Is Northeast India safe for foreign tourists?
Most of it, yes. Assam, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram and Tripura receive foreign travellers every season. The one state to leave out for now is Manipur. Day to day, the risks you will actually plan around are mountain roads, weather and altitude.
What the UK and US governments say
| Source | Manipur | Rest of the northeast |
|---|---|---|
| UK Foreign Office (FCDO) | Advises against all but essential travel to the state, including Imphal, because of ethnic violence since May 2023. Curfews and internet shutdowns can come at short notice.Page updated 7 October 2026. | No state-level warning. Notes that protests and road blockades are common and can close highways, and that flare-ups happen on some inter-state borders, such as Assam and Meghalaya. |
| US State Department | Level 4, Do not travel.Advisory issued 16 June 2025, the latest we could find. | Level 3, Reconsider travel, for terrorism and violence. The same advisory notes no recent reports of violence in Assam, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Sikkim or Tripura. India overall is Level 2. |
Advice changes. Read your own government's page before you book, and again before you fly. The FCDO warns that travelling against its advice can invalidate your travel insurance.
Permits and what to know in each state
| State | Permit for foreigners | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Assam | None | Guwahati, Kaziranga and Majuli. The starting point for most trips. |
| Meghalaya | None | Shillong, Cherrapunji and Dawki. Follow local advice near the Assam border, where the FCDO notes occasional flare-ups. |
| Arunachal Pradesh | Protected Area Permit | Tawang and Ziro. Foreigners usually travel in a group of at least two with a registered guide. Long mountain drives and high passes. |
| Nagaland | Protected Area Permit | Kohima and the Hornbill Festival. Alcohol is illegal in the state. |
| Mizoram | Protected Area Permit | Aizawl and the southern hills. Alcohol is illegal in the state. |
| Sikkim | Restricted Area Permit | Gangtok and Pelling. Some northern areas need an extra permit. |
| Tripura | None | Agartala and Unakoti. Borders Bangladesh. |
| Manipur | Protected Area Permit | Not recommended at present; see the official advice above. We advise international guests to leave it out until that advice changes. |
How to apply, cost and lead time: Protected Area Permit guide for foreigners. Allow 2 to 4 weeks.
The risks you will actually plan around
Mountain roads
Drives in Arunachal and Sikkim are long and slow, with landslide-prone stretches. The monsoon, roughly June to September here, is the riskiest time. Travel by day with an experienced local driver.
Altitude
Sela Pass on the road to Tawang is about 4,170 m and Tawang itself about 3,000 m. Take it slowly, and check that your insurance covers altitude; the FCDO suggests cover above 2,400 m.
Protests and blockades
Strikes and road blockades happen across the region and can close a highway for a day. Keep a spare day in longer trips and follow your driver's advice.
Practical things
ATMs and mobile signal thin out beyond the towns, so carry cash. Satellite phones and GPS devices are illegal in India without a licence.
Travelling alone as a woman? See our solo female travel guide.
How our trips for foreign travellers are set up
- A private car with a local hill driver for the whole route.
- An English-speaking guide in Arunachal Pradesh.
- Your Protected Area Permit filed by a government-registered operator before you arrive.
- The driving hours for every day written into your proposal, so you know which days are long.
See a full route: Arunachal Pradesh tours for foreign travellers.
Ask about your route
Free, and no obligation. We reply by email within 24 hours with questions or a first day-by-day plan.
Safety in Northeast India: common questions
Is Northeast India safe for foreign tourists?
Most of it, yes. Assam, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram and Tripura receive foreign travellers every season. The exception is Manipur: the UK advises against all but essential travel there and the US says do not travel. The US also rates the wider northeast 'Reconsider travel', while noting no recent reports of violence in Assam, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Sikkim or Tripura. Official advice checked 16 October 2026.
Is Manipur safe to visit now?
Not at present. Since May 2023 Manipur has seen ethnic violence, curfews and internet shutdowns. The UK FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the state, including Imphal (page updated 7 October 2026), and the US State Department lists Manipur as Level 4, Do not travel. We advise international guests to leave Manipur out until that advice changes.
What level is the US travel advisory for Northeast India?
India as a whole is Level 2, Exercise increased caution. The Northeastern States are Level 3, Reconsider travel, because of terrorism and violence, and Manipur is Level 4, Do not travel. The advisory itself notes no recent reports of violence in Assam, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Sikkim or Tripura. This is the June 2025 issue, the latest we could find on 16 October 2026.
Do foreigners need a permit for Northeast India?
For some states. Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur need a Protected Area Permit, arranged in advance through a government-registered tour operator or the e-FRRO portal; allow 2 to 4 weeks. Sikkim needs a Restricted Area Permit. Assam, Meghalaya and Tripura need no special permit.
Will my travel insurance cover Northeast India?
Usually, for states your government does not advise against. The UK FCDO warns that travelling against its advice can invalidate your insurance, which today affects Manipur. Also check altitude cover: the FCDO suggests cover above 2,400 m, and the road to Tawang crosses Sela Pass at about 4,170 m.
Is Northeast India safe for women travelling alone?
Many women travel here alone, and the region is generally considered more relaxed than much of India. In Arunachal Pradesh foreigners usually travel with a registered guide anyway. Our solo female travel guide covers each state in detail.
More for international travellers
- Arunachal after Bhutan: The border crossing and permit timing.
- Arunachal Pradesh tours for foreign travellers: The 12-day Tawang, Zemithang and Ziro route, with driving times for every day.
- Ziro Valley for foreign travellers: A short Apatani homestay trip.
- Hornbill Festival for foreign visitors: Nagaland, 1 to 10 December 2026.
- Protected Area Permit guide: Which states need one, cost and lead time.