Memory Makers Vacation

Unexplored Paradise

Northeast

North-East India is one of the most fascinating places of India and of the world, located at the northeastern region of India, and consisting of 7 states, called collectively as 'the seven sisters'. Much of the region has been left unexplored till date, owning to the regions formidable terrain consisting of mountains, hills, rainforests, river, jungles and predators, and deficiency of infrastructure. The small sized region has one of the highest biodiversity density found anywhere in the world.

The main entry point for any north-eastern state is Assam, if one is entering from within India. There are a few entry points from Bangladesh (Dawki in Meghalaya) and Myanmar (Moreh in Manipur) but entry is restricted to local traders/govt. officials.

Best time to visit

Mercury starts dipping from October and winters hit Dooars. This is considered to be the best time to visit the place since rainfall becomes rare and weather remains pleasantly cool. Sometimes, it may come down to ten degrees Celcius. During this time you can enjoy safaris and visiting sanctuaries.

How to Reach

By Air: Assam(Gopinath Bordoloi Airport, Guwahati), Manipur (Imphal Airport), Nagaland (Dimapur Airport) and Tripura (Agartala Airport) have direct flights from other parts of India (Delhi and/or Kolkata). There are two other major airports serving upper regions of Assam and neighbouring areas - Dibrugarh Airport and Silchar Airport. There are helicopter services to Naharlagun (14 km from Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh) and Aizawl (Mizoram).

By Road: All the states have good network of roads in urban areas. There are regular long journey buses from West Bengal to many north-eastern states. Self-driving is not a good idea as all roads pass through heavy forest reserves and areas infested by insurgents.

By Train: There are good train connections from most of the major Indian cities to Assam. Assam and Arunachal Pradesh are the only states in the region with rail lines. The important station in Arunachal Pradesh is Naharlagun which runs between New Delhi, Guwahati via different stations. Important stations in Assam are Guwahati, Bongaigaon, Lumding, Tinsukia and Dibrugarh. The fastest train from Delhi is Guwahati bound Rajdhani Express (28 hrs) followed by North-East Express (32 hrs) and Dibrugarh bound Brahmaputra Mail (42 hrs), while the fastest train from Kolkatta(Howrah) is Saraighat Express.

Top Places to visit

Guwahati

Guwahati is a sprawling city beside the Brahmaputra River in the northeast Indian state of Assam. It’s known for holy sites like the hilltop Kamakhya Temple, featuring shrines to the Hindu deities Shiva and Vishnu. To the east, 18th-century Navagraha Temple is an astronomical center with planetary shrines.

Shillong

Shillong is a hill station in northeast India and capital of the state of Meghalaya. It’s known for the manicured gardens at Lady Hydari Park. Nearby, Ward’s Lake is surrounded by walking trails. North, the Don Bosco Centre for Indigenous Cultures features displays on the region’s native people.

Cherrapunji

Cherrapunjee, also known as Sohra, is a high-altitude town in the northeast Indian state of Meghalaya. It's known for its living root bridges, made from rubber trees. To the northeast, Mawkdok Dympep Valley View Point overlooks verdant gorges. In the surrounding hills, the Noh-Kalikai, Dain-Thlen and Kynrem waterfalls plunge from forested clifftops.

Tawang

Tawang is a mountain town in Asia. India considers it to be part of the state of Arunachal Pradesh, while China claims it as part of South Tibet. It’s home to the 17th-century Tawang Monastery, a hilltop structure housing a massive gilded Buddha statue. The War Memorial commemorates soldiers who died in the 1962 Chinese-Indian War.

Mawlynnong

Mawlynnong/Mawlynnong Village located in the East Khasi Hills of Meghalaya, also referred as 'God's own garden' has won the acclaim of being the cleanest village in Asia in 2003. The village known for its cleanliness is located around 90 kms from Shillong and is a community based eco-tourism initiative.

Dawki

Dawki a town in West Jaintia Hills district, Meghalaya, India is a place for travelers escaping from the hustle and bustle of city life. It is on the border between India and Bangladesh. Umngot River that flows through a small town in Jaintia Hills is a must visit while travelling through the northeastern.