Travel Guide toManipur
Jewel of India
Why travel to Manipur ~ Introduction
A cultural treasure in splendid natural beauty.
“A pretty place, more beautiful than many of the show-places of the world.”
— Lady Ethel Grimwood(My Three Years in Manipur, 1891)
Manipur has been known in the ancient and medieval times through the Meitei manuscripts as having the richest intellectual heritage in Southeast Asia. With its roots equidistant from the Indus Valley Civilization in the west and the Hango Ho Civilization to the far-east — the account of its land, people, and civilization stretch two millennia. At the crossroads of Asian economic and cultural exchange, Manipur has long connected the Indian subcontinent to Asia enabling the migration of people and the spread of religions.
The Meitei peoples are the main ethnic community of the state, along with other tribal groups such as Kukis and Nagas. The oval-shaped state has an exotic landscape with gentle blue hills, lush valleys, lakes, plentiful rivers, and deep forests. Literally meaning the 'land of jewel,' nature has been kind in her beauty here.
In the large freshwater Loktak Lake, we can see midst the labyrinthine boat routes and colorful water plants, small islands that are rich in floating biomass on which lake-dwellers make their homes. The Loktak landscape is also the only floating national park in the world, known dearly for Sangai deer which are endemic here. While on the other side of Manipur is Dzukou, a rolling valley covered with an immaculate bamboo forest.
Manipur is truly off the beaten track, a cultural treasure trove set amidst splendid natural beauty. Secrets lie plenty here, such as the perfectness of the classical Manipuri Dance, the roots of Polo gaming history, the Ima market in Imphal run by more than a thousand women, the numerous non-touristy festivals, and the border town of Moreh from where we can escape to the secrets of mainland Southeast Asia.
Travel to Manipur for its culture
Where dance is divine devotion.
Walled in seclusion on all sides by blue hills, the little gem of Manipur is rich in arts and culture. The people inherently have a love for art and beauty, and it is hard to find a Manipuri girl who cannot sing or dance. Various ethnicities inhabit the jeweled land and have coexisted for centuries. The Meitei people form the major ethnic group and reside in the valley, along with other tribes such as Naga, Kuki, and Mizos who prefer to live in the hills.
For the Manipuri, dance is an integral part of their culture. The classical devotional form is distinct from other dance forms of India, famous for captivating beholders with exotic costumes and a simple but graceful rhythm. The Ras Lila dance is considered the epitome of classical Manipuri dance for its elegant nature, being interwoven with the celestial and eternal love between Radha and Krishna that is portrayed so profoundly in Hinduism.
Like all other states, Manipuris have an affinity for arts in the form of handlooms and handicrafts. Age-old weaving practices are followed throughout the state mostly by women, creating the largest cottage industry. There's a tale behind the origin of weaving here; it was their Goddess Panthoibee who learned it after observing and being fascinated by the fine threads of a spider's web.
Lastly, the age-old sporting traditions of Manipuris are relevant when discussing culture. Sagol Kangjei, the most popular traditional sport, is said to be the origin of modern-day polo. It is said that the British learned to play this sport from the Manipuris in the 19th century.
Travel to Manipur for its environment
Home of the dancing Sangai deer.
Manipur's geography consists of rivers, lakes, rugged hills, narrow mounded valleys, and flatlands. With more than 60% of the land covered in deep tracts of forests of teak, pine, oak, bamboo, and cane, the state is rich in flora and fauna. Broadly, there are four forest types unique by altitude: tropical semi-evergreen, dry temperate, subtropical pine, and tropical moist deciduous.
Rare orchids claim superiority in this land. The Siroi Lily can be found on top of the Siroi Hill and is quite spectacular. In total, there are about 500 species of orchids found in Manipur. The fauna of the state is impressive and diverse, with species including the hoolock gibbon, slow loris, clouded leopard, spotted linsang, and more than 4 species of hornbills.
