Where to Travel in NORTH INDIA 

Darjeeling and the north-eastern states of India are one of the least explored regions in the Subcontinent. Much of the northern part of this region is blessed with an enchanting landscape shaped by towering snow-capped mountains and lush green valleys interwoven with icy blue rivers and Buddhist monasteries that are picturesquely set in the shadows of the Himalaya. Cradled between Bhutan and Nepal, Darjeeling is famed for its tea and offers beautiful mountain vistas as well as the chance to re-live the gracious colonial lifestyle of planters and an opportunity to ride on the UNESCO World Heritage listed Darjeeling Himalayan Railway – one of the great rail journeys in India. Further north, in the former princely state of Sikkim it is possible to enjoy spectacular village walks through terraced rice fields, rhododendron and magnolia forests and attend early morning prayers at the sacred Rinchenpong monastery whilst staying in charming village houses. To the southeast, Assam occupies the low-lying Brahmaputra valley and acts as a gateway to the other north-eastern states. Here, enjoy an elephant-back ride inside Kaziranga National Park and search of the endangered one-horned rhinoceros, before embarking on a relaxing Brahmaputra cruise to discover ancient temples and ruined palaces of Ahom Kings. Bordering Tibet, Arunachal Pradesh is locally referred to as the land of the rising sun and is famous for its picturesque unexplored valleys, indigenous tribes including the Apatani Tribal women, and the magnificent 17th century Tawang monastery. On India’s border with Burma, Nagaland is home to 16 distinct tribal groups.  A visit to the colourful annual Hornbill festival offers a wonderful window into the rich culture and unique traditions of the region as well as the chance to meet with the Konyak tribal warriors, the last surviving headhunters of North East India. Kohima, Nagaland’s state capital and nearby Imphal in Manipur, were sites of fierce battles during WW II.