Imphal to Bagdogra Air India Flights

  About Imphal

Situated in Manipur, Imphal is one of the gems in the North-East of India. It is also the capital of Manipur and has an enchanting view of the Himalayas and the different rivers that make it a popular tourist destination. Planning a trip to Imphal will be one of the best decisions you will make, and just the view will rejuvenate you. Apart from the hills and the rivers, Imphal also has museums and forts and museums that you don't want to miss. You won't feel like coming back from Imphal when you reach the place. You can also add it to your itinerary if you are planning a trip to cover most of the North-East.

Best Time to Visit Imphal

Imphal is beautiful all year round, and though you will not be able to enjoy getting around the city a lot during monsoon, the view of the lush green hills and rivers won't disappoint you. September to April is considered ideal for planning your visit to Imphal. It's the end of monsoon till the beginning of summer. The temperature drops to 4 degree Celsius during the day in winter and is the best time to venture out. Winter also attracts a lot of tourists which might get you a good flight deal to Imphal. Make sure you book a hotel in Imphal with a beautiful view if you are visiting the city during this season. Check out flight deals to Imphal online before you plan your trip during this season.

April to June is summer in Imphal, and the temperature can rise to 35 degree Celsius. Summer is also an ideal time to visit Imphal. You will be able to opt for a lot of adventure and outdoor activities during the summer.

Even though Imphal does not receive heavy rainfall, it does have strong winds blowing and intermittent rainfall, making it difficult for you to venture out. The monsoon starts from June and lasts till September. The weather, however, might put you in a bad mood and you won't be able to step out a lot during the season.

Places to Visit in Imphal

The Palace of Kangla is one of the main tourist attractions in Imphal. Not only will you be amazed by the beautiful palace that has an artificial lake surrounding it, but you will also come across the interesting history of the palace and the rulers. Visit the Manipur Zoological Gardens in Lamphelpat, 8 km away from Imphal. You will be given various options to choose from like a safari ride or a bird watching tour or wildlife photography. You will find this place very comforting and will leave with a smile on your face. The Loktak Lake is one of the largest freshwater bodies in North-East India and has several big and small islands floating on the surface.

The Keibul Lamjao National Park is home to the endangered Manipur Eld deer or the Sangai. You will also spot 420 other species of animals and 50 odd species of birds here. Visit the Imphal valley to experience nature at its best. It takes about 3 hours to reach the valley, and the enchanting view will leave you mesmerised. The Tharon Cave is yet another popular tourist attraction that you can visit. Make sure you have a map of the cap if you are entering the cave. The Singda Dam is one of the highest dams made from mud in the world. It has a very serene ambience and is a popular picnic spot, too. You can also visit the Manipur State Museum to know more about its history, archaeology and more.

Things to do in Imphal

Catch a game of polo at the Imphal Polo Ground. The game originated from a local Manipuri game called Sagol Kagei. The British found it so fascinating that they decided to take it to a global level. You can even try to learn the sport yourself or give it a try. You cannot vacation in Manipur without watching the Manipuri dance form Thabal Congba live. You can watch artists perform to the folk dance during Holi. The Raas Leela is another dance form that is popular here. It tells the story of Lord Krishna and Radha's eternal love story. You can also attend and be a part of the colourful festivals of the city.

Thangal Bazaar, Paona Bazaar, Kakwa Bazaar and Imphal Supermarket are some of the popular spots in the city to go shopping. You can buy souvenirs for your friends and family. You will get lots of handicrafts and jewellery for yourself. You'll even get all of these at affordable prices without having to bargain a lot. You can dedicate one evening just to shop and enjoy the local cuisines. Since the city has quite a lot of hills and rivers to its credit, you can also go hiking or trekking to one of the hills. Choose a spot on top of the hill and make it your own picnic spot. You can even sit and meditate by a river and fall in love with nature all over again. You can learn more about the Manipuri culture by booking a homestay and interacting with more people. You can also learn the language while you are there and impress the locals. Make sure you leave the city by making at least one friend from the city.

