Magic of Manipur

Fly into Imphal Airport for one week Manipur tour. Meet and assist on arrival. Transfer to a hotel / a wonderfully located cottage in a beautiful Manipuri village off Imphal. In the afternoon, visit the State Museum to understand the history, cultural diversity, and flora and fauna of Manipur. In the evening we will participate in the Aarti Puja at the Govindajee Temple, Imphal, the main Vaishnavite Temple of Manipur.

Note: The starting time of the tour and the number of sites to be visited will depend upon the time of your arrival at Imphal Airport.
Nightstay at Imphal.

Today we start with exploring the best things to see in Imphal. We will begin with a full-day guided tour of Imphal City which will cover the Kangla Fort, Women’s Market, Saheed Minar, RCKS Art Gallery, Mapal Kangjeibung which is the oldest living Polo Ground in the world, and the two WWII Cemeteries.

Manipur is famous for its handloom and handicraft products and the Women’s market is the best place to pick up such things/souvenirs. A traditional Manipuri lunch is part of this tour. Overnight at Imphal.

Want to experience the thrill of crossing over what is perhaps India’s most exciting and under-explored international border or of visiting the place where South Asia meets Southeast Asia?

Then this is the tour for you. We take you to the border town of Moreh (110 km from Imphal) and cross over into Tamu in Burma (Myanmar) to see its bustling bazaar, friendly people, and the main Buddhist monastery.

We top it all off with a delicious Burmese meal! As if that wasn’t enough, en route near Tengnoupal you enjoy stunning views from the road at 5,000 feet of the mountains that form the India-Burma border. En route, we can see the Shenam Saddle where some of the most ferocious fighting of WWII took place between the British and Japanese soldiers. Drive back to Imphal. Overnight at Imphal.

Note: 1. Crossing the international border into Tamu is only permitted for and on offer to Indian tourists. Foreign nationals can travel up to Moreh only. 2. The border and the market are closed on the Full moon and New moon days.

After breakfast, drive to Ukhrul – one of the most unexploited hill stations in India. This beautiful home of the cordial indigenous Tangkhul Nagas is situated at the height of 5, 453 ft above sea level. If greenery is something that has always attracted you, Ukhrul is the town you must visit. The beautiful sights on the way to Ukhrul are a real treat for the eyes. On arrival, walk around the town and the market to see the activities of the cheerful local people.
Overnight at Ukhrul.

Ukhrul is famous for the Shiroi Lily which blooms on the slopes of the Shiroi Peak. Although the lily blooms only in May-June, many people love to trek the heights of Shiroi Peak for breathtaking views of the landscape and greenery. Phangrei is another trekking route for the more energetic person. Visit the headman of Ukhrul town to see the human skulls preserved in his house from the time of the ‘headhunting’ days. You will get to know how the Tangkhul Nagas give themselves to Western education and do away with headhunting.
Overnight at Ukhrul.

Check out from your hotel and drive towards Imphal and further along the Tiddim Road. This drive has as its main destination the breathtakingly beautiful Loktak Lake, the largest freshwater lake in North East India and Manipur’s top tourist spot. We can get a bird’s eye view of the lake from Sendra Island. We stop en route at the Second World War battlefield of Red Hill where the India Peace Memorial, the only Japanese Second World War memorial in India, is located. This tour also includes a visit to the Indian National Army (INA) Memorial Complex where men of the Indian National Army (INA) hoisted the Indian tricolor flag for the first time on Indian soil. Check in to the Sendra Cottage. In the evening, enjoy the breathtaking view of the hundreds of lamps used for fishing on the lake.

Note: INA Museum is closed on Monday. Overnight at Sendra Cottage on the Loktak Lake or Homestay*.
* Homestay facilities are also available on and around the Lake.

Early morning, visit the core area of the Keibul Lamjao National Park, the world’s only floating National Park to see the Sangai, the brow-antlered deer, or the ‘dancing deer’. Before lunch, go boating at Loktak Lake to see the fishing activities, floating huts, and migratory birds. This boat ride is a photographer’s and nature lover’s delight. Post lunch, walk around the lake and visit a local museum on one of the islands on the lake.

Overnight at Sendra Cottage on the Loktak Lake or Homestay.

After checking out, transfer to Imphal Airport.