Northeast India is one of the most unique regions of the country whose geographical areas are divided into three major parts. These include the eastern Himalayas, Karbi plateaus and Brahmaputra plains which offer diversity in landscapes as well as climatic conditions. Although the entire region is spread across 262,184 sq km of land, it only totals 8% of the overall Indian Territory. The region is connected with the rest of the country using a 22km narrow area called Siliguri. Most of the northeastern states experience tropical climatic conditions along with heavy rainfall in the monsoons.
Being home to seven different states, the people of Northeast India are known for its cultural diversity with each state having its own identical traditions and customs. Similar to the other northern Indian states, agriculture is the main source of livelihood for these people. Christianity is the most followed religion in this region followed by Hindu and Islam. The person of the northeast is known to have existed in this over more than ten centuries and therefore follows old age traditions that have been passed on by generations.
Explore Wildlife
Northeast is considered to be the home to some of the largest national parks including Kaziranga National Park. Here tourists can get on a wildlife safari or take a short trip with an elephant ride allowing them to explore wildlife in the best way possible.
Mountain Biking
The region is home to numerous high-altitude passes, curvy roads, and sky-touching peeks with beauty that attract bike riders all over the year.
Trekking
Northeast India is surrounded by numerous off-road trails and steep Rocky Mountains making it ideal for indulging in tracking adventure. There are numerous groups that provide trekking adventures under the guidance of experts.
Attend Festivals
Festivals are what differentiates the Northeast from the rest of Indian states, from attending the hornbill festival in Nagaland to witnessing the vibrant atmosphere of Losar, Northeast India offers diverse experiences.
River Rafting
Assam, Arunachal Pradesh is located on the banks of the Brahmaputra River which allows tourists to immerse themselves in a thrilling experience of water rafting.
Visit Waterfalls
Meghalaya is a major spot in this region when it comes to waterfalls. With being home to hundreds of waterfalls and caves, this is the best place to explore the majestic waterfalls in Northeast India.
The region is mostly popular for being home to diverse cultures and communities that follow unique lifestyles. However, festivals are the time when all of these people come together to celebrate with great energy and happiness. Being also called the land of vibrant cultures, Northeast India offers diversity with dance forms, musical events, folklore and indigenous beliefs that differ from one state to another. The majority of the festivals are celebrated based on the agricultural month and harvesting season followed by numerous events. Following are some of the most common festivals of Northeast India.
Although Northeast India is well known for its rich wildlife and adventure activities, the region is also popular for its food delicacies. Enriched with local flavours and rich aromas, these foods are tasty as well as look appetizing. Located on the bank of the Brahmaputra River, fish are one of the most common food ingredients and are mostly used in the majority of the dishes. You can also witness food similarities with Chinese and Tibetan cuisines due to its close proximity to those countries. The majority of these states prepare food with local and homegrown ingredients prepared using traditional methods that add unique tastes and textures to the food dishes. Although fish and meat are the common food dishes there is ample choice of veg dishes. Here are some of the common food dishes that need to be tried out during a visit to the Northeast.
Air: Northeast India is well connected with other states of India using airways. Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, Imphal International Airport, Agartala Airport and Dimapur Airport are some of the most popular airports in this region.
Train: The region falls under the Northeast Frontier Railway and therefore has numerous railway stations located within the entire state allowing tourists to travel conveniently. Guwahati, Dibrugarh, Kamakhya, New Bongaigaon, Katihar, Dimapur and Silchar are some of the popular railway stations in this region.
Road: When it comes to travelling northeast by road, the entire route comes down to Siliguri, a small town of 22km apart in North Bengal. National Highway 31 or NH 31 is the major route that connects Northeast India with the rest of the Indian states.