7 reasons why you should visit the North East

The North East is one of the few regions with varied landscapes. Whether it is a mountainous landscape, hairpin turns, the Meghalaya Hills, the Indo-Burma border or the glacial mountain in Sikkim, Northeast has it all and more. This region is diverse in the truest sense of the word. It is also home to numerous national parks, lakes, rivers and waterfalls. Some of the tourist attractions in northeast India feature in the list of the world’s most famous travel destinations such as Some examples of the same are Dawki river, Ziro and Pelling. You can find the full list of places to visit here.

The culture of the northeast region is defined by the diverse ethnic groups and tribal communities residing in the region. Every community has their own culture, cuisine, language and attire which adds to the charm of the place they settled in. These tribes have a rich handicraft tradition as well. The local heritage is preserved successfully since outsiders aren’t allowed to buy land in the region. The northeast is also known as the land of festivals and has something to offer to everyone. The most famous festival is the Hornbill festival which is one of the best places to visit in Northeast India. It takes place in Nagaland and is the go-to event to experience the “food, songs, dances and customs of Nagaland”.

Since the states are different from each other in terms of culture, all 8 states also have a diverse set of languages that you can pick up while on your trip. There are over 220 languages spoken in the entire Northeast. Khasi is the most popular language in Meghalaya, whereas Assamese prevails in Assam and Nagamese in Nagaland. Residents of Arunachal Pradesh, although native Tani language speakers are well-versed in Hindi and locals are extremely helpful and will always figure out a way to help you if and when needed. English is understood and spoken across the most visited places in Northeast India, hence it shouldn’t be a concern but we highly recommend you learn a phrase or two in every language you come across and add to your treasure trove of memories from the trip.

Northeast is every foodie’s happy place since it has a variety of dishes that are different from anything you’ve ever tasted before. Since the region sees a lot of rice plantations, the food is dominated by rice dishes. Every state and tribe have their unique recipes that are worth tasting. Some of the most amazing dishes are Khar, Sanpiau and smoked pork and rice beer. You can also find the famous Laksa soup at many places in the region. If you are feeling particularly adventurous, you should try pork served with bamboo shoots and bhut jolokia - one of the hottest chillies in the world. Assam, Mizoram and Nagaland should be on your list of top 5 places to visit in Northeast India if food is a priority for you.

Northeast, although known for being rich with flora and fauna and looked at as an offbeat nature destination, it has many prominent historical marvels to its name. There are many unexplored sites in several states like Rang Ghar in Sivasagar and the Ambari Archaeological site in Guwahati. Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim are the most visited places in Northeast India because of the popular monasteries in these states - Ita Fort and Pemayangste monastery. The state of Manipur is also home to Kangla Fort, another destination that attracts a lot of tourists. 

Northeast India has the only river island in the world called Majuli Island. The experience of visiting this island is unlike any other and people often tend to club their visit here with a trip to Kaziranga national park. Majuli is home to many homestays and festivals making it one of the most famous places to visit in Northeast India. What makes this island special is that it is secluded from the rest of the state and can only be accessed via a ferry, creating the perfect destination for a lovely getaway with your love.

The Northeast region is a great place to visit for adrenaline junkies and thrill-seekers as it has some exciting terrains to drive on. Of course, you are awarded the joy of enjoying scenic beauty if you choose to take the risk. One of the best places to visit in Northeast India in winter is Tsomgo lake, situated a few kilometres from Gangtok. The road trip here offers a mesmerizing view of the snow-capped mountains which makes the journey that much more enjoyable. Some other enjoyable routes are - road trips to Zuluk Hamlet and Tezpur to Tawang.