Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) And Myths
FAQs & Must Know Things
Before Traveling to North East India
Before you plan your North East India trip itinerary,
here is a list of must know things before visiting the North East.
Is Traveling to the North East Safe?
One of the most frequently asked questions that we get from people who want to visit the region but are apprehensive because of the past of this region (most of it was anyway blown-out news in the media). The short answer to this question is, yes, north east India is very safe to travel. In fact, in most cases, it is way safer than the rest of India. The people are lovely, welcoming and helpful and the overall atmosphere is very safe and positive.
If you want to know in detail about how safe is it to travel in North East India, we suggest you go through this small piece (Is North East India Safe To Travel?) we had written some time back on this topic.
Has North East India opened for tourism post COVID - 19?
Please read our detailed post here, for the latest updates about SOPs and post COVID travel in North East India.
What is the best time to visit North East India?
This is yet another question that we come across almost regularly. What we know as the North East of India is a significantly big geographic region. Which means, the north east has a lot to offer and in different seasons, one part of North East India is more gorgeous than another and vice-versa. For example, a trip to Meghalaya during the monsoons is a fantastic way to experience the low - hanging clouds, the greenery and the gorgeous waterfall of the state but at the same time it is not a great time for a trip to Kaziranga National Parks of Assam during this season.
So, in short, there is no single answer to this question. For a detailed take on this question, we suggest you go through this (which is the best time to visit North East India) small piece of our's.
I am a vegeterian, will I have any problems in terms of vegeterian food in the North East?
Contrary to popular belief, vegeterial food is found all across North East India. Specially in bigger places like Shillong, Tawang, Guwahati and the like food options, be it vegeterian or non-vegeterian, are as diverse as in any other place in the country.
At smaller places like Mawlynnong village, Cherrapunjee etc. while the veg options might not be as diverse and you might have the option of just a few varieties of veg curries alongwith rice, rotis etc., vegeterian food is always available no matter where in the North East you travel.
There, no you know it !!
Can I travel Solo to North East India?
Of-course you can. However, keep in mind that the infrastructure for solo travel in north east is limited. A lot of other solo travelers from India and beyond, who come here to enjoy the unique beauty, wonderful food and the undisturbed calmness of North East India.
We suggest you too, do your bit to not disturb the surroundings when here and you will love your time in the North East.
How hot is North East in the Summers?
Depending upon when you are visiting the North East and also depending upon where in the North East are you planning your trip to, the weather can be anything between humid & warm to extremely cold and snowed-out.
Summers in North East India: If you are planning a trip to North East India, the weather in the plains of Assam will primarily be hot and humid. Places like Majuli, Tezpur, Sibsagar - the historic town will be comparatively cooler, courtesy their proximity to the river.
The higher areas of the North East will be pleasant. And in some cases, even cold.
Places like Shillong, Cherrapunjee & Mawlynnong, and Meghalaya in general will be very plesant, specially in the evenings. Arunachal Pradesh in the summers is very plesant too and is one of the best times to visit Tawang, Dirang, Bomdila etc. for people who are not big fans of cold weather.
The best thing about planning a trip to the North East is the scenery around. Everything is lush - green and fresh. Also a great season to relish some tasty local fruits.
How cold is North East in the Winters?
Winters in the North East are generally cold. From the plains of Assam to the high mountains, everywhere, the mercury dips, completely changing the weather from what it was a few months back.
While the plains remain charmingly pleasant to nippy, higher places like Shillong and Cherrapunjee become cold in the winters. Higher areas of Arunachal Pradesh in the winters remain between cold and freezing. Tawang in winters sees snowfall and wears a beautiful coat of fresh white.
If you are somone who likes and enjoys cold weather and places, you will absolutely love Tawang in winters.
Will I get warm rooms and hot water in the Winters?
All our homestays are equipped with room heaters and gyesers/immersion rods for hot water. The hosts also provide hot water to the guests from their kitchen, as needed (at places where gyesers are not available).
In winters, the stays have room-heaters and to keep you warm in the bed, enough blankets are provided. If you feel you don't have enough, just let us or your host know. None of the homestays/stays have centralized heating however. Something the region does not really have when it comes to homes or homestays.
Will there be Electricity and Mobile connectivity issues?
While almost all the places we visit as part of our tours, are electrified and has mobile connectivity, on the way, as you drive from one place to another, there might be times where there will be no mobile data or netwok network.
This is nothing to be worried about as, given the terrain and population density and logistical challenges, some areas remain outside the mobile network coverage.
Please also note that, as winters and the monsoons are mostly extreme in the North East, in smaller places like Cherrapunjee, Mawlynnong, Bomdila, Dirang, etc. there can be situations where there might not be electricity and/or mobile network for days, due to sever bad weather (rains, snow, etc.). In such scenarios, your hosts will try to keep you as comfortable as they can, in the given situation by providing electricity through generators, and hot water from the kitchen.
Given the geographical limitations of this otherwise gorgeous region, these thing come with the pros.
As long as you take things with an open mind, as they come, you will have a great time here in the North East.
Can there be unexpected changes or delays in my trip to North East india?
North East India is mostly about hills and mountains. And weather in the mountains or the mountains themselves, are known to surprise you every once in a whille.
As far as our trips are planned, we move ahead with the latest weather information that we can have so that we do not have any surprises. That said, rarely there might be situations that can throw our plans off-balance while you are already on a trip. For example, heavy snowfall in the winters or landslides in the monsoon.
In such situations, our priority becomes the safety of our guests traveling with us and ourselves. So, we follow what the authorities in charge of managing the situation tell us to do.
If we are asked to, for example, turn back, that's what we do. And start working on a plan B, trying to make sure you still have a great experience while in the North East.
Please keep in mind that figuring our something in the lsat moment, when everybody else is trying to do so as well, might mean some inconveniences, but rest assured that we will try to do the best we can.
Any alternative plan is something that we will actively try to come - up with, that is also in line with your original budget, adjusting the already incurred expenses. However, since any last moment change in plan depends solely on the availibility of involved logistics, it is never guranteed.
Last but not the least, such unexpected last moment changes might incur additional expenses which will have to be taken care of by the guests.
What is the difference between a Driver-cum-guide, a Dedicated Guide and a Local Guide?
A driver-cum-guide is someone who is familiar of the places to be visited as per your tour plan. He will be responsible for taking you to the attractions and spots that are on the route and the destinations and drop you near them from where you can walk ahead and proceed to explore the attraction while he will wait for you, back at the vehicle. Your driver-cum-guide might or might not give you extensive information about the places you visit.
A dedicated guide is a full-time guide who stays with you throughout the trip, morning to evening. As you move from one place to another while on the tour, he shares with you, various types of information (including stories) regarding the region/place or attraction.
A local guide is someone who will meet you and keep you company for a particular stretch or destination.For example, when you go for the Double decker Living Root bridge trek in Meghalaya, a local guide accompanies you for the trek.
He shares stories, shows you things/places of interest that you come across and helps you with the entire trek in general.
