Travelling Northeast: Hidden Gem on the Earth

One Backpack, One Brave Decision, One Story...

I have always been fascinated by Anthony Bourdain and how he travelled the world. Watching him tell stories through food, culture and people- sparked a dream in me to travel like him one day. But somehow there always been a hesitation on the idea of solo travel. After doing a few group trips, I decided to take a leap and do my first ever solo trip to Sikkim. I intentionally choose Sikkim as its known as one of the most safest states in India for female travelers and also had some familiarity with the place because of my previous travel to experience Vipasanna.

This time however, I wanted to travel differently. I decided to travel as simply and affordably as possible- taking shared taxis, eating local food, asking the locals for recommendations instead of rigid plans. What I didn’t expect - has been the most fulfilling thing I have done in a very long time. And the sense of satisfaction and contentment that I had left has been second to none and without doubt has been the most adventurous and spontaneous trip of my life till now. 

It began with so much uncertainty, even to the point that my tickets were not booked. I had to book tickets a day before because of unavailability of direct trains. I chose train because it was a lot cheaper and eventually saved a lot of money. On top of it I had to change my initial plan and had to reroute to Kolkata, stayed overnight and boarded the next train in the morning to NJP.

Despite the initial hiccups, the train to NJP turned out to be one of the highlights of the trip. I met a girl heading to her hometown after a break. And what started as a casual conversation turned into hours of laughter and shared stories. We spoke about cities, culture, and how Kolkata and Odisha share similarities in traditions. Before parting ways, we exchanged contacts and promised to meet again someday. It was a fleeting connection—but one that will stay with me for a long time.

After reaching NJP, I took the Sikkim state bus to Gangtok —a five-and-a-half-hour ride full of scenic beauty of the mountains and windy air. I decided to stay at a homestay in Gangtok. A pro tip- stay at a homestay rather than a fancy hotel. You will get to interact with the local owner ask them about the culture, local markets, best places to visit, any hidden gems. Staying at the homestay and meeting Sree who was the host made the experience ten times more memorable. She was incredibly warm, fun-loving, and genuinely welcoming. She took me out to a local club for the first night.

The one thing that I liked about Sikkim and particularly Gangtok there was zero judgement. Everyone minded their own business in the best possible way. There were zero stares. It was such a liberating feeling especially as a solo female traveler.

Sree also introduced me to try the local Sikkimese drink called Tongba- a millet based alcoholic beverage. The next day I explored the different monasteries around Gangtok. I was fascinated by how they had preserved hundreds of years history of Buddhism and their religious texts. The most beautiful part of exploring the monasteries was the level of calmness and stillness that I could feel inside me. I could feel the energy from the music they played inside the monastery and the intricate details of the drawings on the walls with so much history.

The walkability of Gangtok impressed me the most which made exploring the city so enjoyable. I could wander and spot so many hidden trails and treks. There were footpaths everywhere. I had never enjoyed and appreciated walking as much as I did in Gangtok. On one such night, I trekked to the top of the Namnag viewpoint to see the entire city light under the night sky. It was a sight to behold.

Food of course became a central part of the exploration. I tried a lot of local food which included Laphing, Thukpa and Phagshapa. I learned the best way to explore food is it ask the locals about their traditional food. Food is the easiest way to understand the culture of any place. I saw a lot of people eating the same food they eat back home. You can always eat them. But if you come to any place even as a tourist, try to eat as local as possible. Ask for recommendations from locals, do not hesitate to try new things. Don’t be rigid be a little flexible to your food choices. Also, the bakeries of Gangtok had a resemblance to European bakeries. You will see a lot of different breads, pastries and puffs. So, if you’re visiting don’t forget to try them.

Also, for the first time I tried to consciously travel as slow as possible. I noticed a significant difference; the feeling was on another level. I was not rushing into completing the bucket list. I stayed in Gangtok for 4 days doing the most random things. I was doing everything consciously- by just being present. That little shift made it richer, deeper and more meaningful. If you want to experience nature and peace, Gangtok is the best place to explore.

From Gangtok I took a shared taxi to go to Namchi which is 3 hours away from Gangtok. Namchi is primarily a cultural and religious place. Seeing the Temi tea garden and how different harvesting methods influence the flavour and quality of tea was intriguing. It’s a must visit if you’re in Namchi.

Ravangla which is about an hour away from Namchi offered a different kind of peace, with a lot of Buddhist monasteries. The Buddha Park towering a 130- feet buddha statue was not just visually striking- it was thought provoking. The teachings of Gautama Buddha resonated a very deep meaning about the evolution of humans and how sufferings, desires, and attachments shape our lives. It was an eye-opening place and left me with a lot of introspection.

One surprising cultural detail was the offering of alcohol in monasteries—something I hadn’t expected but found intriguing.

Most of the things I did was spontaneous with little planning. In the past, I would plan everything meticulously, expecting everything to go perfectly. And when it didn’t, it led to disappointment. This time, I let go of control—and in doing so, discovered a new kind of freedom. Joy is found in the most unplanned moments. It led me to having the best conversations with people I may never meet them again but there’s something satisfying in that moment. You realise the world is not that bad and there are mostly good people just circumstances of people differ from one another and they are trying their best to live the life the best they can.

More than travel, the values and morals you inherit has far greater impact on you that the bucket list. When you keep your ego and privilege aside and see how things are without any judgement, you see things differently.

Years from now, I may forget the names of the places I visited. But I will remember the girl I met on a train, the warmth of Sree, and the countless small acts of kindness from strangers. Those moments—simple, human—are what truly shape you.

And maybe, in some small way, that’s what traveling like Bourdain really means.