North East India comprises of eight states – Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura. The Himalayas and its waters define the region’s terrain, climate, rich biodiversity, and the peculiar indigenous lifestyles her people follow. That North East India is bound by Bhutan, Nepal, and Tibet to the north, Bangladesh to the south and west, and Myanmar to the east hints at the eclectic mix of cultural, ethnic, and linguistic diversity. This is where elements of Asia come together to do what they do best – cast a spell.
Abhijeet Deshpande, author of Backpacking North East India: A Curious Journey, shares some sights from this incredible land, few thoughts on why it retains the tag of least explored, and why you must visit this region – sooner than later.
The Least explored Northeast India
Meghalaya
Home to the wettest places in the world, the state, organized into three areas viz. Garo Hills, Jaintia Hills, and Khasi Hills, is aptly named in Sanskrit to mean abode of clouds. Towns like Cherrapunji (also known as Sohra) and Mawsynram are known to record highest rainfall on earth. It sports few of wildest national parks, some breathtaking waterfalls, rivers, and lakes, and the famous living-root bridges.
Meghalaya’s matrilineal society, wherein the youngest daughter inherits the family wealth, lends it a unique characteristic. Besides, it is one of the few states of the country where lottery is legal. So, when visiting, do not forget to buy yourself a teer-lottery ticket – it is based on a system that declares winners on the outcome of an archery event held in its capital, Shillong. All of this merely scratches the surface.
Nagaland
Bordering Myanmar to its east, Nagaland is home to the legendary headhunters who once had the Britishers in a quandary. It dons one of the most colorful outlooks in the region and hosts the iconic Hornbill Festival – named after the state’s bird. Nagaland’s capital city of Kohima commemorates some of the bravehearts of World War II at a sprawling landmark cemetery.
Nagaland has an interesting Japanese connection. Few Japanese continue to visit the state to pay homage to their beloved who died in the war. What is peculiar is how a Japanese sub-culture thrives-on in the state – teenagers pick up Japanese slangs, design anime avatars and participate in related cosfests (costume festivals). Nagaland is also where the Siberian Amur falcons stop by while migrating to southern Africa. Indeed, Nagaland’s allure does not end here.
Sikkim
Did you know that Nepalese is an official language in India? With Bhutan, Nepal and Tibet to its east, west and north respectively, multi-ethnic and multi-lingual Sikkim is one of the smallest states in the country. It holds enviable distinctions of enforcing a smoking-ban in public places in letter and spirit, banning plastic water bottles, and, being India’s first 100 per cent organic state. Of course, Sikkim offers stunning scenery too.
Besides organic oranges and the classic Temi Tea, visitors are lured to try hot selling thukpas, dumplings, and its signature Tongba (millet-brew, mildly intoxicating). In between the binge, enjoy visiting Buddhist monasteries, with colorful prayer flags fluttering atop. All of this against a dramatic landscape, lends this Himalayan state, a distinct outlook. Gangtok, the picturesque state capital, offers both – soul-soothing Tibetan music and, places to let your hair down.
This is just an overview for three of eight states of North East India. Impressive, isn’t it? Yet, it remains the least explored part of the country. Why? The short answer? Because the bulk of explorers are looking elsewhere. Having said that, it is somewhat tricky to club the entire region as one. Sikkim near the Siliguri corridor is a relatively popular destination. And so are a few places 500-700 Km east of the corridor, such as Kaziranga National Park in Assam, or parts of Meghalaya, etc. The least explored bit starts as you go deeper. So, what happens there? Why does it remain relatively untouched? Well, there’s a legacy.
Northeast India is transforming
Concerns that impeded travel to this glorious region are becoming a thing of the past. Concerns that used to be real are quickly moving to the realm of mere perception. North East India is opening up to host an ever increasing number of footfalls every year.
Safer than you think
Insurgencies that once plagued the region are receding quickly and, are limited to specific remote areas, especially along the international borders. North east India is a collection of eight states – not just two, three or four. If at all, your travel is more likely to be affected by bandhs or peaceful shutdowns (resulting in nothing more than delays). For more on the topic, read this.
Better access, more options to sleep, food galore
Flight and train connections allow to get there faster. Buses and shared taxis connect all remote areas. Alternately, you could hire private cabs. To sleep in, besides the tourism rest houses, there are guesthosues, homestays, hostels, and hotels (advance bookings may be required during peak season of October to April,). Finally, for those hesitant to try the delicious indigenous cuisines, there’s good news – all cities have a mix of eateries offering local, popular vegetarian, or even continental food. For more, read How to backpack North East India?.
Easy travel permits
This is a British-era legacy. To protect their assets (oil fields, tea estates, etc.), the colonizer had restricted entry to some areas of North East India. Three out of eight states continue to ask Indian nationals to acquire Inner Line Permits (ILPs) and for foreigners to acquire Restricted Area Permits (RAPs) / Protected Area Permits (PAPs). The good thing is that such permits are routinely issued for tourism-related visits. Read more on this topic.
Think Northeast India
The region’s innate charms have remained under-explored. Travelers, who figure out how to backpack in North East India, find gems such as Dzükou Valley all to themselves. Importantly, the hospitable people of the region make sure that visitors take back the choicest of memories.
Meanwhile, pick up a copy of Backpacking North East India: A Curious Journey. It covers over two dozen places and attempts to answer the question – what is it like to travel in the region? Give it a read and make your own choices. Buy now!
Amazon India, Amazon US, Kindle, Apple iTunes, Flipkart, Google Playstore, Infibeam, Kobo, NotionPress
Have you been to or live in North East India? If yes, tell us about your experience. You stand to win a free paperback! Click to Learn More
Pin this for later!
