Abstract:

The natural splendour and different cultures of North East India are a treasure trove. The Eastern Himalayas and the sub-Himalayan ranges are present in North East India, indicating the potential for adventure sports like mountaineering and hiking.

Some of the highest Himalayan peaks, including Mt. Kanchenjunga (8586m) and Mt. Kangto (7090m), are in Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. Other states, including Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, and Mizoram, are fortunate to have sub-mountain ranges. Northeastern India's adventure tourism industry is still in its early stages of development. Some of the treks include:

  • Goechala Trek
  • Mount Saramati Trek
  • Monpa Trail Trek
  • Dzukou Trek
  • Nongriat Trek

Treks and hikes through nature renew the spirit. It has helped me to heal. Living in the moment and constantly pushing ourselves to new heights and limits are empowering. We frequently go to Northeast trekking Indian states. This post is for you if you enjoy exploring new places and want to know where to go on treks in Northeast India.

5 Best Treks In North-East India:

Goechala Trek, Sikkim 

  • Trek length - 90 km
  • Duration - 11 days
  • Base camp - Yuksom
  • Altitude - 4940 m
  • Best time to trek - October - March

The Goecha La trek is a wonderfully spectacular journey through some of Northeastern India's most breathtaking scenery. Due to its reasonable difficulty and stunning views, this walk is a favourite for experienced and novice hikers. The Goecha La Trek begins in the West Sikkim area of Sikkim's tiny settlement of Yuksom.

You travel along the trail through rhododendron woods, alpine meadows, and beautiful green woodlands. You'll notice the terrain change as you climb, going from deep forests to broad meadows with stunning views of the Kanchenjunga range. The trail is also peppered with charming villages that provide a window into the locals' way of life and culture.

The Goecha La Pass, situated at a height of 4,940 meters, is undoubtedly the trek's high point. The Kanchenjunga range and other peaks like Pandim and Kabru are beautifully seen from this route.

Towering peaks will surround you as you climb to the pass, and the vista from the top is just breathtaking. The border between Sikkim and Nepal is also marked by the pass. From here, you'll be able to see both nations. One of the best treks in India is unquestionably the Goecha La Trek.

Goechala Trek route

  • Yuksom to Sachen (2300 meter)
  • Sachen to Tshoka (5000 meter)
  • Tshoka to Dzongri (9000 meter) [Spot prominent himalayan peaks from Dzongri like Kanchenjunga and Mt.Pandim ]
  • Dzongri to Thansing (7000 meter)
  • Thansing to Lamuney (4000 meter)
  • Lamuney to Goechala (6000 meter)

How to reach?

You must first travel to Yuksom to reach Goechala. Bagdogra Airport in West Bengal's Darjeeling District's Siliguri division is the closest airport to Yuksom. Yuksom is roughly 150 kilometres from New Jalpaiguri Railway station, and you can get there in 8 hours.

Things to do

  • Temperate Rhododendron forests
  • Kangchenjunga, Mt.Pandim
  • Observe rare flora and fauna.

Mount Saramati trek, Nagaland

  • Trek length - 35 km
  • Duration - 5 days
  • Base camp - Saramati
  • Altitude - 3841 m
  • Best time to trek - December - March

The tallest mountain in Nagaland is called Mount Saramati. It is situated on the border between India and Myanmar at a height of 3841 metres (12602 feet). The Mount Saramati trek, a high-altitude walk, begins in Nagaland's Kiphire District near Thanamir Apple Village.

The trip to Saramati Peak is remarkable in a variety of ways. The Yimchungru Naga ethnic group resides there. Finding out about their culture is always interesting. The Yimchungru people farm apples extensively in Thanamir. We had no idea that apples were even produced in Nagaland until our 2016 journey.

Winter is ideal for hiking Mount Saramati because of the snowfall in December and January and the flowering season in September.

Mount Saramati Trek route

  1. Start from the Thanamir village
  2. You will eventually arrive at the base camp, next to a little water stream, after frequent ascents and descents and a climb up a steep rock wall of around 40 to 50 feet. From Thanamir to the base camp of Mount Saramati, the hike takes 7 to 10 hours.
  3. Set out on your walk the following morning to see the dawn. The last walk to Mount Saramati Peak takes another 4–6 hours.

How to reach?

You must first travel to Thanamir Village to access Mount Saramati. From Pungro Town, it takes about 5 hours to reach Thanamir Village. It takes 12 hours to get from Kohima to Pungro. Dimapur has the closest airport and train. Between Dimapur and Kohima, one can take shared or rented vehicles.

Things to do

  • Nagaland Emporium
  • Various villages around Kohima 
  • Visit Sangtam Tribe
  • Fakim Wildlife Sanctuary

Monpa trail trek, Arunachal Pradesh

  • Trek length - 13.5 km
  • Duration - 2 days
  • Base camp - Gorichen Peak Base Camp
  • Altitude - 2960 m
  • Best time to trek - March - July

The Monpa Trail Walk is located in Arunachal Pradesh, where the Mona ethnic group has its home. The Monpa Trail Trek begins in Dirang's Sangti Valley and concludes at Thembang Village in the West Kameng province.

To go to Sangti Valley, we used the Guwahati-Bhairabkunda-Shergaon-Rupa-Bomdilla-Dirang route. Although the trip was lengthy, it was all worthwhile. It is pleasant to finally arrive in Sangti Valley at dusk after crossing a hanging bridge, experiencing the pristine forests, floating above the clouds, and travelling to Bomdilla on a chilly evening.

Sangti Valley is one of the most beautiful and far-flung places. Sangti Valley is the location to go if you want a tranquil overnight journey to Tawang. It can be found close to the Sangti River.

