Seven sisters, one brother: a first-timer’s map of Northeast India
Eight states, eight capitals, eight completely different trips. Here is the cheat sheet nobody gave you.
First things first: “the Northeast” is not one place. It is eight states, each with its own languages, food, festivals and very strong opinions about which momos are best. The nickname “Seven Sisters” is usually credited to journalist Jyoti Prasad Saikia, who used it in the early 1970s for the seven states then in the region. Sikkim joined the North Eastern Council in 2002, which is why locals affectionately call it the brother.
The whole region connects to the rest of India through the Siliguri Corridor, a strip of land only about 20 to 22 km wide at its narrowest. Look at it on a map once and you will never call the Northeast “far” again. It is simply on the other side of a very narrow door.
The cheat sheet
Arunachal Pradesh · Itanagar
The land of the dawn-lit mountains. Go for Tawang Monastery, the largest in India, and the Apatani plateau of Ziro with its paddy fields and pine hills.
Assam · Dispur
Tea gardens, the mighty Brahmaputra and Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to most of the world’s greater one-horned rhinos. Add Majuli, one of the largest river islands on Earth, and its satras.
Manipur · Imphal
Loktak Lake and its floating islands, the phumdis. Keibul Lamjao, the world’s only floating national park, is home to the sangai deer. Do not leave Imphal without visiting Ima Keithel, a market run entirely by women.
Meghalaya · Shillong
The abode of clouds. Living root bridges, the clear Umngot river at Dawki, and Sohra and Mawsynram, two of the wettest places on the planet. Shillong itself runs on music and coffee.
Mizoram · Aizawl
A city built along ridgelines, famous for orderly traffic and quiet roads. Head out to Reiek for views or to Phawngpui, the Blue Mountain, the state’s highest peak.
Nagaland · Kohima
Home of the Hornbill Festival every December, the WWII Kohima War Cemetery, and the Dzukou Valley trek with its rolling green bowl of a landscape.
Tripura · Agartala
Royal history at Ujjayanta Palace, the lake palace of Neermahal, and Unakoti’s giant rock-cut carvings in the forest.
Sikkim · Gangtok
Views of Kangchenjunga, the world’s third-highest mountain, plus monasteries, Tsomgo Lake and a well-earned reputation as India’s first fully organic state.
Before you go
Permits: Indian visitors from outside need an Inner Line Permit (ILP) for Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur, and some areas of Sikkim need separate permits. Foreign nationals have their own rules. These change, so always check the official state portals before you book.
- Do not try to “do” the Northeast in a week. Pick one or two states. Roads are beautiful and slow.
- Ask before photographing people, especially in villages and at ceremonies.
- Carry cash for smaller towns and homestays.
- Respect local rules on alcohol, plastics and sacred forests. They exist for good reasons.
Over the coming weeks we will publish a deep-dive guide for every state. Tell us which one you want first: contact@lifeinnortheast.com.
Quick answers
What are the Seven Sisters of India?
The Seven Sisters are the seven contiguous states of Northeast India: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura. Sikkim, the eighth Northeast state, is often called their brother.
Who coined the term Seven Sisters?
The nickname is usually credited to journalist Jyoti Prasad Saikia, who used it in the early 1970s.
Do I need a permit to visit Northeast India?
Indian visitors from outside the region need an Inner Line Permit (ILP) for Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur, and some areas of Sikkim need separate permits. Rules change, so check the official state portals before booking.
How many days do I need for Northeast India?
Plan at least a week for one or two states. Distances look short on a map, but hill roads are slow, so trying to cover all eight states in one trip is not realistic.