5 Best Places to Visit in Northeast India in Summer Season

Who doesn’t seek a retreat to the hills during the summer? Northeast India is home to some of the most amazing hill stations offering breath-taking views and pleasant weather. Visit these mountainous regions to beat the scorching heat of the deadliest summer. Choose one of the best tour packages in India that include some of the top-rated hills stations of the Northeast. 

If you are a mountain lover, you would not feel like missing out the following hill stations:

1.Pelling, North Sikkim:

North Sikkim is heavenly with scenic landscapes offering a panoramic view of Kanchenjunga, Frey and Rathong. Unable to endure the sweltering heat of the summer sun, if you are looking for a pleasant location endowed with paradisiacal beauty, Pelling would be the location to be. Don’t miss out Pelling as it offers the best view of Kanchenjunga. Taking a short walk towards Pemayangtse Monastery, exploring the Rabdengtse Ruins and relishing serenity sitting beside Khecheopalri, a sacred lake would provide you with an experience to cherish for the rest of your life. Don’t forget others North Sikkim attractions including Lachen, Lachung and Gurudongmar lake. Visit the Yumthang Vally during the months of March, April and May when the weather more or less pleasant. It is during this time the valley looks most colourful Rhododendrons bursting into bloom.

2.Mokokchung, Nagaland:

If you want to go to some exotic location to beat the summer heat, plan visiting Mokokchung. This small district town is amazing beautiful with hills and Rhodendron blooms in May. Mix up with the tribal people to get an idea of their amazing culture. Though most of the people here are Christians, they still cling on to some of the traditional practices. Other places of interest include Lankham and Molung. According to folk belief, the souls rest in Molung on their way to heaven. Longkhum offers excellent views in summer when the narrow roads get covered with bright Rhododendrons.

3.Dzouku Valley, Nagaland:

If you are zealous about natural beauty and passionate about trekking, Dzouku Valley in Nagaland should be the summer location to visit. Located at an elevation of 2438m, it is a trekkers’ paradise. Summer embellishes the valley with a wide variety of bright flowers and this is why the valley is also called “Valley of Flowers of the North-East”.

4.Majuli, Assam:

Located just 200km east of Guawahati, Majuli is an awesome location for vacationing. You can take a ferry from Jorhat to reach this river island. The windblown rice fields add to the beauty of this spectacular location in Assam. Check out the rich collection of dresses, maks and jewelleries used in traditional dramas while you are in Majuli. 

5.Ziro, Arunachal Pradesh:

The stunning natural beauty of the location has earned Ziro the title of a World Heritage site. Tucked at an altitude of 1500 meters above sea level, the plateau is spectacular with mountains surrounding it. The pine trees standing together in large numbers, the flourishing paddy fields, burbling streams and the rice fields make Ziro all the more beautiful. Looking at the never-ending stretches of greenery seeming to touch the horizon will enmesh you with an enchanting feeling. Visit the location at any time between April and June as the temperature doesn’t go above 30 degrees. 

Reach out to a reputed travel company to avail one of the most popular summer tour packages in India covering some of the above mentioned location in the Northeast.

A Traveller’s Guide to Festivals in North-East India

The culture of the North eastern part of India is still a mystery to a lot of people. They have a unique culture which sees the celebration of many festivals. Through North East India holiday packages one can observe how vibrant these festivals are. Here are some festivals that are celebrated in the North-East.

Most Famous Festivals in North East India

Losar, Arunachal Pradesh

This heralds the commencement of the Tibetan New Year every year on February 11. Many of the festivals revolve around agriculture and Losar is no different. Tradition has it that sprouted barley seeds and tons of tsampa (roasted barley flour and butter) and other grains act as offerings to bring about proper harvest. The second day known as Gyalpo Losar, the leaders of various communities in Arunachal Pradesh are paid tributes. On the last day, named Choe-Kyong Losar people pay obeisance to the high priest, Dharmapala. More often than not the festival goes on for more than 10 to 15 days.

Saga Dawa, Sikkim

This is one of the popular Buddhist festivals in Sikkim and according to astrological calculations it sees celebration in the Tibetan lunar month, sometime between May and June. It is celebrated on a full moon day. Month of Merits is a sobriquet of this festival. The Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and death are honoured here. According to tradition lots of people come together in monasteries and give water, incense and dhog.
 

Hornbill Festival, Nagaland

This is the biggest festival in Nagaland and is named after a bird. Agriculture plays a major role in this festival. Any viewer will be quite taken by the colour and vibrancy seen. Wooden drums shaped like logs played by a group known as warrior log drums is a regular feature here. The colour-filled headgear and war cries are more attractions. The festive atmosphere is further aided by pork eating contests and the Kohima Night Bazaar.

Nongkrem Dance Festival, Meghalaya

This is another harvest festival. November is the month which this festival is celebrated in. It is the people of the Khasi tribe that bring this joyous affair to life. According to their traditions they sacrifice goats in homage to the Goddess Ka Blei Synshar. Going on for more than five days young man and women attired in their traditional costume, celebrate by performing a tribal dance. The venue for the festival is Smit, about 15 kilometres away from Shillong.

Bihu Festival

The most popular festival in Assam, ushers in the Assamese New Year. The celebration begins on April 14 every year. In keeping with the spirit of joy the festival goes on for than a month. The actual celebration lasts for 7 days. The first day sees cows and bulls given a bath and then fed. The second day is the most important as people meet each other and give their relatives Gamosa( handmade cotton towels). After that is time for the main celebration-the Bihu dance.

Clearly the North-East is one of the most vibrant places in India, so make this your next holiday destination.North-East India has a plethora of festivals in all its seven states. Go through this article to see how they are celebrated.