Best Places To Visit In North East India

The one-horned Rhinos are an endangered species with just three thousand of them left in the world. Kaziranga National Park in Assam is home to about nearly 2000 of them. Watching them while you are on a safari in this illustrious national park is an unmatched experience. The majestic animal moves you as you feel the awe of nature inspire you. Kaziranga is a place to visit in North East India for a completely spellbinding experience.

Best Time: October to June

Perched between the mountains at a dizzying height of 12400 ft above sea level, the Tsomgo Lake is one of the few high-altitude lakes in India situated on the Gangtok - Nathu La highway. Also popularly known as Changu Lake, it is a part of every tourist's itinerary and for a good reason - the overwhelming scenic beauty. Enveloped by steep snow-capped mountains and resting between a bright green carpet of alpine forests, the charming beauty of Tsogmo Lake is bound to leave you in awe. The lake's mesmerising scenic allure combined with its legendary significance to the locals definitely makes it a must visit attraction of Sikkim.

Known For : Double Decker Living Root Bridge Dawki Nohkalikai Waterfalls

Cherrapunjee is popular for many things but more so for its living root bridges. A feat of human genius and nature’s magic, these bridges which are spread across the city are built through the roots of trees. The experience of seeing such a thing and walking is worth travelling for. An example of north-east India’s amazing ability to fascinate its visitors, walking on these bridges will be an experience which will stay with you for some time. Add this to a list of places to visit in North East India, if you haven’t done so already!

Best Time: October to February

21 Cherrapunji Attractions

Known For : Umiam Lake Elephant Falls Laitlum Canyons

A beautiful city encircled by pine trees, Shillong is the capital of Meghalaya. It derives its name from Lei Shyllong, an idol worshipped at the Shillong Peak. Standing as tall as 1496 meters, Shillong provides a relief from the heat across the country. This hill station is known for its picturesque sights and traditions. The soothing climate makes Shillong suitable to visit in all seasons. The light drizzles and the cooling gentle wind adds to the joy of visiting this hill station. This place is also known as the ‘Scotland of the East’. One can find descendants of the Khyrim, Mylliem, Maharam, Mallaisohmat, Bhowal and Langrim tribes.

Best Time: September to May

33 Shillong Attractions

Known For : Sela Pass Tawang Monastery Madhuri Lake

Tawang Monastery is the largest in the country and therefore attracts many Buddhist pilgrims from around the world. The place in northeast India is spiritual heaven with an atmosphere of infinite peace, calm and beauty. A visit to this monastery can allow you to self-reflect, something one misses out in the daily struggles of life. Besides the spiritual experience, Tawang Monastery is architecturally very aesthetic, a fitting symbol of a stunning city.

Best Time: March - June; September - October

12 Tawang Attractions

Known For : Nathula Pass MG Road, Gangtok Tsomgo Lake

Extremely alluring, pleasantly boisterous and wreathed in clouds - Gangtok, the capital city of the Sikkim can also give you a spectacular view of Mt. Kanchenjunga, at a distant skyline. The pristine hill station nestled in mountains and clouds is also a base for a whole lot of trekkers to the Himalayan mountain ranges. The mesmerising prismatic beauty and the beautiful winding hill roads are even more breathtaking if seen from a bird’s eye view in a cable car.

Best Time: Throughout the year

34 Gangtok Attractions

Nathula, one of the highest drive roads in the world, is a mountain pass in the Himalayan peaks that co-joins Sikkim and China. Nathula Pass is situated on the Indo-Chinese border and is one of the biggest tourist attractions in India. Several tourists flock here every year for trekking in the valley and enjoying the scenic beauty. There are a number of waterfalls that gush along the way from Gangtok to Nathula. It also offers an opportunity to see beautiful snow peaks encircling the area making it one of the most stunning places to visit in North East India.

Known For : Tarin Fish Farm Kile Pakho Ziro Music Festival

The cradle to a unique tribal group and a balmy climate, Ziro is the peace seeker's paradise. Ziro is a quaint old town in Arunachal Pradesh, home to the Apa Tani tribe and famous for its pine hills and rice fields. Ziro is a quaint old town in Arunachal Pradesh, home to the Apa Tani tribe and famous for its pine hills and rice fields. The climate in Ziro is mild through the year, making it comfortable to travel all year round.