Disclaimers: (1) Maps, wherever used on this site, serve a representational purpose only. Unakriti does not endorse or accept the boundaries shown, names, or designations used by map providers. (2) This story / article is based on personal opinions of the author. Unakriti is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity and it does not assume any responsibility or liability arising out of use of any information provided herein.
This post is full of rich history and culture of India!
Thank you Juli for stopping by and your comment.
Nice. I am planning to start travelling, but im scared to end up without money. May I ask how much money does it cost for you to travel like this?
Thank you, Monika. Northeast welcomes guests with all budgets. For instance, a solo backpacker to the region may effectively manage herself anywhere upwards of $15-20 per day.
I think it is lovely that these places are not fully explored by many tourists. It preserved it beauty and cleanliness. Sometimes, being crowded it not good at all.
Thank you for stopping by, Blair. That is true and, given the dense forest cover, this Indian region may be referred to as ‘lungs of the east’.
Beautiful photographs of a land that is so intriguing. Love the Tibetan prayer flags blowing in the wind. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much.
what a breathtaking views in north east india. truly beautiful and i love the combination of nature and old structures.
Thank you Team Uy! It’s worth to plan a trip 🙂
A trip to North East has always been on my mind and your post has made me think to actualy go for it !!! The pictures are so fascinating I am imagining how beautiful it would be in real.
The best part is that they are so clean and maintained !!!
Thanks for sharing !!!
Thank you for stopping by! It is officially dubbed as the paradise unexplored. Happy travels.
I love North East India Mostly Meghalaya it has so many beautiful places to tour. Its like heaven on earth.
Thank you Biswa for your sharing. Appreciate it.
How come people it’s a least traveled places? Too beautiful not to explore them!
We are surprised too! Perhaps, our fellow travelers are looking elsewhere!
Beautiful photographs of a land that is so intriguing. Love the Tibetan prayer flags blowing in the wind. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Minakshi. Appreciate your sharing.
Love the richness of history and amazing places. India is on my list of places to visit. One day!
Thank you for stopping by! We hope that happens soon.
Never knew India could be this beautiful! Thank you so much for letting us witness the beauty of India through this post.
Thanks a lot for those kind words.
India is home to the beautiful Himalayas. Apart from this globally known land mark the indigenous lifestyles her people follow would be good thing to view in real time..
You are so right. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
This is one of the beautiful places that I yet to discover.
We hope you plan a trip soon Crisly!
North East India is really beautiful …. I visit SIkkim …Its amazing..Thanks for sharing this
That’s lovely Ramesh. Wish you continue to explore the region!
I simply love India but I haven’t explored the North East part of it yet. Your post showed me that the area has so much to offer and it’s definitely worth the visit. Is North East India a good road trip destination?
Hi Lydia. Roads trips are just great there! You can explore a lot!
Oh I’d love to travel to India, thank you so much for sharing this! I’m off to read your other posts now. Keep sharing this amazing content!
Thank you for stopping by Amy. Appreciate those kind words.
I’ve always wanted to visit India, and now I can live vicariously through your travels. Thanks for the beautiful pictures and sharing your travel blog!
Thank you Jane. We really hope you visit India soon!
Thank you Jane. We really hope you visit India soon!
What fabulous journey through India. I would love to visit these places.
Thank you Julie. Appreciate it.
The place looks absolutely cool! i would really love to see everything there. As a person who have never been to India yet plan on doing so I am very intersted Bookmarking it
You are absolutely right Lyosha! Wish you happy travels.
This is an awesome guide! I haven’t been to India or anywhere in Asia yet but I am dying to go. It looks so beautiful, especially the mountains!
Thank you Ann. Appreciate it.
Absolutely wonderful, I thoroughly enjoyed reading your post. I’ve been toying with the idea of taking the kids to India for a visit, and I’ve always though that the North east has a certain charm to it that is quite different. I’m looking up the special visa link. many thanks.
Thanks Azlin. We hope it works out well for you.
What an informative post you got here. Good history about India. I didn’t know any of these information.
Thank you so much.
I didn’t know that part of India speaks Nepalese. That would make sense. I always like to explore the less-explored places like this.
Thanks for sharing your observation Nina. With Bhutan, Nepal and Tibet to its east, west and north respectively, multi-ethnic and multi-lingual Sikkim is one of the smallest states in the country and Nepalese is spoken here.
i’ve been wanting to visit north east India for a while now and finally i made my plan to go there in December, do you have any suggestion in terms of transportation?
Hi Melissa. Wish you happy and safe travels. For transportation, most of the state capitals have airports, majority of the places are connected with trains and for local commute and places where you do not have flights or trains, shared or private cabs can be hired. It totally depends on where all you plan to visit.
Those rolling hills are majestic! I love nature tripping like this. Whenever we travel, we don’t like going to malls and other modern developments. (oh well, just some theme parks for the kids). But we like natural and cultural exposures. And food trips, too. Would love to visit North East India someday. 😀
Thank you. Based on your interest, looks like you would enjoy your travels here,
Oh this is amazing!
Im glad I crossed with such valuous information, whenever I think on India comes to my mind another image, I think that the north of india is amazing and I would love to go to meet once I can see that it is full of things to discover. thanks for sharing
Thank you Sara. Hope you plan your travels to India soon.
This one’s a beautiful post. North East India is truly incredible. I have only been to Assam and Arunachal Pradesh in NE. Meghalaya and Nagaland are on the radar for sure.
Thank you Anjali. Happy to hear from someone who has visited the region.
Well described here. India is rich with infinite natural scenic beauty especially the Himalaya Range. I agree with you that North East India is the must-visit part of India.
Thanks Deepika.