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Don't Fall for These Myths About Northeast India!

Gitanjali Banerjee

Last updated: Sep 25, 2017

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Being married to an Army Officer, I can safely say that I am well travelled and have had the good fortune of living in several different places in India. Arunachal Pradesh is one of them. I have lived in this really remote corner of Northeast India for two years and I can vouch for one thing – never before had I witnessed a land as beautiful, pristine and untouched as this one!

gangtok busting myth north east — Scenic beauty of the North East will charm you for a lifetime

Perfect for those seeking to tread the road less travelled, the North East is a compelling holiday option. However, most of us just rubbish the thought with a, “I would love to go to the North East but it’s so far. Some other time, maybe.” This is one among the many widespread myths about the North East that dissuade the average traveller from going to this picturesque destination. And that is precisely why I decided to kick off this mission of busting some common myths about the North East.

Myth #1

The North East is too huge. I just have a week’s leave and it can’t be covered in 5 days.

Truth True, the North East is vast, and so is Europe or Thailand for that matter. But you don’t visit every city in a continent or country in just a week, do you? Pick your cities wisely and then 5 days are just what you need to enjoy a delightful trip to the North East. You can cover Shillong, Kalimpong and Gangtok together or do a Darjeeling and Gangtok combo, or get cracking around Sikkim and Darjeeling. This is without compromising on the attractions in store. The trick is to chalk out a smart itinerary.

shillong bursting north east myth

Plan a fabulous 5 day long trip to the North East Check out MakeMyTrip’s 5-day itineraries for North East to get ideas.

Myth # 2

North East is a remote area and has bad transportation facilities.

Truth Now this statement is enough to ward off the adventurous spirit in you. However, the reality is in stark contrast. Look at the table and map below, and decide for yourself. This is pure data and not just my opinion.

north east busrting myth

Airports of Northeastern states in India I would recommend you travel to Kolkata from wherever you want to, and then take a flight to the North East to kick off your journey to this beautiful region.

north east bursting myth

P.S.: Even though rail connectivity is considerably good, it is quite time consuming. Go for it only if you have the luxury of a really long holiday.

Myth #3

North East is always drenched in rain.

Truth If you have ever noticed the weather news on prominent news channels, including Doordarshan, you would understand that the above statement is indeed a myth. It does not always rain in the North East. But when it does, the raindrops lend a mesmerizing touch to the beauty of this place. The blissful chirps of the birds, the fresh scents of the wet earth and the brilliant green hues of the trees are only a few of the many wondrous by-products of the rains in the North East that bring you closer to Mother Nature. North East enjoys clearly defined winters and summers, quite similar to rest of the country.

north east bursting myth

Some states of North East do experience moderate spells of rain even during the winter season. Nothing to worry, though! If you want to play safe then October to February is the ideal time for you catch up with this place. The weather is plesant and everything is predictable. But, if the wanderer in you itches to explore the unexplored, muddle with a bit of unpredictability, and can do away with strict planning; North East in rainy season is calling you. By the way, ever wondered why one never gets to know what’s happening beyond Assam. It seems as if the entire spread of Northeast India - Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, Meghalya, Mizoram and Nagaland is non-existent for the rest of the country. Ever wondered why? If yes, then now is the time to get to know it better!

The Final Judgement

When it comes to a short holiday in India, people prefer only two places - Goa and Kerala. While both these places are undeniably and strikingly gorgeous but man, they are crowded and sometimes obscenely expensive! If you wish to treat your senses to the silent beauty of nature than a commercialized one, then North East is the ideal destination for you. Watch this video and I am sure the traveller in you would have already taken off for the North East. If you have more questions around the North East, please feel free to connect with me.

Comments

Manish Agarwal | on 15 May 2014

Hey!!! Interesting article, I have always been intriguied by Arunachal Pradesh, and Me and a few friends are thinking of visiting Bhutan in June, but I've a few doubts: 1. Is it safe to visit Arunachal Pradesh, as all that is ever mentioned about Arunachal these days are the Chinese Incursions into our territory in Arunachal. 2. If you have any idea, is there any kind of road connectivity by bus,train from Arunachal to Bhutan??? if not flight or will I have to take a detour to include Arunachal in the same trip???