The Hidden Gem of India – The Seven Sisters

Updated on Feb 03, 2024 | Online Indian Visa

Northeast India is a perfect escapade for anyone who is searching for mesmerizing scenic beauty, and a tranquil landscape, added with a blend of quirky markets. Although all seven sisters share a certain resemblance with one another, each one of them is unique in its own individual way. Added to it is the cultural diversity of the seven states, which is truly impeccable.

The seven neighboring states - Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur, and Meghalaya are interdependent on one another, thus giving birth to the name, “Seven Sisters of India”. This term was coined in 1972 in a radio talk show by Jyoti Prasad Saikia, a popular journalist from Tripura. She later wrote a book which she named ‘The Land of Seven Sisters’. This was thus the tale of the origin of the beloved nickname.

If you are planning a trip to the seven sisters, get ready to be spoilt for choice with an eclectic range of activities to participate in, fascinatingly beautiful places to explore, and loving people who are going to make you feel at home. While Sikkim is a rising star amongst the most favorite tourist places with the exquisite capital, Gangtok, and the ravishing Tsomgo lake, Meghalaya is a close contender with its huge offering of mesmerizing living root bridges and soothing waterfalls and caves.

You will not want to miss Arunachal Pradesh either, with its mixture of diverse wildlife parks, serene Tawang monastery, and breathtaking Nuranang falls. Well, before you pack your bags and set your feet out, let us share with you a few places in Northeast India that are sure to take your breath away!

You require India e-Tourist Visa or Indian Visa Online to witness the amazing places and experiences as a foreign tourist in India. Alternatively, you could be visiting India on an India e-Business Visa and want to do some recreation and sightseeing in India. The Indian Immigration Authority encourages visitors to India to apply for Indian Visa Online rather than visiting Indian Consulate or Indian Embassy.

Tsomgo Lake (Sikkim)

Falling amongst one of the most beautiful places to visit in northeast India, the Tsomgo Lake is situated at an altitude of 12,400 ft, thus offering an ethereally beautiful view. You will have to travel for 37 km through the winding roads of Gangtok to reach the lake that will mesmerize you with its tranquility, in the midst of surreal Himalayan peaks that encircle it.

The main source of water for the lake is the snow-clad mountains, as they melt and make their way to fill the lake to its brim. If you plan to visit Tsomgo Lake during the winter months, prepare yourself to be faced with a frozen lake that is covered by a thick layer of glittering snow. When you travel to the lake, make sure to hear from the locals the many fascinating stories that revolve around the lake. It will be one of the most breathtaking experiences of your life!

When is the best time to visit - From October - March (It is best to visit the lake during the winter months since you will be able to enjoy a yak safari on the frozen Tsomgo lake).
What are the open hours - For the cable car operations - 8:00 AM till 3:00 PM.
What are the entry fees - There is no entry fee to the lake, but you will need to take a shared taxi from Gangtok to the destination, which will cost around INR 400 per person.

Tawang Monastery (Arunachal Pradesh)

Situated in Tawang, the monastery is set in the middle of the mountain town that lies elevated at a height of 10,000 ft. More famously renowned as the birthplace of the Dalai Lama, it is the second-largest Buddhist monastery in India, after Lhasa, and a monument of significant importance.

Located at an astounding height of 3048 meters above normal sea level, Tawang is a picturesque town with great scenic beauty. The town is popularly known as Dawang and is majorly populated by monks. The monastery itself is 400 years old. The monastery is one of the favorite tourist attractions in northeast India.

When is the best time to visit - From November - March.
What are the open hours - From 7:00 AM till 7:00 PM (Is not open on Wednesdays).
What are the entry fees - There is no entry fee.

Nathula Pass (Sikkim)

Formerly known as the old Silk Road, it was once mostly used by traders and merchants for business purposes. It is situated on the Indo-Tibetan border, at an elevated height of 14450 ft above normal sea level. No matter what season you are visiting the region in, prepare yourself to be faced with a white snow-clad scenic beauty, that is immensely rich with Himalayan flora and fauna. Nathula pass is situated at a distance of 58 km from Gangtok and can be easily traveled to in a shared cab from the capital city. It falls amongst one of the most enticing places to visit in the Seven Sisters of India.

