Five Reasons to Explore the Northeast of India

Most people traveling to India choose destinations such as Rajasthan, Goa, Kerala or Ladakh. However, the less known sub-states are also unique. Northeast India is, for example, an extraordinary area with a mixture of tribes, cultures and beautiful landscapes. There are only a few thousand Westerners per year travelling and this makes Northeast India a dream destination for every adventurous traveller. Are you still in doubt? These are five reasons why Northeast India belongs on your travel wish list.

1. You can discover wild tigers and elephants

One of the highlights of the journey through Northeast India is the Kaziranga National Park. The savannah landscape is reminiscent of the Serengeti in Tanzania, but also has beautiful wetlands. In this park you can observe many animals: deer, buffalo, elephant, leopard, rhinoceros and even tiger. The Indian horned rhinoceros is the pride of the park.

The animal was threatened with extinction, but the rhinoceros population is now growing happily ever again. Looking for something more intense? Then head down to the Namdapha National Park, where you will be able to explore a tiger during a safari. A third option is the UNESCO Tiger Reserve, Manas National Park. This national park is the home of many endangered animal species such as the Assam Turtle or the Goldlangur.

2. The untouched nature is breathtakingly beautiful in Northeast India

The sparsely populated state of Arunachal Pradesh consists of 80% forest. This provides a green landscape as far as the eye can see. Through the mountain valleys, many wild rivers, including the Brahmaputra, originate in Tibet. After the river leaves the Himalayas, it flows through a wide plain surrounded by hills and the tropical jungle. In Arunachal Pradesh you will find many different plants and animals, including five hundred species of orchids, rhinoceros, small pandas, fogspars, snow leopards and tigers. In the north the mountains are getting higher and higher. A long series of snowy mountains from six to seven thousand meters high marks the Himalayas and the border with Tibet.

3. Encounters with traditional tribes

In Arunachal Pradesh live less than 26 tribes, each with its own customs and languages. Most tribes are followers of Donyi Polo, the god of the sun and the moon. If you travel through this area, you will regularly drive through villages with bamboo huts on stilts. All tribes build their houses in the same way, but through subtle differences you recognise the trunk. In Nagaland, there are different peoples, for example the Konyak and the Ao. They have now converted to Christianity, but are still very proud of their original culture. At the beginning of December, the 10-day Hornbill Festival takes place - lots of traditional singing and dancing. Between February and April, many local festivals are also worth a visit.

4. The fertile tea area of ​​Assam

The easternmost city of India is Dibrugarh in the state of Assam and is located between the tea plantations on the south bank of the Brahmaputra. Assam tea is world-renowned and is still the mainstay of the economy. You can stay in Chang Bungalows built on stilts, which are over 150 years old; built entirely of wood. The interior is stylish and the inside and outside blended seamlessly into each other. Many types of excursions are possible in this area, such as a visit to a tea factory, a weaving mill or a Hindu temple. You can also visit various village markets and discover a nearby national park. Do you like riding? Then you can go on a well-trained English thoroughbred.

5. Cruise on the river Brahmaputra

In Northeast India you can make a wonderful multi-day cruise on the wild river Brahmaputra. Relax on the sun deck of the boat and enjoy life along the water. From the boat you can watch countless birds and with a little luck you can even see a dolphin. A lot of attention was paid to the ecological aspects of the boat. The outer walls of the boat consist of pressed bamboo, waste is never overboard and waste water is cleaned. After three days on the boat you reach the Orang National Park, which is worth a visit due to the alternation of water, meadows and open forests. The park is rich in birds, monkeys and elephants. You can also discover Gaur, Indian bison.

The original article was published on Fairaway.

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