No amount of words will do justice to this common thread that elevates any experience in Northeast India and makes it so impossible to forget. Be it the simple Khasi folk of Meghalaya, the shy and helpful Mizo locals or the friendly, hospitable and absolute GEMS of Arunachal, the people of NE India need their own tourism campaign. Honesty and simplicity just sparkles through your interactions with them. So much so, that one often wonders why they undervalue their intricate crafts and wares so much and make so little from tourists for their painstaking efforts towards hospitality.
Here, homestays are where the real (and very accessible) local experience’s at. Open hearts, ready smiles, humble welcoming homes, lovingly made cups of tea and elaborate meals: all served warm with a constant background of ancestral tales of tribal warlords, powerful matriarchal figures, massive families coexisting without conflict and parents dreaming of a future for their children outside the confines of their limited geo-presence and more inclusivity as Indians.
Which one would it be?
Arunachal Pradesh with its 26 tribes, snow capped mountains, multiple faiths, Tibetan-Chinese influence, MOMOS, strong army presence and stunning vistas or Meghalaya with its abundant waterfalls, natural pools, picturesque lagoons, hidden villages, living root bridges, crystal clear rivers and beautiful winding roads?
Then there’s Assam and its RHINOS, the rapidly disappearing Majuli Islands (aka Asia’s largest river island on the banks of the mighty Brahmaputra), the tribal craftsmen and their ancient mask making traditions, the vibrant festivals and all those delicious neon tea estates.
And what about the even lesser known states of Tripura, Manipur, Nagaland and Mizoram?
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