28 Places to Visit in Northeast India (2026): Best Tourist Spots by State
Northeast India is eight states between Bhutan, Tibet, Myanmar and Bangladesh, and each has its own landscape. This list picks the best of what we cover: Sikkim's high lakes and passes, Arunachal's Tawang and Ziro, Meghalaya's waterfalls and root bridges, Assam's rhinos and temples, and Nagaland's war history and Hornbill Festival village.
1.Tsomgo (Changu) Lake
East Sikkim, about 38 km from Gangtok
Tsomgo Lake, also called Changu Lake, is a glacial lake at about 12,300 ft, 38 km from Gangtok. It's the easiest place near Gangtok to see snow, on a permit filed the day before.
- Timings
- Open all week; the district lists about 10am–4pm
- Entry fee
- Permit about ₹200 per person; yak rides and cable car extra
- Distance
- About 40 km from Gangtok, 1.5–2 hours each way
- Time needed
- Half a day, or a full day with Nathu La
- Best time
- January–April for snow and ice, October–November for clear skies
2.Nathu La Pass
East Sikkim, 56 km from Gangtok
Nathu La is the India–China border pass at about 14,140 ft, a day trip from Gangtok with Tsomgo Lake and Baba Mandir. It's open to Indian nationals only, on a permit filed the day before.
- Timings
- Wednesday to Sunday, roughly 8am to early afternoon; closed to tourists Monday and Tuesday
- Entry fee
- Permit about ₹200 per person (2026 reports); vehicle hire extra
- Distance
- About 56 km from Gangtok, 2.5–3 hours each way
- Time needed
- A full day from Gangtok, with Tsomgo Lake and Baba Mandir
- Best time
- April–June and October–November
3.Gurudongmar Lake
North Sikkim, above Lachen
Gurudongmar is one of the world's highest lakes, at about 17,800 ft in North Sikkim, sacred to Buddhists and Sikhs. It's reached at dawn from Lachen, by Indian nationals only.
- Timings
- Early-morning visits only; vehicles leave Lachen around 4–5am
- Entry fee
- No separate fee; covered by the North Sikkim permit
- Distance
- About 65–70 km from Lachen, around 3 hours each way
- Time needed
- A full day from Lachen
- Best time
- April–June and October–November
4.Yumthang Valley
North Sikkim, 24 km above Lachung
Yumthang, the 'valley of flowers', is a meadow at about 11,800 ft above Lachung, full of rhododendrons in spring and snow in winter, with Zero Point higher up.
- Timings
- Visited in the morning from Lachung
- Entry fee
- No separate fee; covered by the North Sikkim permit. Zero Point costs extra
- Distance
- About 24–26 km from Lachung, 1–1.5 hours
- Time needed
- Half a day from Lachung; a full day with Zero Point
- Best time
- Late March–May for rhododendrons, January–March for snow
5.MG Marg, Gangtok
Central Gangtok
MG Marg is Gangtok's car-free main street, a litter- and spit-free promenade lined with cafés, shops and benches. Here is what to do there, the rules, and where to eat and shop.
- Timings
- Open all day; most shops about 9am–8pm
- Entry fee
- Free
- Distance
- About 120 km from NJP and Bagdogra
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Best time
- Evenings, all year
6.Rumtek Monastery
About 23 km from Gangtok
Rumtek is Sikkim's largest monastery, the seat of the Karmapa in exile, rebuilt in the 1960s in the style of Tsurphu in Tibet. It's about an hour from Gangtok.
- Timings
- Roughly 7am–7pm; the Golden Stupa room closes around 11:30am–12:30pm
- Entry fee
- About ₹10 per person (reported)
- Distance
- About 22–24 km from Gangtok, about 1 hour
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Best time
- October–May; Losar in February or March for ceremonies
7.Pelling Skywalk and Chenrezig Statue
Sangachoeling ridge, above Pelling
Pelling's glass skywalk leads to a 137-ft statue of Chenrezig on the ridge above town, with Kanchenjunga behind it. Here are the timings, fee, best light and what else is on the ridge.
- Timings
- Roughly 9am–5pm or 6pm (reports vary)
- Entry fee
- About ₹20 for Indians, ₹50 for foreigners (reported; some sources give ₹50–100)
- Distance
- About 2 km from Pelling
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Best time
- October–April for mountain views
Pelling Skywalk and Chenrezig Statue: full guide, how to reach and tips →
8.Zuluk and the Old Silk Route
Rongli subdivision, East Sikkim
Zuluk is a tiny army-and-homestay hamlet at about 9,400 ft on the old Kalimpong–Lhasa trade route, famous for its zigzag road and Kanchenjunga sunrise at Thambi. Here is the permit, route and when to go.
