Exploring North East India’s Enigmatic Hidden Gems

Northeast India is a land of unexplored beauty, where nature, culture, and adventure come together to create an unforgettable experience. Every place in northeast India feels like magic whether it’s ancient monasteries, snow-capped mountains, pristine valleys, glistening lakes, and cascading waterfalls. You feel right at home in the cleanest villages in Asia. Trekking across the oldest root bridges. Chilling in the most beautiful hill stations. Encountering the one-horned rhinoceros and so much more to discover!

So, if you are looking for exceptional, underrated destinations in North East India to fulfill your #wanderlust vibes, read on to know more!

5 Underrated Destinations in North East India

1. Anini, Arunachal Pradesh

If you are also tired of living in a big city, the idea of a place with bright mountains, green meadows, a stream with horses grazing next to it, and no one in sight as far as the eye could see will seem like something out of a fairy tale. Anini is like a fairy tale come true. This place is in the far east of the Dibang Valley, and no one has been there yet. Trust us when we say this is one of the top underrated destinations in northeast India.

What to Expect:

A life spent in a simple wooden shack by the river, awoken by the songs of birds, and spent relaxing to the soothing music of the flowing water is nothing short of a dream come true.

2. Haflong

Haflong, the only hill station in Assam, is known for its verdant scenery, picturesque panoramas, and misty hills. It is one of the ideal spots to get away from the heat of the plains since it is perched at an elevation of more than 600 meters above sea level. Its mountainous environment, with its panoramic vistas, is a sanctuary for people who appreciate nature and those searching for peace.

What to Expect:

Visit Panimoor Waterfalls, known as the Niagara of Northeast India, because seeing it will take your breath away. This is also the place where some scenes were filmed from the movie "Rangoon" with Kangana Ranaut and Shahid Kapoor.

Maibong was the capital of the Dimasa Kingdom, and you can still see the city's ruins. When you go to this town, you can learn about the past and take a tour of this kingdom from the 1600s.

3. Touphema Village, Nagaland

The Touphema Tourist Village is a beautiful replica of a traditional Angami Naga village and one of Nagaland's old heritage villages. Its apartments and cabins are styled like traditional huts or cottages. Touphema is a spot where visitors can stay in lovely small huts, spend pleasant nights around bonfires, and contribute to the rustic atmosphere of the whole area by participating in ethnic dances. If you are looking for a place isolated from all the chaos and crowd, then this is the best place to spend some time amidst nature.

What to Expect:

Guests get the unique chance to experience authentic Naga culture and society firsthand throughout their stay.

Just taking a stroll around the village will give you a glimpse of Naga life as it has been lived for decades.

Ghalo, Bamboo Baked Fish, and Rice Beer, three of the most well-known Naga specialties, are all available for visitors to try during their stay in the village.

4. Kibithu, Arunachal Pradesh

Did you know? The last town on the eastern side of India is Kibithu in Arunachal Pradesh. It is in an extraordinary place, at a point where three countries meet. China is to the north, and Myanmar is to the east. Kibithu is east of Dong Valley, where the first sun rays reach India. Imagine waking up to the first sun rays in the country, feeling surreal right?

What to Expect:

Do go to the Walong War Memorial. This is where around 4,000 Chinese troops were stopped by Indian soldiers during the Indo-Tibet war. It is about 20 km away from Kibithu.

Visit Dong, which was the first place in India to get sunlight.

You can clearly see the Chinese army camp from the Kibithu Helipad. The tricolor flag flying in the sky makes you feel proud to be an Indian. What a wonderful feeling!

5. Mechuka

Imagine listening to the sound of the Siyom River, snow-capped mountains are vaguely visible, and you are sipping Chhang (a local drink) at a homestay. Welcome to Mechuka!

Mechuka is one of the most beautiful valleys in India's eastern state. This beautiful place is less-visited, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, and is often known as an underrated destination in North East India.

The valley is surrounded by giant mountains, forests, vast meadows, quaint villages, fluttering prayer flags, the rhythmic Yargyap Chhu (Siyom River), hanging bridges, grazing horses, and sacred Buddhist monasteries. It is the perfect postcard destination in Arunachal Pradesh for travellers who want to see a place that looks like it belongs on a postcard.

What to Expect:

The unfiltered views of the beautiful scenery can make you feel like you're in a dream.

Wild horses grazing in the grass along the riverbank, wooden bridges with colourful Buddhist prayer flags, fresh air, a blue sky with fluffy clouds that look like cotton balls, and scattered houses make up the most beautiful picture of nature you'll ever see.

You won't mind spending time by the Siyom River to stare at those vast mountains without any filters. If you are interested in bridges that hang in the air, Mechuka is the place to go. You will see many old bridges hanging over the river Siyom.

Final Words

We hope that my list of top 5 underrated destinations in North East India has pumped you to pack your bags and explore the pristine beauty of this untouched land. So, explore these offbeat destinations to fuel the wanderlust in you! Don’t forget to share your pictures with me :)