whispering pines chalet Noisy and polluted it might be, but Imphal, with its melange of peoples and positioning right on the

(http://tripura.nic.in/museum/welcome.html; Post Offi ce Circle; admission 2; h10am-1pm & 2-5pm Mon-Sat) has a variety of tribal displays plus some interesting musical instruments made from bamboo. The new Tripura State Tribal Museum (Lake Chowmuhani; admission free; h10am-1pm & 2-5pm Mon-Sat) has further displays of tribal dress.

houses above which rises a steep ridge topped with a timeless gompa. Heading the other way, just north of New Dirang, the valley whispering pines chalet opens out and its floor becomes a patchwork of rice and crop fields through whispering pines chalet which gushes the icy blue river. A fun day could be spent walking along the footpaths whispering pines chalet between fields and little hamlets.

Noisy and polluted it might be, but Imphal, with its melange whispering pines chalet of peoples and positioning right on the border lands of India and southeast Asia is undeniably fascinating and travellers who spend any time here are well rewarded. The airport is 9km to the southwest.