Best Time: September - November ; March - May

9 Ziro Attractions

A small border town in the Jaintia Hills, Dawki and its famed river Umngot is a must visit if in Meghalaya. Sandwiched between India and Bangladesh, Dawki is a major center of trade between India and Bangladesh. The small city, besides being a trade hub is also famous for its tourism scene, with many people flocking to the city in order experience a boat ride in its famed Umngot River and enjoy the nearby sights and sounds

The fourth highest waterfalls in the world, Nohkalikai falls plunge some 335 meters from a verdant cliff to the ground giving the portrayal of immense and natural magnificence. The pride of the state of Meghalaya, the falls are one of the most beautiful and grand waterfalls in the country. Tucked in between evergreen rainforest of the Khasi Hill and flowing with all its majesty and might, the falls plunges into a lagoon which is as blue as the afternoon sky.

A unique lake in the heart of Manipur, Loktak Lake is considered the lifeline of Manipur. The lake is beautiful and unique due to the floating islands within it. These islands are made out of natural waste and our home to the fishermen who reside on them. A boat ride in the lake will get you close to these floating islands and give you a chance to spot the rare and endangered marine life of the lake.

Known For : Kamalabari Satra Dakhinpat Satra Garmur

Majuli is a lush green environment-friendly, pristine and pollution free freshwater island in the river Brahmaputra, just 20 km from the Jorhat city. With a total area of 1250 sq. km, Majuli is the world's largest river island and it attracts tourists from all over the world. Among one of the most surreal places to visit in North East India, Majuli is also a strong contender for a place in UNESCO's World Heritage Sites.

Best Time: October - April

5 Majuli Attractions

The highest peak in the state of Arunachal Pradesh near the Tibetan border, trekking at Gori Chen is an ‘other worldly’ experience to say the least. It is the most popular trekking circuits among climbers and hikers in the north-east and provides a moderate challenge to trekkers. The trek, the landscape and the thrill is something one should experience if traveling to north-east India.

Known For : Mawlyngbna Mawjymbuin Cave Nohalikalai Falls

Acknowledged as one of the wettest place in the world, the mesmerizing village of Mawsynram is a nature lover's delight and the perfect destination to behold the beauty of the rains. Mawsynram trounces Cherrapunjee by a slight margin in being the wettest place in India.

Best Time: June - August; November - February

7 Mawsynram Attractions

This is a high mountain pass located at a height of 4,940 m and acts as the base camp for southeast face of Kanchenjunga. This place can only be accessed by trekking from Yuksom and it roughly takes 7-8 days for a person to reach Goecha La and come back to Yuksom.

Pelling, a beautiful town in the West district of Sikkim, is becoming the second biggest tourist destination in Sikkim after Gangtok. The main attraction of the place is the breath-taking sight of the Khangchendzonga and the neighbouring peaks. The famous Pemayangste monastery is less than a kilometre from here and is a major tourist hotspot. It also provides sites for mountain biking, rock climbing, village tours, meditations, educational studies and several other activities. The scenic town of Pelling is a perfect holiday destination for all nature lovers.

Umiam Lake, a mesmerizing man-made reservoir, is located at a distance of 15 kilometres north of Shillong which is the capital of the north-eastern Indian state of Meghalaya. The lake was formed after a dam was constructed to generate hydroelectric power. The serene lake is surrounded by thick coniferous forests and expands over an area of about 222 square kilometres. The area of this lake is four times the size of San Marino or Bermuda. It is encircled by lush green East Khasi hills that form one of the best panoramic sights for nature-lovers in the country. Most tourists to Meghalaya make sure to stopover at Umiam lake to click photographs and enjoy peaceful boat rides. The sunrises here are one of its calling factors making it one of the best places to visit in North East India.

One of the most stunning places to visit in northeast India, you will come across, Japfu Peak and Dzukou Valley is an amazing place to trek and camp at. Camping here amidst the green slopes which stretch far into the horizon is seriously an experience of a lifetime. Located in the state of Nagaland, they are easily accessible and anyone can camp and trek in the valley. For some, it is the Scotland of the East.

