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Places to Visit in North East India in December

Gangtok, the exotic capital city of Sikkim, is a Buddhist haven. In sync with the Zen philosophy that divinity can only make its way through clear and clean surroundings, Gangtok is an epitome of neatness and is one of the few such places in India. The stunning panoramic views of the snow-capped Mount Kanchenjunga, only add to the Gangokian environs. Offering the best tourist places in Gangtok, this place is also famous for its distinct cuisine, of which Momos and Kinema, are an excellent example. Gangtok is a city of great food, atmospheric sceneries and beautiful Buddhist monasteries, which include Rumtek and Enchey. It has great potential for sightseeing as well, including the Nathu La Pass and Tsomgo Lake. Gangtok is also a testament to the unique fashion sense of the North East. The folks here are known to have a keen sense of style and have a totally refreshing way of wearing the most casual outfits. Gangtok also has a very folksy and indie live-music sentiment. Finally, the people make the place and it is the helpful and friendly citizens of Gangtok, who are true exemplars of the principles of the Buddhist lifestyle.   

Situated in the eastern Himalayan range, state capital Gangtok combines a modern, resort town style with ancient spiritual beliefs and an impressive natural heritage. Mountain views act as the backdrop to holidays in Gangtok, where much of the focus also lies on the monasteries, shrines, and temples of this old center of Tibetan Buddhist pilgrimage. Local delicacies such as momo (stuffed dumplings) also link Gangtok to Tibet. Use Gangtok as your gateway for exploring the state and beyond, with tour operators offering a number of day excursions and longer trips. To know more about the best tourist places in Gangtok, read below:

An abode of clouds, the rolling hills around the town and the hill station of one of the smallest states of India, Meghalaya. With the best places to visit in Shillong, it is geography synonymous to heaven, is the painting hung on your drawing-room wall, a collage of memories yet to be lived.

This prepossessing land is a beauty that floats on high over vales and hills, where the tall pine trees are seen fluttering and dancing in the breeze, and the clouds find a space along the margins of a hill unfolding the enchanting blue sky. The mystique land perched on an escarpment is more than enough to leave your imagination spell-bound.

The capital city of the state Meghalaya - a perfect blend of old charm and fresh essence, this bliss of solitude carries a number of things like falls, parks, peaks, landscapes and museums to keep a traveller’s head tossing in sprightly dance.

With the best places to visit in Shillong, this surprising holiday destination will make you forget to stop the shutters of your cam. The god’s honest harvest is ready to find a space among the favourites in your travel diary.

The gateway to the northeast and the largest and most cosmopolitan city in the region, Guwahati serves as the starting block for the other seven sisters locations . This featureless city – a prosaic heap of glass and concrete for the most part – is a blend of old and new sights but there are a scattering of interesting temples to explore, when it comes to tourist places in Guwahati. Walk its back alleys and old quarters to  click some timeless picture and you will be able to salvage a generous amount of local flavour that lingers amid its suburban sprawl of ponds, palm trees, small single-storey traditional houses and old colonial-era mansions.It is located on the south bank of the river Brahmaputra and is the largest city of Assam and Northeast. The place has many ancient temples and is also known as the ‘city of temples’ in Northeast India. The temple is dedicated to goddess Kamakhya an incarnation of Sati. It is on Nilachal hill, says the Shiva Purana, which the yoni or creative organ of Sati fell when Vishnu, in a bid to save the world from the Shiva’s tandava nritya or dance of destruction, cut her dead body into 51 pieces with his sudarshan chakra. Other ancient temples located in the city are Navagraha temple, Umananda temple which is tucked on an island on the river Brahmaputra, Balaji Temple; you can also visit the state Zoo.

The British legacy is still visible in the architecture and food habits of the population. The place serves as the starting block to getaways like Meghalaya, Kaziranga National Park, Kohima, Imphal, Tawang, Mawlynnong, Bhalukpong, Dirang, Bomdila, Tezpur etc.  Northeast is a hidden treasure of India and if you really want to explore the best of India then do not miss this region with exceptional vistas, phenomenal cultural differences in each state and a the unaltered Himalayas with some of the highest peaks in the world. The tourist places in Guwahati are indeed is a place for every traveling soul to visit once.

Spread out along the razor sharp ridges of a gigantic mountain wall, Cherrapunjee sits neatly on the edge of the Himalayas towering the pancake low lying plains of Bangladesh. This alluring village was once regarded as the wettest place on the earth given the massive monsoon rainfall that it sees. Road leading from Shillong to this miniscule village passes through the magnificent scenery that become sensational at the Dympep viewpoint. Here you’ll come across a photogenic V shaped valley that deeply slits into the plateau.  

The lush green surroundings of Cherrapunjee very well justifies the Meghalaya’s over-used ‘Scotland of the East’ tag. Nohkalikai Falls here are particularly dramatic especially during the monsoon season when they are brimming with a quantity which is 20 times more than the original. These can be seen from the viewpoint that is located on a plateau that lies at the edge of the 4.4 km mountain ride from the Sohra market. You can hire a local taxi here that will shuttle you to the view point. More significant than this is the series of the ‘Grand Canyon’ gorges that are located around the region that further descends into the green chasms of the tropical forests.

