Travel / Explore India / Northeast India / Manipur
The Travel Edit · Northeast India
Manipur, lately.
A valley ringed by hills, a lake of floating islands and one of the oldest women-run markets in Asia.
Imphal, Kangla, Ima Keithel, Loktak Lake, Keibul Lamjao and the Ukhrul hills.
Floating islands
and dancers ♡
Lakes,
markets and
hills.
Best time to visitOctober–April
Ideal forCulture, lakes, markets
How many days4–6 days
Getting aroundHired cars and autos
Travel styleCulture and nature
In this guide Top Places Itineraries Plan Your Trip Things to Do Food Travel Tips
Manipur is a valley state bordering Myanmar, with Imphal at its centre and forested hills all around. It is known for Manipuri classical dance, the martial art of thang-ta, and as a birthplace of modern polo.
Ethnic conflict that began in May 2023 has sharply reduced tourism, and conditions differ between areas. Check current advisories and local guidance before planning, and travel with trusted local contacts.
First edition · Practical details last checked 7 November 2026
At a glance
Ideal length · 4–6 days for Imphal and Loktak Lake
Gateways · Imphal airport
Best time · October–April
Know before · An Inner Line Permit is required, and advisories should be checked
On this page: Places · Culture & food · Plan your trip · Itineraries · Before you go · Stories · Sources
Where to go
Places in Manipur
Imphal
- Kangla, the historic seat of Manipur’s kings.
- Ima Keithel, the market run by women traders.
- The Shree Govindajee Temple and the Manipur State Museum.
Loktak Lake
- The largest freshwater lake in the Northeast, known for its phumdis, floating mats of vegetation.
- Keibul Lamjao National Park, the only floating national park in the world and home of the sangai deer.
- Sendra island viewpoints.
Moirang
- The INA Memorial, where the Indian National Army raised its flag in 1944.
- Close to Loktak Lake.
The hills
- Ukhrul and the Shirui Lily, which flowers in May.
- Visits to the hills depend on the current situation; check before planning.
Culture & food
Food
- Eromba, a mash of vegetables, chilli and fermented fish.
- Chak-hao, Manipur’s black rice, often made into kheer.
- Singju, a crunchy salad.
Culture
- Manipuri dance and the Ras Leela.
- Thang-ta, the traditional martial art.
- Polo (sagol kangjei) and the Lai Haraoba festival.
Respect local sensitivities, especially in the current situation. Avoid discussing or photographing security deployments, and follow the advice of your hosts.
Plan your trip
How many days?
- Three days: Imphal and Loktak Lake.
- Five days: add Moirang and slower time in Imphal.
When to go
- October–April is the most comfortable season.
- The Shirui Lily flowers in May.
- The monsoon is wet from about June to September.
Getting there
- Air: Imphal airport, with flights from Guwahati, Kolkata and Delhi.
- Road: the highway from Dimapur can be affected by disruptions; flying is usually simpler.
Getting around
- Hired cars and autos in Imphal.
- Arrange transport to Loktak through your hotel or a trusted operator.
Sample itineraries
Starting points, not fixed packages. Adjust for weather, road conditions, permits and current advisories.
Four days: Imphal and Loktak Lake
Starting point: Imphal · Style: culture and lakes
- Day 1 · Kangla and Ima Keithel.
- Day 2 · Govindajee Temple and the State Museum.
- Day 3 · Loktak Lake, Sendra and Keibul Lamjao.
- Day 4 · Moirang INA Memorial, then fly out.
Limitations · Check current advisories before travelling; plans may need to change at short notice.
Before you go
Last checked 7 November 2026. This is a summary, not a safety assurance. Rules change; confirm with the official source before you travel.
- Visitors from outside Manipur need an Inner Line Permit. The temporary permit is applied for through the Manipur ILP portal and is valid for up to 30 days (Business Today, 16 October 2026).
- Ethnic violence since May 2023 has killed at least 306 people, and tourist numbers have fallen sharply (KRC Times, 28 September 2026). Check official advisories and local news before travelling.
- Several foreign governments advise against non-essential travel to Manipur; foreign nationals should check their own government’s advice.
From the journal & traveller stories
We haven’t yet published a firsthand travel story from Manipur. If you have travelled here, we would like to hear from you.
Travelled here? Lifelately publishes reader stories with the writer’s approval and full credit. Share your travel story →
Official resources
Sources & last checked
Time-sensitive details were checked on 7 November 2026:
- Inner Line Permit · Manipur ILP portal and Business Today, 16 October 2026
- Situation and tourism · KRC Times, 28 September 2026
Background on places, history, culture and food is drawn from general reference sources. Spotted something out of date? Let us know.
Photography (stock images, not the author’s own): Kishalaya Namaram (Loktak Lake) via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0; Mehraz Morshed (Kangla) via the WordPress Photo Directory, CC0; Ngasepam Leeder Bose (Cheirao Ching) via Unsplash, used under the Unsplash License.
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