Mizoram is one of the least explored states of India. Tucked in the north eastern part of the country, the area has a few unspoilt tourist destinations that boasts of immense natural beauty. Mizoram is one of the smallest states of India and is known as the land of the Lushai highlanders.
The landlocked hilly state is a place of scenic beauty with a variety of landscape from the ridges of Aizawl, deep gorges of Hmuifang, valley of Champhai to the lofty peaks of Blue Mountain National Park. The place is also blessed with numerous waterfalls, lakes and water bodies that have attracted tourists for long. Though the indigenous people of Mizoram have now been influenced by modernity, yet their simplicity remains. They still believe in their old tradition and practices and interesting folklores prevail in the region.
Day 1: Arrival at Aizawl
The best way to enter Mizoram is through the Lengpui Airport at Aizawl. It is the capital of Mizoram and a quaint little hilly town located at a height of 1100 metre on the Lushai Hills. The town is blessed with extravagant natural beauty and the River Tlawng flows by the town. You can explore the town on foot and enjoy the serene beauty of this small northeastern town.
Day 2: Aizawl
Aizawl has a number of things to see. Visit the State Museum which exhibits anthropological artifacts, rare photographs, archaeological objects and specimens of natural history from the region. Also visit the Solomon’s Temple, a majestic church built of white marble.
In the afternoon, visit the Durtlang Hill. The place is famous for the K V Paradise. It is a memorial built by Khawlhring in the memory of his wife and is locally known as the Mizo Taj Mahal. Enjoy the sunset view from the Durtlang Hill. You will get a panoramic view of the entire town from here. In the evening, explore the local markets of Mizoram.
Day 3: Aizawl – Reiek – Mizoram
At 1600 meters, Reiek Tlang is one of the highest hills of Mizoram and is located about 35v km from Aizawl. There is a short trekking route to the Reiek Hill. The visrgin forests of the Reiek Hills on one side and the steep rocky hills on the other makes the place quite unique.
Mizoram’s most popular festival and successful tourism promotion venture, the Anthurium Festival is held every year during September at the tourist resort in Reiek Village at the foothills of this mountain.
After the trek to the Reiek Hill, explore the village and be back at Aizawl for the night.
Day 4: Aizawl – Champhai
Champhai is a commercial town located near the Burmese border. The place is known for its border trade, but its abundant natural beauty also attracts the tourists. The journey to Champhai will take about 8 hours. Champhai is also the agricultural centre and you will see the terraced paddy farms on the way.
Day 5: Champhai – Zokawthar
Visit the international border at Zokawthar from Champhai. It takes around 2 hours to reach the Indo-Burmese border and from there, walk to the heart-shaped Rih Dil Lake. The lake has quite importance in Mizo culture. You can enjoy boating in the lake and enjoy some quiet time by the lake. The lake is also a great place to take some beautiful pictures. You can also go for short hikes in the scenic surroundings and also visit a Buddhist monastery in the nearby Burmese village of Rikhawdar. Return by sunset at Zokawthar and stay for the night there.
Day 6: Zokawthar- Champhai
Explore the countryside of Champhai. Visit Ruantlang village where glimpses of the ancestral way of life of the Mizos can still be seen. Vangchia is a historic village known for its age-old megaliths and is also an archaeological site. There are a number of interesting Mizo villages that you can visit.
Day 7: Champhai – Aizawl
Return back to Aizawl from Champhai through the scenic roads of Mizoram. On the way, you can see the unique Nghah Lou Dawr shops, which are common along the highway near Seling. These stalls are quite interesting as they do not have any shopkeepers. People pick up vegetables, flowers and forest items and drop the money as per the price list in a container.
Day 8: Aizawl – Hmuifang – Thenzawl
Hmuifang is located about 50 km south of Aizawl and is a one of the most beautiful destinations in Mizoram. This quaint hill station is known for its adventure and wildlife related activities which draws many enthusiasts to its hills. You can also explore the nearby Mizo villages of Hmufiang and Sialsuk for breathtaking panoramic views of Mizo mountains. After that continue towards Thenzawl.
Day 9: Vantwang
Vantwang Waterfalls is one of the most mesmerizing waterfalls in the country. It is the highest waterfall in Mizoram and the 13th highest of the country. The waterfalls are tucked in between green valleys and look like a river of white milk from the distance. You cannot go close to the waterfall because of the dense forest. You have to see it from the viewpoint on the other side. Further upstream you can find Tuirihiau Falls. Explore the nearby villages to get an insight into the Mizo way of life.
Day 10: Thenzawl – Lunglei
Lunglei is a beautiful town famous for its scenic beauty and natural settings. “Lunglei” literally means “the bridge of rock” and got its name after the actual bridge like rock found here. Visit the Nghasih Stream, a small beautiful riverine that is actually a tributary of the Tlawng River. The serenity of the place makes it quite a desirable destination. Next visit the Lunglei Bridge, the bridge of rock found around the Nghasih Stream.
Day 11: Thorangtlang Wildlife Sanctuary
This is a beautiful wildlife sanctuary in Mizoram that attracts a lot of tourists. The wildlife sanctuary is spread across50 square km and is the home to various animals like leopard, elephant, gaur (indian bison), and wild dog, sambar, barking deer, sloth bear, hoolock gibbon, leaf monkey, common langur, rhesus macaque, giant squirrel, porcupine, slow lorris, jungal cat, wild boar and varieties of birds. The green forests often form the passage for elephants between India and Bangladesh. After the visit to the Wildlife sanctuary, return to Lunglei in the evening.
Day 12: Lunglei – Aizawl
Take the return trip to Aizawl. It will take around 6 hours to reach Aizawl. You can spend the rest of the day in leisure or explore the markets before leaving the town.
Mizoram and Inner Line Permits:
Indian tourists require Inner Line Permit for entry into Mizoram and can be obtained from Liaison Officer, Government of Mizoram from the following cities Kolkata, Silchar, Shillong, Guwahati or New Delhi. Tourists arriving by air can obtain passes from the Security Officer on arrival at Lengpui airport.
Best Time to visit Mizoram
The winter months from October to March is the best time to visit Mizoram.
