North East India does not require a dramatic introduction. The mountains are self-explanatory. Dense rhododendron forests, high altitude passes, living root bridges, remote Himalayan villages and trails, which most trekkers in India have yet to walk. If you are looking for a North East India tour built around serious trails, this region has enough to keep you busy for years.
This guide is about seven treks that are dispersed throughout the states of Sikkim, Meghalaya, and Arunachal Pradesh. Each one is different in terms of terrain, difficulty, and shows you different things along the way.
A Quick Look: 7 Treks at a Glance
The Goecha La Trek in Sikkim is estimated as one of the most difficult treks and can best be done during April to May or October to November, requiring about 10-11 days to complete. Another popular trek in Sikkim is the Dzongri Trek, which is moderate in difficulty, can best be undertaken in April-May or October-November, and usually takes 5-6 days.
The Sandakphu Trek is also moderate in difficulty, and it is situated on the border between West Bengal and Sikkim. It is best between March-May, and October-December, and ordinarily takes 5-7 days. In Meghalaya, the difficulty level of the Nongriat Root Bridge Trek is easy to moderate. It is best done between October and May and can usually be done in 1-2 days. Another famous trek in Meghalaya is the Mawryngkhang Trek, which is moderately difficult and is best enjoyed from October to April, and can be done in a day.
In Arunachal Pradesh, the Ziro valley trek is an easy trek, best to undertake in the months of October to March, with a normal trek time of 2-3 days. The Tawang High Altitude Trail, also in Arunachal Pradesh, is of moderate to difficult level, to be visited between May and October, and takes around 3-4 days to complete.
1. Goecha La Trek, Sikkim
Altitude: 4,940 metres
Difficulty: Difficult
Best Season: April to May, October to November
Goecha La is the most challenging trek in this list and also the most rewarding. The trail starts from Yuksom, the ancient capital of Sikkim, and passes through the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area till it reaches the high pass, which offers a direct view of the south face of Kanchenjunga.
Key highlights of the trail:
Trek through the lower sections in temperate oak and rhododendron forests
Camp at Dzongri, Thansing, and Samiti Lake on the way
Samiti Lake at an elevation of over 4,000 metres, is one of the most scenic campsites in the Eastern Himalayas
Close-range views of Kanchenjunga, Pandim, and Kabru peaks from the viewpoint near the pass
A valid Protected Area Permit (PAP) is required for this trek. All trekkers have to register with a licensed trekking agency. Altitude acclimatisation days are added to the itinerary for safety purposes.
2. Dzongri Trek, Sikkim
Altitude: 4,030 metres
Difficulty: Moderate
Best Season: April to May, October to November
The Dzongri Trek is a shorter variant of the Goecha La route and is ideal for those trekkers who wish to experience high altitude Himalayan terrain, but without having to commit to an 11-day trek. The trail still goes through virgin forests, and the views of the Kanchenjunga range are clear on good-weather days.
Starting point: Yuksom
Passes through Tshoka, Phedang, and Deorali
High probability of seeing red pandas and Himalayan wildlife in the forest sections
Good first trek in the Himalayas for people having some experience in hill walking
3. Sandakphu Trek
Altitude: 3,636 metres
Difficulty: Moderate
Best Season: March to May, October to December
Sandakphu is located at West Bengal and Sikkim border and is the highest point of West Bengal. The trail usually begins from Manebhanjan near the town of Darjeeling and goes through the Singalila National Park. What makes this trek especially well known is the panorama from the top: On a clear morning, you can see four of the five highest peaks in the world, Everest, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, and Makalu.
The route goes through Tumling, Kalipokhri and Bikheybhanjyang. The character of the forests changes with altitude ranging from dense rhododendron to open alpine meadows. The descent through Rimbick is a totally different way of looking at the landscape.
If you are already planning Sikkim tour packages through Yes Tourism, Sandakphu can often be added as an extension to a Darjeeling-Sikkim itinerary without adding too many extra days.
4. Nongriat Double Decker Root Bridge Trek, Meghalaya
Altitude: Low elevation
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Best Season: October to May
This is not a mountain trek. It is a jungle descent into one of the deepest gorges in the state of Meghalaya. The trail begins from the village of Tyrna near Cherrapunji, and is a very steep descent of about 3000 steps through dense subtropical forest to reach the village of Nongriat below.
The reason that people make this descent is the Double Decker Living Root Bridge. These bridges have been made using the aerial roots of rubber fig trees by the Khasi community for generations. The double-deck formation of Nongriat is the most famous, but there are several other ones along the trail.
Round trip: approximately 10-12 km depending on route
Carry enough water; the gorge is humid even in cooler months
An overnight stay at Nongriat is suggested to check out more root bridges
Yes Tourism's Meghalaya tour packages include Nongriat as part of curated Cherrapunji itineraries with accommodation and local guide arrangements taken care of.
5. Mawryngkhang Bamboo Trek, Meghalaya
Altitude: Low elevation
Difficulty: Moderate (exposure to heights)
Best Season: October to April
Mawryngkhang near Wahkhen village in the East Khasi hills has often been described as one of the most unusual treks in India. The trail includes walking along narrow bamboo walkways set on top of ridgelines, crossing boulders in the river, and traversing root bridges, all in a small area within a single day's walk.
What makes it stand out:
Bamboo catwalks high above valley floors
Root bridges woven by the local Khasi community
Relatively short trail, which is good for a day visit
Dramatic views of the valley below with little experience in trekking needed
This trek is more of an exposure and terrain variation trek than a distance trek. Footwear that has a good grip is essential.
