Darjeeling is a year-round destination but Oct-May is the best time to visit this quaint hill station. October is a pleasant month with clear days and a cool climate. This allows you to make the most of sightseeing tours, enjoy the outdoors through nature walks and hikes, and stroll freely during the evenings. The festivals of Teej and Vishwakarma Puja are celebrated during this time of the year.

Interesting places to see include the Japanese Temple and Peace Pagoda, Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, Himalayan Mountaineering Institute Museum, St. Andrew’s Church, etc. A ride on the Toy Train is a must.

From December onwards, the onset of winter begins. January and February are deemed the coldest months in Darjeeling. If you are really lucky, you can even experience a bit of snowfall during this time in the town itself.

Read about Darjeeling in all seasons, choose a comfortable time to travel, but don’t miss out on enjoying Darjeeling during the winter.

Sikkim wins hands-down as a happening tourist destination in Northeast India. With its charming natural beauty and rich history and culture, there is a lot to learn and explore in this once sovereign monarchical state.

Sikkim’s inhabitants are just as interesting, with 3 major communities (Bhutias, Nepalis, and Lepchas) living harmoniously for centuries. From food to religious festivals, each community brings a fascinating aspect to the table, offering a cultural extravaganza of sorts to the foreign visitor.

It’d be wrong to say that visiting one part of Sikkim is equal to understanding the entire state as each part of this hilly region is distinct from the other. Sikkim has flowering valleys in the north, religious sites and tea gardens in the south, vibrant city life and lakes in the east, and historical sites in the west.

Hence, a holiday to Sikkim warrants at least a 10-day visit or multiple visits for a truly immersive experience. Make sure you choose the best Sikkim holiday package that covers most of the popular tourist sites from a trusted travel company.

When it comes to planning a family vacation to a hill station, Darjeeling is without a doubt the ideal destination to take your family to.

The “Queen of Hills” is known for its refreshing weather, natural beauty, British colonial architecture, the famous Toy train, and a ton of sightseeing spots that are of interest to all ages. Then there are adventure activities such as rafting, paragliding, and rock climbing that add that extra spark of adventure to your holiday.

A good Darjeeling tour package covers all the usual sightseeing points including a sprinkle of activities. To make sure the package doesn’t miss out on any of the popular activities, read 10 fascinating things to do in Darjeeling, and get your package customized.

October is a great time to visit Darjeeling when the skies are clear after the rains, Mt Khangchendzonga is crystal clear, and trekking is open.

Sikkim and Darjeeling are two of the most popular hill destinations in India. However, the monsoon deters tourists from venturing into these places from June-September as rains create havoc on the roads and cause landslides.

Tourist season resumes in October, with the roads cleared up, the national parks open again, and the pleasant weather and clear skies beckoning everyone to enjoy the verdant outdoors.

If you’re planning to come to either of these destinations, it’d be a pity to miss the other one as they’re only 3 hours apart.

Sikkim is known for its lakes, national parks, and waterfalls while Darjeeling is known for the Toy Train, tea gardens, and colonial architecture.

The ‘Tranquil Sikkim and Darjeeling’ package by TourGenie encompasses all these highlights and more.

Sometimes it’s better to go through a travel agent for a hassle-free trip, especially to places like Sikkim where permits are required for some areas.

Winter is the best time for birdwatching but did you know that monsoon season also provides a great opportunity to capture some beautiful birds?

The onset of monsoon is breeding season, and birds can be seen in colourful plumage trying to attract a mate. You can also capture the mother birds feeding their young. However, it’s advised to not disturb the birds by getting too close for a picture which can result in nestlings getting abandoned.

Northeast India is an apt place for birdwatching. The best places to visit are…read more

Not only known for its rich diversity in culture and tradition, India is also known for its delicious diverse cuisines. One of the Northeastern states of India, Mizoram has a variety of unimaginably delicious delicates to offer. Mizo cuisine is the traditional cuisine of the people of Mizoram. The delicious food of Mizoram is mild to slightly spicy, tinted with influences of Chinese and North Indian cuisines. This blend gives a unique taste, and you will remember them long after you’ve eaten it. Mizo cuisine also shares characteristics with cuisine from other states of Northeast India. Like other Northeast states, rice is the staple food in Mizoram. Some popular meats in Mizoram cuisine are fish, chicken, pork, and beef. Mostly the food preparations are nonvegetarian in Mizoram. However, a fair share of vegetarian delicacies is also consumed.

Traditionally, the food in Mizoram is served on banana leaves, which makes Mizo food special. This is done to maintain their ancient culture. It adds flavor, fragrance, and a good presentation to the dish that makes it enticingly irresistible. Most of the dishes in Mizoram are cooked with mustard oil, which gives a distinct flavor to the dishes. People in Mizoram prefer bland meals with very little or no oil at all, boiled and steamed vegetables, and rice with fish. They use spices occasionally, and when they do, they mostly prefer using locally grown organic fresh spices. Lots of bamboo shoot is used in the preparation of their dishes. Bamboo shoots are considered a dish of its own. Dried bamboo shoots are added to many dishes, especially meat, as a spice. Keep reading…

Meghalaya is a must-visit destination for every traveller who is on a quest for scenic beauty as well as adventure. A visit to Meghalaya will be one of your best experiences and worth your time. Whether you are a family vacationer or solo traveler, a visit to Meghalaya is something you cannot afford to miss. Meghalaya, which means the abode of clouds, is a box of treasure in the northeast India, well known for its pristine waterfalls, winding roads, the cleanest village in Asia, and the best of landscapes that you’d witness throughout your visit in Meghalaya.

Places to visit in Meghalaya

HOW TO REACH

Airways: The best way to reach Meghalaya is to fly to Guwahati Airport and take the roads thereon to other parts of Meghalaya. The distance from Guwahati to Shillong is about 98 km and the time taken is approximately 3 hours.

Railways: The closest one is in Guwahati. It’s roughly 100kms away from Shillong and can be used to arrive at the capital of Meghalaya. Continue reading…

One of the beautiful states in Northeast India is Arunachal Pradesh, which literally translates to the ‘land of dawn-lit mountains.’ Arunachal Pradesh has been one of the top destinations for many travellers. The northeast states that border Arunachal Pradesh are Assam and Nagaland; this beautiful state also shares international borders with Bhutan, Myanmar, and China. The lush green hills, dense forests, rich culture, freshwater bodies, the least traveled and reached places in Arunachal Pradesh attract tourists from all around the world. Some of the popular places in Arunachal Pradesh are the capital city Itanagar, Tawang, Roing, Bomdila, and Ziro to name a few.

WHAT MAKES ZIRO SPECIAL

Tucked in between the mountains and lush green valleys of Arunachal Pradesh, Ziro is an attractive quaint town in the Lower Subaniri district of Arunachal Pradesh. It is an entrancing holiday destination that magnetizes travellers with its hypnotic charm. Some of the reasons why Ziro is special include. Keep reading…

The kingdom of Bhutan remained an isolated country till 1974. Known as the land of the Thunder Dragon, the tiny Himalayan kingdom called Bhutan was shrouded with mystery and mysticism from the outside world.

When Bhutan finally opened its doors to tourists, the few travellers who gained entry into Bhutan likened it to Shangri-La—a mystical, happy place, accessible to few outsiders; Bhutan had adopted a strict policy of high value, low impact tourism, which mandated that foreigners visit through a tour operator and pay a minimum of US $250/200 per day per person, which includes accommodation and transport. However, Bhutan does not require Indians, Bangladeshis, and Maldivians to spend this minimum amount. Keep reading…