Going rural in Assam, Meghalaya and Tripura

Hello,
I am planning on visiting the easier-to-access states of the NE region, where I am hoping to enjoy countryside areas and the more rural tribe life of places such as Assam, Megahalaya and Tripura. Can anybody recommend on spesific villages and places which would be interesting and easy to travel and to stay in?

thanks!

Hi itamar

for rural Assam, try Majuli - the largest river island in the world!
especially good during the Bihu festivals - there's some pics of Assamese spring bihu dancing in my photo gallery (in Majuli and also in countryside near Sibsagar - but don't ask me where exactly for the second one as we went on a magical mystery tour bus with the temple dancers...)

Be extra careful while traveling the countryside of northeastern states of India specially Tripura, insurgents would love to kidnap u for ransom. Kidnapping is a rocking business there.

thanks for the tip.
so where would be the most interesting and safe spots in the NE region (discluding permit states)?

I just arrived in Shillong last night after 9 days in Assam.I absolutely loved Assam.I wish i had allotted more time for it.I was in Guwahati,Kaziranga and Majuli island.The island was my favorite if you don't mind budget accomodation.I stayed at one of the monasteries for five days.My shower was an old farm pump in a room with a drain.Truly a lovely place.There's a lot of parks in Assam you could try-Nameri,Manas and others.There's a hill station called Haflong that sounds interesting.There's a lot of military about because of the troubles but I didn't find them a bother even though my shared taxi from Tezpur to Guwahati was pulled over by the army three times(searched my luggage once). Most of the times the army guys just wave at you and smile.You'll have a great time.

Hello all you India experts,

I've never been to India before and i'm now planning my 1st trip for next month. Plan to fly into Chennai and take a train to Calcutta and then on to Guwahati and finally Jorhat. Any and all tips are welcome. I'm a hot chili fanatic and plan on sampling the various chilis in Assam including the new world record holder Bhut Jolokia.

Am hoping to visit the NE states in October and wondered if anyone has visited Cherrapunjee. Can I get a helicopter there from Guwahati? Would loev to know of travel experiences in what sounds like an astoundingly beautiful area.

I've actually made it there, to Cherrapunjee.
A nice place, rarely visited by foreigners, although the weather gets very tricky in the wettest place on earth - could always be completely hidden by dense fog.

Where did you stay? How did you get there? When did you go?

I was there in April. It was very foggy. I stayed in Shillong and did a day trip to Cherrapunjee. Used public transportation, Taxi jeeps.

Generally I would say the northeast is a difficult area for the sole traveler. Tourist facilities are scarce, permissions are required for many areas, and the reward isn't always sufficient. India is huge and beautiful and there are many other places to see which are more beautiful and easier to get to. Thats, of course, my private opinion.

One of the nicest places I stayed in India was the Cherrapunjee Holiday Resort. A small six room lodge run by a wonderful couple I recommend it highly.It's in beautiful surroundings far off the beaten path.There's a lot of places to hike to but be warned that any hiking is usually up very steep inclines.In shillong they'll all insist you only have to take a day tour to cherrapunjee but that's cause they want to sell you a tour.I wished i could have spent a week there.

In terms of Himalayan experience, what would you rate as better than Tawang. Does Darjeeling compare, even without the Tibetan monastery feel?

Hey there,

Did you get a chance to visit Assam and try Bhut Jolokia ?

Cheers!

Actually my previous trip had to be canceled and is rescheduled to this month. Will let u know.

Good Luck buddy!

Here are couple of pics, but didn't have the guts to try it.

Cheers!