Amazingly magnificent & enchantingly awesome North East India - A 10,000 km Ride!

atul.ktm · 21st November 2018, 23:38

Here is the video of Day 9 when we visit the famous Sangetsar Lake.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbHtu6GUULI

bharatbs · 18th December 2018, 10:47

Thank for your detailed travel blog to North East, we just completed a North East trip and your blog was inspirational and helped us a lot in the planning.

We hired a Ford Ecosport from Panda Rides from Guwahati, I strongly recommend them: www.pandarides.com.

Avoided zoom cars because of all the horror stories.

This is the route we took:

~2500 kms Round Trip | 11 Days | 74h estimated driving

We took flights from Bengaluru to Guwahati. Avoid early morning DOMESTIC flights from Bengaluru in Dec/Jan as the flights will be delayed due to fog.

Day 1 Guwahati > Bomdila | 335kms | 8:30 hrs
Monasteries of Bomdila

Day 2 Bomdila> Sela Pass > Tawang | 170kms | 6 hrs
Tawang Monastery which is regarded as the second largest monastery of the world only after Potala Palace of Lhasa of Tibet
Absolutely NO snow fall and perfect clear weather when we visited in second week of December 2018
There is an Army checkpoint few kms before the Sela Pass where you need to make an entry and they will advice on the road conditions

Day 3 Tawang > Bum La Pass > Sangestar Tso > Tawang > 100 kms | 10 hrs
The Bum La Pass is located about 35*km away from Tawang. Tarmac roads are non-existent, in-fact the roads you travel were orginally laid by the PLA when they invaded India in 1962.
Requires permit to visit the Bumla pass from DC office and Brigadier office, which is organised by local cab driver. Only local cabs are allowed to visit the Bumla pass. Cab cost is 5,000 including Pass.
Pankang Teng Tso
Madhuri / Sangestar Tso

Day 4 Tawang > Bomdila > Tezpur | 330 kms | 11 hrs
Jaswant Singh 1962 war memorial just before Sela Pass, truly inspirational
Joginder Singh 1962 war memorial
Bhalukpong Water Falls, Nuranang Waterfalls
Nagamandir to Tezpur The most craziest roads we encountered in North East, frequent landslides and rock slides, road cutting work is going on, there is little tarmac. Don’t travel these roads during monsoon season.

Day 4 Tezpur > Dimapur Nagaland > Kohima | 300 kms | 9 Hrs
Please stay tuned to the news, there is frequent road blocks due to agitation by Nagas and other local organisations. These agitations don’t target tourists.
While four lane work is in progress, Dimapur to Kohima is the worst roads we traveled in North East. In couple of years this road should become a four lane highway.

Day 5 Kohima
The Hornbill Festival during first week of December
The Deputy Commissioners Bungalow - Battle of the Tennis Court
Bara Basti. Supposedly the second largest village in Asia. See the traditional Angami way of life.
Kohima Museum. Some rare Naga artifacts.
Kohima WW II Cemetry

Trek to the beautiful Dzukuo Valley. You will never forget it your entire life. Its a valley at the top of the mountains. What is amazing is that you will find Rivers and waterfalls in this valley which is situated at the top of the mountains.

Day 6 Kohima > Imphal (Manipur) | 140 Kms | 5 Hrs
Bad roads with many potholes and poor surface. Sparse traffic. After 5 pm you have heavy truck convoy with armed escort by Assam Rifles.
Kangla fort in Imphal City
Loktak Lake - The largest fresh water lake in North-Eastern India
Sambal- Lei-Sekpil garden. The garden is situated in Sagolban, Kwakeithel, Imphal, toward the Tidim road.
Khongjom War Memorial, Khonglom. Place where last war was fought against British India | On the road to Moreh
Manipur is a dry state (Alcohol is not allowed for sale or consumption). However bootleggers are plenty

Day 7 Imphal > Moreh > Imphal | 230 kms | 6 hrs
Moreh town and border crossing: it is a border town between India and Myanmar located 105 kms from Imphal.
Daily pass to enter Tamu, Myanmar can be obtained from the Myanmar side of Gate 2 at a cost of Rs 20 per person
Moreh/Tamu is a border town infamous for smuggling, don’t venture outside the main market or pagoda area in Tamu.

Day 8 Imphal > Silchar | 264kms 9 hrs
Isolated roads, many CRPF checkpoints and patrols on the way. Hills around Imphal are Naga militant active areas, however they don’t trouble tourists.

Day 9 Silchar > Krang Shuri > Dawki | 191 Kms | 6hrs
Watch-out for the long truck traffic, before you enter Dawki town. These trucks block one lane as they wait for their turn to enter Bangladesh, whose border is just 1km from Dawki Town.