The people and scenery make the Monpa trail walk the finest. While admiring the vistas of the Gorichen Mountain Range of the Eastern Himalayas, learn about the Monpas, their culture, and their way of life. 

Monpa trail Trek route

You must first travel to Dirang town in Arunachal Pradesh before you can get to Sangti Valley. You can board shared vehicles or buses in Assam from Tezpur or Guwahati. You must rent a car from Dirang to get to Sangti Valley.

How to reach?

  1. Start from Sangti Valley to Khalibok Village
  2. Move towards Chander Village
  3. From Chander go to Pangma
  4. Finally, move from Pangma to Thembang

Things to do

  • Remote and pristine landscapes 
  • Learn the culture of Monpas
  • Enjoy panoramic views of mountains and valleys
  • Visit Tawang City and old monasteries

Dzukou Valley trek, Nagaland

  • Trek length - 13 km
  • Duration - 2 days
  • Base camp - Dzukou Base Camp
  • Altitude - 2450 m
  • Best time to trek - March - July

Another well-liked trip in North East India is the Dzukou Valley trip. The journey offers breathtaking views of the Dzukou Valley as it takes you through the scenic terrain of the two northeastern nations of Nagaland and Manipur. The valley is well-known for its huge expanses of lush meadows, the uncommon Dzukou Lily, and its abundance of pink, yellow, and white wildflowers.

Jakhama and Viswema are the two villages where the Dzukou Valley walk departs. The Jakhama walking route is challenging and passes through streams and forested areas. You can glimpse the bamboo-filled valley once you have ascended Jakhama Hill.

The Viswema trail is less difficult than the Jakhama trail but more beautiful. Hired cars and sumos can take you to the top of the hill and drop you off at the trailhead. The trail is steepest at the beginning. The view improves after you arrive at the Viewpoint and a rest shed. After another two hours of zigzagging, you will arrive at the Dzukou Valley Campsite.

The view of the Dzukou Valley's undulating hills, situated at a height of 2,452 metres, is the trek's high point. The valley provides stunning views of the valley below and the mountains in the area.

Dzukou Valley Trek route

There are two paths for the Dzukou Valley trek: Jakhama and Viswema. Make sure you pick the correct designated trail from the Rest Shed for the Viswema route. The trail leads to Mt. Tempi (Iso) on the left. Follow the steps on the Jakhama walk route until you reach the top of the hill, then cross the river stream at the beginning. After that, the trail descends until it meets the Viswema route. The rest of the way is a relatively easy trail that leads to the Dzukou Valley Campsite Area.

How to reach?

You must first travel to Dimapur, home to the regional airport and the railway station, to get to Dzukou Valley. Up until Kohima, shared vehicles and buses are accessible from there. You must hire a vehicle from Kohima that drops you off at the Jakhama or Viswema Trail's beginning.

Things to do

  • Trek in the little valleys
  • Soak into natural landscapes
  • Observe flora and fauna
  • Get local hospitality and cuisine

Nongriat trek (Living root bridge trek), Meghalaya

  • Trek length - 2.6 miles 
  • Duration - 1 day
  • Base camp - Tyrna village
  • Altitude - 2280 m
  • Best time to trek - March - September

The Meghalayan district of East Khasi Hills contains the renowned village of Nongriat. The Double Decker Living Root Bridge is what makes it renowned. Meghalaya is noted for its gushing waterfalls, caves, and—perhaps most mesmerizing—its bridges built from rubber tree roots.

A long-standing custom of the Khasi ethnic community in Meghalaya is the Living Root Bridge. It was just included in the UNESCO World Heritage site's preliminary list. An unusual living root bridge with two levels can be found in Nongriat Village. The Nongriat Trek requires a steady descent from Tyrna Village, where it begins, to Nongriat Village, where it ends.

Don't forget to explore the breathtaking Rainbow Falls in Nongriat Trek, in addition to the Double Decker Living Root Bridge. The majority of the trail from Nongriat to Rainbow Falls is an ascent.

Nongriat Trek route

Tyrna Village is the starting point, and Nongriat Village is the destination of the Nongriat Trek. There are around 3500 stairs on the trail in total. Along the trail, you will pass over a little living root and suspension bridges. 

How to reach?

Trekking down from Tyrna Village is the only way to get to Nongriat Village. You can take shared and rented vehicles from the town of Cherrapunji (Sohra), which is 12.2 kilometres from Tyrna. From Shillong, the capital city of Meghalaya, travellers can choose between buses, shared taxis, and rented cars to get to Cherrapunji.

Things to do

  • Hike to double-decker living root bridge
  • Variety of small shops 
  • A pool with fish 
  • Amazing lush green surroundings
  • Biodiverse flora and fauna

Conclusion

I would strongly advise you to go on other high-altitude treks in Northeast India, such as the Seven Lakes Trek, Bailey Trail Trek, Zawru Valley Trek in Arunachal Pradesh, and Mount Saramati Trek in Nagaland. Most trekkers limit their adventurous treks to Goecha la and Sandakphu in Northeast trekking trips.

North East India's treks share a close bond with its culture, folklore, adventure, and natural beauty. Enjoy a healthy experience while Northeast trekking.

Some of the most unusual treks in India are found in the northeastern part of the country. It is a pristine paradise for hikers.

Frequently Asked Questions

How difficult is the GoechaLa trek? 

Goecha La has a physicality scale rating of 7/10, making it a Moderate to difficult grade hike. It might also be described as a challenging hike of a moderate grade.

Which month is best for North East trekking? 

In North East India, the months from October to Mid may be ideal for hiking. In the northeastern region of the country, these are the months that are typically the driest, making your journey worthwhile. In the summer, the sky is typically clear, making exploration easier.

What things should I carry in a North East trekking trip? 

If you are planning to go on trekking anywhere in North East, these are some of the must have products for you:

Related tags :