Ziro Valley, in Arunachal Pradesh, is a picturesque paradise that has long been a favorite town as a World Heritage Site. Home to the Apatani tribe, the valley is filled with lush green paddy fields. Its stretch of green grasslands form an ideal location to hold picnics or enjoy outdoor camping, especially in the hillock known as Ziro Puto.

Although most people visit Ziro just for its scenic locales, the valley also houses a number of major attractions such as the Talley Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, Hapoli- the center of all the town’s activities, and the Siddheshwarnath Temple that contains a natural Shiva linga discovered about a decade ago.

The food in Ziro, albeit bizarre, is a must-try for adventurous souls. While its bamboo-chicken is a delicious tribal preparation, the local preparations of silkworms and rats might be an interesting option to try.

One of the most interesting things to do in the valley would perhaps be to attend the Ziro music festival, an outdoor music festival held in the Ziro Valley. It is one of the most eco-friendly music festivals in the band, with a strict zero-plastic policy and stages made entirely of bamboo. The four-day festival brings together performers both of national and international repute.

Ziro is not directly connected by air or rail but must be reached through neighboring towns and cities, such as Guwahati. The best time to visit Ziro is during the summer months when the weather remains pleasantly cool. For those interested in attending the music festival, however, September is the month to visit.

A quaint town at the foothills of the Himalayan ranges, Siliguri is a postcard-perfect amalgamation of urban culture and natural beauty. The picturesque city is endowed with the best of nature, full to the brim with its rolling green tea gardens and the snow-clad Himalayan mountaintops peeking into the horizon at a distance.

Owing to its rich wildlife population, tourism in Siliguri is synonymous with its wildlife safari facilities. The vast Mahananda Wildlife sanctuary, sprawling between the banks of Teesta and Mahananda, is home to a number of species of animals and birds, and also provides its guests ample opportunities for trekking and bird watching. The sanctuary also houses the North Bengal Wild Animals Park, where tourists can avail jeep rides to watch the animals play and be in their natural habitats.

A major tourist attraction in Siliguri is the Salugara Monastery, famous for its 100-feet stupa built by Tibetan Buddhist Monks. The monastery, known as The Great International Tashi Gomang Stupa, is situated only 6 kms away from the main town and houses five major Buddhist relics, making it one of the most popular Buddhist monasteries in the world. Siliguri, however, is not negligent to other faiths. One can also find here the magnificent ISKCON temple dedicated to Lord Krishna, and Kali Mandir which welcomes a number of pilgrims each year.

If one is looking to shop in Siliguri, the Hong Kong market on Hill Cart Road is the place to go. A flea market selling goods at a fairly cheap rate, the Hong Kong market is a popular go-to place for tourists and is thronged by shoppers throughout the year.

The best time to visit Siliguri would be during the winter months between November and February when the weather is fairly cold and outdoor activities such as trekking, safaris, and bird-watching can be enjoyed in a humidity-free atmosphere.

Siliguri is well connected to all nearby cities in West Bengal by road and rail. The Siliguri railway station is the main junction of the town. The Darjeeling-Himalayan toy train, a world-famous attraction, can be availed from Siliguri junction if one desires to travel to Darjeeling from here. The nearest airport to Siliguri is the Bagdogra airport, from whence one may avail buses or cars to reach the place.

Pelling is a small town situated in the hills in West Sikkim, 7,200 feet above the sea level. Despite being one of the lesser-known towns in the area, it is slowly gaining attention as a popular tourist destination. 

Pelling is a dream destination for trekkers, nature lovers, bird-watchers and serenity seekers. The city is dotted with heritage structures like ancient monasteries and breath-taking waterfalls like the Kanchenjunga falls, the Rimbi Waterfall and the Changey Waterfall. The Sanga Choeling Monastery and the Pemayangtse Monastery are the two of the main monasteries in the area that one must visit for their heritage and architectural significance when they are in Pelling. 

Pelling is easily accessible from both Gangtok and Darjeeling. It is located at a distance of 131 km from Gangtok and 73.9 km from Darjeeling. The nearest airport is the Bagdogra Airport in Siliguri from where one can hire buses and cars to reach Pelling. You can also hire buses that leave at frequent intervals from Gangtok and Siliguri that pass through Pelling. 

The best time to visit Pelling is between December to May, which consists of winter, spring, and summer. During December, the temperature drops down to -5 degrees Celsius, allowing the tourists to take advantage of the snow and enjoy sports like the snow-skating. The summers are equally vibrant, with temperatures remaining cool throughout the day and different kinds of flowers filling up the valleys in the area. 

The main language spoken here is Sikkimese, but Nepali and Hindi are also spoken fluently by the locals. The cuisine here is mainly north-Eastern and several local shops sell delicacies that are a speciality of this place. The town is well-equipped with multiple hotels and restaurants to ensure a comfortable stay for the tourists. 

