The question about the best season to travel to the Northeast is one that is frequently asked. It is also a question which is the most difficult to answer because, unfortunately, there is very little possibility of a direct response to this query.
Northeast of India is usually spoken about and looked at as one singular region on the map of India. We generally forgot that Northeast India is a combination of 8 distinct states namely Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, Tripura and Meghalaya. Each of these states are so diverse from each other and also within themselves. Northeast India covers 8% of the Indian subcontinent and is a combination of different cultures, geographies, landscapes and weather patterns that are unique to each area.
Overall, given the diversity within the Northeastern states, it is a year-round location because each season has something wonderful to offer. The right answer to the best season to visit Northeast India, hence, will vary vastly on the region you choose to visit and the things you plan to do there.
For example, winters are usually a good time to visit Assam since the state is mostly plains and tends to get extremely hot in summers. Moreover, the biggest attraction of Assam, its many National Parks, remain closed during summers and monsoons. Whereas if you pick Meghalaya, the state known for its waterfalls, the monsoons here elevate the natural beauty of this region and so it’s best visited during rains. Since Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh are home to some of the tallest mountains, for a heavy dose of adrenaline and a pinch of light shiver, they are exciting places to be during dry season. If you are into festivals, Nagaland is the most colourful during the coldest months. While the monsoons are the best to enjoy the natural beauty of Meghalaya, if you are up for some caving, you might want to visit the state in the peak of winter.
Having said that, there are some general tips about the Northeast that we can provide which might be helpful for you to plan your months of travel:
3. Due to the nature of the terrain, trekking anywhere in the Northeast of India should be fully avoided in monsoons. March to May are the best months to witness some of the widest expanses of rhododendrons of a rainbow of colours in full bloom.
5. The golden rule to follow is ‘winters in the plains and summers on heights’.
Please refer to the following to map out the best time to travel to each of the states. We hope that this gives you a sense of how you can best plan your itinerary to Northeast India.
However, we still suggest that you pick the season to travel to Northeast India based on the region you plan to cover after a thorough assessment of your many interests. If you have any more questions regarding travel to the Northeast, do not hesitate to get in touch with us.