Mountains, valleys, rivers, forests, caves – the Seven Sister states in North-East India are full of surprises. The entire region is studded with various points of fun and adventure, and caters perfectly to those who like to live life on the edge. If you’re looking for an adrenaline-fueled holiday, then take a trip to the North-East, and you’ll not be disappointed. The number of places and the types of adventures are innumerable. Here are some of the best places for adventure tourism in North-East India.

Places For Adventure Tourism In North-East India

1. Subansiri River, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam

Originating in the Tibetan Himalayas, the river Subansiri enters India at Taksing, and traverses India through the towns of Daporijo and Dumporijo, and several valleys of Arunachal Pradesh, until it enters Assam at Gerukhamukh to join the Brahmaputra River. In fact, it is the largest tributary of Brahmaputra, and makes for one of the toughest river rafting journeys in India. It passes through dense forests and rough terrains, and has great volume and speed. Plus, there are some really exciting rapids of Grade III and above, which make the journey even more challenging. It is perfect for angling and rafting enthusiasts who like it rough. There are various angling points along the river where you can lure big fighting fish like Trout, Golden Masher and Goonj, to battle them. Besides, there’s a lot more to do, such as camping at different campsites, bird-watching, etc. along the exotic landscapes surrounding the River.

2. Namdapha Rainforest Trek, Arunachal Pradesh

The Namdapha National Park, in the Noa-Dihing valley of Arunachal Pradesh, is one of the best places for adventure tourism in North-East India. It is the largest national park of the country, located in the eastern-most tip of the Indian sub-continent. Tropical rainforests cover the rugged terrain here, and the region is great for satiating your thirst for a unique trek along a trail filled with greenery. There’s a huge biological diversity found here, with over 1000 species of flora, and 500 species of fauna, including birds, red pandas, flying squirrels, bears, deer, and a lot more. Many of the endemic species of flora and fauna are not found anywhere else in the world. The altitudinal diversity has led to different types of forests. A trek along this forested region is exclusive. As you pass through some of the remotest terrains of the Himalayas, you take home an experience of a life-time. You get to learn survival skills as a forest-dweller, while appreciating the nature, closely.

3. Living Root Bridge, Meghalaya

Meghalaya is touted as the wettest state in India, and its climatic conditions are just perfect for it to house a lot of greenery. Of the trees and plants growing in vast volumes in this state, the one that has particular visibility is the rubber, which has an abundant growth here. These rubber trees have secondary roots that become strong and thick, enough to be manipulated by the local War-Khasi tribe to raise unique pieces of natural architecture – the Living Root Bridges. As the direction of the rubber tree roots has undergone changes, bridges have been formed over the rivers of the region. In fact, whenever the locals feel the need, they simply grow their bridge now. These are extraordinarily strong structures, and can support around fifty people on them at a time. Go trekking to reach the bridges. Take a walk along the living bridges, because that is a thrill in itself. Camp under them. All in all, it is a like living in the pages of a Tolkien novel.

4. Helicopter Rides in Sikkim

While Sikkim is one of the best places for adventure tourism in North-East India for you to go trekking all the way to Gangtok along the winding uphill road, you can take a helicopter ride instead of the arduous, backbreaking journey. The ride from Bagdogra to Sikkim in a helicopter is far easier and more comfortable. But, do not be under the impression that there’s a lack of excitement in this adventure. Seeing the beauty of the scenic region from the top is as exciting as it can get, as you feel the sensation of flying like a bird, and devour the scenes while drifting over mountains and valleys, rivers and tea estates. The feeling of witnessing the Kanchenjunga or Mt. Siniolchu from the top is beyond all words and expressions. You can opt for different flight packages, and go for sightseeing from an elevation of 17,000 feet, as the vast grandeur of the Himalayas stretches out in front of you, right into the blue horizon.