You can also go hiking at the Imphal Valley and don't forget to take your camera to capture nature at its best. Keep the weather in mind before you make any plans to go hiking or trekking. If it is monsoon, either take your umbrella with you or try to not make any plans to venture out during this season. You can also visit a cafe or sit in a secluded spot near one of the waterfalls and chill with a book. There is no greater joy for an avid reader than to sit with your favourite book and bond with nature, all at the same time.

Foods and Restaurants in Imphal

Manipuri food is said to be very healthy and quite simple, too. A lot of ingredients used in the food are organic, which is one of the reasons why it is considered healthy. But that doesn't mean it is bland. Manipuri food is super spicy and has less oil. They use chilli pepper in their food instead of garam masala. Not only is their preparation quite simple, but they grow most of the ingredients themselves in their backyard. Chamthong or Kangshoi is a very healthy vegetable stew that is cooked in Manipur. It is also quite popular in the state. Eromba, a combination of fish and boiled vegetables, is also popular in Imphal. Fair warning, the locals here consider fish as a vegetarian so you might want to be clear about what you don't want in your vegetarian food.

Naoba's Chakhumang Restaurant is quite popular around here and is a small, cosy place. It is famous for its soups and chow mein. Coffee and cake are best served at the Classic Cafe in Imphal. Head over to Sangai Continental for a luxe dining experience. The restaurant has an open and live kitchen, and you'll find it at Thangal Bazaar. Luxmi Kitchen is yet another popular food joint in Imphal. It doesn't burn a hole in your pocket but also leaves you satisfied. Their thali is quite famous, and you might want to reach before 3 pm if you're going to try the thali. Imoinu Lamphel is a restaurant that is only run by women. It's another popular food joint in the city.

How to reach Imphal

By Air

Imphal Tulihal Airport is the nearest one to the city about 8 km away from the city centre. The flight connectivity from Imphal is pretty decent. Flights from Imphal connect to Kolkata, Guwahati, Hyderabad and Delhi. Since there are no direct international routes from Imphal, you will have to change trains from Guwahati, which has an international airport. If you book during the right season, you might get a good deal on flights to Imphal.

By Rail

There is no direct way to reach Imphal by train. The nearest station is Dimapur railway station or Guwahati station. You will have to take a bus or private taxi from these stations and then reach Imphal. It won't be very difficult to find a decent mode of commute to reach Imphal from these stations.

By Road

Guwahati, Kohima, Silchar and Dimapur are some of the popular routes to reach Imphal by road. There are several national highways connecting these roads to Imphal. None of these modes of transport is more or less comfortable so you can pick whichever fits your budget or whichever seems more convenient to you. Try to avoid travelling by road during monsoon. Though the weather won't be a problem, there are chances you might get stuck if there is a torrential downpour.

  About Bagdogra

North-East India and the Himalayas are a trendy tourist destination in India, for all the right reasons. Bagdogra is a hill station near the foothills of Himalayas and in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal. Bagdogra is considered as the gateway to the North-East and the Himalayas. This small hill station is so beautiful; you'll love being here even if it is for a couple of hours. It's the perfect place for all you nature lovers out there. You can either laze around and admire the scenery or take a walk around the town to explore it.

The hill station is a perfect holiday spot. It's also like paradise for tea lovers since tea gardens surround it. River Teesta also flows through the town, which makes it the ideal place to indulge in river rafting. Or you can sit by the river and embrace solitude for a while. You pass through Bagdogra to get to Darjeeling, Sikkim, Siliguri and Bhutan. Bagdogra will make you fall in love with it. Apart from sightseeing and river rafting, there are quite a few activities that you can opt for in Bagdogra. It's not the most popular vacation destination, but you will surely not regret spending time in this town.

Bagdogra is connected to all major cities in the country. It is pretty easy to reach Bagdogra by flights, trains and road, too. The Bagdogra Airport connects to domestic routes from Kolkata, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai and Guwahati. You can also quickly get a bus or taxi from the neighbouring cities to Bagdogra.

