11 April 2017 – North East India is home to some of the most diverse and culturally-vivid terrain and communities in the world. Abundant with rare wildlife, towering mountains, far-reaching lakes and mesmerising caves, its states are a paradise for bold and inquisitive travellers.

For an eye-opening and unique holiday this summer, UK travellers should take advantage of the new extended e-visa visit period - whereby tourists can stay in the country for up to 60 days - and book a trip to North East India, which boasts endless activities to keep the most eager appetites for adventure satiated. To help plan your trip, India Tourism has put together a guide to some of the area's best attractions.

Trek Through Nature's Finest Land In Arunachal Pradesh
Aptly-named 'The land of the dawn-lit mountains', Arunachal Pradesh is the richest biogeographical province of the Himalayan zone. With a wonderfully complex hill system, its terrain lends itself to some of the greatest trekking in India. Visitors should head for high-altitude mountain pass Se La Pass, from which some of the state's 500 bird species can be spotted and hiking trails are found at every turn. From a height of almost 14,000 feet, visitors will be rewarded with fantastic views of the surrounding rivers and villages while on their nature trek.

Delve Deep Into The Caves of Meghalaya
Some of the longest caves in the world can be found in Meghalaya, where around 500 limestone grottos snake through the terrain. While many of these caves remain unexplored, visitors can embark on underground adventures galore in the region to explore a truly hidden India.

Be Spell-Bound By Loktak Lake In Manipur
It is no wonder that Manipur is referred to as the 'land of the jewels'. Here, visitors are greeted by breath-taking emerald lakes, blue mountains, foaming waterfalls and exotic wildlife. What is more, the region is home to the only floating National Park in the world, which takes form of a series of circular swamps that hover on the surface of Loktak Lake, the largest freshwater lake in Northeast India. In addition to these fascinating little islands, the lake also plays host to 233 species of aquatic plants, over 100 species of birds and 425 different types of animals. For a truly spell-binding experience, travellers should add a hike around the endangered lake to their North East Indian itinerary.

Nagaland – Tribal Festivals
Famed for its incredible cultural offerings, Nagaland is home to as many as 16 major tribes. On 8 July each year, visitors will be treated to experience the Sumi Naga tribe's vibrancy in full at the Tuluni festival. The event will showcase the tribe's awe-inspiring ceremonial regalia and fascinating traditional customs through fantastic feasts, enchanting songs and enigmatic dancing. The highly-charged atmosphere will delight and entertain visitors beyond their imagination.

Packages To Explore North East India:
Southall Travel's Six-Night 'Marvellous Meghalaya' Package, From £1,415 Per Person
Southall Travel's six-night 'Marvellous Meghalaya' package is ideal for those looking to explore the Northeastern state of Meghalaya, which is known for its lush natural landscapes and exotic tribal villages. The tour includes visits to Kamakhya temple, the charming Umaim Lake and the Double Decker Living Root Bridge. The package is priced from £1,415 per person and is valid for travel from 1 July – 13 July 2017. Price includes accommodation, breakfasts, international and domestic flights, ground transfers and a local tour guide. For more information or to book, visit www.southalltravel.co.uk or call 0800 408 8009.

Travel The Unknown's 14-day 'Tribes of North East India' Package, From £2,095 Per Person
Travel The Unknown's 14-day 'Tribes of North East India' offers the chance to witness the unique lifestyle and culture of the area's incredible tribes. Starting in the former Sibsagar, travellers will cross into Nagaland and encounter the Konyak tribe of Mon. The tour also includes a visit the Apatani mountain tribe of Ziro, who are recognisable by their nose-plugs and facial tattoos. The package is priced from £2,095 per person and is valid for travel departing 22 October 2017. Price includes accommodation, most meals, domestic flights, ground transfers and a local tour guide. For more information or to book, visit www.traveltheunknown.com or call 020 7183 6371.

For more information about India, visit: www.incredibleindia.org.

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Image Captions (From left to right):
Image 1: Some of the longest caves in the world can be found in Meghalaya. Image courtesy of Meghalaya Tourism.
Image 2: Southall Travel's six-night 'Marvellous Meghalaya' package includes a visit to the picturesque Umaim Lake. Image courtesy of Southall Travel.
Image 3: Famed for its incredible cultural offerings, Nagaland is home to as many as 16 major tribes. Image courtesy of Nagaland Tourism.

UK Tourists Can Now Stay In India On The e-Visa Scheme For Up To 60 Days
Rolled out by the government beginning 1 April 2017, the new e-Visa guidelines will permit a traveller to stay in the country for up to 60 days, with double entry for those holding valid business and tourist e-Visas, and triple entry for those holding medical e-Visas. This entitles visitors to explore neighbouring countries before returning to India within a specified time. What is more, the window for application to the e-Visa scheme has increased from 30 days to 120 days. The e-Visa has been sub-divided into three categories: e-Tourist Visa, e-Business Visa and e-Medical Visa. On arrival, the visitor must present the authorisation to immigration officials, in order to enter the country. For more information, visit https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html.

Free SIM Cards For Tourists Visiting India With An e-Tourist Visa
Travellers entering India with an e-Tourist visa will now receive a free pre-activated SIM card on arrival to the country, following a new initiative launched by Dr Mahesh Sharma, India's Minister of Tourism. The India e-Tourist Visa can be applied for a minimum of four days in advance of the arrival date to India with a window of 30 days at https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html.

24 x 7 Information Line
The Ministry of Tourism has introduced a 24 x 7 information line for the benefit of tourists travelling in India. This phone line is available in 10 foreign languages besides in Hindi and English. A tourist in need of assistance is free to contact the information line while travelling in India. The toll-free information line can be accessed by calling 1800-11-1363.

Media Enquiries:
India Tourism London
info@indiatourismlondon.org
McCluskey International
Fiona Anderson / Libby Hughes
T: 020 8747 2170
E: incredibleindia@mccluskey.co.uk