India Northeast Eight Sister States Complete Guide 2026: Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Arunachal, Tripura, Mizoram, Sikkim
Browse more guides: India travel | Asia destinations TL;DR I spent five weeks crossing India's eight northeastern states, from Assam's Brahmaputra floodplains to Arunachal's 17,000-foot monasteries. Northeast India holds 220 plus recognized tribes, two UNESCO natural sites (Kaziranga and Manas), the wettest village on Earth (Mawsynram), living root bridges grown over 200 years, and the Hornbill Festival's 16 Naga tribes gathering each December. Permits are simple for Indians (free online ILP), longer for foreigners (PAP, 4 to 7 days), and the rewards are unlike anywhere else in India. Why Visit Northeast India in 2026 Northeast India covers eight sister states: Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, Mizoram, and Sikkim (added to the regional grouping in 2002 after the Northeastern Council was formed in 1972). Together they hold roughly 4% of India's population on 7% of its land, yet account for around 60% of the country's recogniz...