5. Yak Safari, Sikkim

A safari experience where you travel on the back of the furry, colourfully decorated yaks along the mountains: this is an adventure that’s typical of Sikkim, and hardly found anywhere else. It is a unique adventure, and a relatively untiring one, during which you get to enjoy the beauty of Sikkim in a whole new way, as you experience spectacular and mysterious views of mountains and valleys, lakes and meadows, which together make this safari an absolutely unforgettable one. There are different yak safari trails in Sikkim. The most popular of them are from Dzongri to Tsomgo lake, and in the trekking points of Chopta Valley. Thus the yak safaris take you to excellent destinations, and offer memorable journeys to them, as well. Besides, the yaks themselves are worth taking the journey for – they are brightly decorated, with strings of bells around their necks, and knitwear over their foreheads. They even have woolen knitwear over their horns!

6. Kaziranga Wildlife Sanctuary, Assam

The Kaziranga Wildlife Sanctuary, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Assam, is one of the prized jewels of the nation. It is the natural habitat of the great Indian one-horned rhinos, which are the biggest attractions for coming to this place. This reserve is home to about 66% of the total population of rhinoceros in the world, and is therefore likely not to disappoint you, if you’re here to spot the uniquely majestic creatures. But a rhino is not all that you can see, here. The Kaziranga is one of the ultimate places for adventure tourism in North-East India for the wildlife enthusiasts. This sanctuary boasts of the highest density of tigers in the wildlife reserves on earth. Besides, this place also has a large number of other animals, such as the Indian elephant, Indian wild boar, swamp deer, Indian gaur, barking deer, large Indian civet, golden jacket, Bengal fox, and a lot more. Plus, it is also visited by over 250 migratory birds every year.

7. Manas National Park & Tiger Reserve, Assam

Yet another UNESCO World Heritage site in Assam, the Manas National Park is situated at the foothills of the Bhutan-Himalayas, and is yet another one of the excellent places for adventure tourism in North-East India for the wildlife lovers. Besides being a UNESCO Natural World Heritage site, it is a Project Tiger Reserve, an Elephant Reserve and a Biosphere Reserve. It is named after the Manas River, as this beautiful river flows through the reserve. It has a landscape and a biodiversity that together make it unique, not only in the country but in the entire world. It is home to a wide range of fauna, including the Assam roofed turtle, golden langur, pygmy hog, and many more. It is most noted for its high density of tigers, so much so that you will not have any difficulty in spotting one during your adventurous safari in this reserve. You will be exposed to such sights and experiences during your journey that you won’t easily forget.

8. Caves of Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya

If you are excited by the prospect of exploring undiscovered caves as an adventure activity, then you’ll be doing yourself a favour by travelling to the Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya. This region has a large number of caves of different difficulty levels, and there’s something to lure different kinds of cavers. The caves are beautiful, with stunningly beautiful entrances. Some of them are quite steep. These caves have different kinds of structures, which makes them all the more interesting for the adventure enthusiasts. The Jaintia Hills also has the longest cave in the country, i.e. the Krem Liat Prah. All in all, there are different kinds of adventures awaiting visitors of different expertise, from basic caves to those with a complex structure of passages. The abundant deposits of limestone in the hills, along with ample rainfall that the region receives, have led to the breathtaking natural rock formations, in hundreds, making the place even more breathtaking.

There are plenty of other places for adventure tourism in North-East India. You can go river rafting along Siang, trek to the Beyul of Pemako, or scale the Gorichen Peak in Arunachal Pradesh, or go for the unexplored Spiti Valley; Sandakphu, Goecha La, Yumthang Valley and Nathu La Pass are great trekking trails in Assam, and so are Japfu Peak and Dzukou Valley n Nagaland. But these are just a few of the many treasures that the North-East has to offer.

The vast diversity of landscapes, along with the flora and fauna, makes the Northeastern part of India a treasure trove. There are untrodden and unspoilt places to find and experience, as you get a heady rush of adrenaline for all the right reasons. No wonder this region is the Paradise Unexplored. So, head to the Northeast for an adventure-filled holiday, and let us know about your experience of adventure tourism in North-East India. And, if you need help in planning your next trip, download our online itinerary planner, to make things easy!

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