--- title: "Northeast India Is the Most Underrated Travel Region in the Country" description: "An opinion on why Northeast India is the country’s most underrated travel region, with places to visit in Meghalaya, Arunachal, Assam, Nagaland." author: "Owen Graham" published: 2026-11-06 canonical: https://yourviews.mindstick.com/view/93579/northeast-india-is-the-most-underrated-travel-region-in-the-country category: "travel" tags: ["travel opinion", "Northeast India", "Meghalaya", "Arunachal Pradesh", "Kaziranga", "Nagaland"] reading_time: 4 minutes --- # Northeast India Is the Most Underrated Travel Region in the Country If you ask Indians to name their dream domestic holiday, you will hear Goa, Manali, Kerala, Rajasthan or Kashmir. Very few will say Meghalaya, Nagaland or Arunachal Pradesh. That tells me two things. First, the Northeast is still far from the minds of most Indian travellers. Second, those who do go have something special almost to themselves. I believe the Northeast is the most underrated travel region in India, and that ignoring it is our loss. ## Where I Would Start - **Meghalaya.** Living root bridges in the Khasi Hills, the waterfalls of Cherrapunji, the crystal-clear Umngot river at Dawki and Mawlynnong, often called one of the cleanest villages in Asia. Shillong has a lively café and music culture too. - **Arunachal Pradesh.** The monastery town of Tawang near the border, the Sela Pass, and Ziro Valley with its rice fields, Apatani culture and annual music festival. Indian visitors need an Inner Line Permit, which is easy to get online. - **Assam.** Kaziranga National Park, home to most of the world’s one-horned rhinos, the tea gardens of upper Assam, and Majuli, one of the world’s largest river islands, with its Vaishnavite monasteries called satras. - **Nagaland.** The Hornbill Festival in early December brings together Naga tribes for music, dance, food and crafts. It is one of the most colourful events in the country. - **Sikkim.** Gangtok, Tsomgo Lake, North Sikkim’s high valleys and views of Kanchenjunga. It is also one of India’s cleanest and best-managed states. - **Tripura and Mizoram.** The rock carvings of Unakoti and the hills around Aizawl, which became easier to reach after a new railway line connected the city in 2025. ## Why It Feels Different Travelling in the Northeast often feels like discovering a new country within India. The food is different, with smoked meats, bamboo shoots, fermented flavours and fiery local chillies. The music scene is strong, with rock and folk bands from Shillong and Nagaland. Many communities have their own languages, festivals and traditions of dress. What strikes many travellers is the sense of order in some places. Several villages in Meghalaya and Sikkim are spotless, people queue patiently and plastic bans are taken seriously. It quietly challenges the idea that India cannot be clean. ## Why People Still Do Not Go There are real reasons the region remains underrated. - **Distance and connectivity.** Flights can be expensive, and road journeys between states are long and sometimes affected by landslides. - **Perception of safety.** Many people still associate the region with insurgency, even though most tourist areas have been peaceful for years. Manipur, however, has faced serious ethnic violence since 2023, and visitors should check official advisories before going. - **Lack of awareness.** Travel media and film shoots rarely feature the Northeast, so it stays invisible. - **Permits.** Some states and border areas require permits, which puts off casual travellers even though the process is usually simple. ## Why It Matters Beyond Tourism I also think travelling to the Northeast is a small act of national integration. People from the region have long complained of being treated as outsiders in mainland cities, sometimes facing discrimination. The more Indians visit, eat, listen and learn, the harder it becomes to see the region as distant or foreign. Tourism also brings income to homestays, guides, weavers and small restaurants in areas with limited job opportunities. Responsible tourism, though, is essential. These are fragile ecosystems and close-knit communities. Respect local customs, ask before photographing people, and do not leave plastic behind. ## The Other View Some locals worry that mass tourism could damage their culture and environment, as has happened in parts of Himachal and Goa. Places like Dawki and Cherrapunji already get crowded on long weekends. Others argue that the government should invest more in roads and airports before promoting tourism heavily. Both concerns are valid, and growth should be planned carefully. Still, my advice is to go now, while the Northeast is welcoming, uncrowded and authentic. Pick one state, give it at least a week, and travel slowly. I suspect you will come back wondering why it took you so long. --- Original Source: https://yourviews.mindstick.com/view/93579/northeast-india-is-the-most-underrated-travel-region-in-the-country Copyright © MindStick Software Pvt. Ltd. This Markdown version is provided for developers, AI systems, and offline reading.