6. Ziro Valley trail, Arunachal Pradesh
Altitude: 1,500 metres approximately
Difficulty: Easy
Best Season: From October to March
The Ziro Valley, located in the Lower Subansiri district of Arunachal Pradesh, is home to the Apatani tribe and is a UNESCO World Heritage tentative list site. Trekking here is less about the challenge of terrain and more about moving through a lived and working landscape.
Trails through Ziro pass by:
Apatani villages that have traditional bamboo and wood architecture
Terraced fields of paddy rice laid out completely without the use of machinery
Pine woodlands in the surrounding hills
Popular bird rich areas with birdwatchers
The Ziro Music Festival, which is held every year in September, attracts visitors from all over the country. The valley itself has access from Itanagar by road. Yes Tourism Arunachal Pradesh tour packages include Ziro Valley in the eastern Arunachal circuit tours.
7. Tawang High Altitude Trail, Arunachal Pradesh
Altitude: Up to 4,170 metres (Sela Pass)
Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
Best Season: May to October
The Tawang area in western Arunachal Pradesh is near the border with Tibet and has some of the most dramatic highland terrain in the entire northeast. Sela Pass, which is one of the highest motorable passes in the world, is the gateway to the town of Tawang and the Tawang Monastery, which is the largest Buddhist monastery in India.
Some trekking options in and around Tawang are as follows:
Trails from Jang to Nuranang Falls through forested
High altitude lake trek to Shonga-tser Lake (Madhuri Lake)
Multi-day hikes in the Gorichen foothills for experienced trekkers
Day roam around the Tawang monastery complex and surrounding ridgelines
This is an area that requires an Inner Line Permit (ILP) for all Indian nationals. The process of getting a permit is very simple and can be arranged through Yes Tourism as a full-fledged Tawang itinerary.
Planning Your Visit to the North East Trek: Practical Checklist
Before heading out on any North East India tour that involves serious trekking, work through this list:
Permits: Goecha La needs a PAP, and Arunachal Pradesh requires an ILP for all visitors.
Fitness: High altitude Treks (Goecha La, Dzongri, Tawang) require a minimum 4 to 6 weeks of Cardio Training.
Gear: Layered clothing, waterproof jacket, trekking poles, broken-in boots.
Guides: Mandatory for Goecha La and Dzongri (inside the conservation area); highly recommended for Tawang trails
Season: April-May and October-November are the best ones for Sikkim high altitude trek; October-April would be best for the Meghalaya and Arunachal plains trek.
If you are evaluating Sikkim tour packages that include trekking, check that the itinerary includes acclimatisation days, permits, and certified guides. Skipping these steps results in unnecessary risk.
What Yes Tourism Offers Trekkers
Yes Tourism has more than a decade of ground experience in North East India and manages logistics for both the leisure visitors as well as the serious trekkers. From the processing of permits to local guide coordination, transport to accommodation, and contingency support, the team takes care of what most independent trekkers seem to find most time-consuming.
Browse the Yes Tourism Adventure Tours collection to view curated itineraries that include combinations of multiple treks or trekking with cultural stops throughout the northeast.
FAQs: Trekking in North East India
Q1. Which is the best trek in North East India for a beginner?
The Nongriat Root Bridge Trek, in Meghalaya, is the easiest way to begin the journey. It is a great descent and requires some uneven terrain, but it does not need the experience of trekking beforehand, nor the management of altitude. The walks in Ziro Valley of Arunachal Pradesh are equally easy for the novice.
Q2. Do I need a permit to trek in Sikkim?
Yes. Taking a trek inside the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area with the Goecha La route, Dzongri route, requires a Protected Area Permit. This has to be acquired through a registered trekking agency before the trek starts.
Q3. What are the best trekking routes for adventure travel in North East India?
Goecha La in Sikkim is one to look out for high-altitude Himalayan trekking. The Mawryngkhang Bamboo Trek in Meghalaya is unique based on the type of terrain. The Tawang trails are in Arunachal Pradesh and are a great example of remote, culturally rich alpine walking.
Q4. When should I plan a trekking trip to Sikkim?
April to May and October to November are the two major periods for Sikkim high altitude trek. The rhododendrons flower abundantly in the months of April-May; this season looks very distinctive visually. The skies are clearer, and the mountain views are better in October-November.
Q5. Can I combine multiple northeast states in a single trekking itinerary?
Yes, though distances travelled between states are important. A practical way of doing this would be to just stick with one or two states at a time. Sikkim and Meghalaya have been paired together quite often, keeping in view their relative proximity and the variety they hold. Yes Tourism can design customized multi-state itineraries for groups that are planning extended northeast tours.
Q6. How physically demanding is the Sandakphu Trek?
Sandakphu is rated moderate. The distances to walk each day are not too great; however, the total climb over 5-7 days requires a basic fitness base. Most reasonably active adults, who walk on a regular basis, can do it with preparation.
Q7. Are the treks in North East India safe for solo female trekkers?
The major trails discussed in this guide can be considered safe. For trekking up high in Sikkim and inaccessible areas of Arunachal Pradesh, trekking with a registered guide is recommended regardless of the composition of the group. Meghalaya's short-day treks, such as Nongriat and Mawryngkhang, are daily undertakings by solo travellers.
Ready to Plan Your Trek?
Ready to book: Contact Yes Tourism directly at [email protected] or call +91 8918531897 for a custom trek itinerary built around your dates, fitness level, and interests.
Yes Tourism India is a government-recognised, award-winning travel company with 10+ years of experience in Northeast India travel. Recognised by the Tourism Department, Government of West Bengal, and a 6-time TripAdvisor Traveller's Choice award winner.