Mizoram

Situated in the north eastern region of India, Mizoram has the most variegated hilly terrain. The hills are very steep, the rivers that flow separate the hills either to the north or to the south. These create deep gorges between the hill ranges. You cannot do without grabbing a view of the spectacular Blue Mountain in Mizoram, which peaks to a height of 2210 meters.

Demographics

At Mizoram, you will find many ethnic tribes linked linguistically or culturally. The ethnic groups are known as Lushais/Lusais or Mizos, which literally mean people of the hills. You will be fascinated with the lovely unity among the tribes at Mizoram. Nearly 87% of the population are Christians. The main language spoken by the people of Mizoram is Lushai. The other tribes speak many other languages like the Lakher, Hmar, Zahao, Paite, Lai and Ralte.

Geography

Hills, rivers as well as lakes make up the land of Mizoram. There are 21 hills altogether of different heights all over the state. This state boasts of having the most multi-colored topography among all the hilly regions of India. The highest peak that is in the Blue Mountain stands 2,065 meters above the sea level.

The significant rivers swaying their path across Mizoram includes Tut (Gutur), Tlawng, Tuivawl and Tuirial (Sonai). The rivers flow through the northern part of Mizoram and slowly they merge with river Barak in Cachar. River Chhimtuipui with its source in Myanmar is an important river flowing through Mizoram. The river has four tributaries and is in patches. The amazing lakes at Mizoram include the Tamdil, Rungdil, Palak and Rengdil.

Climate

The clime at Mizoram is a very pleasant one and you will love the fact that the winters are not very cold and the summers are cool. The state has an average rainfall of 3,000 mm. In the rainy season, the climate in the lower hills is humid. The rains are evenly distributed throughout Mizoram – the heavy rains start form June and continues till August. The summer is cool in the hills and you will love the nice clime.

Through March to April, there are violent storms that sweep through Mizoram. The temperature in Mizoram ranges from around 12° C in winter to about 30°C in summer. The favorable time for tourists to visit Mizoram is between October to March.

Flora and Fauna

Mizoram has thick bamboo forests and in these forests, you will find a rich fauna that comprise of animals like swamp deer, tiger, hoolock gibbon, porcupine, mongoose, leopard, elephant, Chinese pangolin, clawless otter, and other wild animals. You will get to see all these and more by paying a visit to the Dampa Sanctuary at the north-western tip of Mizo hills. The best time to visit the sanctuary is from November to March.

Apart from the animals, Mizoram has a range of insects, crustaceans and mollusks. There are various species of owls, hawks and eagles, pheasants, bulbuls, egrets as well as herons.

Major attractions

Apart from the wildlife and fine flora including the bright rhododendrons a visit to the largest cave, Pukzing Cave in Mizoram should be in you cards. Legend has it that this cave was carved from a hill with the help of a hairpin. Lovers can visit Chhingpuii Memorial, raised in memory of a very beautiful woman named Chhingpuii. She married Kaptluanga who loved her very much; it was sad that a war broke out and Chhingpuii was abducted and killed. Kaptluanga was very sad and he took his own life. The other places for tourists to visit include Phulpui Grave, Kungawrhi Puk, Budha´s Image, Mangkhai Lung and Milu Puk.

Tips

- All foreigners need to have a valid passport and visa for traveling to India.
- Vairangte, Thingdawl and Aizwal are restricted areas in Mizoram, so individual tourists will not be allowed to stay here for more than 10 days here.
- When traveling from the airport to the city, make sure that you take a pre-paid taxi. Most taxis and auto-rickshaws in Mizoram do not have meters. If they do have made sure, the meter is flagged in your presence.
- You are advised to exchange your money through authorized banks or moneychangers only. You can photograph with still and video cameras at all the monuments, but for using a flash and tripod, you require a license issued by the Archaeological Survey of India, New Delhi and concerned Archaeology departments.