10 Best Places To Visit In Northeast India In 2025

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Kaziranga National Park, Gangtok, Ziro, Cherrapunji, and Majuli are some enchanting places to visit in Northeast India, truly unique in terms of the culture, landscapes, and experiences they offer. From One-Horned Rhinos to Living Root Bridges, serene monasteries, colorful crafts, delicious cuisine, and the famous Ziro Music Festival, the Seven Sisters of India offer much to explore!

Best places to visit in Northeast India

Northeast India constitutes the seven states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Tripura. Together, they’re called the Seven Sisters of India!

Known for its distinct natural wonders, beautiful culture, cuisine, and religious significance, Northeast India offers visitors a ton of unique experiences to dive into!

October to April is considered the best time to visit Northeast India when the weather is pleasant and cool for sightseeing and outdoor activities.

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1. Shillong, Meghalaya

Often called the “Scotland of the East,” Shillong is blessed with undulating hills and pine forests enveloped in thin wisps of mist! Its cool climate and picture-perfect vistas have made it one of the best places to visit in Northeast India with family and friends!

Just 72 km away from Asia’s cleanest village Mawlynnong, Shillong is home to one of the largest golf courses in the world, majestic cascades like Elephant Falls, and the Khasi tribe’s bizarre bioengineering marvels called Living Root Bridges!

Apart from a high literacy rate, this melting pot of culture also boasts a rich musical heritage and is often called the Rock Capital of India! Its annual Shillong Autumn Festival is a popular extravaganza among music lovers!

Best time to visit: March to June; October to February
Places to visit: Elephant Falls, Living Root Bridges, Mawphlang Sacred Forest, Ward’s Lake, Shillong Peak, Don Bosco Museum, Laitlum Canyons, Shillong Golf Course

2. Gangtok, Sikkim

Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim, is nestled at an altitude of 5,410 feet, from where it offers breathtaking views of the world’s third highest peak – Mt. Kanchenjunga – especially at sunrise and sunset!

With a strict plastic ban in place, it’s not just one of the cleanest states in India, but also its first fully organic state that promotes sustainable tourism at every level! Even its famous MG Marg is India’s first litter-free street!

Its cultural diversity, food, and vibrant handicraft markets attract thousands of tourists every month. So does its gorgeous Rumtek Monastery, a revered Buddhist shrine, and the Nathula Pass, the most important point of the India-Tibet trade route till 1962.

Best time to visit: March to May; September to November
Places to visit: Tsomgo Lake, Enchey Monastery, Hanuman Tok, Ganesh Tok, Nathula Pass, MG Marg, Rumtek Monastery, Gangtok Ropeway, Banjhakri Waterfall, Himalayan Zoological Park

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3. Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh

Perched at 10,000 feet, Tawang is home to India’s largest monastery and one of the most beautiful places in Northeast India – the Tawang Monastery.

Other than being the birthplace of the Dalai Lama, Tawang is the perfect mix of history, culture, festivals, natural beauty, and the most gorgeous scenery of snowy peaks you’ll ever lay eyes on!

Out of all the things that make it one of the top places to visit in Northeast India, you must visit the Tawang War Memorial dedicated to the martyrs of the 1962 Indo-China War, Sela Pass located at 13,700 feet, and Madhuri Lake which is the most picturesque among Tawang’s 108 lakes!

Best time to visit: March to June; September to October
Places to visit: Tawang War Memorial, Sela Pass, Nuranang Falls, Pankang Teng Tso Lake, Tawang Monastery, Madhuri Lake, Gorichen Peak, Tawang Craft Centre, Taktsang Gompa

4. Imphal, Manipur

Imphal houses the world’s only floating national park – Keibul Lamjao. Set atop the Loktak Lake, the largest freshwater lake in Northeast India, Keibul Lamjao is a biodiversity hotspot and the official home of the unique and endangered Sangai deer.

Its Ima Keithel, or the Mother’s Market, is the largest all-women market in Asia and a vibrant display of Manipur’s cultural wealth and expert craftsmanship! The city is also famed for the historic Kangla Fort and the world’s oldest polo ground located here!

But what really makes it one of the most distinct places to visit in Northeast India is its War Cemetery and India Peace Memorial which talks of the pivotal role this city played during World War II.

Best time to visit: October to March
Places to visit: Kangla Fort, Shree Govindajee Temple, Keibul Lamjao National Park, Ima Keithel, Imphal War Cemetery, Manipur State Museum, Andro Village

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5. Kohima, Nagaland

This cultural hub and Nagaland’s capital city is famed for the epic Battle of Kohima during World War II. Other than its humble War Cemetery, it is known for an assortment of attractions and experiences that bring people here from all over the world!

The most vivid among them is the Hornbill Festival which combines the city’s tribal heritage with music, dance, and royal feasts to give visitors a colorful extravaganza! While you’re here, you must visit Khonoma, Asia’s second-largest village famed for its ecotourism initiatives.

Kohima is among the best places in Northeast India for nature and wildlife lovers courtesy of its unique fauna like the Blyth’s Tragopan and the Mithun as well as its blooming flora in the breathtaking landscapes of Dzukou Valley, the”Valley of Flowers”!

