Top Places to Visit in Northeast India

Nathu La Pass

Nathu La Pass is one of the most popular tourist places that you ought to include in your itinerary. An adventurous trek on  14,450 ft. high Nathu La Pass is one of key highlights of Northeast India tourism. During the trek, you can spot some beautiful lakes on the way along with snow. Catch glimpses of the Chinese side of the border and drive down one of the scariest roads in India.

Nathu La Pass, Sikkim

Location: Sikkim; the border area of India (Sikkim)-China (Tibet Autonomous Region)
Tourist Attraction: Baba Harbhajan Singh Mandir, Staircase To Indo-China Border, Tsomgo Lake, Mandakini Waterfalls, and Mera Bharat Mahan Hill
Best Time to Visit: May to October
Visiting Days: Wednesday to Sunday
Nearest Railway Station:  New Jalpaiguri, Siliguri
Nearest Airport: Bagdogra Airport, Siliguri

Gangtok

One of the topmost hill stations in Northeast India is Gangtok. Its valleys are covered in lush greenery and mountains shrouded in mist. It is the perfect destination for nature lovers, photographers, and trekking enthusiasts. Beholding a beautiful view of the snow-capped Khangchendzonga Peak is one of the best things to enjoy in Gangtok. It is the base town for mountaineers going for an expedition to climb the Eastern Himalayas.

Gangtok, Sikkim

Location: Gangtok, Capital of Sikkim
Tourist Attraction: Baba Harbhajan Singh Memorial Temple, Magnan, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Tsomgo Lake, Nathu La Pass, Hanuman Tok, Ganesh Tok, Tashi Viewpoint Kanchenjunga, Fambong La Wildlife Sanctuary, Saramsa Garden, Do Drul Chorten, Rumtek Monastery, Enchey Monastery, Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, Seven Sisters Waterfalls, Phodong Monastery, Himalayan Zoological Park, and Tashiding Monastery
Best Time to Visit: September to October, and June to March
Nearest Railway Station: New Jalpaiguri
Nearest Airport: Bagdogra Airport, Siliguri

Cherrapunji and Mawsynram 

Cherrapunji and Mawsynram are famed as the wettest place on earth with an average rainfall of 11,777mm annually and blessed with panoramic views of scenic beauty. You will come across Red Panda and other rare species of flora and fauna by visiting  Thangkharang National Park and Nortek National Park. This high altitude town is a paradise for adventure junkies. It is a place of natural wonders like the Double Decker Living Root Bridges made from rubber trees and the Nohkalikai Falls, offering a view of seven multiple streams gushing down a cliff simultaneously.

Cherrapunji and Mawsynram, Meghalaya

Location: Meghalaya
Tourist Attraction: Double Decker Living Root Bridges, Nohkalikai Waterfalls, Krem Phyllut, The Eco Park, Khoh Ramhah Rock, Wakaba Falls, Dainthlen Waterfall, Mawsmai Caves, Mawsmai Falls, Dawki, Mawlyngbna, and Mawkdok Dympep Valley
Best Time to Visit: October to May
Nearest Railway Station: Guwahati
Nearest Airport: Shillong Airport

Kaziranga National Park

In the northeastern state of Assam, the Kaziranga National Park is a UNESCO world heritage site. It is a biodiversity hotspot, famous for wildlife and conservation of endangered species. Along with dense forests, elephant-grass meadows, and swampy lagoons is home to the largest Indian rhinoceros population. It has an abundance of swamp deer and wild water buffaloes, and the world's largest population of one-horned rhinos.

Kaziranga National Park, Assam

Location: Assam
Tourist Attraction: One-horned Rhinos, Royal Bengal Tigers, Asiatic Elephants, Swamp Deer, and Wild Water Buffalos
Best Time to Visit: November to April
Jeep Safari timings: 8:00 AM to 10.00 AM and 2.00 PM to 7:30 PM
Nearest Airport: Guwahati International Airport
Nearest Railway Station: Helem and Furkating Junction

Tawang Monastery

The Tawang Monastery is the largest monastery in India and the second largest monastery in World. This 400 year old Buddhist monastery is popularly known as the Golden Namgyal Lhatse. The monastery located at a height of around 10,000 feet offers a panoramic view of the Tawang River Valley. Scenic beauty like Sela Pass, Taktsang Gompa and Gorichen Peak attracts a huge number of local devotees and tourists.

Tawang Monastery, Arunachal Pradesh

Location: Arunachal Pradesh
Tourist Attraction: Mandala Wall Murals, Buddhist Thangkas, Chitenpa’s Footprint, and Buddha Statue In Dukhang
Best Time to Visit: March to October
Major Festivals: Choksar, Losar, Aji Lamu, and Torgya
Nearest Railway Station: Rangapara and Tezpur
Nearest Airport: Salonibari Airport, Tezpur

Aizawl

Aizawl, the capital of Mizoram attracts Indian as well as international tourists. This 124 year old city is a scenic beauty on an elevated setting. Its rich cultural heritage is one of the best trekking places in Northeast India. There is a calm quietness in the air that makes it a perfect place for nature lovers and birdwatchers. Sit and relax to behold the captivating nature’s view which is going to stay forever with you.

Aizawl, Mizoram

Location: Mizoram
Tourist Attraction: Durtlang Hills, Reiek Tlang, Mizoram State Museum, KV Paradise, Phawngpui Peak, Solomon Temple, Falkawn Village, Phawngpui, Salvation Army Temple, Vantawng Falls, and Tamdil, Saiha
Best Time to Visit: March to May
Nearest Railway: Silchar
Nearest Airport: Lengpui Airport, Aizawl

Imphal

Imphal is a rejuvenating retreat nestled amidst forested hills. The picturesque hills and valleys are nature at its best. It is the best place to visit with family, and friends in the holiday season. A number of historical monuments indicate the state’s cultural diversity. Don’t forget to have the culinary delights of this state to have an all round experience of Imphal.

Imphal, Manipur

Location: Manipur 
Tourist Attraction: Kangla Fort, Shaheed Minar, Langthabal, Tharon Cave, Singda Dam, Manipur Zoological Gardens, Shri Govindjee Temple, Ebudhou Thangjing Temple, Shaheed Minar, Loktak Lake, Langthabal, Keibul Lamjao National Park, and Phubala
Best Time to Visit: September to April
Nearest Railway Station: Dimapur
Nearest Airport: Bir Tikendrajit International Airport, Imphal

StateHistoric NameCapital(s)
Arunachal PradeshNorth-East Frontier AgencyItanagar
AssamKamarupaShillong (till 1969), Dispur
ManipurKangleipakImphal
MeghalayaKhasi hills, Jaintia hills and Garo hillsShillong
TripuraTipperahAgartala
MizoramLushai HillsAizawl
NagalandNaga Hills DistrictKohima
SikkimSukhimGangtok