8 Scenic Countryside Escapes In The Northeast

Kaziranga National Park, Assam

Tucked away snugly in the heart of Assam, the Kaziranga National Park is one of the last areas in this part of India, where you won’t find thronging crowds. Here, you will be deliriously overjoyed to discover one of those famous places that is inhabited by the world’s largest population of one-horned rhinoceroses, as well as many mammals, including elephants, tigers, panthers, and a great many species of birds.

Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh

Take a deep breath and take in the picturesque views of Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh that still remain less visited. Interestingly, there aren’t as many footfalls here as there should have been, and one of the reasons for this could be that to enter Tawang, Indian visitors also require a special Inner Line Permit. All said and done, Tawang should feature on your bucket-list as a must-see for the devastatingly beautiful sights and sheer allure it offers. Every effort you make is worth it, and will be evident as you start approaching this enchanting destination. Hey, but make sure you plan your itinerary wisely, so that you don’t miss out any of Tawang’s incredibly picturesque locations.

Cherrapunji and Mawsynram, Meghalaya

Cherrapunji and Mawsynram enjoy the reputation of being the wettest places on earth and are located at a distance of approximately 80 km apart. Records are proof that both the regions receive more than 450 inches of rain every year and are abundantly blessed with mesmeric panoramic views and scenic allure that will captivate your senses at first sight. More significantly, the hills here offer a number of trekking routes too.

Majuli, Assam

This island located on the Brahmaputra River, boasts unmatched beauty and is accessible via ferry boat from Jorhat, Assam. Although an island of nonpareil scenic allure, it is continuously shrinking, owing to copious discharge of sediment. To explore this picturesque place, you can either book a motorised private boat or set off in a ferry with the local inhabitants. Despite and inspite of its quaint, romantic beauty and oodles of otherworldly charm, Majuli, by and large, doesn’t receive a lot of tourist traffic, and so you can expect limited holidayers on the island most of the time.

Shillong, Meghalaya

Shillong is a ravishing beauty in North East India and is especially famed for its stillness, calmness, quietude and serene environs to its visitors. It is fondly known by the epithet ‘Scotland of the East,’ and it’s one of the most sought-after tourist destinations in India with impressively high footfalls in peak season. So, if you seek a peaceful vacation and detox, this is the perfect vacation destination for you. If you happen to be in Guwahati, you can either hire a cab or board a bus; you will always treasure special moments and memories of your ride from Guwahati to Shillong amid hairpin bends, serpentine roads and fascinating landscapes.

Kohima, Nagaland

This magnificent region draws tourists in large numbers owing to an unhurried pace of life here and soul-drenching tranquility, offering an experience like no other. Kohima’s widely acclaimed natural beauty is a talking-point among tourists who flock this place from near and faraway lands, and spend quality time in the picturesque hills that are home to some rare bird species. Also, from its bewitching and appealing aqua-marine lakes to the somber World War II cemetery, the town comes alive with a plethora of tourist sites that are worth visiting, as well as rich tribal culture that complements Kohima’s ceaseless, bountiful beauty.

Agartala, Tripura

Agartala offers visitors the simple pleasures and joy of small-town living, and you need to visit this place not just to believe it, but experience it, first-hand. This capital city is renowned for its magnificent temples and palaces that showcase a rich heritage and resplendent history. Agartala, quite simply, takes quiet pride in its indigenous hand-woven textiles and bamboo handicrafts. A word of advice: don’t leave Agartala without gorging on its scrumptious local cuisine.

Manipur

Proudly earning the sobriquet the ‘Switzerland of India,’ Manipur nestles snugly in the deep corner of the northeast part of India. The region is famed for its fascinating wildlife, mesmerizing landscapes, floating islands and warm, friendly and affable locals. At first sight, a tourist can’t help but fall head over heels in love with magnificent Manipur. Spread-eagled elegantly, Manipur is geographically enveloped by Nagaland in the north, Assam in the west, and Mizoram in the south; it shares a common international border with Burma in the east.