Make sure you do add Bagdogra to your itinerary when you plan a trip to the North-East. You will love this small town for its lush green surroundings and the beautiful weather. The people, too, are quite friendly and helpful. Even though there is very little that you can do in Bagdogra, it is worth stopping by. If you have a long layover at Bagdogra airport, you can make the most of it by going sightseeing somewhere near the airport. Since it is a small town, you won't have to worry about making it back on time for your flight. But if you are going to Darjeeling, Bhutan or Shillong and the town falls on your way, make sure that you do visit this town.

Best Time to Visit Bagdogra

July to February is the best time to visit Bagdogra. While the hill station witnesses monsoon from July to October, the winter sets in from November to February. This is the ideal time for you to witness the beautiful, scenic hill station. The temperature can fall to as low as 5 degree Celsius. You can see the snowy mountains that surround the town and be mesmerized by the beauty of it. The summer is also quite pleasant in the City, and the maximum temperature touches 38 degree Celsius.

Places to Visit in Bagdogra

Check out the Coronation Bridge that is 37 km from Bagdogra. It is on the way to Gangtok from Bagdogra, and the view is just beautiful. The Surya Sen Park in Siliguri, which is close to Bagdogra, is a bright picnic spot. The park sees quite a few families on vacation spending quality time with each other while enjoying the view. Madhuban Park, which is 24 km ahead of Bagdogra in Siliguri, was established by the Indian Army. This is yet another picnic spot that tourists love. You'll even spot deers, peacocks and rabbits in the park, along with butterflies.

The Umrao Singh Boat Club in Siliguri has a lot of activities in store for you, including boating. They have a huge variety and different shapes of boats for tourists. You can get in touch with your spiritual side at the ISKCON temple in Siliguri and at Kali Mandir in Binnaguri which is also quite close to River Teesta. You can visit the temple and combine it with river rafting at the river. You can also visit Salugara Monastery while you are here.

Bagdogra has no hotels since it's only a pitstop to get to the other neighbouring cities and Bhutan. You can, however, book a hotel room in Siliguri or Darjeeling or any of the nearby towns. The bus services to Bagdogra are widespread, so you won't have to worry about travelling to and from the City.

Things to do in Bagdogra

Bagdogra is the gateway to reaching Darjeeling, Sikkim, Bhutan and everything North-East. You can take a cab or a bus to visit Siliguri, which is the nearest City to this hill station. If you have a couple of hours left to catch another flight, you can get around the town in less time. Since Bagdogra is just a pitstop, you will find fewer tourist things to do, but the hill station is entirely worth it. Located in the foothills of the Himalayas, Bagdogra has the most beautiful view of the snow-capped mountains that surround it.

If you do have time on your hands, make sure you go river rafting at River Teesta. Or you can admire the river and meditate by the river for a while. You can also visit the Coronation Bridge that is quite close to the river stream. Whether you are with your friends or family, be assured that you will have a great time here. You can also visit the Salugara Monastery and the Kali Mandir to offer your prayers and to enjoy your solitude.

Even if you don't feel like indulging in any activities, grab your favourite book and get engrossed in the stories amid the best of what nature has to offer to you. You can also put on your headphones, play your favourite music and get lost in the tranquillity of the hill station. If you are on a solo trip, you will love spending time here in Bagdogra, even if it is for a little while. Bagdogra is quite accessible to most cities in the North-East, and travelling will not prove to be troublesome for you.

Food and Restaurants in Bagdogra

If you are travelling via plane, you have to try the restaurant that is inside the Bagdogra airport. It is run by the Bagdogra Airport Restaurant Workers Co-operative Society Ltd, and it serves a unique dish that grabbed headlines for all the right reasons. The airport serves you chicken cutlets that are made in Bagdogra style and are a one-of-its-kind dish. All foodies must try this out at least once. The restaurant can seat up to 150 people, and you'll be treated to a runway view as you finish your meal. It won't even burn a hole in your pocket.

Marina's Motel is one of the best restaurants near the airport if you are craving for Chinese or Continental cuisines. The staff is quite friendly, and the restaurant has a very cosy ambience. Bagdogra also has a solution to your biryani cravings. Naz Biryani House is known for serving and cooking the most delicious biryani, both vegetarian and non-vegetarian. For a quick bite, you can head over to Hunger Stop restaurant near the airport. You can even try the dessert here.

