Manipur Travel Guide

Loktak Lake floating phumdis, Keibul Lamjao park and the Imphal valley’s Meitei culture.

Manipur is reached via Imphal airport (IMF) and is best visited October–March. Its signature sight is Loktak Lake, the only floating lake in the world, with Keibul Lamjao National Park on its phumdis.

Gateway city

Imphal

Nearest airport

Bir Tikendrajit International, Imphal (IMF)

About Manipur

Manipur centres on the Imphal valley — Kangla Fort, the all-women Ima Keithel market and WWII battlefield history — with Loktak Lake and its floating phumdi islands an hour south at Moirang.

Check current travel advisories before planning; conditions in parts of the state can change at short notice.

Best time to visit Manipur

October – March

Dry, mild days; best light on Loktak Lake.

April – September

Hot and then wet; lake and hill travel is less comfortable.

How to reach Manipur

By air: Bir Tikendrajit International Airport, Imphal (IMF), with connections via Guwahati, Kolkata and Delhi.
By road: NH2 connects Dimapur (Nagaland) and Imphal; NH37 runs from Jiribam.

Top attractions in Manipur

Loktak Lake and its phumdis
Keibul Lamjao National Park
Kangla Fort, Imphal
Ima Keithel women’s market
Shirui hills, Ukhrul

Base towns in Manipur

Imphal

Kangla Fort, Ima Keithel women’s market and WWII heritage sites.

Loktak (Moirang)

The floating-island lake and Keibul Lamjao National Park.

Ukhrul

Shirui hills, the Shirui lily and Tangkhul Naga villages.

Where to stay & book with XTSY

Base yourself at XTSY Travellers Hostel, Shillong

Most Northeast circuits route through Guwahati and Shillong — a cheap, central base between legs.

XTSY Travel custom Northeast itineraries

Multi-state routes with transport, permits assistance and local partner stays.

Talk to XTSY about logistics

Transport, driver and stay planning for onward states from Meghalaya.

Manipur travel FAQs

Do I need a permit for Manipur?

Indian citizens require an Inner Line Permit for Manipur. Foreign nationals must register with the Foreigners Registration Office. Verify current rules with the state government before travelling.

What is the nearest airport to Loktak Lake?

Imphal (IMF), about 48 km from Moirang, roughly 1.5 hours by road.

What is Manipur best known for?

Loktak Lake with its floating phumdi islands, Keibul Lamjao National Park — the only floating national park in the world — and Meitei culture in the Imphal valley.