Northeast India comprising of the seven sister states is a gem of a place for people looking to have a unique experience. These are the top 30 places you should definitely plan your next visit to in Northeast India.
A UNESCO world heritage sites of India and known for Great Indian one-horned Rhinoceros. The park is home to large breeding populations of elephants, wild water buffalo, swamp deer, Bengal tiger, leopard cat, golden langur and many more. It is also an important bird area identified by Birdlife International.
2. Manas National Park
A UNESCO Natural World Heritage site, a Project Tiger Reserve, an Elephant Reserve and a Biosphere Reserve in Assam. You can spot many endangered species of birds and animals with the Elephant and Jeep safari available here at the national park. Manas National Park holds about 50 species of mammals, 380 species of birds, 50 reptiles.
3. Pobitara National Park
It has the densest population of One-horned Rhinos in the world and is popular for its proximity from Guwahati city. The wildlife sanctuary also has an astounding diversity of bird species.
4. Orang National Park
Also known as the Mini Kaziranga, the fauna found here include the one-horned rhinoceros, tiger, elephants, leopard, sambar and barking deer and varieties of water birds etc. It is also home to migratory birds from places as far as from America.
5. Nameri National Park
Best place for wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers with a diverse range of flora and fauna. Activities like river rafting, trekking and accommodation at Eco-Camps are available.
6. Majuli River Island
One of the biggest river islands in the world, Majuli is India’s first island district which flaunts a dynamic culture and unparallel landscape. Majuli is visited by many tourists to experience the neo-Vaishnavite cult, their many Satras or monasteries and their unique drama styled dance form called ‘Bhaona’. It is also a bird watchers paradise.
7. Kamakhya Temple
Kamakhya Temple is counted as one of the most popular temples of India and is visited by lakhs of devotees every year. The annual festival called Ambubachi Mela celebrated here records one of the highest visits of devotees.
8. Sivasagar
Historical landmarks through the ages abound in Sivasagar including spoils of the great Ahom dynasty. The Joyasagar and Sivasagar Tank, Lord Siva Temple and Joy Doul, the Rang Ghar and the Talatal Ghar are the best attractions.
9. Tawang Monastery
The Tawang Monastery is located at about 10,000 ft above sea level and offers a picturesque view of the Tawang -Chu valley. It is also the largest Buddhist monastery in India and the second largest in the world.
10. Tawang War Memorial
A beautiful Stupa built in memory of the brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the 1962 Indo-China war. You will also get to see arms, caps, mugs, shoes and old rifles utilized amid the war.
11. Sangster Lake
Shungetser Lake in Arunachal Pradesh’s, also known as the Madhuri Lake, after a Bollywood movie was shot here. It is surrounded by lush pine groves and looks like a picture from a postcard.
12. Zemithang Valley
Zemithang Valley in Tawang district formed by the Namyang Chu river which eventually flows into Bhutan is the best place to spot black-necked cranes.
13. Loktak Lake
It is the largest freshwater (sweet) lake in North -East India, also called the only Floating lake in the world due to the floating heterogeneous mass of vegetation, soil, and organic matters at various stages of decomposition.
14. Dzuko Valley
The land of flowers, Dzukou Valley is well known for a wide range of flowers, the Dzukou lily and other flora and fauna. It has an alluring beauty which attracts many hikers to go for trekking.
15. Khonoma Village
A quiet village in Nagaland and a green-covered paradise, inhabited by the Angami tribe whose men are renowned for their bravery and martial acumen. This village is special for its forests and a unique form of agriculture, including some of the oldest terraced cultivation in the region. These terrains are covered in lush forestland, rich in various species of flora and fauna. Interestingly, hunting and logging are strictly prohibited in the forests. The endangered Bird named Blyth’s Tragopan is reportedly found here.
16. Kohima War Cemetery
This cemetery is a memorial dedicated to the soldiers of the 2nd British Division of the Allied Forces who died in the Second World War at Kohima. It is situated at the Garrison Hills and taxis are available to bring you to this place. Best time to visit this place is during winters.
17. Reiek Heritage Village
Reiek is a typical Mizo village that consists of distinctive traditional huts of the different Mizo sub-tribes. It’s one of the highest hills of Mizoram, a place to find peace and serenity as well as a paradise for birdwatchers.
18. Soloman Temples
It’s a magnanimous church with a seating capacity of 2, 000 people and 10,000 people within its courtyard. It is inspired by the original Solomon’s Temple of Jerusalem and also located in a beautiful lush green landscape.
19. Unakoti
Located in the Jampui Hills of north Tripura, Unakoti is one of the most spectacular heritage sites in South Asia. This place has gigantic sculptures of Hindu deities that have been chiselled out of the hill and that are believed to date back to between the 8th and 9th centuries. There is a 30-foot high carving of Shiva’s head.
20. Ujayanta Palace
This was a former palace of the King of Tripura located on the banks of a small lake surrounded by the lush greenery of Mughal gardens in Agartala. The royal palace is now converted into a state museum, covers an area of around 250 acres of land and has 3 domes, each of which is 86ft tall.
21. Neer Mahal
Neer Mahal or the “Water Palace” located in the middle of the Rudrasagar Lake, is one of the most beautiful palaces of India. It is an architectural marvel inspired by the Mughal style and the palace has an open-air theatre, which hosts cultural and public events.
22. Umiam Lake
It is a mesmerizing man-made reservoir and is often compared with the beautiful and mesmerizing Lakes of Scotland as it is encircled by lush green East Khasi hills making it a picturesque sight for nature lovers. There are boating and other fun water sporting actions that people can indulge in.
23. Mawphlang Sacred Forest
Mawphlang Sacred Forest is one of the must-see places in Meghalaya and has few impressive biodiversities. It has been preserved since time immemorial and has an astonishing network of plants and trees.
24. Laitlum Canyons
This awe-inspiring hidden canyon is a sublimely beautiful hilltop. It has breathtaking gorges and winding stairways that lead their way down to the lush valley. Best place for a bird’s eye view of Shillong.
25. Living Root Bridge
These tangled roots grown into a bridge are centuries old and true nature’s marvel. there are also a variety of shapes and sizes and these bridges are known to grow as long as 170 feet.
26. Elephant Falls
Amongst the most popular falls in the North-East, it’s a two-tier waterfall and has a stone at its foot that resembles an Elephant. This fall is made out of 3 small falls and a stream that combines with it to make it an eye-catching beauty.
27. Krang Suri Falls
One of the most appealing waterfalls because of its shimmering turquoise blue water. It drops down from a low level into a basin-like depression and you are also allowed to dive and swim with a minimum entry fee of about Rs 50.
28. David Scott Trail
It is one of the old trekking routes counted amongst the most famous ones in Meghalaya. It stretches from Mawphlang to Ladmawphlang and takes a minimum of 4-5 hours to cover it. You can also choose to camp near Ladmawphlang or at one of the villages on the trail.
29. Shillong Peak
This peak in Shillong stands massively at 6,449 feet above the sea level and is the highest peak of this region. Reaching there you can experience a breathtaking panoramic view of the entire Shillong town.
30. Dawki River
The crystal clear blue waters of the Umngot River or popularly known as the Dawki River has been a talk of the town. There is a suspension bridge across the river which acts as the road route that connects the Khasi and Jaintia Hills on present on either side of the river.