Darjeeling
The Queen of the Hills certainly deserves a place on your itinerary. Nestled in the lap of the mighty Kanchenjunga, the third highest peak in the world, the hill station offers stunning views of the Himalayas. Experience the wonder that is the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, which is part of UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites. Or, visit a tea-estate, or simply park yourself in one of Darjeeling’s many quaint cafes and watch the world go by.
Tawang
Located 10,000 feet above sea level, Tawang will enthrall you with its mountain views, pristine waterfalls and lush landscapes. A visit to the Tawang Monastery—the largest in India—is a must here. With Tawang as your base, you can make day excursions to Sela Pass and the Nurannang Waterfalls. Arunachal Pradesh is also home to 26 major tribes. So, get a taste of the local culture while you're here.
Cherrapunjee
You probably first read about Cherrapunji in a boring chapter in your Geography textbook. But a visit to this place is anything but. Touted as the 'wettest place on earth', it has pleasant weather throughout the year. Visit verdant waterfalls like the Seven Sisters, Dainthlen and Nokhalikai Falls or do one of the many treks to appreciate the bounty of nature here.
Dzongri Trek
If your holiday plans involve a fair bit of adventure, we highly recommend Sikkim's Dzongri trek. The 5-day trek begins at Yuksam and gives you a magnificent view of Sikkim's dramatic landscape. The highlight of the trek is a view of Mt. Kanchenjunga. Other points of interest include Dzongri View and Laxmi Pokhari lake, considered holy by the locals.
Kohima
You'll thank yourself for visiting Kohima, the hillside capital of Nagaland. Trek to the picturesque Dzukuo Valley that’s located at a staggering altitude of 2438m. Or, make the trip to the top of Japfu peak, the second highest in the state. For the culture vulture in you, there's the annual Hornbill Festival, held every December that showcases Nagaland's unique culture and traditions.
Ziro Valley
With its abundant natural beauty, the options for trekking from Ziro valley are plenty. The Ziro trek, for instance will give you a bird’s eye view of the valley. Or, simply enjoy being one with the mountains and appreciate the beauty of the region's rivers like Pange and Sipu. The region is also home to the Apatani tribe, known for their beautiful handicrafts and fish cultivation.
Dampa Tiger Reserve
If you like holidays of the wild kind, pencil in a visit to the Dampa Tiger Reserve, the biggest wildlife sanctuary in the state of Mizoram. Spread across 550 sq km, its home to many species of flora and fauna. Look out for the mighty tiger as well as other species like leopard, elephant, wild boar, sloth bear and the Himalayan black bear.
Kaziranga National Park
Covering approximately 430 sq km, Kaziranga National Park in Assam is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Situated at the banks of the Brahmaputra river, the grasslands are home to the one-horned rhinoceros. Other species you're likely to spot here include wild elephants, tigers, monkeys, deer, leopards as well as migratory birds that come from as far as Siberia!
Written by Shweta Vepa Vyas on Aug 04, 2017