The Gourmet Central Family Restaurant and Bar is approximately 11 km away from the airport. It has a charming decor with cosy seating and friendly staff. It is also one of the best restaurants in the town. Do make sure that you try the food at the airport restaurant though. You can also opt for street food or the local chai, which will be available quite easily. Don't hesitate to try out the local street food, too.

How to reach Bagdogra (Transportation)

By Air

The Bagdogra Airport is well-connected to major domestic routes from Mumbai, Kolkata, Guwahati, Bangalore and Chennai. The flight connectivity is quite functional, and getting to Bagdogra is not very difficult. You can get pretty good flight deals online and cheap flight tickets, too.

By Rail

The nearest railway station is in Siliguri, which is 5 km away from Bagdogra. There are no direct trains or buses to Bagdogra, and you will have to change a taxi or bus from Siliguri to reach the hill station.

By Road

There are lots of transport options and services are available to reach the town. You can opt for whichever suits your convenience. The transport is quite affordable, too. The roads are also quite smooth and won't be uncomfortable for you. You will also find a lot of convenient options to go to other neighbouring cities of the North-East and the Himalayas. Travelling by road is also one of the best options. The journey will surely be a treat for the eyes and the soul.

 About Air India

Air India was the first Indian airline that went by the name Tata Airways when it was launched. Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata launched it in 1932 in Karachi. The first flight was from Karachi to Mumbai and then to Chennai. The airline became a public limited company after World War II, under the name Air India. In 1948, a Lockheed Constellation L-749A called the Malabar Princess landed in London Heathrow from Bombay, which was the airline's first international flight. Air India got its first Boeing 707-420 and became the first Asian airline to enter the Jet Age. It launched services to New York in 1960. It took delivery of its first Boeing 747-200B in 1971 and named it Emperor Ashoka. It acquired its first Airbus A310-300 in 1986 and Boeing 747-400 in 1993 which was named Konark later. The airline also operated its first non-stop flight between New York and Delhi during this year. In 2007, Air India merged with Indian Airlines under Air India Limited. They acquired their first Boeing 777 that year. Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi is Air India's main hub. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai is the secondary hub. Chennai International Airport, Cochin International Airport, Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata, Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad and Trivandrum International Airport are its focus cities domestically.

Air India made Frankfurt Airport its international hub in 2009 for onward connections to the United States of America from India. Still, they had to shut it down because of high operating costs. In 2010, Air India decided to open a new hub for its international flights in Dubai. The airline's financial growth has been a topic of conversation for decades. For years, there were debates around the privatisation of Air India, but the Government of India refused to go ahead with it. When it did decide to hand over responsibility to private companies, no one came forward. Air India launched its low-cost airline, Air India Express, a couple of years back that majorly flew to countries in the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Despite suffering losses in the market and going through a lot of ups and downs, the airline is functioning since it is the national carrier.

Air India has also gone through a lot of modifications with its brand logo and mascot. The Maharajah is the main mascot of the airline and was created by Bobby Kooka, the commercial director of Air India then and Umesh Rao, who was an artist with J Walter Thompson Limited in 1946. The mascot was given a makeover in 2015, and the airline decided to go with a younger version of Maharajah. Since India's colour scheme is red and white, the airline's logo also incorporates the same in its logo. The name of the airline is written in Hindi and English in red. The first logo of the airline was a centaur shooting an arrow in a circle which represented the wheel of Konark. However, the airline decided to give its logo a makeover in 2007, which was a flying swan with the wheel of Konark in it.