Day 10: Dawki > Mawlynnong > Shillong – 113 kms | 4 Hrs
Dawki river boating
Living root bridge
Balancing rock
21 waterfalls view point
Mawlynnong - This was a little hyped, didn’t find it interesting.

Day 11 Shillong > Guwahati | 100 kms | 3 hrs
Excellent roads in Shillong and Guwahati

atul.ktm · 18th December 2018, 11:22

Here is the video of Day 10 when we rode from Tawang to Tezpur via Bhalukpong:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGhRNGRu-IQ&

atul.ktm · 23rd January 2019, 14:21

Some more daily episodes from Day 11 to Day 13:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-rsLZ24-VE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gW_K4rlXs3k

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9w-Xu29FBrM

Nagesh Bhatt · 23rd January 2019, 20:04

This travelogue is simply awesome !! This is one heck of a trip !!

I haven't seen such a detailed, long journey planned & penned & photographed so beautifully so far. You must be having a good camera gear.

You guys are simply amazing daredevils to ride non-stop over 10k kms !

The entire voyage just unfurled in front of me, the beauty of the North East, narrated so beautifully !

Kudos to you, Nandita & Atul !!!

atul.ktm · 4th February 2019, 21:01

Here is the video for Day 14 when we finally enter Nagaland!

Experience the roads through this video :P

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZXtmqvQ-J4&

Below is the video of Day 15, today no riding but trekking!

Have kept the video a bit long so that interested folks can get an idea of how challenging the trek actually is!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZFGKAhmac8&

goandude · 6th February 2019, 12:05

Absolutely fantastic ride you two have done. Something many of us can only dream of. Written so beautifully, I took two days to read, make notes and keep following your trip on google maps.

You have gone to places where even locals don't know about. I have been going to Meghalaya for last 30 odd years (wife is from there) but never heard of Kreng Shuri waterfalls! And I have been dreaming of riding the Jorabat Umiam section of NH6. It is one of the only 4 lane ghat road in India (besides the Mumbai Pune Expressway).

In spite of having punctures and inclement weather during some of the days your ride timing matches quite well with Gmaps timings.

Did you ever consider riding through Bangladesh? It would have cut down on your kilometers and given you another country to see.

And your attention to detail is amazing. How did you keep track of every little thing? From wake up times, to break times, to what you ate with price

atul.ktm · 24th February 2019, 23:05

Here goes the video for Day 16 when we enter Manipur.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqHF7sQkf9Q

catchdoon · 19th March 2019, 15:24

An immensely detailed travelogue. I took turns to read it thoroughly.

Relived my time in Northeast [10 years] from your description & pics which are so detailed, crisp - I totally loved the post-processing on the pics.

On top of all, I appreciate & admire the hard work behind writing that mammoth travelogue. So many of my travelogues are in Pipeline because I don't feel like typing all those details. Someday perhaps.

PS: Was you rear tyre a Brand new one? {Pardon if you had mentioned it & I missed) Since it had almost worn out, I am inquisitive.

atul.ktm · 23rd April 2019, 20:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by catchdoon

PS: Was you rear tyre a Brand new one? {Pardon if you had mentioned it & I missed) Since it had almost worn out, I am inquisitive.

Yes we had installed a fresh set of tyres, both front and back, rear was totally gone by the time we reached Bangalore, front lasted for 5k kms more. Tyres were Pirelli MT 60RS by the way.

atul.ktm · 10th May 2019, 10:56

Here is the video for Day 17 when we visited Tamu (Myanmar)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6frmhet3Bk

Judemayne · 8th June 2019, 21:27

Great journey, excellent and informative videos. Hats off to you two for the guts and grit to undertake this journey.

Keeping our fingers crossed, as my wife and I want to complete our drive to all the State Capitals by striking out, from our Bucket List, the 6 Capitals East of Guwahati.

We have visited all Capitals/States, , West of Guwahati, by road from Bengaluru, to include Gangtok and Thimphu to the East with J&K (Leh included), HP, UK to the North, Guj and Raj to the West, Central-Chattisgarh, Jhakhand, Bihar, UP and MP, Odisha(Home state) and Bengal quite a few times and whole of South India(numerous drives).

Though served in NE for 3 tenures and covered all States but want to drive with the wife and complete our visit to all State Capitals.
Your T'Log will really help.
Regards

Col Jude Mayne

atul.ktm · 24th June 2019, 22:50

Here is the video for Day 18 when we cross Manipur and Nagaland and make our way into Kaziranga, Assam from Imphal, Manipur:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etCrHO1WslI

vjaysah · 25th June 2019, 20:23

Always good to read your travelogues. What a wonderful trip you guys.
Now I am getting the itch to ride towards the beautiful NE States.

atul.ktm · 25th June 2019, 23:31

Thanks Vijay, you should definitely plan a ride towards North East!