When is the best time to visit - From November - March (if you love traveling in snowclad regions) March - October (the temperature would be less freezing compared to the winter months).
What are the open hours - From early morning till 1:00 PM (cabs stop leaving after that).
What are the entry fees - There is no entry fee, but the cab may charge about INR 400 - INR 700 per person.

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Ziro Valley (Arunachal Pradesh)

Located in the lap of sky-jutting mountains, the Ziro Valley is a flat land that runs for about 5 villages. Situated at a distance of 110 Km from Itanagar, it is home to the highest population of Apatani tribals, a friendly tribe.

Thus Ziro serves as a great place to celebrate lively music festivals every year. If you are looking to treat yourself to a serene peace of running across a verdant rice field, mingling with the locals in their in-line tribal huts, and celebrating with the tribal people with their colorful and vibrant accessories and attires, the Ziro Valley is one of the most beautiful and lively places to visit in Northeast India.

Do not miss out to indulge yourself with the colorful handmade crafts, clothes, and bamboo items that are created by the Apatani people. A place where you can stay for as long as you want and enjoy complete solace from the hustle and bustle of city life, the Ziro valley is a must-visit attraction in Arunachal Pradesh.

When is the best time to visit - From January - December (if you want to enjoy the music festival, visit between September - October).
What are the open hours - From early morning till 1:00 PM (During the day).
What are the entry fees - There is no entry fee, but charges depend upon your preferred mode of transportation.

Nohkalikai Falls (Meghalaya)

Famous for being the fourth highest waterfall in the entire world, the Nohkalikai Falls takes a deep plunge from an elevated height of 1100 ft. Located at a distance of 5 Km from Cherrapunji or 55 KM from Shillong, you will be required to take a short trek through beautiful and thick flora to set your feet near the ultramarine pool.

You will also be able to enjoy the stunning sight of the Nohkalikai Falls from a nearly located viewing gallery. However, the region remains mostly covered with a thick mist during the winter and monsoon season, thus it is best to visit the region during the Spring season.

When is the best time to visit - From September - March (basically during the post-monsoon season, since the volume of water in the falls takes a plunge during that season).
What are the open hours - It remains throughout the day.
What are the entry fees - There is no entry fee, but charges depend upon your preferred mode of transportation.

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Gorichen Peak (Arunachal Pradesh)

If you are traveling from Tawang to Bomdila, you will meet the marvelous panoramic sight of the Gorichen Peak on your way. Earning its fame as one of the toughest trekking trails open for tourist visits in northeast India, this peak is situated at an elevated height of 22,500 ft, in between the districts Tawang and West Kameng. You will be required to trek for around 20 to 22 days in order to reach the top of the peak.

Located at a distance of approximately 164 KM from the town of Tawan, the Gorichean peak shares its edges with China in its Northern part. Also popularly known as Sa-Nga Phu, according to the locally residing native tribe of Monpa, the peak is a sacred force that provides a shield to them from all evil forces.

When is the best time to visit - From April - October.
What are the open hours - It remains throughout the day.
What are the entry fees - There is no entry fee, but charges depend upon your preferred mode of transportation and operator.

Goechala (Sikkim)

Located at an elevated height of 16,207 ft, the Goechala is perfect if you want to get a close glimpse of the third-highest peak in the world, Mt. Kanchenjunga. Surrounded by a mesmerizing population of thick and diverse flora and fauna, it is enough to cheer up your mood, and thus falls on the bucket list of hundreds of adventure seekers from across the globe.

Goechala pass is basically a bundle of numerous huge summits. If you want to revitalize your senses, then the green nature that fills the rhododendron forest trail links between Goechala pass and Kanchenjunga National Park is the best option for you! The great mystical settings of Thanshing, the frozen and still lake of Samiti, and the breathtaking views of Pandim peak are enough to keep you mesmerized.

You will not want to miss out on the scenic sunrise view from the top of Kanchenjunga, from the Dzongri top, when the entire land gets illuminated with the rays from the rising sun. The suspended bridges over the Prekchu river - the Mentogang Khola, Tshushay Khola, and Pha Khola, are guaranteed to make your jaw drop!

