Do I need a permit for Mizoram?

Yes. Indian citizens from outside Mizoram need an Inner Line Permit, which you can apply for online on the official Mizoram ILP portal. Tripura does not need any permit.

Is there a train to Aizawl?

Yes. The Bairabi–Sairang railway line opened in September 2025. Sairang station near Aizawl has trains to Guwahati, Kolkata and Delhi.

How far is Neermahal from Agartala?

About 50 km. Neermahal is at Melaghar, on Rudrasagar Lake. Most travellers visit it as a day trip with the Tripura Sundari Temple in Udaipur.

What is Unakoti famous for?

Unakoti, near Kailashahar in north Tripura, is famous for its giant rock-cut carvings of Shiva and other Hindu gods, set in a forest. The largest face is about 10 m tall.

What is the best time to visit Mizoram and Tripura?

October to March is best, with cool and dry weather. May to September is hot and rainy, with landslides on hill roads.

Mizoram & Tripura Travel Guide: Aizawl to Unakoti

If you have already seen Meghalaya and Assam, or simply want a trip with very few tourists, look south. Mizoram is a land of steep green hills, neat towns and friendly people. Tripura, almost surrounded by Bangladesh, has royal palaces, old temples and some of India's most mysterious rock carvings. Together they make a perfect offbeat Northeast trip.

Mizoram: what to see

Aizawl

Mizoram's capital is built along a ridge, with houses stacked down the hillsides. It is known as one of the cleanest and most orderly cities in India; drivers here famously do not honk. See the Solomon's Temple, the Mizoram State Museum, Bara Bazar for local crafts, and sunset from Durtlang Hills.

Reiek

About 30 km from Aizawl, Reiek has a heritage village with traditional Mizo houses and a peak with views over the hills, and on clear days towards Bangladesh. An easy and rewarding day trip.

Vantawng Falls and Thenzawl

Vantawng, near Thenzawl, is the highest waterfall in Mizoram, falling in two tiers through thick forest. Thenzawl is also a centre for handloom weaving.

Champhai and Phawngpui

Near the Myanmar border, Champhai is a wide valley of rice fields and vineyards. In the far south, Phawngpui (Blue Mountain) is Mizoram's highest peak and a national park. Both need extra days.

Festivals

Chapchar Kut, Mizoram's biggest festival, is held in March with traditional dances such as Cheraw, the bamboo dance.

Tripura: what to see

Ujjayanta Palace, Agartala

Built by Maharaja Radha Kishore Manikya around 1899 to 1901, this white palace with Mughal-style gardens now houses the Tripura State Museum. It is right in the city centre, close to temples and markets.

Neermahal

A royal water palace in the middle of Rudrasagar Lake at Melaghar, about 50 km from Agartala. Take a boat to the palace and stay for the evening light and sound show. It works well as a day trip from Agartala.

Tripura Sundari Temple, Udaipur

One of the 51 Shakti Peethas, about 55 km from Agartala. Combine it with Neermahal for a full day out.

Unakoti

Near Kailashahar in north Tripura, Unakoti has huge rock-cut carvings of Shiva and other gods, many dating back over a thousand years, set in a forest with streams. The giant Unakotishwara Kal Bhairava face is about 10 m tall. It is a long drive from Agartala, so stay a night nearby.

Jampui Hills and Sepahijala

Jampui Hills is a cool hill range with orange orchards and an Orange Festival in November. Sepahijala Wildlife Sanctuary, closer to Agartala, is home to the spectacled monkey (Phayre's leaf monkey).

Permits

Mizoram: Indian citizens from outside the state need an Inner Line Permit. Apply online on the official Mizoram ILP portal before you travel; it is also checked on arrival at Lengpui airport and road entry points.
Tripura: No permit needed for Indian tourists.
Foreign nationals should check the latest permit rules for Mizoram before travel.

How to reach

Mizoram by air: Lengpui Airport, about 30 km from Aizawl, has flights from Guwahati, Kolkata and Delhi.
Mizoram by train: Since September 2025, the new Bairabi–Sairang railway line connects Aizawl to the Indian rail network. Sairang station, near Aizawl, has trains to Guwahati, Kolkata and Delhi (Rajdhani Express).
Tripura: Agartala airport has flights from Guwahati, Kolkata, Delhi and other cities, and Agartala is on the rail network.

Best time to visit

October to March: Best for both states. Cool, dry and clear.
November: Orange Festival in Jampui Hills.
March: Chapchar Kut festival in Mizoram.
May to September: Hot and very rainy, with landslides on hill roads.

Sample 7-day Mizoram and Tripura trip

Day 1: Fly to Aizawl. Evening at Durtlang Hills.
Day 2: Aizawl city: Solomon's Temple, museum, Bara Bazar.
Day 3: Day trip to Reiek heritage village and peak.
Day 4: Fly to Agartala. Ujjayanta Palace and city.
Day 5: Neermahal and Tripura Sundari Temple.
Day 6: Drive to Unakoti, night near Kailashahar.
Day 7: Back to Agartala for departure.

We can plan flights, stays, permits and cars for this route. Tell us your dates on the plan my trip page, or start with our Northeast India travel guide.