- Timings
- Day permits; most people stay a night in a homestay
- Entry fee
- No entry fee; permit charges via your operator
- Distance
- About 90 km from Gangtok via Rongli
- Time needed
- 1–2 nights
- Best time
- March–May and October–December
Zuluk and the Old Silk Route: full guide, how to reach and tips →
9.Tawang Monastery
Tawang town
Tawang Monastery, Galden Namgey Lhatse, is India's largest monastery, founded in 1680–81 on a ridge at about 10,000 ft. It's the reason most people make the drive over Sela Pass.
- Timings
- Roughly 7am–5pm or 6pm; museum about 9am–5pm
- Entry fee
- Monastery free; museum about ₹30 (reported)
- Distance
- About 2–3 km from Tawang market
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Best time
- March–May and October–November
10.Sela Pass
Tawang–West Kameng border, on NH-13
Sela Pass crosses the range between Dirang and Tawang at about 13,700 ft, beside a sacred lake that freezes in winter. Since the Sela Tunnel opened in 2024 you can skip it, but most travellers still drive over. Here's why and when.
- Timings
- Drive across in daylight; avoid after about 3pm in winter
- Entry fee
- Free
- Distance
- About 60–80 km from Tawang; 60 km from Dirang
- Time needed
- 30–45 minutes stop
- Best time
- March–May and October–November; snow December–March
11.Bum La Pass
Indo-China border, 37 km from Tawang
Bum La is the India–China border pass 37 km above Tawang, at about 15,200 ft, where the 1962 war began in this sector and where border meetings are still held. Visiting needs a special permit from the DC's office and the army.
- Timings
- Early morning start; army-escorted visits on permitted days
- Entry fee
- Permit plus a small visitor fee (about ₹50 reported); 4x4 hire extra
- Distance
- About 37 km from Tawang, 2–3 hours each way
- Time needed
- A full morning from Tawang
- Best time
- April–June and October–November
12.Sangetsar (Madhuri) Lake
On the Bumla road, about 35 km from Tawang
Sangetsar, nicknamed Madhuri Lake after a 1990s film shoot, is a high lake on the road to Bumla with dead tree trunks standing in the water. It's visited on the Bumla day from Tawang.
- Timings
- Day visits with the Bumla trip, in clear weather
- Entry fee
- None reported
- Distance
- About 35 km north of Tawang, 2–2.5 hours on a rough road
- Time needed
- Part of a 6–7 hour Bumla day
- Best time
- April–October
Sangetsar (Madhuri) Lake: full guide, how to reach and tips →
13.Nuranang (Jang) Falls
Near Jang, about 40 km from Tawang
Nuranang, or Jang Falls, is a 100-metre waterfall near Jang on the road down from Sela Pass to Tawang. It's a short detour and free to visit.
- Timings
- Daylight
- Entry fee
- No entry fee reported
- Distance
- About 39–40 km from Tawang, around 1.5 hours
- Time needed
- 45 minutes–1 hour
- Best time
- May–October for the fullest flow
14.Ziro Valley
Lower Subansiri district
Ziro is a high, flat valley of rice fields and pine hills, home to the Apatani people and on UNESCO's tentative World Heritage list. Here is how to get there, what to see, the festivals and when to go.
- Timings
- Villages are open all day; ask before entering homes
- Entry fee
- None
- Distance
- About 110–115 km from Itanagar; 400 km from Guwahati
- Time needed
- 2–3 days
- Best time
- March–May and September–November
15.Nohkalikai Falls
Cherrapunji (Sohra), East Khasi Hills
Nohkalikai is India's tallest plunge waterfall, dropping about 340 m into a green pool near Cherrapunji. It's at its fullest from June to September.
- Timings
- Roughly 8–9am to 5pm
- Entry fee
- Small fee, reported as ₹20–50, plus a camera charge
- Distance
- About 7 km from Sohra, 53 km from Shillong
- Time needed
- 45 minutes–1 hour
- Best time
- June–September for the most water; October–November for clear views
16.Double-Decker Living Root Bridge
Nongriat village, below Tyrna
The double-decker root bridge at Nongriat is two bridges of living rubber-tree roots, one above the other, reached by a steep trek of about 3,000 steps from Tyrna.
- Timings
- Daylight; start the trek by 8–9am
- Entry fee
- Small fee, reported as ₹20–100, plus camera charges
- Distance
- Trek starts at Tyrna, about 11 km (30 minutes) from Sohra
- Time needed
- 5–7 hours return, or stay a night in Nongriat
- Best time
- October–March for dry steps
Double-Decker Living Root Bridge: full guide, how to reach and tips →
17.Dawki and the Umngot River
Dawki, West Jaintia Hills, on the Bangladesh border
The Umngot river at Dawki is famous for water so clear that boats seem to float in air. Here is when it is actually clear, what boating costs, Dawki vs Shnongpdeng, and what happened to the river in 2025.