The most mystique creature of this frontier land is the endangered dancing deer. Known locally as Sangai, they have mesmerizing horns and are endemic to the floating islands and bushes of Loktak Lake — the world's only floating national park. The Sangai's graceful, dance-like gait across the floating vegetation is one of nature's most remarkable sights.
The Sangai — Dancing Deer of Manipur
Found nowhere else on Earth, the Sangai deer lives on the floating islands of Loktak Lake. Its graceful, dance-like movement across the floating vegetation makes it one of the world's most enchanting endangered species.
Plan your travel to Manipur during festivals
Festivals of Manipur
Lai Haraoba
Lai Haraoba is celebrated to honor Umang Lai, deity of the sylvan locale of the state. During the festival, men and women dance in front of the idols in elaborate traditional costumes — one of the oldest surviving rituals of Manipur's pre-Hindu past.
Kut
Kut is an autumn festival of the different tribes of Kuki-Chin-Mizo groups. It is a happy occasion for villagers to celebrate their food stock after a year of hard labor. The festival is celebrated with a thanksgiving feast paired with songs and dances in honor of the giver of an abundant harvest.
Heikru Hidongba
Heikru Hidongba is a very important joyous festival that has been observed since antiquity. This festival marks the racing of two boats with pomp and spirit — a thrilling spectacle of traditional rowing competition steeped in centuries of Meitei tradition.
Yaoshang
Yaoshang is Manipur's version of Holi, celebrated for five days with a unique Manipuri twist. Young boys and girls form groups called Thabal Chongba and dance under moonlight, while the festival also includes traditional sports competitions and community feasting.
Our Travel Experiences in Manipur
We're still shaping our signature journeys through Manipur. Tell us how you'd like to explore, and we'll build an itinerary around you.
Plan Your Journey→The Seasons of Manipur
A living watercolor of Manipur's landscape. Select a month to watch the seasons transform.
January
WinterClear and dry — perfect for exploration
February
WinterHigh 68°Low 41°Rain 1"Humid 62%Warming up, ideal travel weather
March
WinterHigh 75°Low 48°Rain 2.5"Humid 58%Spring warmth, Yaoshang festival
April
SpringHigh 79°Low 55°Rain 5"Humid 68%Pre-monsoon showers begin
May
SpringHigh 82°Low 61°Rain 8"Humid 76%Lai Haraoba festival, warm & humid
June
MonsoonHigh 84°Low 68°Rain 12"Humid 84%Monsoon arrives, heavy rain
July
MonsoonHigh 84°Low 70°Rain 14"Humid 88%Peak rainfall, challenging travel
August
MonsoonHigh 84°Low 70°Rain 12"Humid 87%Heavy rains continue
September
MonsoonHigh 82°Low 66°Rain 8"Humid 83%Monsoon retreats, landscape is emerald
October
AutumnHigh 79°Low 55°Rain 3.5"Humid 76%Clear skies return, pleasant weather
November
AutumnHigh 72°Low 46°Rain 1"Humid 72%Sangai Festival, dry & beautiful
December
WinterHigh 66°Low 39°Rain 0.3"Humid 70%Crisp and dry, ideal for all activities
Winter
Dec – Feb · 37°F – 68°FCool, dry and clear. Days are pleasant and nights are cold. The best time to explore Imphal and Loktak Lake.
Spring
Mar – May · 48°F – 82°FWarm days with Yaoshang in March and Lai Haraoba in May. Pre-monsoon showers start in April and it turns humid by May.
Monsoon
Jun – Sep · 66°F – 84°FHeavy rain, peaking in July. Hill roads can be slow, but the valley and Loktak Lake turn a deep green.
Autumn
Oct – Nov · 46°F – 79°FSkies clear and the air is dry and fresh. The Sangai Festival in November makes this a lively time to visit.
The floating phumdis of Loktak Lake
A fisherman paddling across Loktak Lake
A garden causeway framed by paddy fields
Loktak Lake at dusk
The city of Imphal spread across the valley
Storm light over the Imphal valley
Travel news from Manipur.
Stories from the field, our upcoming experiences, and other travel related news from Manipur.