Things to do in Northeast India
Jeep safaris among Kaziranga's rhinos, the Hornbill Festival, root bridge treks, Siang rafting and Apatani village walks — 42 experiences we can add to any tour.
Activities in Assam
Wildlife Safari · EasyKaziranga Jeep & Elephant SafariTrack rhinos, wild buffalo and elephants through Kaziranga's grasslands by open jeep at dawn or afternoon.
River Cruise · EasyBrahmaputra River CruiseSunset cruises at Guwahati or multi-day river voyages on one of the world's great rivers.
Tea Experience · EasyTea Garden Stay & TastingSleep in a heritage planter's bungalow, walk the gardens and taste fresh Assam tea at the source.
Culture & Craft · EasyMajuli Satras & Mask-MakingVisit Vaishnavite monasteries, watch Sattriya dance and learn the art of Bhaona masks.
Festival & Culture · EasyBihu Dance & Cultural EveningExperience Assam's joyful folk dance, music and costumes, live in April or at a cultural evening.
Birdwatching · EasyBirdwatching in AssamFrom Bengal floricans to greater adjutants and white-winged wood ducks — over 900 species across Assam.
Craft · EasySualkuchi Silk Weaving VisitSee golden muga and pat silk woven on handlooms in Assam's famous weaving village.
Rafting · EasyJia Bhoreli River RaftingA gentle 13–14 km float through Nameri's forests with birds, otters and maybe elephants.
Food · EasyAssamese Cuisine ExperienceCook and taste masor tenga, duck curry, pitha and more with a local family.
Wildlife · EasyRiver Dolphin SpottingLook for the endangered Ganges river dolphin — Assam's state aquatic animal — from a quiet boat.
Activities in Arunachal Pradesh
Culture & Spirituality · EasyMonastery Visits in Tawang & West KamengJoin morning prayers, explore monastic museums and visit the birthplace of the Sixth Dalai Lama.
Road Trip · ModerateHigh-Altitude Drives & PassesCross 4,000 m passes, frozen lakes and war memorials on Arunachal's spectacular mountain roads.
Music Festival · EasyZiro Festival of MusicIndia's most loved outdoor indie music festival, held in Ziro's rice fields every late September.
Culture · EasyApatani Village Walk, ZiroWalk through Hong, Hija and Bulla villages with an Apatani guide to learn about rice-fish farming and traditions.
Trekking · ModerateTrekking in Arunachal PradeshDay hikes in Ziro and Mechuka to multi-day treks past high lakes around Tawang.
Camping · EasyCamping in Arunachal PradeshRiverside and valley camps under star-filled skies in Mechuka, Ziro and the Siang valley.
Rafting · ChallengingSiang River RaftingExpedition-grade white water on the upper Brahmaputra, through remote gorges to Pasighat.
Angling · ModerateAngling for Golden MahseerCatch-and-release fishing for the legendary golden mahseer on the Kameng and other rivers.
Birdwatching · ModerateEaglenest BirdwatchingOne of Asia's top birding sites, home of the Bugun liocichla discovered in 2006.
Snow · ModerateWinter Snow TripsSnowfields at Sela Pass, frozen lakes around Tawang and fresh snow at Mayudia above Roing.
Wellness · EasyDirang Hot SpringsSoak in natural sulphur springs beside the Dirang river on the road to Tawang.
Festival · EasyTribal Festivals: Losar, Torgya & SolungTime your trip for masked cham dances at Tawang or the Adi harvest celebrations of Solung.
Activities in Meghalaya
Trekking · ModerateLiving Root Bridge TrekDescend 3,500 steps to Nongriat's double-decker bridge, or take the easy walk to Riwai near Mawlynnong.
Water Sports · EasyUmngot River Boating & KayakingGlide over glass-clear water at Dawki and Shnongpdeng in wooden boats or kayaks.
Caving · ModerateCaving in MeghalayaFrom easy show caves at Mawsmai to serious expeditions in India's longest cave systems.
Adventure · ModerateCliff Jumping & Camping at ShnongpdengRiverside tents, snorkelling and leaps into the clear green Umngot at Shnongpdeng.
Adventure · EasyZiplining at Mawkdok Dympep ValleyFly across a deep green valley on the Shillong–Sohra road on one of Northeast India's longest ziplines.
Homestay · EasyKhasi Village HomestaysLive with Khasi families in Mawlynnong, Nongriat or Sohra and experience everyday village life.
Food · EasyKhasi Food Trail, ShillongTaste jadoh, doh khlieh, tungrymbai and pumaloi in Shillong's local eateries and markets.
Festival · EasyShillong Cherry Blossom FestivalNovember's pink Himalayan cherry trees, concerts and culture in Shillong.
Viewpoint · EasySunrise at Laitlum CanyonsWatch mist fill the gorges below the 'end of the hills' as the sun rises over Meghalaya.
Trekking · ModerateDavid Scott Trail TrekA historic 19th-century bridle path from Mawphlang through valleys, villages and rivers.
Activities in Nagaland
Festival · EasyHornbill FestivalTen days of Naga dance, song, games, crafts and food at Kisama, every 1–10 December.
Trekking · ModerateDzukou Valley Trek & CampingHike to Nagaland's famous meadow valley at 2,450 m and camp beside its meandering streams.
Culture · EasyNaga Tribal Village VisitsExplore Khonoma, Kigwema, Touphema and Ungma with local hosts to understand Naga life.
Culture · ModerateKonyak Heritage Tour, MonMeet the last tattooed Konyak elders and visit Angh's houses in Mon and Longwa.
Food · EasyNaga Cuisine TrailSmoked pork, axone, bamboo shoot and the fiery king chilli — taste Nagaland's bold flavours.
Birdwatching · EasyAmur Falcon Watching at DoyangWitness one of the world's great raptor migrations over Doyang reservoir, late October–early November.
History · EasyKohima WWII History WalkWalk the battlefields of 1944 — the tennis court, Garrison Hill and memorials — with a local historian.
Craft · EasyNaga Handloom & Shawl WeavingWatch women weave tribe-specific shawls on back-strap loin looms and buy directly from artisans.
Trekking · ChallengingJapfu Peak TrekA pre-dawn climb to Nagaland's second-highest summit (3,048 m) for sunrise over the Naga hills.
Festival · EasyNaga Tribal Festivals: Sekrenyi, Moatsu & AoleangBeyond Hornbill: celebrate Angami Sekrenyi, Ao Moatsu or Konyak Aoleang in the villages.