On a summer day, the fragrance of tea leaves lifts off the hills and hover over Darjeeling like a hat and the wonderful things breathes unsaid inside that, like the bent trees, the happy earthworms, the reluctant tea-colored puddles, flowering Rhododendrons and Magnolia plants and the wild garden flowers blooming in different colors of rainbow and a British bungalow growing a fragile façade of greenery for ages amidst a sprawling tea garden. The tourist places in Darjeeling will leave a traveler mesmerized and awed with the beauty that the place offers.

And when the heavens’ open up to hammer the water down, the grass looks wet-green and pleased, loose earth shapes off its edges, the washed off dust-green trees smiles afresh and the green countryside glitters in the traces of sunshine.Covered with the dense evergreen forests of Sal and Oak, with ducks and teals creating waves in water, and with rare breeds of orchid spreading colors on a moist soil, Darjeeling, a previous summer capital of India under the British Raj holds the incredible panoramic views of Kanchenjunga snow peaks, beautiful colonial architecture including mansions and churches, an influence of diverse cultures in the majestic craft and cuisine, a beautiful women, the taker of the seeds with a yellow scarf on her head and tea-bag on her shoulders, and a vast expanse of Tea estates in its root.

This “Mecca of Tea” with over 80 operational tea gardens spread across acres of land, writes on a foggy day sitting inside a vintage Toy Train from 1880s, a whimsical poem, of what is delightfully read as the "Champagne of tea". The northwest winds visit Darjeeling to tear it full of holes but the new beautiful things come in the first spit of spring on the northwest wind, and the old leaves go, not one lasts but the beauty stays with the new and lasts for eternity. Darjeeling is a beauty that won’t let your heart stop, from beating in ecstasy, and the tourist places in Darjeeling shall always ensure that!

Manipur, a state in the north eastern India is a lush green place which offers a plethora of activities for its guests. This place rich in nature, culture and traditions is a perfect spot for a holiday with family, friends or even as a solo traveler, as you will never get bored at this place.

This place does not have a lot of luxury options like other tourist places, but you will surely enjoy even with the basic decent tourist facilities offered over here.

If you an adventure enthusiast, you can do camping, trekking and boating over here. If you are a nature lover, everything around you including the lush green hills, tall standing trees and sparkling rivers are a treat for you and if you are a shopping enthusiast, this place is a paradise for you as it offers some of the best handloom fabrics and handicrafts for you to shop.

Manipur is a home of folk culture and traditions and you will be enchanted to see the way people have still preserved their culture even when everything in their surroundings is developing at a very fast pace. If you are looking for a relaxing holiday in the laps of nature surrounded by sheer tranquility, Manipur is the destination you should finalize.

Nagaland, a lush green mountainous state in the north eastern India which borders Myanmar is a home to diverse culture, traditions and lifestyle of tribal groups who live their life amid the naturally blessed land. When you visit this place, you will like you are on a completely different planet because the serenity and tranquility which you will experience here is like nowhere else in the world and you will surely be awestruck with the mesmerizing views of the nature here.

This state celebrates natural beauty, serenity, tribal culture, festivals and markets which is filled with a unique charm and simplicity and it will leave you mesmerized. You can experience authentic local tribal culture which has some of its most unique as well as strange and bizarre aspects, which will leave you stunned.

Nagaland is a truly fascinating land which will leave your wanderlust soul totally mesmerized. The land is not at all invaded by infrastructural development thanks to the tribes who have worked their best to preserve culture. If you want to visit a destination to seek some solace and enjoy in the laps of nature, you should visit Nagaland for your next holidays.

The idyllic little town of Paro is tucked in the southern slopes of Eastern Himalayas at the foothills of Mount Jomolhari. It is a landlocked country bounded by India in South and South-West and Tibet in the north and north-west. 

The name Paro brings into our minds a plethora of images of the majestic Himalayas with its rugged terrains, rickety curves, alpine forests, sacred monasteries and expansive landscapes under the blue dome of the sky and takes you into a pristine world of peace and tranquillity. Your day begins by gazing at the surreal sunrise over the Himalayas leaving an enduring effect in your soul throughout the day. 

Paro is home to some of the ancient monasteries and temples of the world whose history traces back to the 7th century and holds various myths and folklore to their names.  Fun lovers not to be disappointed at Paro! There are cafes, restaurants, museums and places of nature hiking that will certainly keep you engaged throughout your trip. The most iconic landmarks in Paro include Taktsang Monastery, Namsay Artisanal Brewery, Archery Ground, Chele La Pass and many more.

For the adrenaline junkies Paro is the perfect destination to try your guts! Paro has some of the most challenging biking trails of the world which is bound to allure any biker who wants to scale the height on the wheels. Apart from that you can go on hiking, trekking, rafting, kayaking and stargazing. The Snowman Trek which is one of the highest trekking trails of the world will leave you awestruck as you ride along the trail and get a bird’s eye view of the stunning panorama from a height of 5,400 metres.

Visiting Paro during summer will give you a chance to explore the nooks of the city of Paro and appreciate the stunning view of the landscapes at the backdrop of the shimmering white Himalayas.  During this time the climate is temperate and suitable for adventurous activities. But, if you want snow in your vacation, winter should be your choicest season.