Naga culture at Kisama, and an optional trek into one of the Northeast's most striking valleys
This six-day trip is built around Nagaland’s biggest cultural event, the Hornbill Festival at Kisama, where every Naga tribe presents its own dormitory, dance, food and craft. From your base in Kohima, spend two full days immersed in the festival, with time also set aside for the town’s Second World War Cemetery, State Museum, and Mary Help of Christians Cathedral. For those who want it, a demanding but rewarding trek into Dzukou Valley is offered as an add-on, roughly 10 km on foot to a valley known for its rolling green hills, with an overnight stay and sunrise views before trekking back. The trip closes with a day exploring Khonoma, a historic and ecologically celebrated village, along with Zakhama and Dzuleke villages, before the drive to Dimapur for departure.
6 reasons travellers pick this trip
Full immersion in the Hornbill Festival at Kisama, Nagaland's biggest cultural showcase, with dormitories representing every Naga tribe.
An optional trek into Dzukou Valley, about 10 km on foot, with an overnight stay and sunrise and sunset views over one of the Northeast's most distinctive landscapes.
Kohima's wartime history at the Second World War Cemetery, alongside the State Museum and Mary Help of Christians Cathedral.
Khonoma, a historic green village known for resisting British colonial troops and for its conservation programme.
Village life beyond Kohima at Zakhama and Dzuleke, for a quieter look at rural Naga culture.
A flexible itinerary: join the Dzukou trek, or stay back for extra time at the festival, the group can split by preference on Day 3.
Follow the route
D1 · Arrival Dimapur to Kohima 80 kms / 3 hrs ▼
Meet and greet upon arrival at the Dimapur airport by our driver. Visit ruins of Kanchari Rajbari. Then you will road to Kohima. On arrival check in and relax. Overnight at Kohima. Evening you can explore Hornbill festival.
Local Guide recommended.
Overnight accommodation will be in Kohima.
TERRAIN: Hills
D2 · Kohima Hornbill Festival ▼
Post breakfast full day is dedicated for Hornbill festival.
Local Guide recommended.
Overnight accommodation will be in Kohima.
TERRAIN: Hills
D3 · Kohima, Trek Towards Dzukou Valley or Hornbill Exploration ▼
Start early in the morning. A local vehicle will pick you from hotel and drive towards starting point of trek. Meet your guide and start trekking towards Dzukou valley. Before starting for the trek, make sure you are carrying drinking water and some food items from the town itself as there are no water source on the entire trekking trail.
The trail is around 10 km and may take up to 3-4 hrs depending on your physical fitness level. Enjoy the breathtaking view of valley and watch the beautiful sunset. Overnight at Trekker's Hut.
Local Guide recommended.
Overnight at Homestay.
Remaining group can continue with Hornbill festival. After breakfast visit 2nd world war cemetery, State Museum, Mary Help of Christians Cathedral. Later enjoy Hornbill Festival.
Local Guide recommended.
Overnight accommodation will be in Kohima.
TERRAIN: Hills
D4 · Dzukou Valley to Kohima ▼
Enjoy the sunrise overlooking the valley. Post breakfast trek back to the village for onwards journey to Kohima. On arrival rest and evening you can enjoy Hornbill festival.
Remaining group can do shopping and local exploration on this day.
D5 · Kohima, Khonoma, Dzuleke Village, Dimapur ▼
Post breakfast checkout from hotel and today we will travel to Khonoma Village, about 25 kms from Kohima. It takes a little more than an hour to cover the distance because of the bumpy roads. Khonoma is a historical village. The villagers had put up great resistance to the invading British troops. The village has also been declared as a Green Village because of its successful conservation programme. We will also try and see a cultural presentation in the village. Other villages to visit are Zakhama Village and visit the Kisama Village to see the Hornbill ground, there you can see the dormitories of all the tribes of Nagaland. Later if time permits visit Dzuleke village.
Local Guide recommended.
Post sightseeing drive towards Dimapur for overnight stay.
D6 · Dimapur Departure ▼
Post breakfast checkout from hotel and drop at Dimapur Airport for onwards journey.
What your price covers
✓ Included
- ✓ 05 nights of accommodation in mentioned or similar hotel. (Rooms in base category unless specified.)
- ✓ Daily breakfast except on the day of arrival. (Meals as per Hotel's set menu and policy)
- ✓ Daily dinner in respective hotels/ homestays.
- ✓ Lunch in Dzukou Valley only for trekking people.
- ✓ 01 Guide throughout the tour.
- ✓ Jeepsy (Sumo/Bolero) for transfer to and fro trek point (depending on group size).
- ✓ All transfers and sightseeing by using above mentioned vehicle on point to point basis.
- ✓ 500ml Water bottle per day each.
- ✓ Driver's Allowance, Fuel Charges, Toll Taxes, Parking Charges.
- ✓ Rates Valid for Foreign Nationals Only.
✕ Not included
- ✕ Any GST
- ✕ Any Airfare/Train fare
- ✕ Any Safari other than mentioned
- ✕ Meals other than mentioned above.
- ✕ ILP for Nagaland. (to be filled by individual guests)
- ✕ Entry to the monuments.
- ✕ Any optional sightseeing or Activity.
- ✕ Telephone bill, Laundry, personal expenses.
Pack smart, travel easy
- Northeast is not a fully developed state, hence the hotels may not be up to the mark.
- This trip is designed for travellers who can withstand long travel hours and rough road conditions along the journey.
- Sometime there can be power cut. Even though the hotels have power backup but services may be limited due to power cut. (For remote areas)
- AC will not work in uphill.
- Many hotels do not have working wifi network (although wifi device is installed)
- TV might not be working in all rooms.
- In remote places like Tawang or Mechuka - hotels shuts off the generators by 10 PM with only 1-2 back up light bulbs.
- Affordable hotels do not provide buffet breakfast - in some hotels they provide limited 2-3 items in the breakfast table.
- If there is issue with the room, do discuss and inform the tour Co-ordinator and if possible report it instantly.
- Please try to keep the driver's number - as he is the first point of contact in your medical emergency.
- In 7 sisters, not all hotels provide night stay for the drivers, so they had to stay bit far from your accommodation.
- For breakfast, please discuss with the hotel staff/manager previous night.
- Ask your travel agent the contact number of your tour Co-ordinator for resolving any issue with hotel or driver.
- Please try to discuss the next day itinerary with the driver prior night.
- Any change in itinerary suggested by 3rd party or driver please discuss it with the tour Co-ordinator first.
- Vehicle cannot be used until 8 PM (anyone 1 day exception)
Frequently asked
Is the Dzukou Valley trek included in the base package? +
What is the Hornbill Festival? +
Do I need a special permit to visit Nagaland? +
How difficult is the Dzukou Valley trek? +
What happens if I don't want to do the trek? +
What vehicle is used for this trip? +
What guests say
Everything was seamless — from the airport pickup to the checkout. Tiger Hill sunrise was absolutely breathtaking, and the Toy Train ride was a childhood dream come true. Will definitely book another trip with this team.
Took my wife for our anniversary and it was perfect. The hotel was lovely, the driver was very professional, and Mirik was a surprise highlight we hadn't expected. Highly recommended for couples.