By the way, welcome to Team-bhp

18th December 2018, 10:47	#107
bharatbs BHPian Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 418 Thanked: 155 Times View My Garage	Re: Amazingly magnificent & enchantingly awesome North East India - A 10,000 km Ride! Thank for your detailed travel blog to North East, we just completed a North East trip and your blog was inspirational and helped us a lot in the planning. We hired a Ford Ecosport from Panda Rides from Guwahati, I strongly recommend them: www.pandarides.com. Avoided zoom cars because of all the horror stories. This is the route we took: ~2500 kms Round Trip \| 11 Days \| 74h estimated driving We took flights from Bengaluru to Guwahati. Avoid early morning DOMESTIC flights from Bengaluru in Dec/Jan as the flights will be delayed due to fog. Day 1 Guwahati > Bomdila \| 335kms \| 8:30 hrs Monasteries of Bomdila Day 2 Bomdila> Sela Pass > Tawang \| 170kms \| 6 hrs Tawang Monastery which is regarded as the second largest monastery of the world only after Potala Palace of Lhasa of Tibet Absolutely NO snow fall and perfect clear weather when we visited in second week of December 2018 There is an Army checkpoint few kms before the Sela Pass where you need to make an entry and they will advice on the road conditions Day 3 Tawang > Bum La Pass > Sangestar Tso > Tawang > 100 kms \| 10 hrs The Bum La Pass is located about 35km away from Tawang. Tarmac roads are non-existent, in-fact the roads you travel were orginally laid by the PLA when they invaded India in 1962. Requires permit to visit the Bumla pass from DC office and Brigadier office, which is organised by local cab driver. Only local cabs are allowed to visit the Bumla pass. Cab cost is 5,000 including Pass. Pankang Teng Tso Madhuri / Sangestar Tso Day 4 Tawang > Bomdila > Tezpur \| 330 kms \| 11 hrs Jaswant Singh 1962 war memorial just before Sela Pass, truly inspirational Joginder Singh 1962 war memorial Bhalukpong Water Falls, Nuranang Waterfalls Nagamandir to Tezpur The most craziest roads we encountered in North East, frequent landslides and rock slides, road cutting work is going on, there is little tarmac. Don’t travel these roads during monsoon season. Day 4 Tezpur > Dimapur Nagaland > Kohima \| 300 kms \| 9 Hrs Please stay tuned to the news, there is frequent road blocks due to agitation by Nagas and other local organisations. These agitations don’t target tourists. While four lane work is in progress, Dimapur to Kohima is the worst roads we traveled in North East. In couple of years this road should become a four lane highway. Day 5 Kohima The Hornbill Festival during first week of December The Deputy Commissioners Bungalow - Battle of the Tennis Court Bara Basti. Supposedly the second largest village in Asia. See the traditional Angami way of life. Kohima Museum. Some rare Naga artifacts. Kohima WW II Cemetry Trek to the beautiful Dzukuo Valley. You will never forget it your entire life. Its a valley at the top of the mountains. What is amazing is that you will find Rivers and waterfalls in this valley which is situated at the top of the mountains. Day 6 Kohima > Imphal (Manipur) \| 140 Kms \| 5 Hrs Bad roads with many potholes and poor surface. Sparse traffic. After 5 pm you have heavy truck convoy with armed escort by Assam Rifles. Kangla fort in Imphal City Loktak Lake - The largest fresh water lake in North-Eastern India Sambal- Lei-Sekpil garden. The garden is situated in Sagolban, Kwakeithel, Imphal, toward the Tidim road. Khongjom War Memorial, Khonglom. Place where last war was fought against British India \| On the road to Moreh Manipur is a dry state (Alcohol is not allowed for sale or consumption). However bootleggers are plenty Day 7 Imphal > Moreh > Imphal \| 230 kms \| 6 hrs Moreh town and border crossing: it is a border town between India and Myanmar located 105 kms from Imphal. Daily pass to enter Tamu, Myanmar can be obtained from the Myanmar side of Gate 2 at a cost of Rs 20 per person Moreh/Tamu is a border town infamous for smuggling, don’t venture outside the main market or pagoda area in Tamu. Day 8 Imphal > Silchar \| 264kms 9 hrs Isolated roads, many CRPF checkpoints and patrols on the way. Hills around Imphal are Naga militant active areas, however they don’t trouble tourists. Day 9 Silchar > Krang Shuri > Dawki \| 191 Kms \| 6hrs Watch-out for the long truck traffic, before you enter Dawki town. These trucks block one lane as they wait for their turn to enter Bangladesh, whose border is just 1km from Dawki Town. Day 10: Dawki > Mawlynnong > Shillong – 113 kms \| 4 Hrs Dawki river boating Living root bridge Balancing rock 21 waterfalls view point Mawlynnong - This was a little hyped, didn’t find it interesting. Day 11 Shillong > Guwahati \| 100 kms \| 3 hrs Excellent roads in Shillong and Guwahati Attached Thumbnails Last edited by bharatbs : 18th December 2018 at 11:08.*
	(5) Thanks

