That hit me when I left Northeast. Stepping away made me crave for it. And suddenly, I missed the hills, the spicy food, the sound of rain on tin roofs, dew drops on Kosur Paat (Taro Leaf), morning tea on the verandah with sounds of Haliki Sorai (Love Bird) and so much more! I started noticing what I’d ignored - the little things, like how the air smells after a storm or how every village has its own story. 
Assam’s my roots, sure, but the whole Northeast started calling me back. It’s not just one place; it’s a bunch of worlds smashed together (oh, that reminds of my favourite Aloo Pitika) - quiet rivers in Meghalaya, green tea gardens in Assam, bamboo houses in Nagaland, snowy peaks in Arunachal, floating islands in Manipur, rocky hills in Mizoram, golden palaces in Tripura, monasteries in Sikkim. I’d been blind to it as a kid, too busy chasing whatever kids chase, but now? I can’t stop thinking about it.
This blog’s my way of going back, not just to Assam, the entire Northeast. I want to share the Northeast I missed out on, the stuff I wish I’d seen sooner. The funny part? I grew up surrounded by this magic and didn’t even know it, perhaps never valued it. Now I do, and I’m here to tell you why it’s worth a look, maybe a visit too.

ASSAM

As we are talking about Assam, let’s start with the tea gardens! Places like Jorhat and Dibrugarh, where you can walk through rows of tea bushes, sip a fresh cup on an old-school verandah, and feel the wind.  
The Brahmaputra River’s a must see, hop on a wooden ferry in Guwahati for a slow ride, watching fishermen toss nets as the sun sets, turning the sky orange and water gold. 

Don't forget to visit the Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati, an old, holy spot where people pray to Goddess Kamakhya. They say it’s built where a piece of her fell long ago, making it sacred and full of mystery. Along with that, stop by Tezpur too (often referred to as “City of Eternal Love”), at least once, to see the old ruins at Agnigarh Hill, tied to a love story of Princess Usha, and sit by the river parks enjoying the moment of peace. 

Do you love wildlife? Then Kaziranga National Park, for sure. Take a jeep safari to spot one-horned rhinos and tigers, a thrill that might feel like it is straight out of a storybook. Then there’s Majuli, the world’s biggest river island. Take the ferry to Majuli, rent a bike, go through bamboo huts and monasteries, and catch sunsets. 

In case you are visiting in the month of April then do not miss the Bihu festival and Bihu dance. It is the biggest festival in Assam that celebrates the seasons and farming. It’s all about joy, dancing, and thanking nature for good crops, with people coming together to sing, eat, and have fun. Stay from 14th April to 16th April to witness this beautiful occasion, and dance with the Husori, eat Jolpaan, and different types of Pitha and many more! 

Now, coming to food, it is a big deal in the state. Try the spicy Bhut Jolokia (ghost chilli) chicken or creamy Aloo Pitika (mashed potatoes) at a local hotel in Guwahati. Visit Sivasagar for history - old palaces and temples like Rang Ghar and learn the mind blowing stories behind them. Assam simply feels so homely, not just for locals coming back, but for visitors too, with its warm tea, friendly smiles, and the simplicity. For your trip to Assam, there are platforms like Bag2Bag that will help you find the best hotels in Guwahati without having to worry about anything but the places to explore, food to eat and activities to do. Visit Assam at least once and see how special it really is. 

NAGALAND 

Nagaland is a hilly place that feels old and special. When talking about Nagaland, we definitely need to talk about the bamboo houses on foggy hills, reminding you of quiet, old times when people sat by fires and told stories. Nagaland and its folklore are a thing to listen to where some might leave you speechless and blow your mind, and some might make you cry. 
Let’s start from Kohima, the capital. You can visit the Kohima War Cemetery, where stones tell about a big war long ago, and the hill views are amazing. 

After a day out, it’s nice to come back to a nice and clean place to rest. And for that there is a resort in Kohima, which is a great place to spend your time, that too in the resort’s spacious balcony with amazing mountain views. 

You can also go for a trek to the Dzukou Valley, which is like Heaven on Earth. All your efforts to reach the top of Dzukou Valley feel absolutely worthy as soon as you get to see the view from the top - green hills with pretty flowers, and then you sleep under the stars in a tent. Sounds mesmerising? It’s best to experience it on your own. 

