Top Tour Operator of Gujarat
27 Jul 2023
Northeast India was earlier known as the land of the seven sisters namely - Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram and Manipur. In 1975, when Sikkim joined India as a state, it also became the 8th sister in the north-east circle. Here are 10 reasons why you should visit the elusive northeast
The northeast is unlike the rest of the country. In most places, outsiders cannot buy land which has preserved the local heritage quite well and not meddled with the local lifestyle.
There is an abundance of national parks, forests, greenery, exotic flora and fauna, lakes rivers and waterfalls and panoramic landscapes of hills, mountains and fields. Do not miss Cherrapunji, Dawki and Shillong in Meghalaya, Ziro in Arunachal, Jampui Hill in Tripura, Dzouko Valley in Nagaland, Tsomgo Lake and Pelling in Sikkim.
There are over 200 tribes with over 220 languages, in the entire Northeast. Each tribe has its own attire, practices, architecture as seen in the huts they live in, cuisine, drinks and rituals. For instance, the Konyaks of Nagaland are the last living headhunters.
The use of processed products is very low. Mawlynnong in Meghalaya is the cleanest village in Asia, while Sikkim is the only completely organic state in India. Sikkim packages even offer an organic farming experience while living in their traditional homes across villages such as Lachung, Denchung, Lachen, etc.
The Solophok Chardham temple, the Rumtek and Pemayangtse monasteries, Sikkim, the Kamakhya temple, Assam, the Tawang monastery, Arunachal, etc are some of the several temples and monasteries that hold spiritual and architectural significance.
The rich biodiversity can be experienced in the Manas, Nameri, Orang and Kaziranga National Parks in Assam, the Kanchendzonga National Park in Sikkim, Nokrek National Park in Meghalaya etc. Spot the rare one horned rhino, red panda, gayal, clouded leopard, gaur, sangai, hoolock gibbon across the different states.
The food is largely rice based and vegetarian food is limited. But every region and tribe has its own recipes so it’s difficult to generalise the northeastern food. Every state has it’s must-try such as rice beer and smoked pork from Nagaland or the Fish Tenga from Assam.
The northeast is the land of festivals and usually make for the best time to visit the host state. The Hornbill Festival, Nagaland, Saga Dawa, Sikkim, Ziro and Dree Festivals, Arunachal, Bihu, Assam are some of the most popular ones.
Bamboo, hand-spun thread and earth are dominant materials used in handicrafts. Uncommon pickles, bamboo articles and wood carved souvenirs displaying traditional skills passed on only in families, make for great takeaways.
Explore the Sela Pass, river raft in the Siang, hike across the Living Roots bridge, scale the Gorichen Peak, take a Yak Safari, go boating in Dawki - there is no dearth of activities in the north east. Be curious and explore.
