Monsoon Magic: Top Places to Visit in North East India

There’s something inherently magical about the Northeast during monsoon. It’s like the entire region exhales—mist swirling around pine-laced hills, waterfalls cascading down like poetry in motion, and valleys that look like they’ve been freshly painted in every shade of green imaginable.

I remember my first monsoon trip to Meghalaya vividly—soaked shoes, a broken umbrella, and a heart that couldn’t stop marveling at the raw beauty unfolding at every bend. If you ask me, there’s no better time to explore North East India than during the rains. Sure, it’s wet, a little chaotic, and unpredictable—but that’s exactly what makes it unforgettable.

So, here’s my handpicked list of the best places to visit in North East India during the monsoon, complete with some personal notes and offbeat tips.

1. Cherrapunji, Meghalaya – Where the Clouds Come to Play

Let’s start with the obvious, shall we? Cherrapunji (or Sohra) is the stuff of monsoon legends. Known for receiving some of the highest rainfall in the world, this place wears the rain like a badge of honour.

But don’t expect just rain and fog—there’s so much more. Think living root bridges, Nohkalikai Falls thundering down cliffs, and endless green canyons cloaked in clouds. On one of my walks there, my poncho gave up halfway, and I was drenched to the bone—but watching the mist lift over a hidden waterfall made it worth every soggy step.

Tip: Try staying in a local homestay. The stories you’ll hear over chai and warm rice cakes? Pure gold.

2. Majuli, Assam – An Island Lost in Time

Majuli is unlike anywhere else in India. It’s the world’s largest river island, floating gently on the mighty Brahmaputra. During monsoon, it feels even more surreal—the river swells, the skies open up, and the land becomes an oasis of peace.

What really stayed with me? The people. Warm, grounded, and welcoming in a way that makes you forget about time. The satras (Vaishnavite monasteries) offer a quiet spiritual retreat, and the rhythms of life here feel beautifully unhurried.

Reality check: Parts of Majuli can flood during heavy rains. But that unpredictability is what makes it so alive and real. Just check the forecast before booking.

3. Dzükou Valley, Nagaland – A Painter’s Daydream

This one’s for the hikers and the dreamers. Dzükou Valley is what I’d call the Northeast’s best-kept secret. During monsoon, it turns into a velvet carpet of wildflowers—absolutely unreal.

The trek can be slippery, I won’t lie. I fell on my backside at least three times and may have cursed out loud. But the view at the top? Silence broken only by the wind, mist rolling like ocean waves, and that infinite feeling of being exactly where you’re meant to be.

Pro tip: Start early, wear solid trekking shoes, and keep a flask of hot tea. It’ll save your soul when the mist gets too heavy.

4. Ziro Valley, Arunachal Pradesh – Rain-Drenched Rhythms

Ziro has a rhythm all its own. The rolling paddy fields, the bamboo huts, and the Apatani tribe’s rich cultural presence—it’s like time forgot to move here.

During the monsoon, the fields glow a vivid green, and if you’re lucky, you might catch a quiet festival or folk performance happening in the village. I once stumbled into a tiny kitchen gathering and ended up drinking something fermented that I still can’t identify, but the warmth of the people made me stay for hours.

Heads up: Getting permits for Arunachal takes a little planning. Don’t leave it for the last minute.

5. Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh – Serenity in the Storm

Tawang is a place that whispers rather than shouts. Home to one of the largest Buddhist monasteries in India, it’s draped in a gentle spirituality that’s amplified by the rains.

Driving there during monsoon can be a bit of a gamble—the roads are winding and often foggy. But it’s that very journey, slow and rain-soaked, that teaches you to be still. When the clouds part and you see the monastery standing tall amidst the mountains, you’ll feel it—that hush that only a place like Tawang can bring.

Note: Pack warm clothes. Even during the rains, it gets chilly.

6. Loktak Lake, Manipur – Floating Wonder

Loktak isn’t your usual lake. It’s a shimmering, shifting body of water dotted with phumdis—floating islands made of vegetation and organic matter. It feels like walking on water, quite literally.

During monsoon, the lake expands and comes alive with bird calls and fishermen in traditional boats. The rains add a silver sheen to everything, and if you get caught in a downpour while out on a boat (like I did), you’ll come back half-drenched, half-hypnotized.

Side note: Spend at least one night at a lake-view cottage. Waking up to sunrise through light rain? Unreal.

Final Thoughts

Travelling to North East India during the monsoon isn’t about pristine selfies or perfect itineraries. It’s messy, moody, and sometimes inconvenient. But it’s also poetic, grounding, and full of small moments that stay with you long after you return.

The smell of wet earth in Mizoram, the way Khasi kids laugh as they splash through puddles in Shillong, the old woman in Arunachal who gave me a raincoat made of banana leaf—these are not things guidebooks will tell you.

They’re the soul of the place. And to me, that’s what makes the monsoon in the Northeast so special.

So, if you’re the kind of traveller who doesn’t mind getting a little wet for a lot of wonder, pack your rain gear, a notebook, and an open heart. North East India is waiting, rain and all.

Have you experienced the Northeast in the rain? I’d love to hear your stories. Drop them in the comments or shoot me a message—let’s swap tales over virtual chai.