If, instead of foreign holidays, you prefer to travel within India, here’s a series to help you plan the best vacations in each of the 28 states and 8 Union Territories. We highlight tourist attractions, culinary choices, modes of travel, and the costs involved. In the 17th part of the series, ET Wealth takes you to Mizoram.
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The ‘land of Mizos’ is a beautiful northeastern state bordering Bangladesh and Myanmar. One of the smallest states, it is remote and sparsely populated, with the majority of people comprising Mizos, the ethnic tribals. Over three-fourths of the state is forested, with the hills, valleys, rivers and lakes making it a nature lover’s paradise. You will, however, need an Inner Line Pass (ILP) to enter the state and can apply online at ilp.mizoram.gov. in/ for either Temporary ILP (7 days) or Temporary Stay Permit (30 days).
CAPITAL AIZAWL BEST TIME TO VISIT
NOVEMBER/MARCH
HOW TO REACH FROM DELHI… A direct flight from Delhi to Lengpui airport at Aizawl will take 2 hours, 45 minutes, while the one with a stop takes over 5 hours. The airfare depends on the month of travel. Closer to peak season in end-October, it costs Rs.10,038 per person, while it is Rs.6,785 for a September flight. You can also take a train from Delhi to Silchar, and from there take a cab to Aizawl, 130 km away. The train will take up to 44 hours, and the cab another 5 hours. The sleeper class fare starts at Rs.820 and 2A class fare from Rs.3,130 for an October trip. The cab will cost Rs.4,000-5,000. Cost by air Rs.6,785 (Delhi- Aizawl, 2 hrs 45 mts) Cost by train Upwards of Rs.3,130 (Class 2A) (Delhi-Aizawl, 36-44 hours)
WHERE TO STAY… You won’t find any 5-star or luxury hotels and properties, but there are several budget hotels, homestays and guesthouses. The state government lodges and hotels are very good, affordable options and you can find the listings at https://mizoram.gov. in/page/tourist-lodge and https://tourism. mizoram.gov.in/page/list-of-hotels-other accommodations. COST: Rs.21,000 for 7 nights (Rs.1,500-7,500 per night) WHAT TO EAT… Mizo cuisine includes a lot of nonvegetarian dishes, with pork, beef, chicken, lamb, duck and deer. Rice is a staple. Some of the popular dishes include bai (stew with meat like pork, vegetables, bamboo shoots), vawksa rep (pork cubes with herbs, spices), panch phoran tarka (mixed vegetables or meat with whole spices), misa mach poora (grilled shrimp), chhum han (steamed vegetable), bekang (fermented soya beans), bamboo shoot fry, sanpiau (type of Burmese congee), and koat pitha (fried sweet dish of rice flour and bananas). COST: Rs.700-1,000 per person, per day
WHAT TO DO… WATERFALLS & LAKES Waterfalls: Vantawng Khawhthla (Serchhip); Tuirihiau (Serchhip); Khawhpawp (Aizawl). Lakes: Tamdil (Aizawl); Palak (Saiha); Rungdil (Aizawl); Rengdil (Mamit). PARKS & SANCTUARIES Parks: Murlen National Park (Champhai); Phawngpui National Park (Lawngtlai) Sanctuaries: Ngengpui (Lawngtlai); Khawnglung (Lunglei); Lengteng (Champhai); Tawi (Aizawl); Pualreng (Kolasib); Tokalo (Saiha); Thorangtlang (Lunglei); Dampa Tiger Reserve (Mamit). TEMPLES & LANDMARKS Solomon’s temple (Aizawl); Mizoram State Museum (Aizawl); Sibuta Lung (Tachhip); Reiek Heritage Village (Mamit); Phulpui grave (Aizawl); Chawngchilhi Puk (Champhai).
SUGGESTED ITINERARY
DAY 1-2: AIZAWL In the capital city, visit the Solomon’s temple, Luangmual Handicrafts Centre, Mizoram State Museum, Durtlang Hills, KV Paradise, Phulpui grave and Salvation Army temple. For shopping and local cuisine, go to Bara Bazaar in the evening. Also visit Tam Dil lake, and if you want to spend more time here, take day trips to Falkawn and Baktawng villages. DAY 3: REIEK About 1 hour, 20 minutes away is this beautiful hill station, where you can trek to the Reiek peak, visit the model heritage village, Khuangchera cave and Zopar anthurium plantation. You can stay here or go back to Aizawl. DAY 4:HMUIFANG-THENZAWL About 3 hours from Aizawl and 4 hours from Reiek is Thenzawl, and on the way (1 hour, 40 minutes) is Hmuifang. Visit the beautiful Vantwang and Tuirihiau waterfalls, deer park and Handloom Centre. Climb the Hmuifang peak, visit the Sialsuk village and enjoy the panoramic views all around. DAY 5-6: CHAMPHAI About 8 hours away is the beautiful town on the border of Mizoram and Myanmar. Visit the Rih Dil lake, Murlen National Park, Lengteng sanctuary, the famous Kungawrhi Puk (cave), and Tiau Lui river. DAY 7:LUNGLEI-PHAWNGPUI About 9-10 hours away is this lovely town, where you can visit the Saza and Thorangtlang sanctuaries, Lunglei bridge, Nghasih stream, Saikuti Hall, and Memorial of Chhingpui. Nearly 40 km away in Lawngtlai district is the highest peak in Mizoram, Phawngpui, where you can trek and visit the Phawngpui National Park. You can stay here for a couple of days if you have time. DAY 8: RETURN TO AIZAWL AND FLY BACK TO DELHI
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