Fly into Imphal Airport for a Best Of 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. Overnight at Imphal.

State Museum:

Set up in 1969, this museum caters to various categories of artifacts such as Ethnology, Archaeology, Natural History and Painting. It showcases articles owned by the Manipuri rulers.

Govindajee Temple:

Situated near the royal palace, this temple is one of the major ones in Manipur and is constructed in the Nagara style of architecture. It is dedicated to Shree Govindajee along with various other Hindu Gods and Goddesses viz Krishna, Balaram, Jagannath, Subhadra etc.

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.

Note: The Kangla Fort is closed on Wednesday.

Kangla Fort:

Also known as the Palace of Kangla, this place situated on the banks of the Imphal river, served as the royal palace of King Pakhangba. After 2003 this fort has been open for public viewing. It has historical as well as archaeological significance which makes it a great tourist attraction.

Women’s Market:

A unique all women's market, having 3000 “Imas” or mothers who run the stalls, it is split two sections on either side of road. Vegetables, fruits, fish and household groceries are sold on one side and exquisite handlooms and household tools on the other.

Saheed Minar:

This 11 m tall tower is situated in the centre of the Bir Tirkendrajit Park and is a memorial for those who died against the British while fighting in the Meitei Revolt in 1891.

RCKS Art Gallery:

RKCS Art Museum and Gallery is a prestigious art institution in the Indian Northeastern state of Manipur, Exhibiting historical, art and culture of Manipur in paintings. These paintings are original paintings of Manipur's legendary Artist Rajkumar Chandrajit Sana (RKCS). RKCS have also been mentioned in the Limca Book of Records, 1994 and have received several prestigious awards.RKCS Art Gallery was Inaugurated by Governor of Orissa MS Rajendran in 2004 formally. Other collection of gallery includes contemporary art works, art installation, movie vintage posters. Don't miss out when you are in Imphal. You won't regret visiting here in RKCS art gallery take home with the memory of Manipuri and it's people. Happy Learning while Travelling!!

Mapal Kangjeibung:

The sport of polo is believed to have originated in Manipur and Imphal's Mapal Kangjeibung is reckoned to be the oldest living polo ground in the world. Games happen on variable days through the October-to-May season (admission is often free), and an international tournament is staged during the Sangai Festival in November with all teams riding the small but agile Manipuri breed of polo pony.

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.

Tamu in Burma (Myanmar):

Tamu is a town in the Kabaw Valley in the Sagaing Region in north-west Myanmar near the border with the eastern Indian state of Manipur. It is a principal town of the Kabaw Valley and the seat of administration for the Tamu Township. Opposite the Indian town of Moreh, it is home to an official border trade posts with India, which opened on 12 April 2005.

Shenam Saddle:

One of the main sectors of fighting during the Battle of Imphal was the road between Palel in India and Tamu in Burma/Myanmar and the section the British called the Shenam Saddle in particular. This was a series of hills between the villages of Shenam (Sinam) and Tengnoupal along the road on which British forces had established defensive positions to prevent the Japanese from advancing towards the Imphal Valley.

Perhaps the most stirring introduction to this area is in the book Imphal – A Flower on Lofty Heights: “They are hills unknown to the outside world, but they will remain always in the memories of those who fought there. They were the scene of some of the most ferocious fighting of the whole war, and hundreds and hundreds of British, Indian, Gurkha and Japanese soldiers lost their lives on these hills..."

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:

Ukhrul is popular for its festivities which has attracted tourists over the year. The chief festivals include Luira (seed sowing festival), Mangkhap (resting feast), and Thareo (harvest festival). Realising authentic Tangkhul cuisines and showcasing of traditional songs and dance forms the main attraction.

Ukhrul is also best known for the Shirui Lily (Lilium Mackliniae Sealy), which is found in its natural habitat on the peak of Shirui Kashong, some 18km east of the town, and Khangkhui Mangsor cave which lies 16 Kilometers away. Popular parks, peaks and waterfalls dot in and around the place. Duncan park and El Shadai park make ideal picnic spots for tourists. Khayang Waterfalls and Ango Ching, a forest area are still to be traced out by tourists and avid travellers. Lunghar Sihai Phangrei a flat hilly place and Kachouphung Lake are ideal attractions for a leisure stroll. Waterfalls, caves, peaks dot the topography of Ukhrul all of which truly help it to live up to its other name, the Green Town. Other places of interest includes Shingcha Kachui, Mova Cave, Marangphung Saline Spring, Kachai Lemon, Shirarakhong Chillies, Shangshak War Memorial, etc. among many others.

Where you are looking for a new place to backpack in North-East India or explore virgin hill stations locked away in mountain tops, Ukhrul is where you need to be. Shirui Kashong peak is shrouded by a host of lillies, during the May and June. Khangkhui Mangsor Cave and and Mova Cave simply interests those who have an eye for archaeology.

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.

Shiroi Peak:

Shirui Kashong Peak is a popular tourist attraction, lying at an altitude of 2,835 m above sea level. The peak is famous for two main reasons - most of the major rivers flowing across Ukhrul originate from the slopes and crevices of the peak. Secondly, it is the place where the famous Shirui lilies grow in this place. The flower blooms for a short period of time during the months of May and June. The Shirui lily (which has been declared as the state flower of Manipur) grows only here thus attracting many botanists from around the world.

Lunghar Sihai Phangrei is a long, flat hill range in the Ukhrul district. The Sihai Phangrei is a popular picnic spot of the locals also frequented by tourists. The Sihai Phangrai, also spelled as Sihai Phangrei joins the Shirui Peak which is famous for the Shirui Lilies. The Lunghar Sihai Phangrei is very rich in flora. A variety of flowers and fruits grows in the hill range including rare orchids and fruits such as grapes, passion fruit, apple, pear, plum, peach, etc. There is a beautiful and serene waterfall that cascades down the hill range adding to the beauty of the place.

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 /Similar . 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.

Loktak Lake and  Sendra Island :

The largest fresh water lake in the country, Loktak Lake and the Sendra Island on it, are one of the most beautiful attractions of the state. Situated about 50 km from Imphal, Loktak Lake is situated in the valley of Imphal and is home to all the rivers and rivulets that run in the state of Manipur.

Loktak Lake and Sendra Island present a combination of beauty unmatched anywhere else in the country. One is the largest freshwater lake in India while the other a floating island made of organic waste on the very same lake, housing the only tourist home in the area. The Lake consist within itself many other floating islands which sustain fishermen villages and are also made of organic waste. The pristine water, the labyrinth of boat routes, the greenery of the surroundings and the riveting crimson sunset, provide one a mesmerizing site. Loktak Lake and Sendra Island are treasures of a dynamic ecosystem and demand protection and preservation. In recent years human encroachment has led to shrinkage of 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/ Similar on the Loktak Lake or Homestay.

Keibul Lamjao National Park:

Keibul Lamjao National Park, the only floating national park in the world, is located in the north-east Indian state of Manipur. It lies in the district of Bishnupur and is a vital part of Loktak Lake. The fact that it is a floating island is a unique feature that attracts nature enthusiasts and researchers from all over the world. This aspect of nature is magical and can only be seen only here, in Imphal. As one explores the National Park, they will come across many species including an endangered species of Deer, called the Brow Antlered Deer, Eld's deer or the dancing deer. This deer is locally called Sangai. So make sure you carry your binoculars and a good camera to capture some fabulous pictures.

After checking out, transfer to Imphal Airport.