A tributary of the Mighty Brahmaputra River, Siang is just as violent as the Brahmaputra. The home to Adi tribe of Arunachal Pradesh, the Siang River is perfect for some thrilling white water river rafting with grade III and IV rapids. The river is also great for angling and kayaking. You can reach Siang through Tawang. One can find many rafting operators there who offer equipment and guidance to visitors.

Known For : Lake of No return Miao World War II Cemetery

Changlang District shares international boundary with Myanmar (Burma) and is best known for its bio-diversity and scenic beauty and a unique culture that makes it standout from the nearby areas.

Best Time: November to February

6 Changlang Attractions

Known For : Umananda Temple Kamakhya Temple Guwahati Zoo

A sprawling city located beside the mighty Brahmaputra, Guwahati is the epitome of an amalgamation of ancient history and modernisation. The largest city in all of Assam, Guwahati stands as the gateway to the former Seven Sisters of North East India. A city shaped by time itself, Guwahati is home to age-old temples and historical sites that take you centuries back through the pages of ancient history. Parallelly, over the years the city has adopted a fast-paced millennial culture of entertainment, eateries topped with an electric nightlife, keeping up with the modern era of urbanisation and commercialisation. The gushing Brahmaputra river carries with it untold tales from thousands of years past, and the peaceful ambience lingering in the city despite its modern lifestyle makes Guwahati one of the best places to visit in north east India.

Best Time: October to April

34 Guwahati Attractions

Nagaland is known as the 'Land of Festivals' and one such grand carnival, organized by the State Tourism of Arts and Culture Department, Government of Nagaland is 'Hornbill festival'. Also known as ''Festival of Festivals", this is a commonly celebrated being a traditional cluster of all the seventeen Naga tribes, to promote intercultural harmony. It hardly has any featureless moments and provides a lifetime opportunity to know about ancient tribal lives through the exploration of the structure of tribal huts, which is dated back to primaeval lifestyles including other instruments like drums, gongs, costumes and wooden carvings.

Manas National Park is a UNESCO Natural World Heritage site, a Project Tiger Reserve, an Elephant Reserve and a Biosphere Reserve in Assam. The only tiger reserve in Assam and also famous for the rare golden langur and the red panda, Manas is one of the best-kept national parks in India.

Best Time: October to Apr

Known For : Ujjayanta Palace Unakoti Neermahal

Home to the Manikya Kings in the past, Agartala is the perfect mix of natural beauty combined with diverse and rich culture.

Best Time: Throughout the year

15 Agartala Attractions

Known For : Loktak Lake and Sendra Island Kangla Fort Tharon Cave

Imphal has a untouched charm surrounding its natural beauty, sceneries and landscapes as well as a significant history leaving hints of the past around the city.

Best Time: October to Apr

17 Imphal Attractions

Dibru Saikhowa National Park is one of those places which boast of a rich collection of flora and fauna, many of them endangered. It is one of the few remaining protected sites in the Endemic Bird Area of the Assamese Plains.

Best Time: November to April

Known For : Dzukou Valley and Japfu Peak Kohima Museum Touphema Village

Kohima is the hilly capital of Nagaland, which is one of the seven sister states of India. ‘Kohima’ is the anglicized name given by the British, the original name being 'Kewhira' derived from the Kewhi flowers found in the region. Famous for its ethereal environment and untouched beauty, it is a land of folklore passed down through the ages. Situated at a height of 1500 metres above the sea level, it is endowed with quaint hills, emerald forests and a picturesque landscape. It is the go-to place to visit in north east India for all you adventure enthusiasts as it is ideal for trekking, camping and hiking.

Best Time: October to June

11 Kohima Attractions

Known For : Gurudongmar Lake Yumthang Valley

One of the most uninhabited areas of the country, yet extremely beautiful and charming, North Sikkim shares its boundary with China and Nepal.

Best Time: April to June, October to December

9 North Sikkim Attractions

Nameri national park is famous for its elephants and other animals including tigers, leopards, gaurs, wild pigs, sambars, etc. and also for being a bird watchers paradise.

Best Time: November to April

Known For : Talatal Ghar Rang Ghar Ahom Museum

Dating back to the Ahom dynasty, this cultural town is full of historic tourist attractions from forts with underground architecture to numerous temples.

