Mizoram, or the land of the Mizos, is where you’ll see all stereotypes reversed, no discrimination on the basis of caste or gender, fresh invigorating mountain air, immense natural beauty and a number of joyous festivals to keep you occupied. Adventure buffs, solace seekers, culture enthusiasts and travellers in love with offbeat experiences are sure to have a memorable time in Mizoram. It is highly recommended that you visit Mizoram in spring, when the entire state celebrates the festival of Chapchar Kut. Here’s a handy itinerary to help you plan your trip in the first week of March when the festival is held.
On reaching Aizawl, head straight to Mizoram’s largest church, Solomon's Temple. The church’s architecture, the backdrop of the hills and the peaceful environs make this place one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city. Built by the religious group Kohhran Thianghlim, the structure takes inspiration from Solomon’s Temple of Jerusalem and was opened to public very recently in 2017.
In the evening, head to flea market of Bara Bazar to shop for souvenirs and handicrafts. The vibrant market is also a great place for you to understand the culture of the city, and to meet and greet locals. People from nearby villages and tribes flock to the market with their traditional wicker baskets to sell a wide range of local delights.
While you are here, don’t forget to stop at one of the many eateries to try out the authentic cuisine, comprising of Koat Pitha (fried fritters made of rice flour, jaggery and bananas), Misa Mach Poora (a shrimp preparation) and Chhum Han or Bai (made of steamed vegetables/pork and had along with rice).
Begin your day with a visit to the Mizoram State Museum to learn more about the place’s culture, life of the locals, history, traditions and more. The museum is divided into five galleries, based on textiles, ethnology, anthropology, natural history and archaeology.
Early in the afternoon, begin you excursion to the idyllic Tam Dil Lake, 85 kilometres away from Aizawl. On your way, stop at Saitual, the town closest to the lake, to learn more about Mizo life. urrounded by the hills on all sides, this reservoir lake is where you can spend hours together in the lap of nature without even realizing so. Boating and bird watching are popular activities and a day out to this lake is sure to be a relaxing one.
Spend the day participating in the celebrations of Mizoram’s harvest festival, also its most colourful one. Join in the fervour as groups from different tribes perform folk dances such as Darbu, Cheraw (using bamboo sticks) and more.
It is during the Chapchar Kut festival that you’ll see the otherwise quiet city coming alive with enthusiasm and zeal as people, clad in their traditional dresses, get together for the week-long extravaganza marking the beginning of the sowing season. A truly enriching experience, this festival gives you a chance to get up close and personal with the various traditions, rituals and art forms of Mizoram.
Early today, leave for Reiek, just about 30 kilometres away from Aizwal. Have breakfast at a local eatery in the nearby village and then get set to trek to Reiek Peak. The trek takes about 4-5 hours and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding valleys and hills all along. If it is not too cloudy or foggy, you can even spot the Bangladesh plains from the top.
Get back to your hotel in Reiek early today to relax and rejuvenate after the last two eventful days.
A 3-hour drive from Reiek will take you to the quaint village of Hmuifang, located at an elevation of 1619 metres. If you are among those travellers who would rather go off the beaten path, this hamlet is made for you. Opt for some of the many nature trails in the mountains here and you’ll be greeted with incredible views. Make sure you wear comfortable shoes, carry enough water and a light-weight backpack as some trails can be harder than the others.
In the evening, relax at your hill resort with a cup of tea as you gaze at the scenic mountains and reflect on the wonderful experiences Mizoram has blessed you with.
Drive down for another 40 kilometres (1.5 hours) to reach Thenzawl, a peaceful small town known for its serene environs. Just five kilometres from here is Mizoram’s highest uninterrupted waterfall, Vantawng Falls. The 13th highest waterfall in India, this cascading beauty attracts tourists from all over the country is the pride of the state of Mizoram.
Be prepared to be mesmerized by the waterfalls and the dense forest cover around it, which only allows you to see the falls from a slight distance. Don’t forget to click tons of beautiful shots for keeps as you visit this marvel of nature.
Today, spend some time getting to know more about the culture of this town. Head to the handloom stores to shop for handicrafts and other souvenirs, stop by at a café to taste the traditional delicacies and spend time at leisure, making friends with the local people.
In the evening, begin your journey towards Aizawl (52kilometres away) from where you can catch your flight back home.