In Dimapur, check out the Kachari Ruins, old broken stones from a lost kingdom, good for a walk. And do visit Kisama in December (1st to 10th) for the Hornbill Festival, where different Naga tribes do traditional dances in their traditional clothes, play old games like bamboo stilt races, and cook smoky meat with Zutho (local rice beer). You’ll see handloom and handicraft stalls with woven shawls and many more.

Hornbill is a festival you would want to witness at least once which showcases the rich traditions and diversity of the Naga tribes through music, dance, and more. Head to Mokokchung, climb Japfu Peak and enjoy foggy mornings. Festivals, music, traditional attire, food, folklore - these are the few things that I think of whenever I think of Nagaland. Might as well wanna experience it?

MEGHALAYA

Megalaya might just sound like a dream (not going to lie), and time slows down there. Meghalaya to me is a place that feels like a countryside setting from the West, where people go for drives while listening to old country songs. 

You can visit Shillong and walk around Ward’s Lake or just paddle a boat. Then comes Cherrapunjee (one of the wettest places on Earth), see Nohkalikai Falls crash down a green cliff or go hiking to the famous living root bridges, constructed by Khasi tribes long ago, which is no less than nature’s art. 

How can I not mention the Elephant Falls? Go and drench yourself there or just listen to the water. Sounds like a picnic place from a movie? Why not try it out for real, then? 

Talking about everything else, I have to mention Laitlum, a spot near Shillong. To reach there, simply drive through the green hills and valleys, where clouds roll, and to give you a visual representation of it, let me just put in a dialogue here: “Imagine a kingdom... The water flows. The grass is high... Someday, we'll go... Milele” (movie: Mufasa, the loin king). 
Meghalaya’s all about the transparent rivers, rainy days, country songs, hills with clouds and many more. One small paragraph won’t be enough to talk about the beauty of Meghalaya. Instead, you can just go and live the moment there.

ARUNACHAL PRADESH 

Arunachal is a place that feels so old and special. Okay, so, just think of snowy mountains that make your heart feel full of monasteries with monks singing or foggy hills that remind you of grandma’s tales or green valleys like the one mentioned in story books or warm tea and maggie in the cold air or hot springs or little shops with cozy shawls…
Okay stop! Come back and now let me tell you that these are not just in your imagination, but that’s Arunachal Pradesh. You can start by going to Tawang and witnessing the big Tawang Monastery, all gold and pretty, where monks sing prayers. You can also take a drive to Sela Pass, it’s cold and snowy, where you can walk through small shops, and drink tea while fog comes in. 

Talking about Arunachal, Ziro Valley is a must visit place that has green fields and wooden houses and you can eat Apatani food there, like rice with smoky meat. You can also try Pakke Tiger Reserve, take a jeep ride to see tigers or big birds and trust me, it’ll feel as exciting as those happy kid days you still remember. 
So, if I have to describe Arunachal Pradesh in just three words, I would say: Green, peaceful and welcoming.

MANIPUR

To talk about Manipur, let us start with Loktak Lake, Manipur’s shining star! You can take a boat ride through floating islands called ‘phumdis’, so calm and pretty, with water sparkling under the Sun. 

In Imphal, check out Kangla Fort, an old spot where stones hold stories of kings and go for a walk listening and discussing these stories. 

After this comes the Ima Keithel’s which is a must-see, a market run by women, packed with bright shawls, dried fish, and spicy snacks. You just pick up a small bag and roam around shopping. Don’t forget to head to Ukhrul to sip hot, delicious tea and see pink Shirui Lilies, so rare that they feel like a secret gift from the hills. 
Coming to food, you can try smoky Chagem Pomba or spicy Eromba at a local stall in Imphal, warm and tasty like a home-cooked meal. Now, let’s go to the adventure part, and for that, you can take a short walk in Dzukou Valley which literally feels like Heaven on Earth. 
Wildlife fans should visit ‘Keibul Lamjao National Park’, spot Sangai deer leaping like dancers, stop by Bishnupur to see Rasmanjari temple, a small red shrine, holy and peaceful and many more. 
If visiting in November, don’t miss the Sangai Festival, from the 21st to the 30th, which is Manipur’s biggest party; full of music, dance, and black rice kheer, where everyone sings, eats, and laughs together. 

So, if you are there for that month, then just stay for a few more days, and catch the best dances, try Chak-hao Kheer, and join the fun! 
Lastly, there is Moirang to visit for the INA Museum, where old photos and stories of freedom fighters are stored to celebrate their bravery and sacrifice. With this, the topic about Manipur ends, but not the beauty of the place and the things to do there. 
Only if I could include each and everything in this blog! But, I might just leave it to you with a few of my descriptions to be added with a few of yours.

