The North East India is a conglomerate of eight states namely Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim. The total area of this region is 262,179 sq.km. They form part of the East Himalayan region which extends from Sikkim eastwards and embraces the Darjeeling Hills of West Bengal. This region has international borders with Bangladesh, China, Bhutan, Tibet and Myanmar and hence is politically and strategically important for the country. High seismicity, rich bio-diversity and heavy precipitation are some of the many characteristics of this region. Blessed with natural resources like coal, natural oil and gas, uranium, limestone, feldspar etc this region is indeed a boon for the country. It is also rich in forest resources and ideally produces a whole range of plantation crops, fruits, vegetables, flowers, herbs and spices. These factors have led to the development of tourism in this area.
Tribal population form a major part of this region. There are a number of native tribes inhabiting the states of this region, each of which has its own distincttraditions, art, dance, culture, music and life styles. Tourists flock up to have a glimpse of their festivals and enjoy their hospitality to the fullest.
This region also observes a great diversity linguistically and ethnically. All of the eight states have their own distinct culture and traditions. Assam is the most densely populated among all of them and it occupies the lush lowlands of the Brahmaputra Valley. Meghalaya which means the ‘abode of the clouds’ fascinates tourists with its scenic beauty comprising of hills, lakes and pines. It is also one of the wettest regions on the planet. Arunachal with its Buddhist influence and its picturesque landscape attracts tourists from all over the world. Nagaland has a rich history which again attracts attention from tourists. Manipur, known as the ‘land of jewels’, Tripura and Mizoram are all places of greenery and diverse flora and fauna. Sikkim is a breathtaking place which instantly conquers the hearts of the people. Together, this region is one of the most beautiful and most diverse of places and should be explored at least once in a lifetime.
Geography
Geographically, this region can be classified into Eastern Himalaya, the Patkai and the Brahmaputra and the Barak valley plains. This region is blessed with a rich forest wealth, a significant diversity of flora and fauna and they are important reserves of petroleum and natural gas. This regionis encircled by the Brahmaputra-Barak river system and their many tributaries.
History
All of these states have been princely states which were under British rule. After independence they gradually formed seven individual independent states and Sikkim became the eight state to be integrated finally making the north east a conglomerate of eight states.
Demographics
North-east observes a population of 46 million with 68% of it residing in Assam which has the highest density. This region is highly educated and except Arunachal and Assam, the rest of the states fare higher than the national average of 74% in case of literacy.
Languages Spoken
Due to the increase in tourism, by and large, most of the people understand English and many of them are able to even use it for conversation. Hence it will not be a problem for the tourists to explore places with ease. But hindi is a rare language spoken only in Assam, Arunachal and Tripura to some extent. Learning some local words might come in handy if you are to fully explore these areas. The official languages of this region are: Assam- Assamese, Manipur- Meiteilon, Mizoram- Mizo, Nagaland- English, Meghalaya- Khasi and Garo, Arunachal Pradesh- Hindi, Tripura- Bengali, Sikkim- Nepali.
A Guide To North-east
If you are looking for adventure, comfort, exploration and peace, if you want to get away from that daily life and seek to spend some time in the lap of nature and having all your necessities accounted for at the same time and your comfort and luxury all taken care of then you should probably visit north east. Here you will find accommodations catering to every class of people. From elites to the middle class bourgeois, north east takes care of all and sundry. Ranging from comfy homestays which cost around INR 1500-2500 to grand hotels that charge up to INR 5000-15000north east has it all.
Since ATM's are not located abundantly in some parts of the region it is advisable to carry some cash with you. However in cities like Guwahati or Shillong ATM's are in plenty. The government, seeing the potential of the development of tourism in this area, is taking a number of steps to develop accessibilities and transport to maximize its attractiveness.
What does North-East offer?
