Visiting the Northeast

The Northeast is a true frontier region. It has over 2, 000 km of border with Bhutan, China, Myanmar (Burma) and Bangladesh and is connected to the rest of lndia by a narrow 20-km wide corridor of land. One of the most ethnically and linguistically diverse regions in Asia, each of the seven states has its distinct culture and tradition. Deep forests cover the sparsely populated foothills of the Himalaya which comprise Arunachal Pradesh, only recently opened to visitors. To its south, Assam, which occupies the lush lowlands of the Brahmaputra Valley, is the most densely populated and largest of the states. Meghalaya’s beautiful hills have the dubious distinction of being the wettest region in the world. The little-visited four southeastern states of the region, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura, make up a fascinating area, hilly, remote, and a zone where the tribal cultures of South and South EastAsia intertwine.

The Northeast has been a politically sensitive region since independence.insurgency in places continues to surface making travel in some areas unsafe. Arunachal Pradesh, most of Assam, Meghalaya and Mizaram ar largely free of problems. Nevertheless, advice on travel to these and the other states should be taken locally.

Visitors to Assam, Meghalaya and Tripura do not need permits but may need to register on arrival and departure. Foreigners visiting Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram may obtain Restricted Area Permits from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Foreigners Division, Lok Nayak Bhavan, Khan Market, New Delhi 1 10003. Send two photos and allow up to six weeks.

Indians require Inner Line Permits from the Ministry of Home Affairs. Groups of four should travel together to get a permit; the State Tourist Offices can usually help. Check the political situation and rules as they are subject to change Foreigners