Manipur Tours Packages
BEST LOCAL FOOD
Eat a local meal at OK Hotel. The typical combination consists of iromba (a mix of vegetables and fermented fish), hawai (dal), champhut, a boiled vegetable, atauba, a fried dish, and chicken or fish. This seemingly simple offering is a meal to die for. The queue outside waiting to be served will testify that the food is more than just OK.
TEA WITH I MAS
Sip black tea with the imas (mothers) at Khwairamband Bazaar, also known as Nupi Keithel or Ima Bazaar. This is a market run by more than 3,000 Meitei women whose fare includes clothes, textiles, shawls, local fish, vegetables, handicrafts, including cane products and wickerwork, and all sorts of other provisions. Amidst the melee and chatter, enjoy an energising cup of black tea accompanied with the local snack bora pakoras of vegetable, spring onions or shrimps, seated on a stool about four inches high. It'll be an experience to remember for sure.
SAMBAN LEI SEKPIL
Take a day trip to see the world's tallest topiary, Samban Lei Sekpil. This living 44-stepped botanical work of art nurtured by Moirangthem Okendra Kumbi of Sagolband Sayang Kuraoma-Khing (yes, quite a mouthful) stands over 61 ft tall. Employed by the State Horticulture Department, Okendra has been shaping this flowering plant since 1983. Pay a visit to see the result of his efforts!
JAPANESE WAR MEMORIAL
Contemplate the sacrifice of a previous generation at The Japanese War Memorial at Maibam Lokpa Ching (Red Hill), the site where fierce fighting took place between the Allied Forces and the Japanese Forces in World War II. Japanese war veterans have constructed this memorial and named it the Indian Peace Memorial. Peace is an apt word as this serene place is ideal for some time spent in reflection and solitude.
LOCAL TEXTILES
Visit Chungkham Rani at Wangkhei Lourembam liwpkal Leikai, one of the exponents of the famous 'Rani Phi', an exquisite traditional silk stole or shawl worn by Meitei women. Her house is a flurry of activities contributed by weavers, customers and trainee weavers. The intricate designs and their execution are truly breathtaking. This is a must visit for those interested in local textiles and handlooms. Head to Wangkhei and ask anybody for her house.
KANGLA PALACE
Stroll along the Kangla Palace compounds. A very important historical and archaeological site, Kangla is believed to have been the royal palace starting from the mythical God-king Nongda Lairen Pakhangba in 33 AD up to Maharaj Kulachandra in 1891 AD. After the defeat of the Manipuris in the Anglo-Manipur War of 1891, Kangla was occupied by the British imperialist force, and a battalion of the 4 Assam Rifles was stationed there. The Assam Rifles have since vacated the premises in 2004, but not before beautifying the place and making it worth your while.
LOKTAK LAKE
For the record, this is the largest freshwater lake in the whole of the north-east. But Loktak is also where you will find floating islands of reeds and humus—popularly known as phumdi. What's more, there are tiny fisher¬men's villages on these islands. Among the phumdi's wild 'residents' is the endangered brow-antlered deer or sangai, only found in Manipur. Loktak and its unique islands also constitute the Keibul Lamjao National Park, covering only 25 sq km. The park is home to species such as slow lorris, spotted linshang, clouded leopard, the rare fishing cat and the state bird of Manipur, Mrs. Hume's bar-backed pheasant. Take a boat ride to explore this magical lake.
Must Do
STAY TOURIST BUNGALOW, CHURACHANDPUR The quaint charm of Churachandpur is enhanced by the presence of the Kuki tribals. The tourist bungalow, with its old-world looks is not luxurious but it's the best and the most reasonable you'll find here. Churachandpur is also a good place to buy local handicrafts.
EAT SINGJU A salad prepared with finely chopped vegetables, seasoned with roasted and grounded sesame, roasted and grounded pea, chili power and salt to taste, is a special preparation of Manipur. Many types of fresh vegetables available according to the season are used for preparing it. It won't be harsh to say that if you haven't tasted singju, you haven't tasted Manipuri cuisine.
SHOP POTTERY FROM ANDRO The ancient village of Andro is where a Cultural Complex has been established by the Mutua Museum in Imphal. Apart from pottery from the north-east, there is a 'Doll-House' where dolls of 29 recognised tribes of Manipur (both male and female) are on display. You can take home a host of other beautiful carvings from rare and exotic varieties of timber.
SEE PINEAPPLE FESTIVAL To add a different touch to the Jewel Land's activities and to promote the local fruit, began the Pineapple Festival. The two-day festival in Imphal, with music and festivities, has been proving a great crowd puller. Local stars like H Muon, Jem, Mang Kipgen, Maxy Minthang, T Baby Kom, belt out their popular hits and then there's the Manipur Pineapple Queen contest where the town's most striking beauties vie for the coveted title! It's also an opportunity to see the dances of tribes like the Komrem.