'Mountains are calling and I must go' has often led most of us to the hill stations in the north Indian destinations of Himachal, Uttarakhand, Ladakh, and Jammu & Kashmir. But the truth is that most hill stations in the north have already been trampled upon by a huge year-round tourist influx. No matter how thorough your internet research is, you may end up travelling to quite a crowded place, where peace and tranquility could be hard to find.
And that's why we recommend you to shift your focus to the equally breathtaking northeastern destinations of India, which have surprisingly often remained in the shadow of their Himalayan cousins in the north. So, check out this list of eight lesser known destinations of the Northeast that are far from their most overcrowded counterparts in the north.
Located in Nagaland, Touphema is one of the most significant heritage villages and wonderful examples of the local Naga traditions. With cabins and rooms resembling traditional huts, this village is a perfect offbeat paradise for tourists in the Northeast and gives you an opportunity to experience the tribal culture, which has managed to live through centuries.
You can stay in those cosy huts, enjoy bonfires with local cultural dancers, bask in the rustic charm of the place, and relish the Naga dishes with homemade rice beer.
Best way to reach:
Dimapur is just around 95 km from Touphema. You can reach Dimapur by train or by air and then travel to the village in a taxi or bus via Kohima.
About 178 km from Agartala, Unakoti Hills is another offbeat place for travellers who are looking to explore natural beauty. Also known as Unakoti’s ‘Lost Hill of Faces’, it's an ancient Hindu pilgrimage site and home to gigantic sculptures of Hindi deities that have been carved out of the hills which are believed to be over 1,200 years old. This place is also famous among tourists as the Machu Picchu of India.
Besides these historic structures, Unakoti Hills also boast of incredible natural beauty, including gushing waterfalls, free-flowing streams, and lush green forests. Being one of the lesser known places in Northeast, Unakoti promises to reward the visitors with some really memorable experiences.
Best way to reach:
The nearest railway station is in Kumarghat, which is 26 kms from Kailashahar. Kailashahar, the district headquarters of Unnakoti Hills, is well connected by frequent bus services with Agartala and other cities like Guwahati, Shillong, and Silchar. You can either take a bus, hire a taxi, or get aboard a shared jeep.
Named after the wife of Assam Governor during British rule, Lady Hydari Park is an iconic Japanese-styled garden in the heart of Shillong city. With numerous willow trees, small ponds, manicured lawns, and beautifully designed hedges surrounding the paved walkways, it's just the kind of place that lets you and your dear ones enjoy a few moments of peace away from crowd in the Northeast.
Being the only such place in Shillong, this park is also considered as the best site for families travelling with children.
Best way to reach:
You can travel to Guwahati which has both an airport and a railway station. It is only around 98 kms from Shillong. From Guwahati, you can take a bus to Shillong or hire a taxi to reach Lake Hydari Park.
The tiny hamlet named Dirang sits cosily in the western part of Arunachal Pradesh half of which is located on the banks of the pristine River Kameng. Sitting at around 4,900 feet above sea level, this paradisiacal land is a combination of stunning landscape, intriguing culture, delicious local food, and amazingly pleasant weather. Also, an uphill trek from Dirang village leads to the ancient Khastung Gompa, a major Buddhist monastery.
Best way to reach:
Dirang is about 190 km from the Tezpur rail link and 340 km from the airport in Guwahati. From there, bus services and taxis to Dirang are easily available.
What's more unique than travelling to a village that has one foot in India and another in Myanmar? The locals here hold dual citizenship. Adorned by four beautiful rivers, Hong Kong market, Shilloi Lake, Nagaland Science Centre, and many other tourist attractions, Longwa is the perfect place for someone who loves all the things of beauty, natural or artificial. No wonder we couldn't exclude Longwa village of Mon district in Nagaland from this list.
Best way to reach:
Nearest major rail and airport links are at Jorhat and Bhoju, respectively. You can take a bus via Sonari to Mon (65 km), or hire a taxi.
Located in the stunning Mechuka valley, Mechuka village is a quaint little hill town surrounded by thick cover of lush green pine forests in Arunachal Pradesh at an altitude of around 6,000 feet. Despite its proximity to the Indo-China border, the gorgeous Mechuka village is just the right kind of match for nature-loving travellers. River Syom that flows right through this village is also believed by the locals to have great medicinal value.
Best way to reach:
The railway station in Dibrugarh and the airport in Jorhat are approximately 430 km and 555 km from Mechuka village, respectively. The rest of the journey to Mechuka can only be covered by road in shared jeeps or taxis via Along.
The hidden Madhuri Lake in Tawang, also known as Sangestar Tso, is one of the highest and most beautiful lakes in the northeastern India. Situated at an altitude of more than 15,000 feet, the lake was created by flash floods due to a powerful earthquake that struck the region in 1950. With several uprooted trees in the water, this lake is spectacularly scenic, quiet, and will leave will in an awe of this lesser travelled place in Northeast India.
Best way to reach:
Reach Guwahati and then head to Tezpur from where Madhuri lake is just around 180 km which can only be travelled by road. You can either take a taxi or shared jeep to Tawang. It's recommended that you break your journey down with halts at Tezpur if you are travelling from Guwahati.
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