A group of seven states in the northeastern part of the Indian subcontinent is referred to as the Seven Sisters of India. Together, they form a unique region with distinct cultures, languages, traditions, and picturesque landscapes. The states that make up the Seven Sisters of India are Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Tripura. Collectively, these Seven Sister states have become highly popular among travelers and explorers from around the world.

In the Northeast, one can find a seamless blend of natural beauty, rich traditions, historical treasures, and a growing cosmopolitan flair in its biggest towns, adding to the region’s appeal for tourism. The gateway to the Seven Sisters is the capital city of Guwahati, with the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport connecting to different corners of the country. As a transit point, Guwahati not only facilitates seamless travel connections to all the Seven Sisters but also offers a glimpse into the vibrancy of the region.

The Best Places to Visit in the Seven Sisters

Each state is blessed with a wide array of attractions that collectively create a diverse and captivating tapestry for visitors.

Arunachal Pradesh

Those with a streak of adventure can visit Arunachal Pradesh and get mesmerized by the high-altitude mountain passes of the eastern Himalayas. The snow-capped peaks, the seven sisters mountain, flora, and fauna, and some of the oldest monasteries found in Tawang, Ziro Valley, Sangti Valley, and Mechuka leave almost everyone spellbound.

Assam

The national parks of Assam, most famously Kaziranga, provide sanctuary to the endangered one-horned rhinoceros, only in India and Nepal. Places like Jorhat and Dibrugarh in Assam are renowned for their tea estates, echoing colonial memories and offering immersive experiences for those eager to delve into the art of tea production. The Kamakhya temple in Guwahati has been a revered pilgrimage site while Majuli, a riverine island on Brahmaputra river holds great cultural and spiritual significance.

Manipur

The Loktak Lake in Manipur state is the only known floating lake on earth, and with a floating national park called the Keibul Lamjao is a must-visit destination. On the borders of Manipur and Nagaland lies the Dzukou Valley, a paradise for trekkers and one of the most exotic attractions in the world. What marks it apart from other treks through rugged mountains are the dense bamboo forests.

Nagaland

Nagaland also has several other trails like the Japfu peak trek, the highest point in the state, and community-based village tourism options such as Khonoma, and Kigwema, where one can spend a relaxing holiday. This trend, which blends rural community engagement with an eco-friendly approach to tourism, has become widely popular across all the Seven Sisters states.

The best places to visit in the seven sisters include Mawlynnong, the cleanest village in Asia, the famous living root bridges in Meghalaya, and many more amazing places. Mawsynrum, Cherrapunji, and Shillong city attract tourists with their misty landscapes and cascading waterfalls. The famous Seven Sister Falls in Cherrapunji was named after the northeastern states and is a very popular tourist hotspot. The Champhai town in Mizoram is a bustling commercial town at the Indo-Myanmar border. Its vineyards and fruit plantations of passion fruit and kiwi account for its serene beauty. The town of Kolasib on the beautiful banks of the Tlawng River and adjoining forests serves as a countryside getaway. The state of Tripura too has culturally rich attractions like Ujjayanta Palace and Unakoti with gigantic rock carvings.

The Best Time to Visit the Seven Sisters

The duration and intensity of each season varies from state to state in the Northeast. Hence, if one intends to visit multiple states, the general guideline would be to avoid the monsoon season as it is marked with road blockages, landslides, and even floods. The months of October to the beginning of June are the best time to visit the Seven Sisters. Many of the cultural and music festivals, such as the Hornbill Festival in Nagaland, and the Ziro Music Festival in Arunachal, to name a few, are held during the winter months.

Apart from showcasing the culture of the seven sister states, these festivals also give a platform for local artists to showcase their talent and make the region more appealing to visitors from across the world.