The Spectacular Seven Sisters - Backpacking Destinations in North Eastern India

You would have often come across bucket lists that say, “Things to do when you are 20” and “Places to visit before turning 30”. It doesn’t mean that you will find a board saying “Turn back if you are 40”. When it comes to backpacking to the sweet Seven Sisters of incredible India, you need not hold any such apprehensions as the sheer beauty of breathtaking landscapes will be a promising feast for the senses.

North East India is a cluster of seven sister states and a dear brother! Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura are the contiguous sister states with their only brother Sikkim who doesn’t share a border with them. You will not want to miss the diverse culture of the people while experiencing landscapes and incredible wildlife. Let’s see what this extensive landscape of the North Eastern Region (NER) of India holds for you. This will help either to shortlist the exclusive backpacking destinations that fit into your schedule or to plan an extended holiday.

        Assam

• Guwahati is the gateway to North-East India and most likely, you will kick-start your journey from here. In Assam, do not miss the Kamakhaya temple in Guwahati and the Kaziranga National Park. Planning a river cruise on the mighty Brahmaputra to cover the Kaziranga along with river islands and tea gardens will be lovely too.
  
  Manipur
• You will find the world’s only floating park, Keibul Lamjao National Park in Manipur, and no wonder it is called, the jewel of Northeast. You would love to take a boat ride in the Loktak Lake.
  
  Meghalaya
• Meghalaya, the ‘abode of clouds’ is serene and tranquil. You cannot afford to miss the living root bridges in Cherrapunjee and the Laitlum Canyon, Nohkalikai Falls embraced by the green forests. The lakes and dams near Shillong are popular water sports destinations. Do not miss the Umiam Lake.
  
  Arunachal Pradesh
• The Ziro Valley in the wild east borders in Arunachal Pradesh has nothing less to offer you. You will spot diverse wildlife at Pakhui Wildlife Sanctuary, say, Himalayan Black Bear, Clouded Leopard, Snow Leopard, and Bengal Tiger. In addition, you could pay a spiritual visit to India’s largest monastery, the Bomdila monastery in Tawang. 
  
  Nagaland & Tripura
• It will be an amazing mix of people and places when you visit the pristine mountains and exotic valleys of Mizoram and the tribes of Nagaland. Adventure enthusiasts will love trekking and boating alongside visiting monasteries and palaces in Tripura.
  
  Sikkim
• India’s highest mountain peak, Kangchenjunga in Sikkim is the first mixed heritage site of India. Snowfall can be experienced during the shoulder season (Oct to Feb). Irrespective of the state, you are going to cover, do a winter backpacking and care for winter skin.

From the river islands to the amazing flora and fauna to the smiling tribes, North East India is an awesome backpack destination! It will be no wonder if you come back unrevealing some simple secrets of a beautiful life and your dreams dwell around more such journeys.