VANAMCOVE 
Imphal
Capital of the polo's birthplace
Why this weekend?
The day-by-day plan
- Kangla morning
- Ima market
- Museum hours
- Polo ground
- Evening valley
Geography & terrain
Imphal lies in the Imphal West district of Manipur at about 786 m, 700 km from Guwahati — the capital of the state, its Kangla fort, the Ima market and the polo grounds set in the valley between the hills of the north-east.
History & culture
The city's story runs with the Meitei kingdom of the Manipur valley — the Kangla fort of the royal seat, with the city's history of the polo's origin (the sagol kangjei of the kings) and the World War II's battles of the Imphal campaign; the modern city's growth as the state's capital, with the Ima Keithel (the women's market) and the Manipur state museum, gives Imphal its layered heritage character.
Where to stay
Budget
₹1,500–3,500/nightMid-range
₹3,500–7,000/nightComfort
₹7,000+/nightThings to do
Kangla fort
Ima market
State museum
Polo grounds
War memorials
Eat & drink
- Eromba (fermented vegetable mash)
- Singju salad
- Chakhao kheer (black rice pudding)
- Chamthong (vegetable stew)
Getting there
- Fly
- Imphal (IMF)
- Train
- Imphal railhead (recently connected)
- Road from Guwahati
- ~500 km / 12 hr via NH-2
- Getting around
- Shared autos and taxis
Budget snapshot
- Total
- ₹6,000–14,000 (2 days)
- Per day · Stay
- ₹1,500–7,000/night
- Per day · Food
- ₹600–1,000
- Per day · Transport
- ₹600–1,000
- Per day · Activities
- ₹1,000–1,400
Month by month
Practical info
- Language: Meitei (Manipuri); English common (English understood in tourist spots)
- Best window: Oct–Apr
- Connectivity: Patchy outside Imphal — offline maps essential
- UPI/cards widely accepted; keep small cash for hill and market stops
Practical tips
- The Ima market holds its fullest life in the mornings
- Pairs with the Loktak for the state's west circuit
- The region's permits run the border areas' rules
Frequently asked questions
The capital of Manipur in the valley of the Meitei kingdom.
The Kangla, the Ima market and the polo's home.
Two days for the city and the lake.
Capital of the polo's birthplace
Take the break. We'll take the planning.
Tell us your dates, budget and travel style — we'll build your Imphal plan with day-by-day routing, stays, food and bookings.