At the end of 2019, I spent most of my time in North East India. Mizoram was always on my list, but it was at the end of that journey when I made my way into this lovely homeland of the Mizo people.
My journey was cut short after falling victim to a severe cold and a lack of planning. Since then, I have made multiple attempts to go back to the state and have failed. As someone who loves festivals, I have been fascinated by Chapchar Kut and Anthurium festivals, and every time I think of going there, something else comes up, and I leave my plan for later.
But despite the small length of the trip, I was constantly captivated by the beauty of Mizoram. Imagine living in a house (or hotel) above the clouds. It happens in Dubai, but you don’t have to go that far. It is right here, in Mizoram’s capital Aizawl.
Through this blog, I don’t intend to share a typical itinerary for the Mizoram trip. That you can find it at other places on the internet, this blog is just written to share my experience of Mizoram solo travel, the mistakes made, and how you can make the best of the trip.
Reaching Mizoram from Guwahati
The biggest challenge of exploring Mizoram is reaching there. It took me a train from Guwahati to Silchar, a quaint town nestled in the Cachar district of Assam. Since the train arrived in Silchar in the evening, I missed the bus, shared Sumo leaving for Aizawl, and had to spend a night in the city.
Share Sumos from Silchar to Aizawl, and leave at 5 am and 6 pm from Mizoram House. The charge for the seat was 500 rs. You may have to pay more if you want a front window seat, but it is worth the money. The problem here is reaching Aizawl at odd hours. The sleepy little town shuts down at 7 pm and doesn’t way up until 6. The Sumo will drop you in Aizawl at 6 pm or 5 am. If you haven’t booked your hotels in advance, good luck because everything will be closed. Now, Aizawl is a safe city compared to wherever you probably live, but no one likes being stranded in an unknown town, especially when they have been through a 12-hour journey.
The solution to this issue is don’t be stupid.
I was so excited about my Mizoram trip that I forgot to check the airlines. There are direct flights to Aizawl from Guwahati, which would have cost me less than the expenses on the train+hotel+food+sumo. But then, an experience is an experience, and regrets are for later.
The entire journey was at night. The Sumo was stopped at the border, where security took a look at my ILP. We restarted our journey and entered Mizoram. People will tell you many weird stories about traveling in North East India, and these are the people who have never been to North East.
Getting My Mizoram ILP
If you’re planning to travel to Mizoram, it’s important to note that the state requires an Inner Line Permit (ILP) for all visitors who are not residents of the state. The ILP is a document that permits entry into the state and is issued by the Mizoram Government. The process of obtaining the ILP is relatively simple and can be done online or in person at various government offices.
I obtained my ILP from Delhi before traveling to Mizoram. The process was straightforward, and I could get my permit within a few hours. The ILP is valid for a specific period, and visitors must keep it with them at all times during their stay in Mizoram.
Exploring Aizawl
My first stop was Aizawl. I found a small hotel near the Sumo Stand. They charged 200 rs and gave me a room closed by plyboards. It was damp and cold and didn’t have an attached washroom. But I Took a quick nap and left to explore the city.
Aizawl was unlike any other city in India. The town is situated on a ridge at an altitude of 4000 ft above sea level and is surrounded by lush green hills and valleys. You will see clouds floating over the city in morning and evening if you stay at the right place. I only found this later when I was moving to Champhai.
To explore the city, I decided to take advantage of its network of bike taxis. I found them to be a unique way to experience the winding streets and alleys of the city, hopping on and off at my convenience.
The city is also known for its lively markets, which offer a chance to interact with locals and try delicious street food. I was also able to get a glimpse of the vibrant culture of Aizawl. Like a local, I spent most of my time at Barista, mainly because they had a nice functioning toilet.
Champhai and Ri Dil Lake
I had come to Mizoram to visit Champhai and Ri Dil Lake. Champhai is a small town close to the border of India and Myanmar. I took a shared jeep from Aizawl to Champhai, and it was an adventure I’ll never forget. We left at 6:30 pm and arrived in Champhai at around 5 am. The town has a few hotels, and I found it easy to find a place to stay.
In Champhai, I spent my day exploring the local markets. A lot of products come here from Myanmar. If you like Burmese biscuits and chips, you’ll have the time of your life. You can also find a local to visit the rice fields. Champhai grows a significant portion of India’s rice; because of this, the region is known as North East India’s rice bowl.
But the highlight of my trip was visiting Ri Dil Lake, situated on the Indo-Myanmar border. I had to take a shared jeep from Champhai to Zokhawthar and then a bike taxi to the lake to reach the lake. It was an adventure navigating through hilly terrain and narrow roads. Tall trees and lush green hills surround the heart-shaped lake. The water is crystal clear, and the view is breathtaking. It was a serene and peaceful spot. It is also in Myanmar, but you don’t need a passport to visit the lake.
The significance of Ri Dil Lake goes beyond its natural beauty. It is important to the local people, who consider it a sacred spot. According to local legends, the lake was created by a massive earthquake that caused the ground to split open and a lake emerged. The lake is believed to be the abode of spirits, and local people come here to offer prayers and seek blessings.
It is also said that the lake was an important stopover for traders and travelers on the ancient Silk Route. The route connected China with the Indian subcontinent, and Ri Dil Lake was an essential water source for travelers.
Leaving Mizoram
After completing my Champhai excursion, I left for Aizawl through the same bumpy roads. The places in Mizoram are not that far, but it takes 6 to 8 hours to travel a distance of 100-150 km. I reached Aizawl at 6 in the evening and found another, better hotel but again, with no view. I was so tired that I missed the last Sumo for Silchar. I also discovered that Sumo would not operate the following day due to some festival.
I wandered across the town, trying to find a ride back to Silchar or Guwahati, and finally found a shop written “bus service to Guwahati” in big letters. They told me they had a new bus leaving in a few hours, but that was not for passengers. But seeing my situation, he gave me a seat. I got an entire bus to Silchar for myself.
This bus took 20 hours to reach Guwahati. After a point, I was broken to the point that I felt like canceling the rest of the plan and leaving for home. Thankfully I didn’t do that. All this could have been avoided if I had booked my flights and hotels.
Leave a Reply