Embarking on a journey of India's remote eight states of the North East is A tumultuous but rewarding one. Though the Partition in 1947 was greatly  responsible for the region's separation from India, recent years have seen a deep intrest in its tourist potential. The infinite variety of its geographic 'setting, Its topography, its varied flora and fauna and avian life, the history of its people and the variety of its ethnic communities and their rich heritage of ancient  traditions and lifestyles, its festivals and crafts make it a holiday wonderland that's just begging to be discovered afresh. Discovering the north East states, including the partially opened up Sikkim, in the Eastern state  Himlalayas, is a challenge - yet a romantic adventure in the best traditions or travel and discovery....... Connected by an infinite chain of pearly threads, intricate as a spider's web, the North Eastern states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura offer visitors a rare feast - a kaleidoscopic fiesta that lures you with its magical richness and stunning variety. The raw natural beauty, rare orchids and butterflies, brightly painted monasteries, challenging rivers, intricately woven tribal shawls, indigenous sports each one has its own special message  to the traveller as he passes from one state to another – mesmerized by its dazzling variety, and compelling appeal.

Spread over an approximate expanse of 2,65,000 sq km, the region's ecology and the lives of the people here have been shaped by the major rivers of the region, the Brahmaputra and the Barak, the serried ranges of its ancient mountains and the thick tracts of impenetrable Jungle and, of course, those months of incessant rain. The populations  remains pre­dominantly tribal. But the region was not always so remote.

For centuries, the passes and valleys of the North Eastern region were the great crossroad of the movement of people, commerce and culture that linked India ovedand to east and southeast Asia. This great ethno-cultural frontier is a rich complex transition point   of racial ,religious  and linguistic streams.

It is a unique bio-geographic frontier – the meeting point of Indic, Sinic and Malayasian-Burmese strains which have created a fabulous treasure house of faunal, floral and avian bio-diversity.

On the eastern border of Assam, north of the Brahmaputra lie the rich lands of  Arunachal Pradesh and its vast network of ancient rivers and streams'. It can be accessed from Tezpur and Dibrugarh in Assam. With its lush tea gardens and oil fields, Assam lies flush in the Brahmaputra valley, from' narrow strip of North Bengal. Nowgong is an excellent entry point for ' Nagaland (on to Kohima via Dimapur), but so is Jorhat. Manipur  can be accessed from Dimapur while the hill station of Shillong is a convenient base for exploring Meghalaya. Sikkim can be accessed through the Teesta gorge from Siliguri in West Bengal's Dooars corridor which is integrally linked to the Greater North East.

The North East's amazing diversity makes it a holiday-destination for all seasons. But because of the torrential monsoon it's best to avoid the period between June-September, October to March are the finest months to explore this diversity at leisure. During peak winter you may have problems crossing the Sela Pass to Tawang, so opt to travel there around mid September-November and March-April. For accommodation, there are plenty of hotels in the big towns to choose from, but you will also find forest rest houses in most places.

ENTRY FORMALITIES

RESTRICTED AREA PERMITS 

Restrictions are in place for entry of Foreign Tourists to  visit some place!'.

in the following states:

Arunachal Pradesh. Manipur. Mizoram. Nagaland  and sikkim

Restricted Area Permits for Foreign Tourists can  obtained from tho Ministry of Home Affairs. Foreigners' Regional Registration Offices and Immigration Offices at Airports at New Delhi. Mumbai, Kolkata and Chief Immigration Officer. Chennai apart from All Indian Missions Ions overseas. I.G, Police or Home Commissioners of all the above-million states. In case of Nagaland. the same can also be obtained from the Office of the Resident Commissioner at New Delhi.

Foreign Tourists will be allowed to visit the above places for a maximum period of 10 days and in groups of 4 or more persons.However. married couples can be allowed. For Sikkim. an individual tourist can  obtain the permit from the state's Tourist Offices located at Now Delhi. Kolkata and Silchar for 15 days. extendable by another 15 day.

INNER LINE PERMITS

Inner Line Permits for Indian Tourists can be obtained from Resident

Commissioners and Representatives of the above stlilos (not required for Manipur) at New Delhi. Kolkata. Mumbai and Chief Immigration Officer. Chennai and at Border Crossings. For Mizoram. The permit can be had from the Office of the Resident Commissioner at New Delhi and Liaison Officers based at Kolkata. Guwahati. Shillong and Silchar

The facts given above are current as on the date of going to print. In/olll/Btlon is subject to change from time to time. For latest information contact the nearest Indian MIssIOn.

DO'S

In case of need or desire to overstay. you are advised to contact the  nearest Foreigners' 'Regional Registration Office.

It is advisable to avail of pre-paid taxis/auto-rickshaws or pay by meter or ask for the fare chart.

Advisable to shop at Govt. Emporia/Fixed Price Shops to ensure quality and reasonable prices.

Check power voltage before using electrical instruments (220/240 V are available in India).

Keep your valuables in hotel lockers/safe deposit vaults.

You are to advised the nearest Indiatourism Office/State Government  Tourist Officer Government approved Travel AgentsjTour Operators for local sight-seeing and excursion tours.

Fast trains/ intercity  express are available between several tourist centre. Consult the Railway information office or India tourism Office/State Government tourist office.

 Always hire a Government approved tourist guide who invariably carries an Identity card.

Check about photography  permission/video filming at any monument.

Contact the nearest India tourism Office/State Government Tourist Office.

In case of loss of any document , contact nearest India tourism Office/police station /state Government Tourist Offices

STD/ISD/FAX facilities are available at small outlets in all parts of the country with yellow sign boards.

For medical assistance you may contact hotel or accredited hospitals/ nursing homes.

Observe local traditions /customs while  visiting religious places.

There is prohibition on liquor in a few states. Check details from the nearest tourist office about the same.

Smoking not allowed in public places and vehicles in some states.

Don'ts

Don’t  encourage beggars.

Don’t accept food/drink from stangers.

Export of Indian currency is banned.

Don’t be coerced into shopping by touts/guides/taxi drivers or strangers.

Don’t buy articles made from rare/endangered species of animals  which are banned.