Best Time: October to March

9 Sibsagar Attractions

Known For : Durtlang Hills Reiek Vantawng Falls

Neatly tucked in the beautiful North East, Aizawl is home to the Mizoram State Museum, along with being the cultural and religious capital of the Mizos.

Best Time: Throughout the year

15 Aizawl Attractions

Known For : Majuli Hoollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary Dhekiakhowa Bor Namghar

Famous for its culture, mosques, tombs, gardens and most importantly - its tea plantations, Jorhat is also known as the tea capital of India.

Best Time: October to March

21 Jorhat Attractions

Known For : Tura Peak Siju Caves Balpakram National Park

Located in the West Garo hills, Tura provides a spellbinding as well as serene environment being quite an unexplored town.

Best Time: Throughout the year

9 Tura Attractions

Known For : Khawnglung Wildlife Sanctuary Lunglei Sightseeing

Literally meaning 'the bridge of rock', Lunglei is famous for its scenic beauty and natural setting. It is an ideal destination if one wants to take a break and look away, towards nature's simple offerings. Trekking, bird watching and adventure sports are frequently enjoyed by tourists.

Best Time: October to June

2 Lunglei Attractions

One of the most breathtaking places in the Himalayan vista, Sela Pass is a lifeline for the people of Arunachal Pradesh, and the Sela Lake is as heavenly as it gets. The two combine to enchant one and all by their mystic beauty. One of the most stunning gifts of nature to the North-East, Sela Pass is a lifeline for the people of Arunachal Pradesh as it is the only way that connects Tawang district of the state to the rest of the country. Besides its geographical importance, Sela Pass is breathtaking place always covered in snow providing some beautiful views of the eastern Himalayan range. The rocky pass is also home to one of Arunachal's most beautiful lakes - the Sela Lake.

Known For : Mehao Wildlife Sanctuary Mayudia Nehru van Udayan

The snow peaked mountains, deep gorges, turbulent rivers cascading down the hills, numerous waterfalls, placid lakes, archaeological sites, peace and fun loving hospitable people and above all the heavenly climate make Roing one of the most attractive destinations for tourists.

Best Time: October to March

11 Roing Attractions

Known For : Tryshi Falls Nartiang Monoliths Krang Suri Falls

Located in the Jaintia Hills district, Jowai is famous for its scenic setting and breathtaking views with the perfect mix of heritage and culture.

Best Time: October to Mid May

12 Jowai Attractions

Known For : Outdoor activities Sessa Orchid Sanctuary Pakhui Wildlife Sanctuary

Apart from being the nature lover's paradise, Bhalukpong can provide you a complete experience with wildlife and a host of activities complimenting its natural beauty and the environment of a place lesser known

Best Time: October to March

3 Bhalukpong Attractions

Known For : Bomdila Monastery Apple Orchards Bomdila View Point

With majestic Himalayas bestowing their shadow, the beautiful town of Bomdila will offer you all an area in this terrain should.

Best Time: April to October

8 Bomdila Attractions

Tourist places in North East India are a treasure trove of caves and cave lovers can get really excited now. Meghalaya is known to have many caves but the most accessible of them in the Mawsmai Cave in Cherrapunjee. Experience the thrill of exploring the depths of our planet and be mesmerized by the beauty that lies beneath your feet.

Known For : Ganga Lake Ita Fort Namdapha National Park

With the snow capped Himalayas towering on the northern end and the fertile Brahmaputra river plains on the southern, Itanagar is a natural paradise.

Best Time: October to March

11 Itanagar Attractions

With one of the oldest game reserves of the state, The Orang National park located on the shores of river Brahmaputra, can be an exciting little bit of Assam with a huge variety of fauna finding its habitat here.

Best Time: November to April

Known For : Daying Ering Wildlife Sanctuary Pangin Kekar Monying

Home to river Brahmaputra which transcends down from Tibet, this place is a photographer's delight for comprising abundant sceneries of nature.

Best Time: October to May

5 Pasighat Attractions

Known For : Namchi Ravangla Borong

Surrounded by beautiful forests and majestic hills, South Sikkim is the perfect vacation spot for someone looking for a retreat in the midst of nature in its most natural form.

