Take on New Adventures with Road Trips in Northeast India!

Northeast is beautiful in every way with its pristine landscapes and vistas. The dense forests and tranquil paths are what make the road trip journey as worthy as the final destination. With its long-distance routes filled with mountain views, forests, and winding highways, travel through the cloudy skies. And if you take these routes in winter, you can see snowfall in some parts of the Northeast. Here is a list of the best road trips in Northeast India that will make you feel on top of the world.

1. Tezpur to Tawang

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A popular scenic route in Arunachal Pradesh, it is surrounded by lush green forests, glistening rivers, winding roads, and majestic monasteries. Along the way, you can experience the local culture and diversity of the state. The journey of a long route starts with a smooth ride. Gradually, the roads become narrower, winding, and even more challenging at times – not for the faint-hearted. The scenic beauty you get to see makes up for everything.

Route: Bhalukpong – Bomdila – Dirang – Sela Pass – Tawang

Distance: 325 km

2. Kalimpong to Zuluk to Gangtok

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A scenic and adventurous route in the eastern Himalayas, the 180 km long road trip is worth every penny you spend. Kalimpong and Zuluk, you will find many wild bends, which is perfect for adventurers who practically live on the roads. The entire road trip gives you breathtaking views of mountain ranges and beautiful sceneries. The interesting fact is that this route was a part of the Silk Route between India and China in ancient times.

Route: Kalimpong – Icchey Gaon – Mankhim – Zuluk – Nathang – Gangtok

Distance: 180 km

3. Guwahati to Moreh

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Crossing through Assam, Meghalaya, and Manipur, this once-in-a-lifetime road trip takes you through some of the most spectacular mountains and valleys. Filled with natural and cultural attractions, the road journey is a total thriller and adventure.

Helpful tip: You will need an international driver’s license to self-drive through the entire route as you need to cross the India – Myanmar – Thailand highway.

Route: Guwahati – Shillong – Imphal – Moreh – Tamu – Mandalay – Mae Sot Tak

Distance: 593 km

4. Jorhat to Mechuka

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Jorhat is the place that lets you enter the beautiful upper Assam. With a total distance of over 500 km, the road trip from Jorhat to Mechuka passes through vast meadows, scenic hamlets, and forest hills. Apart from the beautiful landscapes, you can experience the rich culture of Assam and Arunachal. 

Route: Jorhat – Pasighat – Aalo – Mechuka 

Distance: 550 km

5. Guwahati to Cherrapunji

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You may find the initial part of the journey from Guwahati to Shillong a bit busy, but the Shillong to Cherrapunji road is picturesque and passes through the beautiful scenery of green cover of forests, fresh waters alongside the road, and the vast clear blue skies. To enhance the road trip, you can make a pit stop at Shillong.

Route: Guwahati – Umiam – Shillong – Mawkdok – Cherrapunji

Distance: 150 km

6. Darjeeling to Pelling

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The scenic road trip route takes you through the lush greenery and tea gardens, where to your benefit, you can stop and sip on refreshing tea. The roads wind up to the lofty mountains and are surrounded by a vast landscape you will love. The route is smooth so you won’t face any difficulties. To soak in the beauty and enjoy it, take breaks in between.

Route: Darjeeling – Ghoom – Jorethang – Legship – Pelling

Distance: 73 km

7. Gangtok to Lake Tsomgo and Nathu-la Pass

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Gangtok is not an unknown travel destination. It has so much to offer – experiences and attractions. A road trip from Gangtok to Lake Tsomgo is equally beautiful and contains some hairpin bends in between where you need to drive cautiously. The journey as well as the destination will leave you stunned. Enjoy peace and tranquillity at Lake Tsomgo, surrounded by alpine landscapes and mountains.

Route: Gangtok – Lake Tsomgo (via NH 10)

Distance: 60 km

8. Shillong to Cherrapunji 

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If you have been looking for a road trip of shorter duration so that you can grasp the beauty quickly, hoping motion sickness doesn't kick you in the gut, choose Shillong to Cherrapunji. The scenic beauty with cross cliffs, lush forests, and pasture lands will be forever imprinted in your memories. There is this small waterfall on the way where you can stop to refresh and soak in the beauty while sipping on garma-garam chai.

Route: Shillong – Mawkdok – Cherrapunji

Distance: 54 km