Fleet Size of Air India

Air India had started its operations with a de Havilland Puss Moth aircraft back in 1932. It inducted its first Boeing 707-420 later on and named it Gauri Shankar. It became the first Asian airline to add a jet aircraft in its fleet. Since it is the oldest airline in the country, it has both Boeing and Airbus aircraft in its fleet. It inducted its first Boeing 747-400 in 1993 and named it Konark. The airline inducted its first Airbus A320-200 aircraft in 1989 which now covers both domestic and international short hauls. The airline has a total of 70 Airbus aircraft including one A320 Classic, 4 A320ceo, 19 A319 aircraft, 20 A321, 5 A320ceo (Single Configuration), 27 A320neo and 3 A319 (Single Configuration). It has a total of 172 narrow-body aircraft and 49 wide-body aircraft. Air India uses one of the five Boeing 747-400s as VIP flights. Air India grounded its last Airbus A320 classic fleet in 2019, and the last flight flew from Delhi to Mumbai.

Air India had also sold five of its Boeing 777-200LR aircraft to Etihad Airways in 2013 to make up for its financial losses. The airline also had plans to introduce long flights to Seattle, Los Angeles and San Francisco but had to cancel, owing to weak demand and high fuel prices.

Baggage Allowance

Air India has certain baggage allowance rules and regulations that every passenger must follow. As per Air India's baggage allowance rules, you cannot carry cabin luggage that exceeds 8 kg, and your check-in luggage cannot exceed 20 kg. If you are flying internationally and if you are a premium club member, you will be allowed up to 40 kg of baggage. Even if you are ready to pay extra, your hand baggage cannot exceed 10 kg. First Class passengers are allowed a maximum of 40 kg baggage while Business Class passengers can only carry 35 kg. If you are travelling by the Economy Class, your baggage cannot exceed 25 kg. However, if you have an infant travelling with you, an extra 10 kg baggage allowance is offered by the airline. Make sure you inform the airline staff well in advance if your luggage is going to exceed the allowed weight. The airline has also made web check-in quite convenient for its passengers. You can either log in to the website and get it done, or you can get in touch with the call centre. The executives will help you get your web check-in done. It is best to get your web check-in done in advance, so you get to pick the right seat instead of settling for something chosen by the staff at the airport.

In-flight Services

Air India's First Class is royalty and luxury personified. The seats recline up to 180-degree, and the interiors are a sight for sore eyes. In addition to the ultra-comfortable seating, Air India's in-flight services are extremely efficient, and the best part is that the first-class cabin only seats 12 passengers. You can order your favourite cocktails and cuisines that are a treat to your taste buds. You can also do all of your duty-free shopping onboard. The first-class and business class cabins are also equipped with the Thales i3000 in-flight entertainment system. You can access five channels in Hindi and English. You can also browse through Air India's in-flight magazine called Shubh Yatra. First Class and Business Class passengers can also access the Maharaja Lounge. Business-class passengers are treated to plush seats and lip-smacking entrees that are accompanied with wine. You also get an exclusive check-in and lounge facility. Don't fret if you are not travelling by the premium class. Economy class passengers have complimentary refreshments and meals on all of their flights. You will also get complimentary liquor or wine on the international flights. The airline staff makes sure that passengers have a great time during their journey.

Popular Routes and Top Cities for Air India

Air India connects to various domestic and international routes daily. Since it is one of the oldest and the first airlines, it connects to more cities domestically and internationally. It connects to approximately 102 destinations like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and so on. It also flies to international destinations that cover the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Air India has frequent flights running to other destinations and makes sure you have had a great journey as well. Do make sure that you get your web check-in done well in advance.

Why Travel by Air India?

Air India is the national airline and has been in the airline industry since 1932. The airline makes sure that you have had a comfortable journey and seldom leaves any room for complaints. It has maintained its legacy of making sure that every passenger gets a royal treatment. It is also one of the very few airlines in the country that offers first-class flights to its passengers. You can check Air India's flight schedule and your flight status on their website. Even if you cannot access the website for some reason, you will certainly get updates and messages from the airline regarding the same. It also makes web check-in quite easy for its passengers. The staff is well-equipped to solve any grievances or requests put forth by passengers. You can book an Air India flight from the website. You can also get in touch with your travel agent and get them to book the ticket for you. It would be best if you experienced the royal treatment and luxury of being Air India's first-class passenger at least once in your life. The airline has come a long way and continues to give its passengers the best services and experience. The airline also makes sure that the flights run on time.