Best Time: April to June, October to December

10 South Sikkim Attractions

Known For : Barak Waterfall Zeilad Lake Buning meadows

This hilly region is an ideal setting for tourists interested in outdoor holidays. The beauty of this town is unparalleled with the unusual varieties of flora and fauna.

Best Time: October to Apr

6 Tamenglong Attractions

Known For : Ikop Khongjom Loktak Lake

A well developed city, Thoubal is a good holiday destination for those looking for a pleasant climate and numerous activities.

Best Time: October to May

5 Thoubal Attractions

One of the prime things to do in Guwahati is experience a cruise ride in the Brahmaputra. Considered to be one of the most romantic experiences in the city, you can opt for a romantic candle lit dinner or watch a mesmerizing sunset with your significant other. You can also enjoy mouth watering cuisine and live music.

To say Sikkim is a stunning state would be to make an understatement. The most generously gifted place by nature, Sikkim has many fascinating experiences for its visitors but one experience which is interesting is the Yak ride. Yak rides are available at Tsomgo Lake and trekking points such as Chopta Valley and Dzongri.

8 Attractions

Also known as •Sit Valleyê by the locals, Laitlum Canyons means •end of the worldê or •end of hillsê. The exotic tourist spot is perched atop the East Khasi Hill in Shillong and nestled amidst majestic mountain peaks and verdant forests. The mountain top offers sweeping panoramic vistas of the valley below.

The Manchester of Assam, the small town of Sualkuchi is famous for celebrating lots of festival throughout the year. The most famous of these is the boat race which is an annual festival. The festival sees a frenzied crowd which gathers at the bank of the Brahmaputra to support their teams. It has been part of the cultural history of Assam and was revived in 1965, the boat race commemorates the death of the poet-saint Srimanta Sankaradev.

Touphema Village near Kohima in Nagaland is a model heritage village built to bring forth the culture and lifestyle of the Naga tribes. Spend a night in the tribal huts, eat some delicious tribal dishes with other guests and listen to tribal tales and songs near a bonfire at Touphema village. The village is located in mesmerizing surroundings with hills all around. It gives you an opportunity to learn and explore a fascinating part of north-east India’s culture and lifestyle.

At 11000 feet it is the highest trek in the region and provides some breathtaking views of the Kanchenjunga peak. The Sandakfu trek is very popular among trekkers in India and allows you to experience the rigours and beauty of trekking in the Himalayas. The trekking experience is supposed to be difficult yet thrilling and one has to be very fit to make it to the summit.

Tripura Sundari Temple is a beautiful temple situated in Udaipur, around 55 km away from Agartala, Tripura. This opulent temple is 500 years old thereby making it the oldest temple present in the Udaipur district. Tripura Sundari Temple is one of the 51 Sakti Peethas and is the place where the toe of the right foot of Sati fell. Owing to its history and beauty, this majestic temple remains flooded by tourists all through the year.

A largely unknown and virgin place, deep in the forest of Tawang, Nuranang Falls offer a pristine and beautiful experience. One of the most spectacular waterfalls in the country, the Nuranang Falls are a beautiful white sheet of water that descends from the height of about 100 meters. Part of the Nuranang River which originates at Sela Pass, Nuranang Falls is largely unknown to the popular tourist trail making it an offbeat and tranquil spot. Popular as the BTK waterfall, the Bap Ten Kang has crystal clear water which elevates your spirits and encourages you to indulge in swimming.

Home to a variety of wildlife especially birds and primates, this place is not just a wildlife sanctuary but also an academic and research centre. Various lakes are present within the sanctuary, where boating facility is available.

Dampa Tiger Reserve, a splendid Wildlife Sanctuary, is located amidst the deep, dense tropical forests of Mizoram in India. The forests are located about 125 kilometres from Aizawl and are rich with a variety of flora and fauna that draw tourists and nature lovers to the North-eastern state of India from all parts of the world. People visit the Dampa Tiger Reserve to experience the excitement of watching Tigers in person and exploring the lush green valleys, freshwater lakes, creeks, streams, waterfalls and natural salt licks that are still retained within the reserve boundaries.