crafted masks. Majuli Island has been one of the most important cultural centres of Assam since the 16th century. Both domestic and wandering birds can be spotted at this place such as storks, kingfisher, egret, purple moorhen and white-breasted water hen.
19. Sri Govindajee Temple
Sri Govindajee Temple is the largest Hindu, Vaishnav temple in Imphal City in Manipur. It is located next to the palace of the former rulers of the then Manipur Kingdom.
The Temple is simple is in design with two plated domes, a paved court and a large raised mantapa or Congregation Hall. The Temple was originally built in 1846 during the reign of Maharaja Nara Singh and was rebuilt by Maharaja Chandrakriti in 1876.
The opening time of the Temple is 6 am to 12 pm and 4 pm to 8 pm.
20. Shilloi Lake
Shilloi LakeShilloi Lake is the biggest lake in Nagaland, situated at Lutsam Village under Meluri sub-division in Phek District of Nagaland.
Valleys surround the lake with full of pine trees. The lake is rich in fishes. Migratory Siberian cranes visit here from March to June. The lake is considered very important by the people of Latsum village as it is believed that the spirit of a holy child rests in the bottom of the lake that’s why no one fishes or uses the lake water for drinking and irrigation.
If you’re planning a trip to North-East India, then these places are ideal for your trip. They are worth every penny you will spend to visit here. Once you get here, you will experience a good time.