How many days do I need for Northeast India?

Five to six days for one state such as Meghalaya, and ten to twelve days to combine two, such as Meghalaya and Assam. Arunachal's Tawang needs at least six days on its own because of the drive.

Which is the best month to visit Northeast India?

October to April is the most dependable season for clear skies and open roads. March to May is pleasant in the hills. June to September is the monsoon, which is beautiful in Meghalaya but brings landslides elsewhere.

Do I need a permit to visit Northeast India?

Indian visitors need an Inner Line Permit for Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur, issued online. Assam, Meghalaya and Tripura need no permit.

Is Northeast India safe for tourists?

The main tourist circuits in Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal and Sikkim are visited by large numbers of travellers every year. Follow local advisories, avoid driving at night in the hills, and check road conditions in the monsoon.

Planning your first trip to Northeast India

Planning17 October 20267 min read

A wide sunlit river in Assam with golden sandbanks and a small passenger ferry crossing

The short answer

Start in Guwahati, the region's main airport and rail hub. Pick one or two states rather than all eight, allow for slow hill roads and early sunsets, and apply for an Inner Line Permit before visiting Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram or Manipur.

Start in Guwahati

Most trips begin at Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Guwahati, which has direct flights from every major Indian city. Shillong, Kaziranga and the road to Arunachal all start from here.

Give yourself an evening in the city. Kamakhya Temple, an evening on the Brahmaputra and the temples of Uzan Bazar make a good first day while you get used to the pace.

Choose one or two states, not eight

The map makes the region look compact. It is not. Hill roads average 25 to 35 km an hour, and a 'short' drive often takes a full day. Most first trips that work cover one or two states in a week.

Meghalaya: Shillong, Sohra and Dawki. Easy to reach, good for five to six days.
Assam: Guwahati and Kaziranga, with a tea estate if you have time.
Arunachal: Tawang and the monasteries. Needs at least six days and a permit.
Sikkim: Gangtok and the north. Usually reached via Bagdogra, not Guwahati.

Permits: who needs what

Indian visitors need an Inner Line Permit (ILP) for Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur. All four issue it online. Assam, Meghalaya and Tripura need no permit. In Sikkim, Gangtok is open, but North Sikkim and Nathula need a permit arranged locally.

Foreign nationals need a Protected Area Permit for Arunachal and parts of Sikkim, and should check each state's rules before booking.

Plan around daylight and weather

The sun sets early here, around 4:30 PM in winter and a little after 6 PM in summer. Plan to finish hill drives before dark.

October to April is the dependable season for most of the region. The monsoon, from June to September, brings landslides on hill roads, but it is also when Meghalaya's waterfalls are at their best.

Small things that help

Carry some cash. Cards and UPI work in towns, less so in villages and at viewpoints.
Mobile signal is patchy in the hills. Download maps offline.
Book cabs for the whole trip in advance; local taxis in hill towns are not always easy to find.
Many shops close by 8 PM, and earlier in small towns.

Last updated 17 October 2026. Roads, permits and opening dates change; check official sources before you travel.