India’s hidden corner – Northeast states of Assam, Nagaland, and Meghalaya
- Shila Desai
- 17 hours ago
- 3 min read
Northeast India offers space to breathe and discover India at its raw, natural best.
If you’re a typical EYHO traveller, you’ve bumped along the sands of Rajasthan on a camel, descended into stepwells in Gujarat, and trailed Changthangi nomads and their pashmina goats in Ladakh.
Have you explored a hidden, less known corner of India – the Northeast?
What’s it all about, you ask. And why should you put it on your travel radar?
Northeast India is a dramatically diverse, off-the-beaten-path destination where you go to explore lush, uncrowded landscapes, experience over 200 distinct tribal cultures, and encounter rare wildlife. Assam is home to two magnificent textile traditions: muga and eri, and Nagaland boasts rare weaves such as nettle weaving. The region feels like an entirely different world from the rest of India, bearing closer cultural and geographical ties to Southeast Asia.
Why You Should Go
• Untouched Landscapes: Escape the crowds and explore misty tea-estate hills, the striking hillsides of Nagaland, and the famous living root bridges in the forests of Meghalaya.
• Rich Tribal Heritage: The region is home to hundreds of tribes with completely unique languages, customs, and festivals. You can witness the vibrant Hornbill Festival in Nagaland or meet indigenous animist communities.
• Rare Wildlife: Visit Kaziranga National Park in Assam to spot the rare one-horned rhinoceros, along with tigers, elephants, and exotic bird species.
• Textiles and crafts: Sericulture, tribal weaves, basket weaving, gamusa weaving. Looms and crafts are integrated into daily life, not for commercial gain.
• Majuli Island: Unlike India’s other major rivers, the Brahmaputra is not considered holy, so it attracts far less attention. A blessing, really, that has insulated the riverine island Majuli’s time-wrapped existence of ancient arts monasteries, and tribal farmer Mishing community.
• Hornbill Festival: Cultural extravaganza! Immerse yourself in the unique and vibrant dances, food, music and folklore of seventeen Naga tribes – all in one place.
In tour leader Anvi’s words
I have been exploring the northeastern states of India for a few years now and they keep calling me back.
My first visit to Assam and Nagaland was to explore the textiles and jewellery. I came home from that trip with a suitcase full of art but more than that, I came home with love, warmth and respect for the people. Farm to table meals, lush jungles of Nameri, the ever-changing banks of the Brahmaputra, rolling hills of Nagaland, vibrant textiles, intricate bamboo baskets from Meghalaya, dance and music are all experiences I cherish.
This part of India is the India that you don’t learn about in history books and yet, it is brimming with tradition and culture. Shaped by a late medieval kingdom that ruled for 600 years, the textile traditions in Assam portray luxury and functionality in the form of two glistening silks, muga and eri (peace or ahimsa silk).
Whether nestled within the dense rainforest or in the cities of Nagaland, indigenous communities continue to flourish, draped in their iconic geometric shawls. Meghalaya’s monsoons, waterfalls and hills create an abode for the local communities who celebrate their crafts of basket making and brilliantly engineered root bridges.
Ask me why you might join this tour, and my answer is simple: You will get to experience an India that very few see or hear of, and fewer still visit! -Anvi Shah
Join us! Registration is open for our November-December 2026 tour. Details – click here.
Thanks for taking a look! I am Shila Desai, owner of E.Y.H.O. Tours. I personally
handcraft itineraries, and infuse them with curated activities, accommodations, and sightseeing. Together with my in-country teams, we deliver exceptional holidays every time. I invite you to leave me a comment or write shila@eyhotours.com
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