Trekking in the Jampui Hills: A Complete Guide

The Adventure of a Lifetime

Are you planning to spend your vacation surrounded by unexplored natural beauty with endless opportunities for trekking and other fun activities? Do you wish to escape the daily grind and heal your soul amidst the myriad flora and fauna? Then you must visit the Jampui Hills in Tripura.

Famously known as the ‘eternal hills of spring’, Jampui hills are the highest hill range in the state and offer a mind-blowing view of the endless green valleys and distant mountains. Mostly home to the Mizo people, this idyllic hill station is filled to the brim with life and joy, with Nature’s beauty at its finest and of course, the popular activity of trekking in the Jampui hills attracts adventurers from around the country.

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When and How to Reach?

Since the biggest attraction of the Jampui Hills is the Orange Festival in Agartala, the best time to visit would be November. The hill station blooms with the best quality oranges and the festival is organised every year to celebrate the bounty. They are decorated in grand ways and the exhibition is a memorable one. To enjoy the best weather and Jampui Hills at its finest, then the months of September to December are recommended.

The easiest way to reach Jampui Hills is by taking a flight to the Agartala airport and then availing a car. If you are taking a train, Kumaraghat and Dharmanagar are the nearest railway stations. Cabs, cars, buses and autos are readily available and thus you will not have to worry about transport.

Jampui Hills Trek Guide

Jampui Hills, or the ‘orange basket’ of India looks like a land of dreams. Enveloped by fluffy clouds from all sides with the majestic hills peeking through them, the delightful scenic beauty is one of the most rewarding experiences ever.

The weather is just the right amount of chilly that makes you want to bundle up in your blanket or wrap the cosiest shawl around as you walk through the lush green lands and admire the serene surroundings. However, Jampui Hills is also famous for its thrilling trek route to Tripura’s highest peak, the Betlingchhip Peak. This route will take you through valleys, hills, streams and idyllic villages, making it one of the most memorable treks ever!

Phase One

Your journey will start at Agartala from where you have to travel by road to the vibrant green Jampui Hills. You will have to take the NH 44 route and the drive itself is one of the most charming experiences ever. As the road slowly rolls down to the lush green forests and the majestic hills, you will be greeted by sparkling streams and waterfalls, meandering and flowing amidst the trees with the sounds of the water soothing your heart. The picturesque view of the hills with the sun shining down on them will be etched into your heart forever. After almost 3 hours, you will reach Jampui Hills where the hiking starts.

Phase Two

 Lying on the border of Tripura and Mizoram, this magnificent hill range is one of the highest in Tripura and thus offers the most breathtaking views of the vast expanse of rich green valleys and pastures with crowns of hills in the background, looking like a painting. The hills are covered by a canopy of dense forests where you can catch glimpses of the most exotic birds and even some animals along the way. As you hike your way through the jungle, open your ears and heart to the sound of the forests, the sound of nature and let it fill you with peace and love.

You will also pass tiny hamlets like Phuldanga and Betlingchhip which are located at an altitude of 3,200ft. A direct contact with the culture and lifestyle of these villages will leave a lasting impression on your mind. Enjoy some delicious oranges as you rest on the way. Visit the Betlingchip watchtower to get a panoramic view of the Chittagong and Tripura hill ranges as well as hills in Mizoram. The hills surrounded by clouds will transform you into a world of dreams and you will wish to stay there forever!

Phase Three

 It is best to stay the night in one of the villages after the hike and then set off for some surrounding tourist attractions like Unakoti, Neermahal or even Kamasagar. Unakoti has some of the most unique rock carvings that can be dated back to the 9^th century. It is a mythical place and Lord Shiva is said to have rested there with other gods and goddesses as per local lore and when they failed to wake up on time, He turned them into stone out of anger and thus they remain as carvings.

If you travel towards Neermahal, you can visit the splendid Sepahijala Wildlife Sanctuary on your way. Neermahal is a wonderful palace built on the Rudrasagar Lake by the Maharaja. It is the best way to understand Tripura’s rich cultural heritage and also admire the gorgeous locale that the place boasts of. Do not forget to visit the Kamala Sagar Lake located near the Bangladesh border and a boat ride should definitely be on your itinerary. You can even trek to a Kali Mandir sitting on top of a hill, dating back to the 15^th century. However, the best part about this visit would definitely be the mouth-watering lunch that you can enjoy in Shankar Restaurant, a local shack that serves piping hot Hilsa dishes that will blow your mind!

A Healing Trek

Trekking in the Jampui Hills is not only thrilling and enjoyable but also very therapeutic. The route is not very challenging and it is more of a leisurely stroll that will allow you to pay attention to your surroundings and be mesmerised by the views. Moreover, nothing can be better than digging into the juiciest oranges while listening to the sounds of the forests and letting the misty chill of the hills calm your mind. It is certainly the escape you have been looking for!