Edition of 10 Nov 2026
In 30 seconds
- Wangala 100 Drums turns 50 at Chibagre, Garo Hills, 11–14 November; banks there close on 12 November, so carry cash.
- Darjeeling's Ghum Winter Festival runs 28 November to 6 December, and Sikkim plans a paragliding championship at Reshithang on 22–24 January.
- Indians can now enter Nepal and Bhutan on an approved ID; for Bhutan, carry an original passport or Voter ID.
Updates to earlier stories
- 100 Drums Wangala Festival turns 50: 11–14 November near Tura — The festival is at the Garo Heritage Village, Wangala A'dam, Chibagre (West Garo Hills), opening on 11 November, with a Guinness World Records attempt on 14 November. Banks in all five Garo Hills districts close on 12 November, so guests should carry cash.
- Buddha's Piprahwa relics on public view in Tawang, Bomdila and Namsai this November — The relics are at TGL Monastery (Lower Gompa), Bomdila, until 13 November, then at the Golden Pagoda, Namsai, from 14 to 20 November.
Sikkim plans its first paragliding championship at Reshithang, 22–24 January 2027
- Where Reshithang, Sikkim
- When 22–24 January 2027
- Who it affects Partners selling adventure and winter trips to Sikkim
Sikkim will hold its first international paragliding championship at Reshithang from 22 to 24 January 2027, announced as the Sikkim Adventure Tourism Fest closed at Linkhim Tar, Namchi. Entry and spectator details were not given.
What it means for your guests: A new reason for a January Sikkim trip; flying is weather-dependent, so keep a buffer day.
Guests for Sikkim in late January? Ask us for a plan around the championship →Source: Sikkim Express, 9 Nov 2026
- Darjeeling
Ghum Winter Festival 2026: the Himalayan salamander is the mascot, and award nominations close 15 November
- Where Ghum and the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, Darjeeling hills
- When Nominations open until 15 November 2026; festival reported for 28 November to 6 December 2026
- Who it affects Partners selling Darjeeling heritage, toy-train and nature trips; hill tourism and conservation groups who want to nominate
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway has named the nominees for its Spirit of the Hills Awards at the Ghum Winter Festival 2026, and picked the endangered Himalayan salamander as the festival mascot. The choice honours Darjeeling conservation scientist Dr. Barkha Subba, a 2026 Whitley Award winner. Nominations stay open until 15 November, and the festival is reported to run from 28 November to 6 December.
What it means for your guests: A heritage and nature festival worth planning a Darjeeling trip around in late November or early December; confirm the final dates with us before booking.
Guests for Darjeeling this winter? Ask us for a toy-train and Ghum plan →Source: Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (press release), 9 Nov 2026
- Bhutan
Bumthang: new arms and armour exhibition opens at Wangduechhoeling Palace Museum
- Where Wangduechhoeling Palace Museum, Bumthang, central Bhutan
- When Open now
- Who it affects Partners selling central Bhutan culture and heritage trips
A new exhibition, Arms, Armour and the Defence of a Nation, honouring Bhutan's kings and warriors, is now open to the public at the Wangduechhoeling Palace Museum in Bumthang, BBS reports. Opening hours and entry fees were not given.
What it means for your guests: An extra stop for guests in Bumthang; check timings with us before the day.
Guests heading to Bumthang? Ask us to add the museum →Source: BBS, 9 Nov 2026
- Events & trade shows
Bengal Travel Mart 2027 in Siliguri, 7–9 January
- Where Siliguri, West Bengal
- When 7–9 January 2027
- Who it affects Travel partners buying or selling Darjeeling, Sikkim, Bhutan and North East trips
The 10th Bengal Travel Mart, run by the Eastern Himalaya Travel & Tour Operators' Association, takes place in Siliguri from 7 to 9 January 2027, with buyers, sellers and trade visitors. Stall registration opens a few weeks before the event; costs were not listed.
What it means for your guests: No direct effect on guests; a chance for partners to meet Himalayan suppliers in one place.
Coming to BTM in January? Ask us to meet you in Siliguri →Source: Bengal Travel Mart
- Events & trade shows
WTM Spotlight India: new trade show in New Delhi, 2–4 March 2027
- Where Yashobhoomi (IICC), New Delhi
- When 2–4 March 2027
- Who it affects Partners and DMCs selling India's North East, Sikkim and Darjeeling to overseas buyers
RX, the organiser of WTM London, is launching WTM Spotlight India at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi, from 2 to 4 March 2027. Visitor registration is open; exhibitor costs were not shown.
What it means for your guests: No direct effect on guests; another place for partners to meet international buyers.
Going to WTM Spotlight India? Ask us to meet you there →Source: WTM
- Travel trade
Indians can now cross into Nepal and Bhutan by land or air on an approved ID instead of a passport
- Where India–Nepal and India–Bhutan borders
- When In force from 5 November 2026
- Who it affects Partners sending Indian guests overland to Bhutan or Nepal
A Home Ministry order of 5 November 2026 lets Indian citizens travel to and from Nepal and Bhutan, by land or air, on any one identity document listed in the Visa Manual, with similar rules for Nepali and Bhutanese citizens entering India. A passport is still needed to travel on through Nepal or Bhutan to a third country.
What it means for your guests: For Bhutan entry, Bhutan's immigration still asks for an original passport or Voter ID card; Aadhaar, PAN and driving licences are not accepted, so check documents with us before travel.
Source: Outlook Traveller, 6 Nov 2026
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Summaries are written by our team and credit the original source. Photos are our own, of the places mentioned. Rules, permits and dates can change, so please check with us before confirming a booking.