6 Beautiful Valleys to Explore in North East India
Ditch the usual tourist hill stations of India and explore the region of North East India this year. A holiday trip to this region can be an incredibly gratifying experience. The sheer diversity of this place will leave you speechless and dispel your stereotypes away. The multitude of natural attractions, regional cuisine, culture, traditions and religious practices makes NE India a culturally rich region of India.
If you are a nature enthusiast, then you will surely like to visit the gorgeous valleys of the region that are second to none. Whether you visit the Yumthang Valley in Sikkim, Ziro Valley in Arunachal Pradesh, or Dzukou Valley of Nagaland, you will be blown away by the abundant picturesque sites. Check out the top places (valleys) to explore in North East India.
Explore the Beautiful Valleys of North East India
Table of Contents
- Ziro Valley – Peaceful Retreat for Travellers
- Dzukou Valley – Enjoy Blissful Panoramic Beauty
- Brahmaputra Valley – Mighty River around Dense Foliage
- Dibang Valley – Breathtaking Green Pastures & Waterfall
- Laitlum Canyons Valley – Bird’s-Eye Views of Meghalaya
- Yumthang Valley – Valley of Blooming Flowers
1. Ziro Valley – Peaceful Retreat for Travellers
Located on an elevation ranging from 1688 metres (5538 feet) to 2438 metres (8000 feet), Ziro is a beautiful and quaint town in Arunachal Pradesh. Tourism in Ziro valley revolves around tourist hidden waterfalls, viewpoints, and beautiful villages. Away from the hustle and bustle of city life, Ziro town is a peaceful valley for those searching for peace.
Ziro Valley is also a cultural landscape for the Apatiani tribe of Arunachal Pradesh. It is laden with trekking trails and gives exciting opportunities for birdwatching. If you are looking to explore the four-day Ziro Music festival, take an Arunachal trip in September.
- Best time to visit Ziro Valley: September to November and March to May
- Distance from Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh: 167 km
- What to see in Ziro Valley: Meghna Cave Temple, Siikhe Lake, Talley Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, Tarin Fish Farm, etc.
2. Dzukou Valley – Enjoy Blissful Panoramic Beauty
Also known as Dziiko Valley, Dzukou Valley is a beautiful valley teeming with greenery. It is situated between Senapati district of Manipur and Kohima district of Nagaland in Northeast India. If you want to witness a cool natural environment, seasonal blooms and rich flora & fauna, visit Dzukou Valley on your next Nagaland trip. Coming here will surely give a visual treat to your eyes.
Dzukou Valley also has some of the most amazing trekking routes in Nagaland. You can trek through oak and rhododendron forests as well as dense bamboo forests.If you’re a wildlife enthusiast, you can also spot the capped langur, the stump-tailed macaque, Asian golden cat, the Hollock Gibbon, etc.
- Best time to visit Dzukou Valley: March to May and August to October
- Distance from Kohima, Nagaland: 14 kilometers
- What to see in Dzukou Valley: Jakhama and Vishwema Villages, Dzukou Lily Sanctuary, Japfu Peak, Dzukou Valley Viewpoint
3. Brahmaputra Valley – Mighty River around Dense Foliage
Escape the heat and humidity of summers. Spend holidays in Assam by visiting the beautiful Brahmaputra valley. Did you know that Brahmaputra Valley is one of the most fertile valleys in the world? The rich soil deposits are brought by one of the mightiest rivers in Asia, making the valleys extremely fertile. Also known as Assam Valley, it is situated between the hills of East of Himalayas. There are around 30 districts that fall under the Brahmaputa Valley.
- Best time to visit Brahmaputra Valley: October to April
- Distance from Guwahati, Assam: 130 km
- What to see around the valley: Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, Brahmaputra River Heritage Centre, Nehru Park, Brahmaputra River View Point, etc.
4. Dibang Valley – Breathtaking Green Pastures & Waterfall
Dibang Valley is a picturesque destination that is replete with the best natural attractions you can find in a single place. This valley is located far off from Itanagar (around 472 km), and is mostly visited by those who are looking for offbeat experiences. Here you can visit waterfalls, lakes, spot wildlife, do birdwatching, and go on a trekking expedition. The top attractions in valleys (picnic spots, viewpoints, gardens) are suitable for families, couples, adventurers, photographers, etc.
- Best time to visit: October to April
- Distance from Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh: 472 Kms by road
- What to see: Mehao Wildlife Sanctuary, Mayudia Pass, Mehao Lake, Dihang-Dibang Biosphere Reserve, Nehru Van Udyan, etc
5. Laitlum Canyons Valley – Bird’s-Eye Views of Meghalaya
If Meghalaya is a part of your North East tour itinerary, then be sure to check out the Laitlum Canyons Valley. There is no exaggeration when it comes to adventurous thrills and awe-inspiring beauty you get to experience from here. The words Laitlum Canyon literally translates to the phrase the “End of the Hills”. Take your binoculars or a DSLR camera and record/watch the floating cottony clouds and velvety green hills of Meghalaya. Trekkers can also find some amazing trails to go on a hiking tour.
- Best time to visit Laitlum Canyons Valley: October to May
- Distance from Shillong, Meghalaya: 24 km (approx.)
- What to see: Laitlum Stream, Waterfalls, Lush Greenery, Himalayan Birds
6. Yumthang Valley – Valley of Blooming Flowers
Are you planning a Sikkim tour? If yes, make sure to add a visit to the breathtaking Valley of Flowers, also known as Yumthang Valley. Picture a hilly grassland blooming with a variety of flowers covering the green covers with dotted pinks, purples, reds, and yellow. That’s Yumthang Valley for you! If you are a flower enthusiast or want to visit a dreamy destination on your honeymoon, visit Yumthang Valley, near Lachung.
- Best time to visit Yumthang Valley: Late February to June
- Distance from Gangtok, Sikkim: 120 kilometers
- What to see: Yumthang Hot Springs, Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary, Waterfalls, Variety of flowers like roses, primulas, peonies, poppies, orchids, and rhododendrons.
The above-mentioned valleys in the North east part of India are hotspots of amazing natural attractions. On your next North east India adventure, include some of the valleys and let the hidden beauty of these places blow your mind away!