The eastern hills fall into two landscapes. The Darjeeling hills and Sikkim are true Himalaya, with Kanchenjunga on the skyline, tea gardens and Buddhist monasteries. Further east, Meghalaya's plateau, Arunachal's valleys and the Naga and Mizo hills are lower and greener, with strong community cultures.
Darjeeling and Kalimpong are in West Bengal rather than the Northeast, but most travellers combine them with Sikkim, so they are included here.
Quick answer
The best hill stations in the eastern Himalaya and Northeast India are Darjeeling and Kalimpong in West Bengal; Gangtok, Pelling, Ravangla and Lachung in Sikkim; Shillong and Sohra in Meghalaya; Tawang, Dirang and Ziro in Arunachal Pradesh; Kohima in Nagaland; and Aizawl in Mizoram. March to May and October to December are the best months; Indian visitors need an Inner Line Permit for Arunachal, Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur.
Key takeaways
- Darjeeling and Sikkim have the clearest Kanchenjunga views from October to December.
- Meghalaya is one of the wettest places on earth; visit its waterfalls in or just after the monsoon.
- Arunachal, Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur require an Inner Line Permit for Indian visitors.
- Protected areas in Sikkim, such as Tsomgo and North Sikkim, need permits.
- Distances look short on a map but roads are slow; allow full days for transfers.
At a glance
| Hill station | State | Known for | Gateway |
|---|---|---|---|
| Darjeeling | West Bengal | Tea, toy train, Tiger Hill sunrise | Bagdogra or New Jalpaiguri |
| Kalimpong | West Bengal | Quiet town, monasteries, nurseries | Bagdogra or New Jalpaiguri |
| Gangtok | Sikkim | Monasteries, MG Marg, day trips to Tsomgo | Bagdogra or Pakyong |
| Pelling | Sikkim | Kanchenjunga views, Pemayangtse | Bagdogra |
| Lachung | Sikkim | Yumthang valley (permit needed) | Via Gangtok |
| Shillong | Meghalaya | Pine hills, music, Umiam Lake | Guwahati |
| Sohra (Cherrapunji) | Meghalaya | Waterfalls, root bridges | Via Shillong |
| Tawang | Arunachal Pradesh | Monastery, high passes | Guwahati or Tezpur by road |
| Ziro | Arunachal Pradesh | Apatani valley, music festival | Via Itanagar |
| Kohima | Nagaland | War cemetery, Hornbill Festival | Dimapur |
Darjeeling and Sikkim
Darjeeling and Kalimpong
Tea estates, the toy train, Tiger Hill and quieter Kalimpong across the Teesta.
Gangtok, Pelling and Ravangla
Sikkim's capital, the Kanchenjunga views of West Sikkim, and Ravangla's Buddha Park.
North Sikkim
Lachung and Yumthang, Lachen and Gurudongmar, visited with permits through registered operators.
Meghalaya
Shillong and Sohra
Shillong's lakes and viewpoints, and the waterfalls, caves and living root bridges around Sohra.
Shillong guide · Cherrapunji guide · Nongriat guide · Mawlynnong guide
Arunachal Pradesh
Tawang, Dirang, Bomdila and Ziro
The monastery town of Tawang over the Sela Pass (now with an all-weather tunnel), Dirang's valley, Bomdila, and Ziro's Apatani rice fields; Mechuka further west.
Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur, Assam and Tripura
- Kohima and Khonoma in Nagaland, and the Dzukou Valley trek.
- Aizawl, Mizoram's ridge-top capital.
- Ukhrul in Manipur, home of the Shirui lily.
- Haflong, Assam's only hill station.
- Jampui Hills in Tripura, known for orange orchards.
Guides
More hills of the Northeast.
Kohima guide · Aizawl guide · Ukhrul guide · Haflong guide · Jampui Hills guide
Permits
- Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur: Inner Line Permit for Indian visitors, available online.
- Sikkim: Protected Area Permits for Tsomgo, Nathu La (Indian nationals only) and North Sikkim.
- Foreign nationals need Protected Area Permits in several areas; check each state's rules.
Where to stay
Darjeeling and Gangtok have the widest choice, from old tea bungalows and heritage hotels to homestays. In Meghalaya, Shillong makes a good base, with homestays around Sohra for walks to the root bridges. In Arunachal, Tawang, Dirang and Ziro have hotels and homestays, but options are fewer, so book ahead in peak season and around festivals such as the Ziro music festival and the Hornbill Festival in Nagaland.
When to go
- March to May: rhododendrons and spring flowers; some haze in the lower hills.
- June to September: heavy rain, especially in Meghalaya; landslides can close roads.
- October to December: the clearest mountain views of the year.
- January to February: cold; snow is possible at high places such as Tsomgo, Sela and North Sikkim.
Safety
- Mountain roads close or slow down after heavy rain, snow or landslides; check road and weather updates, and avoid driving after dark.
- Permits, e-passes and pass openings change; check the official portals before you travel.
- Carry warm layers even in summer; nights in the hills are cool.
- Carry printed and digital copies of permits and ID.
What to pack
- Rain jacket and quick-dry clothing
- Warm layers for Sikkim and Tawang
- Walking shoes with grip
- Copies of ID and permits
Want to combine several mountain destinations into one trip?
FAQs
Which is the best hill station in Northeast India?
Gangtok, Shillong and Tawang are the most popular; Darjeeling, just outside the Northeast, is often combined with Sikkim.
Do I need a permit to visit hill stations in the Northeast?
Indian visitors need an Inner Line Permit for Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur; parts of Sikkim need Protected Area Permits.
When is the best time to see Kanchenjunga?
October to December usually has the clearest skies.
Can I combine Darjeeling and Gangtok?
Yes, they are about four hours apart by road.
Is Meghalaya good in the monsoon?
The waterfalls are at their best, but trails are slippery and roads can be disrupted.
Which northeastern hill station is best for a first visit?
Shillong or Gangtok: both have good connections, a range of stays and plenty to see within a day's drive.
