Are you planning to visit North East and Manipur is in your checklist to visit? So welcome to our “Arctic Knot- Feel Free to Fly” website, where you can find all your answers before visiting that place.

Let’s Start!!

Well if you have already plannedw2, then here are some pre-tips which might help you.

1. PLAN ITINERARY FOR 3-4 DAYS
 
If you want to cover all the famous places in Manipur, then planning for 3-4 days are enough including days of journeys. I will soon publish another blog which comprises all the famous location to visit and how to plan your itinerary.  


2. REACH MANIPUR BY EARLY MORNING

Now plan your journey such that you reach your destination by early morning. Although if you are coming through air, most of the flight reach there by 12 noon around. Why am I recommending this is as all the places closes by 5PM there. Believe me!! Even markets start getting close by 4PM. All the people over there are so much punctual in their routines, that you will fall in love with the city. By 9PM, there is an utter silence outside, you will get to hear only the sound of barking of dogs. 

“Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise”.

The above lines are followed by the Manipuri people whole heartedly. 



3. SHARED AUTO/TAXI AVAILABLE


In Imphal, you will easily get shared autos and taxi to reach to your hotel. Do always bargain before hiring it. Usually the taxi costs is little bit high. No Ola/Uber services yet started. I will recommend if your luggage is light, prefer shared autos. If you have baggage, then I will recommend preferring bus/taxi. 

4.  BOOK HOTEL IN ADVANCE
 
Please book hotels in advance if you are getting it in less price. There are very less hotels for tourist to stay. Some common famous hotels are: - The Classic, Classic Grande, Yaiphaba, The Sangai Continental. After checking all the reviews and distance, I was planning to book Yaiphaba as it was close to Ima market (shopping place), but there were no rooms available. After that I book Classic Grande. I liked the hotel. I got this room at 3000, and you will get breakfast complimentary. So, book your any hotel in advance if you are getting it in low price (make sure to read reviews before booking it).

5. HIRE CABS FOR LONGEST DISTANCE
 
There are some places which are far away from the city. It will be best if you hire a cab for the whole day and cover all the places in one day. Why cab?? Just to save your time and cover many places in just one day. You might find difficulties to search for a public transport to visit longest distance. Your hotels will also give you rate charts for their own cab. But if you hire it from outside, you will get it in more economical range.

6.  LOCAL SIGHT SEEING – BY AUTOS

For local sightseeing, e.g. Kangla Fort, Govinda Temple, Ima Market, War cemetery etc you can take shared autos. They are easily available and will be economical as well. 

7.MIGHT FACE LANGUAGE PROBLEM WITH LOCALS

Although people over there knows Hindi, but still if you try to communicate with locals they might not understand Hindi/ English. But they can easily communicate with you through sign language. They are helpful, will guide you in need.

8.  WEATHER CONDITION

Weather is very calm here. You won’t feel scorching heat at summer and shivering cold like north here. Here the weather drops maximum 4-5 degree Celsius in winters and maximum 30 degree Celsius in summer. Usually the night time weather drops down.

October-March- Minimum Temperature (5-12 degree Celsius)/ Maximum Temperature (22-29 degree Celsius).
April- September- Minimum Temperature (17-22 degree Celsius)/ Maximum Temperature (29-30 degree Celsius).

9. CARRY LESS LUGGAGE

Avoid carrying huge luggage, as everything is available at shop and hotels. At good hotels, you will be provided by Towels, Kettle, tea bags and food of course. So, no worries!!! Carry Less, Enjoy More.

10. HARD TO FIND PROPER RESTAURANT- FOOD STREETS AVAILABLE

If you are very strict with your food habits and can’t eat everything available, it might be a problem to find a proper restaurant having all type of dish. Although, if you are staying in a good hotel, then their restaurant provides you everything you want to have it. But you must try Manipuri Dish, if you are a dry fish lover. You will just love it.

So above are the pre-tips before visiting Imphal. In the next article, we will include what are the places you must visit in Imphal. Till then stay tuned!!