When is the best time to visit - From April - May (Summer months will offer you a great view of the mountains).
What are the open hours - It remains throughout the day.
What are the entry fees - There is no entry fee.

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Foreign tourists coming to India on e-Visa must arrive at one of the designated airports. Both Delhi and Chandigarh are designated airports for Indian e-Visa with proximity to Himalayas.

Umiam Lake (Meghalaya)

Umiam Lake (Meghalaya) -

Situated at a distance of 5kms from the north edges of Shillong city, the Umiam Lake is a man-made reservoir. Falling amongst one of the most commonly visited places in northeast India, this mesmerizing spot is open throughout the year to be visited by tourists. It is spread across a territory of sprawling 222 sq km which is all surrounded by thick and myriad stretches of coniferous groves.

This lake and the surrounding park offer various kinds of fun activities, such as boating, for people of all ages to indulge in. The unparalleled beauty of the lake is only magnified by the surrounding Khasi hills that grant the visitors, a plethora of exceptional landscapes and scenic views, thus making it one of the most popular places for tourists to visit in Shillong.

When is the best time to visit - From October - May (Winter months will offer you a great view of the snowclad mountains).
What are the open hours - From 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM to take part in the various watersports.
What are the entry fees - There is no entry fee to visit the lake, but the fees of the water sports are - Kayaking, Canoeing, and pedal boating cost INR 20 per person; Yachting costs INR 100 per person; skiing costs INR 200 per person; scooters and river buses costs around INR 50 per person.

Cherrapunji and Mawsynram (Meghalaya)

Located along the razor-sharp edges of a giant mountain range, Cherapunjee sits like a king on the ridges of the Himalayas, towering on the low plain islands of the neighboring country, Bangladesh. Once renowned for being the wettest place on earth, this alluring village receives a huge amount of rainfall throughout the year. The road that passes between Shillong and this place offers magnificent scenic beauty, especially in the form of the sensational Dympep viewpoint. This is a picturesque valley that is shaped in a V shape and deeply slashes through the plateau.

Widely known as the “Scotland of the East”, Cherapunjee offers a picture of lush green surroundings. Especially dramatic during the rainy season, the Nohkalikai Falls brim with crystal clear water. Make sure that you enjoy the scenic beauty and visit the lively Sohra market as well, which is located at a distance of 4.4 km from there.

When is the best time to visit - From June - August (make sure to visit during the monsoon season to enjoy maximum life).
What are the open hours - There are no particular visiting hours.
What are the entry fees - There is no entry fee to visit the lake.

Kaziranga National Park (Assam)

Situated right at the heart of Assam, the Kaziranga National Park offers you undisturbed acres of far-stretched marshlands and forests that are regularly visited by hordes of tourists each year, thus making it one of the most popularly visited places in Northeast India by tourists. One of the major attractions of the park is the one-horned rhino, which is now recognized as one of the most endangered species across the globe.

Other than the rhinos, you must also expect to be greeted by a host of wildlife, including swamp deers, elephants, and wild water buffaloes, while on the safari. The visitor can choose either an elephant safari or a jeep safari to explore the park. Set at a distance of about 193 KM from Guwahati, in Kanchanjuri, Kaziranga National Park, has been declared to be a UNESCO world heritage, thus making it a pride of Assam and the seven sisters.

When is the best time to visit - From November - April (the park remains closed during the monsoon months).
What are the open hours - For elephant and jeep safari - 7:30 AM till 10:00 AM and 1:30 PM till 3 PM or sunset.
What are the entry fees - For Indian citizens, the entry fee is INR 100. You have to pay an additional INR 300 for a river cruise. Elephant safari costs around INR 380 to INR 580 per person.

FINAL WORD

There is no end to the mesmerizing beauty and lively activities that the seven sisters of India have to offer to its visitors. From offering a glance into the diverse ethnic tribes to taking part in the exciting festivals of different religions and spellbinding landscapes, the seven sisters are a must for every adventurer to visit at least once in their lifetime. Each state is different in its own way, but they all resemble one factor - offering you a plateful of terrific experiences.

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