Assam and Nagaland

India’s northeastern states arguably have more in common with Bhutan and Bangladesh than the country’s Hindu heartland. The landscape is significantly different, with dense forests, sandbars, tea plantations and the mighty Brahmaputra River which flows from the Himalayas. Wildlife spotting is excellent at the Kaziranga National Park in Assam, where rare species like the Indian one-horned rhino and tiger still roam. You can also see elephant, swamp deer, buffalo, and an array of birds including the Indian roller and the Bengal florican. Kaziranga is within easy reach of Assam’s famed tea estates, many of which welcome guests for tours and tastings.

In Nagaland, you’ll have the rare opportunity to meet with India’s indigenous communities. The annual Hornbill Festival is an impressive celebration of tribal culture, but individual villages are equally welcoming for opportunities to meet with local communities and learn about traditional ways of life.