With the growing tourism in the North East more visitors are travelling to this lesser-explored part of India. While all states welcome tourists, however, certain parts of Nagaland and Manipur should be avoided due to insurgency situations. It will be wise to take the advice of local experts on the places to avoid and on current situations. Also, book your North East tour package with a reliable tour operator that knows the area well.

Indian tourists will require Inner Line Permit (ILP) permit to visit Nagaland, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and certain areas of Sikkim. Tourist ILP is valid for seven days and can be extended. Visitors from overseas need to get either a Restricted Area Permit or Protected Area Permit or both to enter Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Nagaland and Manipur. Also, foreign visitors to Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland must get themselves registered at the Foreigner Registration Office within 24 hours of arrival. The easiest way to get these permits is through travel agents, alternatively you can apply online or visit the local authorities of the respective states with offices in different cities of the country.

Contrary to popular belief, vegetarian food is found all across North East India. Although people there love meat and fish, but they equally love their vegetarian meals. Their veg or non-veg dishes are as diverse as the rest of the country. In bigger places like Guwahati, Shillong, Darjeeling and Gangtok, you will easily find good vegetarian and even Jain food restaurants. At good hotels, you can always request for a vegetarian meal. Try an Assamese thali prepared using ‘khar’ – a local alkaline-based delicacy prepared from banana leaves and banana trunks; taste the vegetarian version of Jadoh in Shillong; go for rice porridge in Mizoram or the millet porridge called zan in Arunachal Pradesh; indulge in a sweet dish of Tripura called Awan Bangwi – a rice cake dish, which is a melange of sweet spicy and earthy flavours.

Apart from the arrival and departure days, one or two full days are needed if you wish to fully explore the main Gangtok tourist spots.

Pakyong Airport is the closest airport for Gangtok, however flights are not currently operational to this airport. The best way to reach Gangtok by air would be to take a flight to Bagdogra airport and then drive to Gangtok.

Gangtok will not have snow in May as that is summer season. However, you might be able to see snow in the higher reaches of Sikkim such as Nathula, Tsomgo Lake and Zero Point in May.

During its peak season, that is from September to June, Gangtok draws in many tourists, Still if you inquire the best time to visit Gangtok then the bracing autumn that is the months of September and October and from Spring to summers that is from March to June is the ideal time.

5 to 7 Days are sufficient to have a leisure time in Darjeeling and around Gangtok. Keep Darjeeling in the begining and Gangtok later in the loop of your trip. 2 days in Darjeeling and 2 days in Gangtok are enough for sightseeing. Nathula,Changu lake is just a one day tour from Gangtok.

Snowfall in Darjeeling is very rare and may not happen every year. It can snow anytime in late Dec, Jan, Feb. There is no guarantee. For seeing snow, go to Tsomgo lake in Sikkim in Dec-Jan.

Nathula Pass is only open for Indian visitors for 5 days a week including Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and closed on Monday & Tuesday for two days. You will only be allowed after you get a permit to visit it through a registered Travel Agency.