North East India, the eight hill states east of Bangladesh, is the part of India most international travellers have not seen yet: living root bridges, rhinos, tea gardens, monasteries and some of the wettest hills on Earth. It is also the part with the most confusing rules for foreigners, because permits differ by state. Here is a plain-English guide to which states to pick, the permits, how to get around, and a realistic route, from a local operator based in Shillong, Meghalaya.
Quick answer
For a first trip to North East India, combine Meghalaya and Assam: both need only a normal Indian visa (no extra permit for foreign visitors), they are next to each other, and Guwahati airport (GAU) is the hub for both. Plan 8–10 days: Shillong, Cherrapunji's living root bridges and Dawki in Meghalaya, then Kaziranga National Park in Assam for one-horned rhinos (open roughly November to April). Sikkim needs a free Restricted Area Permit; Arunachal Pradesh needs a Protected Area Permit; and since December 2024 Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram again require a Protected Area Permit for foreigners. The best season is October to April.
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At a glance
Key facts at a glance
| States | Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Sikkim |
|---|---|
| Easiest first trip | Meghalaya + Assam (normal visa only) |
| Hub airport | Guwahati (GAU), via Delhi or Kolkata |
| Ideal length | 8–10 days for Meghalaya + Kaziranga |
| Best season | October – April |
| Permits (foreigners) | None: Meghalaya, Assam, Tripura · RAP: Sikkim · PAP: Arunachal, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram |
| Getting around | Private car with driver; few trains in the hills |
Which states to visit
Each state is big and the roads are slow, so pick two, not eight.
- Meghalaya: living root bridges, waterfalls, the clear Umngot River at Dawki, Mawlynnong village and the wettest places on Earth. Easy, safe, English widely spoken.
- Assam: Kaziranga National Park (most of the world's one-horned rhinos), tea estates, Majuli river island and Guwahati's Kamakhya Temple.
- Sikkim: Himalayan views of Kanchenjunga, monasteries, Gangtok. Usually reached via Bagdogra, not Guwahati.
- Arunachal Pradesh: Tawang monastery, high passes and tribal villages. Remote, needs a permit and more time.
- Nagaland: the Hornbill Festival every December (1–10). Permit required again since December 2024.
Permits for foreign visitors
You need a valid Indian visa (most nationalities can apply online for an e-Visa). On top of that, some states need a permit. As of late 2026 the position is: no extra permit for Meghalaya, Assam and Tripura; a free Restricted Area Permit (RAP) for Sikkim, issued at the entry checkpoint or online; and a Protected Area Permit (PAP) for Arunachal Pradesh, and again since December 2024 for Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram.
Permit rules in the North East change with little notice. Check the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs and the state tourism sites before you book, and carry several passport and visa copies. In Meghalaya your hotel registers you as a foreign guest (Form C); you do not need to visit a registration office for a normal tourist stay.
A realistic 9-day route: Meghalaya and Assam
This loop keeps drives under 5 hours a day and starts and ends at Guwahati airport.
| Day | Plan | Night |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Land at Guwahati, drive 100 km to Shillong (3 – 3.5 hours), stop at Umiam Lake | Shillong |
| 2 | Shillong: Laitlum Canyons, Elephant Falls, Police Bazar, Don Bosco Museum | Shillong |
| 3 | Drive to Cherrapunji: Nohkalikai Falls, Seven Sisters, Mawsmai Cave | Cherrapunji |
| 4 | Double Decker living root bridge walk at Nongriat (full day) | Cherrapunji |
| 5 | Mawlynnong village, Riwai root bridge, Dawki and the Umngot River | Shillong |
| 6 | Drive Shillong → Kaziranga (about 7–8 hours; break at Guwahati) | Kaziranga |
| 7 | Kaziranga jeep and elephant-grass safaris (book through your lodge) | Kaziranga |
| 8 | Kaziranga → Guwahati, Kamakhya Temple, Brahmaputra sunset | Guwahati |
| 9 | Fly out of Guwahati | — |
- Kaziranga is usually open from November to April and closed in the monsoon; check the park dates for your month.
- We are a Meghalaya operator: our cars cover days 1–5 from ₹4,560 a day (whole car, fuel and driver included) and Guwahati airport transfers. For Kaziranga, book the safaris and lodge directly or through a park lodge.
Getting there and around
Guwahati (GAU) is the main airport, with frequent flights from Delhi (about 2.5 hours), Kolkata (about 1 hour), Mumbai and Bengaluru. Bagdogra (IXB) serves Sikkim and Darjeeling. There are no trains to Shillong or into most of the hills, and public buses are slow and crowded, so most international visitors hire a private car with a local driver.
Expect slow roads: 30–40 km an hour is normal in the hills, and fog or landslides can add time in the monsoon. Mobile data works in towns (Jio and Airtel are best); carry some cash for villages, although UPI and cards work in most hotels.
Is North East India safe?
Meghalaya, Assam and Sikkim are generally safe and welcoming for international visitors, including solo women; Khasi society is matrilineal and women run much of daily life. Manipur has seen unrest since 2023, which is one reason permits were reimposed there. Read your government's travel advice for India before you go and check local news for the states on your route.
Paying from abroad
We accept payment from any country by card, with a 5% international transaction fee on top. Website bookings take a 10% advance online, fully refunded if we cannot confirm your car; the balance is paid to the driver during the trip. Prices on our site show your own currency next to the rupee amount.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Do foreigners need a permit for North East India?
It depends on the state. Meghalaya, Assam and Tripura need only a valid Indian visa. Sikkim needs a free Restricted Area Permit. Arunachal Pradesh needs a Protected Area Permit, and since December 2024 so do Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram. Rules change, so check official sources before booking.
How many days do I need for North East India?
For Meghalaya and Assam (Kaziranga), 8–10 days. Meghalaya alone needs 5–7 days. Adding Sikkim or Arunachal adds at least 5 more days each, because the roads are slow.
What is the best time to visit North East India?
October to April. The monsoon (June to September) brings heavy rain, landslides and closes Kaziranga National Park; December and January are cool but clear.
Which airport do I fly into?
Guwahati (GAU) for Meghalaya and Assam, usually via Delhi or Kolkata. Bagdogra (IXB) for Sikkim and Darjeeling.
Is North East India good for a first trip to India?
Yes, if you want nature and quiet over monuments. Meghalaya is especially easy: English is widely spoken, distances are short and no extra permit is needed. It is less crowded and slower-paced than the Golden Triangle.
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Plan & book your trip
Tour Meghalaya runs private cabs and tour packages across Meghalaya. Book directly with a local operator.