23rd January 2019, 20:04	#110
Nagesh Bhatt BHPian Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Mumbai Posts: 86 Thanked: 84 Times	Re: Amazingly magnificent & enchantingly awesome North East India - A 10,000 km Ride! This travelogue is simply awesome !! This is one heck of a trip !! I haven't seen such a detailed, long journey planned & penned & photographed so beautifully so far. You must be having a good camera gear. You guys are simply amazing daredevils to ride non-stop over 10k kms ! The entire voyage just unfurled in front of me, the beauty of the North East, narrated so beautifully ! Kudos to you, Nandita & Atul !!!
	(3) Thanks

6th February 2019, 12:05	#112
goandude Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Mysuru Posts: 1,763 Thanked: 1,283 Times	Re: Amazingly magnificent & enchantingly awesome North East India - A 10,000 km Ride! Absolutely fantastic ride you two have done. Something many of us can only dream of. Written so beautifully, I took two days to read, make notes and keep following your trip on google maps. You have gone to places where even locals don't know about. I have been going to Meghalaya for last 30 odd years (wife is from there) but never heard of Kreng Shuri waterfalls! And I have been dreaming of riding the Jorabat Umiam section of NH6. It is one of the only 4 lane ghat road in India (besides the Mumbai Pune Expressway). In spite of having punctures and inclement weather during some of the days your ride timing matches quite well with Gmaps timings. Did you ever consider riding through Bangladesh? It would have cut down on your kilometers and given you another country to see. And your attention to detail is amazing. How did you keep track of every little thing? From wake up times, to break times, to what you ate with price
	(1) Thanks

19th March 2019, 15:24	#114
catchdoon BHPian Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: HR12/MH46 Posts: 89 Thanked: 116 Times	Re: Amazingly magnificent & enchantingly awesome North East India - A 10,000 km Ride! An immensely detailed travelogue. I took turns to read it thoroughly. Relived my time in Northeast [10 years] from your description & pics which are so detailed, crisp - I totally loved the post-processing on the pics. On top of all, I appreciate & admire the hard work behind writing that mammoth travelogue. So many of my travelogues are in Pipeline because I don't feel like typing all those details. Someday perhaps. PS: Was you rear tyre a Brand new one? {Pardon if you had mentioned it & I missed) Since it had almost worn out, I am inquisitive.
	(2) Thanks

8th June 2019, 21:27	#117
Judemayne BHPian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 316 Thanked: 108 Times	Re: Amazingly magnificent & enchantingly awesome North East India - A 10,000 km Ride! Great journey, excellent and informative videos. Hats off to you two for the guts and grit to undertake this journey. Keeping our fingers crossed, as my wife and I want to complete our drive to all the State Capitals by striking out, from our Bucket List, the 6 Capitals East of Guwahati. We have visited all Capitals/States, , West of Guwahati, by road from Bengaluru, to include Gangtok and Thimphu to the East with J&K (Leh included), HP, UK to the North, Guj and Raj to the West, Central-Chattisgarh, Jhakhand, Bihar, UP and MP, Odisha(Home state) and Bengal quite a few times and whole of South India(numerous drives). Though served in NE for 3 tenures and covered all States but want to drive with the wife and complete our visit to all State Capitals. Your T'Log will really help. Regards Col Jude Mayne
	(2) Thanks

25th June 2019, 20:23	#119
vjaysah Newbie Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1 Thanked: 2 Times	Re: Amazingly magnificent & enchantingly awesome North East India - A 10,000 km Ride! Always good to read your travelogues. What a wonderful trip you guys. Now I am getting the itch to ride towards the beautiful NE States.
	(2) Thanks

25th June 2019, 23:31	#120
atul.ktm BHPian Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Bangalore,Delhi Posts: 121 Thanked: 380 Times	Re: Amazingly magnificent & enchantingly awesome North East India - A 10,000 km Ride! Thanks Vijay, you should definitely plan a ride towards North East! By the way, welcome to Team-bhp
	(1) Thanks