- Timings
- Boating roughly 8am–4pm
- Entry fee
- Boat about ₹700–1,500 per boat in recent seasons; some 2026 reports higher
- Distance
- About 80 km from Shillong, 2–2.5 hours
- Time needed
- Half a day; overnight at Shnongpdeng
- Best time
- November–March for clear water
Dawki and the Umngot River: full guide, how to reach and tips →
18.Mawlynnong Village
Pynursla block, East Khasi Hills
Mawlynnong, called Asia's cleanest village since 2003, is a Khasi village of bamboo bins, flower-lined paths and a living root bridge near the Bangladesh border. Since January 2026 it is closed to day visitors on Sundays.
- Timings
- Daylight hours, Monday–Saturday; closed to day visitors on Sundays since January 2026
- Entry fee
- Parking about ₹200 per vehicle; Sky View about ₹10; root bridge about ₹20 (reported)
- Distance
- About 75–90 km from Shillong, 2–2.5 hours
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Best time
- October–April
19.Laitlum Canyons
East Khasi Hills, about 25 km from Shillong
Laitlum, 'the end of the hills', is a clifftop above deep green gorges about 25 km from Shillong. It's best at sunrise or sunset, and a steep stairway leads down to Rasong village.
- Timings
- Daylight; best at sunrise or sunset
- Entry fee
- Free or a small local fee (reports vary)
- Distance
- About 22–25 km from Shillong, 45 minutes–1 hour
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours; a full day to walk down to Rasong
- Best time
- October–April
20.Umiam Lake (Barapani)
Ri-Bhoi, 15 km before Shillong
Umiam Lake, or Barapani, is a large reservoir among pine hills on the Guwahati–Shillong road, 15 km before Shillong, with boating and water sports.
- Timings
- Viewpoints any time; water sports about 9am–5pm
- Entry fee
- Viewpoints free; water sports priced per ride
- Distance
- About 15–20 km from Shillong; 85 km from Guwahati
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Best time
- October–April
21.Seven Sisters Falls (Nohsngithiang)
Mawsmai, about 5 km from Sohra
Nohsngithiang, the Seven Sisters Falls, drops 315 metres off the limestone cliffs south of Cherrapunji in up to seven streams. Here's when all seven actually flow, the sunset view and how to see it with Mawsmai Cave.
- Timings
- Daylight; best late afternoon
- Entry fee
- Small fee or none reported
- Distance
- About 5 km from Sohra, 55 km from Shillong
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Best time
- June–October for all seven streams
Seven Sisters Falls (Nohsngithiang): full guide, how to reach and tips →
22.Krang Suri Falls
Amlarem, West Jaintia Hills
Krang Suri is a turquoise waterfall in the Jaintia Hills where you can swim (with a life jacket) and walk behind the falls. Here is the fee, the life-jacket rule, the drive from Jowai or Dawki and when the water is blue.
- Timings
- About 9am–5pm
- Entry fee
- About ₹50 per person; life jacket extra (about ₹100–200)
- Distance
- About 30 km from Jowai and 30 km from Dawki; 85 km from Shillong
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Best time
- October–April for blue water
23.Kaziranga National Park
Golaghat and Nagaon districts, central Assam
Kaziranga National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to most of the world's one-horned rhinos. The four safari ranges, when the park is open, timings, safari costs, how to reach and how many days to plan.
- Timings
- Jeep safari entry 7:30–10 am and 1:30–3 pm (2026-27 season)
- Entry fee
- Jeep safari roughly ₹3,600–5,500 per jeep for up to six, including park entry
- Distance
- About 200 km from Guwahati (4–5 hours); about 100 km from Jorhat airport
- Time needed
- 2 nights
- Best time
- November–April (park open roughly October–May)
Kaziranga National Park: full guide, how to reach and tips →
24.Kamakhya Temple
Nilachal Hill, Guwahati
Kamakhya Temple on Nilachal Hill is one of India's most important Shakti Peethas and the most visited temple in the Northeast. Timings, the ₹501 special darshan, queues, dress code, Ambubachi and how to reach it from the airport.
