North East India envisages a gamut of travel experiences and experimental wonders for one and all. This exotic land, comprising of seven sister states has a lot to offer! Right from sumptuous food, to mind-boggling sights, to genteel North East India people amidst their cultural celebrations and beliefs, tribal practices and a lot more- the north-eastern region of India is indeed your place to be. As mystic as the region and the states sound, they are the most visited states when it comes to traveling and other touristic ventures!
Let’s also get into the brim-full adventure of the the North-east and know more about the things untold!
North East India Trip Itinerary: Things no one told you…
Well, a lot of us don’t usually travel to this land of the ‘unknown’ and therefore, are unaware of its uniqueness and eeriness too. Discovering this mystic land thus, comes with a certain set of limitations and surprises at the very same time. Given below are certain not-so-popular things about the North-east that you are surely unaware of. Scroll though, know more!!
1. Carry Travel Permits To Certain North-East States
You do need an ILP (for Indian nationals and foreign nationals) and PAP (for foreign nationals) to visit certain north-east states owing to the strategically sensitive location of the same. However, you don’t need travel permits for Assam, Tripura and Meghalaya.They are basically for the states that share borders with Bhutan, China and Myanmar. Essentially, the rules have been modified owing to the promotion of tourism in North East India. But as said, better be safe than sorry and therefore, check with the permit requirements before planning your first trip in this part of India.
Also, foreign nationals are completely banned from visiting the Nathula Pass and Gurudongmar Lake. Furthermore, the residents of Afghanistan, China, and Pakistan require prior approval of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, before stepping into the state of Mizoram. The permits cost differently in different states and mainly require the following documents at hand- copies of passport, visa, passport size photographs, and flight tickets, for foreign nationals, and, passport size photographs and valid photo identity proof (Voter ID/ Aadhaar Card) for Indian Nationals.
2. A Thorough Research Before-Hand
It’s rather always advisable to know things before-hand, especially when it comes to traveling to a land with distinctive culture and ethnicity. To be honest, everything is pretty much different and overwhelming here, especially if you are visiting for the first time. The food, culture, costumes, festivals, lifestyle, language and whereabouts of the tribal communities, and just to name a few, are a lot different than what you have in other parts of India. Therefore, it’s always better to be well read before you step into this chimerical land for an amazing trip!
3. A Pre-Planned Itinerary
A customized itinerary or a pre-planned schedule is always comforting later, when enjoying the trip. Keeping in mind that this part of India is distinctive than the rest of the India that we all know, our North East India trip itinerary is always helpful. Get on board with us therefore, to know about everything that you’ll be showered with while traveling! No matter how much time it takes, you’d be indeed comfortable while you are all already there enjoying the scenic beauty of the states, once in our service! Let’s just say that right from your traveling schedule and means, to the hotels or resorts that you’d be staying in, and perhaps your entire days’ and nights’ events are gonna be our headache. What you gotta do is- ENJOY!!
4. Knowledge Of The Infrastructure
The infrastructure of the North-eastern states have greatly improved in the past few years and that’s what makes traveling smooth and simpler in today’s time. The roads of states like Meghalaya, Assam, Tripura and Manipur have been excellently built to promote road transportation and thus, tourism in the North-east at large. Further, all capital cities of the states are well connected via air, road and rails. However, in certain remote regions, it’s hard to get good roads and network, and therefore, a travel operator, like, yes, Us, becomes a priority. For, if you truly want to discover and decipher the North-east, then, you’d surely want to be a part of your super helpful and insightful team!
5. An Insight Into The Accommodation Facilities
In case, you are in look for a luxury stay, then, Guwahati in Assam, is gonna be your true choice. It’s well connected and much developed than the other north-eastern states. However, the other states, especially the remote ones only render you with a plain and simple lifestyle, decent way of living and mediocre hospitality. But let’s just agree that the extraordinary beauty of the region itself with truly make up for everything, pretty much!
6. Learn About The North East India People
It’s always better if you learn about the local residents- their food, culture, language, lifestyle, customs, etc, before your trip to the same. This will only help you to blend in properly, and the travel experience for you would be even more fun and rejuvenating. The North East India people are surely timid, but indeed warm and welcoming, once you truly know them. Take time therefore, to learn about the locals, especially the tribal residents a little bit, before you head onto this amazing journey of fun and frolic!
7. Food Habits
North East India is truly a respite for foodies, especially for the non-veg lovers! This region of India is much acclaimed for its food and the myriad cultural vastness that one gets to experience n the same. Be it the tangy fish curry and pitika from Assam, soaked pork from Nagaland, Jadoh (a pungent pork pulav) from Megahalya, or Thukpa from Sikkim to Manipur’s Iromba- food is sure to overwhelm you here! The local dishes from various other cities will further compel you to lick your fingers. Also, not to mention, the best momos from Sikkim and the local food in the markets of the North-east that make you wanna cry in happiness and fulfillment. However, there’s not much of options for the vegetarians.
8. What To Carry?
The weather is quite unpredictable in the North East. It can rain pretty much anytime and therefore, it’s always better to carry your raincoat and umbrella wherever you go. Also, keep warm woolens in case you are planning to travel in the winters for it can actually get bitting frost sometimes. It’s also important to carry boots/ shoes and mosquito repellents for the undergrowth is rather thick in here and can’t be taken lightly for that matter. Not to mention, your identity proof, passport, etc, for you could be stopped anywhere for questioning.
Pheww! What a Wow! We did have a lot of fun in telling you things you didn’t really know about North-east India previously. This part of India is undoubtedly a blissful place to be, and you surely wouldn’t want to miss being a part of the same, would you?! Therefore, hurry, plan your trip ASAP, and know everything that’s necessary, before you step into this place of beauty, magic and serenity!!