Best time to visit: November to April; December (Hornbill Festival)
Places to visit: Kisama Heritage Village, Japfu Peak, Khonoma Village, Kohima War Cemetery, Dzukou Valley, Pulie Badze Wildlife Sanctuary, Shilloi Lake

6. Kaziranga National Park, Assam

It’s impossible to list the best places to visit in Northeast India and not include Kaziranga National Park, the renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site home to two-thirds of the world’s populace of one-horned rhinos and a celebrated Big Five reserve!

Spanning 430 sq km, Kaziranga’s resplendent grasslands and marshes are also home to over 400 species of endemic and rare migratory birds as well as one of the highest densities of tigers in the world.

Its dedicated conservation efforts and sustainable Jeep and elephant safaris have made it one of the most frequented tourist places in Northeast India and set a standard for wildlife preservation initiatives globally.

Best time to visit: November to April
Places to visit: Central Zone (Kohora), Western Zone (Bagori), Eastern Zone (Agaratoli), Burapahar Zone (Ghorakati), Panbari Reserve Forest

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7. Darjeeling, West Bengal

Famous the world over for its tea, Darjeeling is a charming hill town nestled in the Himalayan foothills. Its tea gardens, undulating hills, misty cool weather, and cute toy train experience have made it one of the best places to see in Northeast India!

The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, a revered UNESCO World Heritage Site, takes guests through picturesque landscapes of lush hills and tea plantations. After a nostalgic toy train ride, visit the Ghoom Monastery and ride the Darjeeling Ropeway, one of the longest in Asia!

Often called the “Queen of the Hills”, Darjeeling is a lovable blend of scenic beauty, artsy colonial architecture, chic cafes, tea gardens, Buddhist monasteries, and panoramic views of Mt. Kanchenjunga and Mt. Everest from Tiger Hill!

Best time to visit: March to May; October to December
Places to visit: Tiger Hill, Batasia Loop, Peace Pagoda, Darjeeling Toy Train, Darjeeling Zoo, Ghoom Monastery, Chowrasta, Senchal Lake, Observatory Hill, Mahakal Temple

8. Majuli Island, Assam

Located on the Brahmaputra River, Majuli is the world’s largest river island spanning 352 sq km. It’s known for its satras, or Vaishnavite monasteries, dedicated to preserving centuries-old Assamese art forms like mask-making, Sattriya dance, pottery, and organic weaving.

Other than protecting Assam’s deep-rooted cultural heritage, Majuli also has a distinct ecosystem of its own that supports rare animals and migratory birds, making it a paradise for birdwatchers and one of the finest places to visit in Northeast India!

Majuli takes pride in being a strict no-plastic zone, which has made it one of the cleanest destinations in India. Since its size is constantly shrinking due to erosion caused by the river, it has made its preservation all the more crucial!

Best time to visit: October to March
Places to visit: Kamalabari Satra, Auniati Satra, Samaguri Satra, Mishing Village, Majuli Bamboo Bridge, Mask-making Workshop, Garmur, Majuli Eco-Tourism Park, Kamalabari Ghat

9. Cherrapunji, Meghalaya

Cherrapunji, one of the wettest places on Earth, receives an average annual rainfall of 11,777 mm. It is home to the decades-old Living Root Bridges, a unique natural marvel created by the Khasi tribes of Meghalaya.

Other than the popular Nohkalikai Falls, which is among India’s tallest waterfalls at 1,100 feet, Cherrapunji has some of the most bizarre nature bounties that have made it a haven for nature lovers and geologists alike.

With picturesque limestone caves, hidden cascades tied to ancient folklore, forested landscapes sheltering the Khasi tribes, and the most fascinating tourist places in Northeast India, Cherrapunji is a distinct blend of history, culture, and nature that never disappoints!

Best time to visit: October to May
Places to visit: Nohkalikai Falls, Seven Sisters Falls, Mawsmai Cave, Wah Kaba Falls, Dainthlen Falls, Thangkharang Park, Mawkdok Dympep Valley Viewpoint, Double Decker Root Bridge, Cherrapunji Eco Park

10. Ziro, Arunachal Pradesh

One of the top places to visit in Northeast India, Ziro Valley is famed for the annual Ziro Music Festival which brings in global artists and audiences for a dramatic display of its cultural heritage, rich music, and modernity!

This proposed UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to stunning landscapes, lush rice terraces, endangered species like the Himalayan black bear, over 600 exotic bird species, and several mountains and valleys that have made it a premier trekking destination in India.

It is also home to the ancient Apatani tribe known for their amazing nose plugs, facial tattoos, sustainable paddy cultivation practices, and the vivid festival of Myoko which is a celebration of friendship and prosperity!

Best time to visit: March to October; September (Ziro Music Festival)
Places to visit: Talley Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, Meghna Cave Temple, Kile Pakho Ridge, Apatani Tribal Village, Midey, Hapoli, Sham Penii, Ziro Puto

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Whether you seek natural beauty, scenic landscapes, adventure, history, or culture, Northeast India offers it all! You’re in for a roller-coaster of experiences at these less-explored yet unique places to visit in Northeast India promising an unforgettable holiday! Happy tripping!