MIZORAM

Mizoram is a beautiful place with hills, full of peace and charm. And spots like the Solomon’s Temple (a big white church), Reiek village ( scenic green hills) are definitely going to pull you in. There, you can also climb the Reiek Tlang for a wide view of the trees and sky. In Champhai, sip tea by Rih Dil Lake which is a heart-shaped spot that feels special. You can also check out Vangchhia’s stone graves, carved long ago with warrior stories. 

Other than all these, there is one more topic to talk about, when in Mizoram is their food. You can try Bai, a warm veggie stew, or spicy pork at an Aizawl stall, like a home-cooked dish. 
And then, there is Bara Bazar in Durtlang, which is filled with bamboo baskets and fresh fruits. Just buy some grapes and explore the market. After this, you can also trek a little in Phawngpui, where the hills bloom with flowers, or visit ‘Dampa Tiger Reserve’ to get a glimpse of deer. 

You must come in the month of December, when the Chapchar Kut festival lights up, from the 5th to 7th. Bamboo dances, songs fill up the atmosphere, and rice cakes pass hand to hand with smiles. And after all these, you cannot afford to lose the big dance, which is on the 6th, to sip Zu tea under the stars.
There is so much to do in Mizoram, and trust me on this when I say you are going to cherish every moment.

TRIPURA

Tripura is a land of beautiful hills, yet not known to many. Agartala welcomes you with its beautiful Ujjayanta Palace, white and grand, its gardens green and still. You know those places that just feel like a story? That’s Tripura. 

You can go to ‘Unakoti’, then Melaghar, to row a boat on Neermahal Lake, where a white palace floats, pretty as a dream. Other than these, you can climb Jampui Hills to pick oranges and explore valleys below. 
And then comes the food like ‘Mui Borok’ (a fish curry with spice), or rice with bamboo shoots at an Agartala stall or go to Dumboor Lake or visit Tripura Sundari Temple in Udaipur and many more! 
In October, the ‘Diwali Mela’ glows from the 27th to 29th, and one can witness the bright lights, dances, and roshogolla sweets. In order to experience this crazy Diwali mela. Tripura’s not just a place you visit, it’s a place that you can never forget. 

SIKKIM 

Last but not least, we have Sikkim, known as the brother of the Northeast. Sikkim feels like a world of its own. I think of snowy peaks shining in the sun, prayer flags fluttering gently outside old monasteries, roads that seem to go on forever, and the smell of momos and thukpa, etc whenever I think of Sikkim. 
Let’s start with  MG Marg, the centre of the town, which is always lively with shops, cafés, and soft lights in the evening. You can walk there with a warm cup of coffee and watch the hills slowly disappear into dusk. A trip to Tsomgo Lake is worth it too, as the water is cold and blue, surrounded by snow. You can even ride a yak there just for fun. In Pelling, there is the old Pemayangtse Monastery with prayer flags fluttering in the wind.

And the food here is just simple and comforting. Steaming momos, hot thukpa, things that you would crave for in a cold weather. Then comes Lal Bazaar in Gangtok, there you will find wool scarves, dried mushrooms, and many other stuff. In May, the Saga Dawa festival fills the air with chants and colour from the 12th to the 14th. The big procession on the thirteenth is something to see. People walk, laugh, sip butter tea and eat sel roti.
There is so much more, but it would go on and on. So why don’t you go and see it for yourself with a cozy stay from hotels in Sikkim?

CONCLUSION

And just like that, we come to the end of this little journey across the Northeast. I know I’ve shared a lot, but it still didn’t cover everything, as Northeast has so much that just one blog is not enough to show or talk about everything that you experience, do and feel when you visit the Seven Sisters. The truth is, the Northeast isn’t just a place. It’s a feeling. It’s the smell of the Earth after rain. It’s the sound of slippers on an old wooden floor. It’s grandma’s food, a cousin’s laughter, the calm of mountains at dawn. It’s the teacup that brings everyone together.  It’s childhood in the air.
If you've grown up here, you might or might not always realise how special it all is until you see it through someone else's eyes or hear a story that reminds you of home. And if you’ve never been, well, maybe it’s time. Come for the food, the people, the stories, the calmness. Come because sometimes, we all need a place that feels like home, even if we’ve never been there before.
Thanks for walking with me through these hills and memories. I hope someday you’ll walk them for real. The Northeast will be waiting, just as quiet, just as kind.