The most fascinating characteristic of North-East is its diversity. From roaring waterfalls to snow capped mountains, lush green valleys to national parks, bird watching to having a glimpse of the world famous one-horned rhino, North-East welcomes you all. It is indeed a feast of the eyes to see such diverse phenomena in a single region. With affordable packages and a great experience waiting for you, what are you so hesitant about? Choose our agency and embark on a journey of pure bliss. We will take care of all your needs with a smile. So don’t waste another moment and plan a trip with us today. Whether it be the majestic mountains, or roaring rivers or glistening lakes or snow filled roads or stunning waterfalls we will take you through all of them. Whether you want to raft or climb or drive or watch, we will make sure you are completely engrossed and absorbed in the beauty of this paradise, the breathtaking North-East.
Best Time to Visit
Since the North-East has tremendous diversity in its geography hence there is no specific time to visit the entire North-East. Different regions vary in their ideal time to be visited. Generally speaking, monsoons and winters are the best time to visit North-East but there are also risks of landslides during the monsoons. So it is up to you, whether you want the green and lush plains to welcome you or you want to be dumbfounded by the snowy peaksits up to you to decide but you must definitely try out all the seasons for a complete experience.
Why Should You Visit North-East?
Every state of the North Eastern regiondiffers in its culture, climate and cuisine. Here you will find significant experience of whatever you are seeking for in your life. Be it nature at its best or a rich culture or a rare gastronomy or you want a variation all these, North-East has many things to offer.
Nature at its best: You have so much to choose from when you travel in the region. A traveller will have a feast for his eyes to see. Whether it be monsoons, spring or winters, North-East is always an elixir, a nectar for the senses. These are all eco-friendly destinations which will definitely amaze you.
Bio-diversity of flora and fauna: You can come to Assam to witness the one-horned rhino which is endangered due to hunting and poaching. You can come to Kaziranga National Park to have a glimpse of this majestic animal. This park also has the highest density of tigers. You can opt for an elephant safari or a jeep safari and witness various rare species of animals and birds. Rhinos, tigers, water buffaloes, swamp deers and lot more.
A place for the seekers: If you are on the spiritual path you can definitely come to this region. Calmness, peace and quiet lie in abundance in this region where you will have the time to look deep into yourselves. Also Arunachal Pradesh with its landscapes will make you spellbound. Also it has a number of monasteries which includes the largest one in India, The Tawang monastery, founded in 1680 which will undoubtedly enrich you spiritually.
Ethnic Gastronomy: All the states of this region differ considerably in their culture, traditions and gastronomy. You find a tribal culture more prominent in these areas and also the pan Indian cuisine is also present to some extent. In short, you will find a rare gastronomic experience in these areas. Even Gordon Ramsay spoke highly of this cuisine. So foodies, grab a package and come over to enjoy some traditional cuisine. You will not be disappointed.
A place for Adventure: Those who have the adrenaline for adventure can gear up for some challenging trekking in the Bailey Trail Trek in Arunachal Pradesh, Dzukou valley in Nagaland-Manipur border, Reiek mountain, Beyul of Pemako and so much more. So if you seek adrenaline you can find it here too.
Cultural Wealth: There are a number of ethnic groups in this region who have their own distinctive practices, culture, cuisine and dialect. Hence they are significantly different from one another. Their life is a reverberation of the age old practices of the country. Meeting them and knowing about their lives is a delightin itself.
Handicrafts: This region is skilled in the art of craft. There are many indigenous small scale industries looming all over the area. Due to western influence and lack of adequate support and technology these industries are being left behind nowadays but it still lives on. People from all over the country come to see these indigenous industries and take away their products as souvenirs. Bamboo works are common in these areas. Assam and Meghalaya are famous for their silk textiles and Manipur is known for its gold and gold plated jewellery.
A place for Music Lovers: Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya is also called the rock music capital of India. Here you will find a diversity in music too. From traditional classic Indian musical instruments to modern day western instruments North-east has it all. If you want to relish the delight of such music be sure to attend the Ziro Festival of Music in Arunachal Pradesh. So come over to the North-East and experience the elixir of elegance like never before.