- Timings
- About 5:30 am to evening, with a break of about 1–2:30 pm (check the official site)
- Entry fee
- Free general darshan; special darshan ₹501 per person, booked online
- Distance
- About 8 km from Guwahati city centre; about 20 km from the airport
- Time needed
- 2–4 hours on a normal day, much longer on festival days
- Best time
- October–April; weekday mornings for shorter queues
25.Umananda Temple
Umananda (Peacock) Island, Guwahati
Umananda is a Shiva temple on a small island in the middle of the Brahmaputra at Guwahati, reached only by ferry. Here are the temple and ferry timings, the fare, the ghat to board at and the best time to go.
- Timings
- About 5:30 am–6 pm; ferries run roughly 7 am–5 pm
- Entry fee
- Free; government ferry about ₹20–40 return, private boats more
- Distance
- Ferry from Uzan Bazar (Kachari) Ghat, about 10 minutes across
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours with the ferry
- Best time
- October–March; avoid high water in the monsoon
26.Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary
Morigaon district, near Guwahati
Pobitora has the highest density of one-horned rhinos in the world and is the closest place to Guwahati to see them, about an hour and a half away. Safari timings, rough costs, distance and the best time to go.
- Timings
- About 7 am–4 pm; jeep safaris through the day, elephant rides early morning
- Entry fee
- About ₹50 for Indians; jeep and elephant safaris charged separately
- Distance
- About 40–50 km from Guwahati, 1.5 hours by road
- Time needed
- Half a day, or a day trip from Guwahati
- Best time
- November–March (closed in the monsoon)
Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary: full guide, how to reach and tips →
27.Kohima War Cemetery
Central Kohima
Kohima War Cemetery marks the 1944 Battle of Kohima, one of the turning points of the Second World War in Asia, fought partly across the district commissioner's tennis court.
- Timings
- Daily; about 8am–4pm (March–September) and 8am–3:30pm (October–February)
- Entry fee
- Free
- Distance
- In Kohima town; about 64 km from Dimapur airport
- Time needed
- 45 minutes–1 hour
- Best time
- October–May
28.Kisama Heritage Village
About 12 km from Kohima
Kisama, the Naga Heritage Village 12 km from Kohima, has a traditional house, or morung, for each Naga tribe, and hosts the Hornbill Festival every December.
- Timings
- Hornbill: about 9am–5pm daily, 1–10 December; access at other times varies
- Entry fee
- Hornbill gate ticket (rates set each year); small fee reported at other times
- Distance
- About 12 km from Kohima; about 75 km from Dimapur airport
- Time needed
- Half a day; a full day at Hornbill
- Best time
- 1–10 December for the Hornbill Festival
Kisama Heritage Village: full guide, how to reach and tips →
Best time to visit Northeast India
October to April suits most of the region. For snow in Sikkim and Tawang, go from December to March. Meghalaya's waterfalls are biggest from June to September. Nagaland's Hornbill Festival is from 1 to 10 December.
How to reach Northeast India
Guwahati is the main gateway for Meghalaya, Assam, Arunachal and Nagaland; Bagdogra and New Jalpaiguri (NJP) are the gateways for Sikkim. Distances are long and roads are hilly, so plan one or two states per week.
See Northeast India with a local team
Private trips with a driver, hotels and permits arranged, built around the places above.
Northeast India tour packages →Northeast India: frequently asked questions
Which is the most beautiful place in Northeast India?+
Popular answers are Tawang and Sela Pass, Tsomgo Lake and North Sikkim, and Meghalaya's Cherrapunji and Dawki. It depends on whether you want snow, waterfalls or culture.
How many days do I need for Northeast India?+
Plan about a week per region: Meghalaya with Guwahati, Sikkim with Darjeeling, or Tawang. Covering several states properly takes two to three weeks.
Do I need permits for Northeast India?+
Indian travellers need an Inner Line Permit for Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Mizoram, and area permits for parts of Sikkim. Meghalaya and Assam don't need permits.
What is the best time to visit Northeast India?+
October to April for most places. The monsoon (June to September) is heavy, especially in Meghalaya, and can close mountain roads.
More places to visit in Northeast India
- Places to visit in Darjeeling
- Places to visit in Meghalaya
- Places to visit in Sikkim
- Places to visit in Arunachal Pradesh
- Places to visit in Gangtok
- Places to visit in Assam
- Places to visit in Shillong
- Places to visit in Cherrapunji
- Places to visit in Tawang
- Places to visit in Pelling
- Places to visit in Guwahati
- Places to visit near Guwahati
- Offbeat places to visit in Meghalaya
- Places to visit in Gangtok and Darjeeling
- Places to visit in North Sikkim
- Places to visit in South Sikkim
- Places to visit in Nagaland
- Places to visit in Kaziranga
- Places to visit in Dawki and Mawlynnong
- All Northeast India attractions