Nagaland is one of Northeast India’s most beautiful destinations, brimming with culture. Various tribes have claimed this part of the land as their home. Your tour will include visits to places like Dimapur, Kohima, Mokokchung, Tuensang and Mon. Witnessing the tribes’ lifestyles up close, steeped in their own unique traditions, will be of particular interest. This is an experience like no other with an introduction to Nagaland’s history and an intriguing study in anthropology.
Best time to visit: Around the year
Please note: The following itinerary is only suggestive, indicating one of several possibilities. We cater to your needs when arranging holidays. If you would like to modify or tailor a particular tour, just contact us. We are here to make your India tour among the very best.
What is included in the tour
- Airport pick up and all local transfers ending at Jorhat
- Accommodation in Dimapur, Kohima, Mokukchung, Tuensang, Mon
- All meals including breakfast, lunch, dinner (as specified)
- Local permits/entry fees
What is NOT included in the tour
- Air travel to Dimapur
- Onward journey from Jorhat
- Personal items like alcohol, snacks not specified in itinerary
- Personal travel insurance
- Visit to Kachari Ruins
- Visit to Kohima War Cemetery
- Visit to Diezephe Craft Village
- Interaction with tribal Naga communities
- Visit and overnight stay at Mon Valley
- Arrive at Dimapur Airport where our staff will receive you. Luxury sedan/SUV is provided to ensure a comfortable ride. Complimentary hot towels and mineral water bottles are provided to help you freshen up after your journey.
- We reach our hotel where a complimentary welcome drink is served on arrival, followed by lunch.
- Today is a relaxed day where you’re at leisure to do as you please. You could explore the surroundings or walk down to the local market to pick up some souvenirs.
- The first day of the tour ends with an early dinner at the hotel after which you can retire for the night.
- Today will be spent exploring the many sights and local attractions in and around Dimapur. We set off after breakfast at the hotel.
- Our first stop is the site of the Kachari Ruins. These are mushroom-shaped pillars dating back to the 13th century, and created by the Dimasa Kachari kingdom before the reign of the Ahom dynasty. The pillars range in height from 8 to 10 feet and while some have remained intact over the centuries, many have been reduced to dilapidated ruins. The exact purpose of the pillars remains a mystery although a popular belief is that they were used as chess pieces. The site is maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India and is interesting for historians and those with an interest in anthropology.
- Hot packed lunch is served on the way and thereafter, we continue our trip.
- Our next stop is Diezephe Craft Village, located about 13 kilometres away and home to the Tenyimei community known for their excellent craftsmanship. Check out the intricate wood carvings, bamboo work and other handicrafts created by these skilful villagers and pick up a souvenir or two to take back home.
- Next, we make our way to the Triple Falls, located at Seithekima Village in Dimapur. This is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the state. The falls come down from a height of 280 ft. to a natural pool at the bottom and provide excellent views of the surrounding landscape. This is also great place for trekking.
- We return to our hotel in the evening and enjoy a delicious dinner of local delicacies like smoked pork stew, bamboo steamed fish and rice.
- Have breakfast at the hotel before driving to the capital city of Kohima. The two and a half hour drive takes you through a picturesque landscape where women on both sides of the road can be seen selling organic fruit and vegetables.
- We reach Kohima and check into our hotel where a welcome drink awaits you after the long journey followed by lunch.
- Post lunch, we make our way to the Kohima War Memorial dedicated to the memory of ten thousand Allied forces killed during the Japanese army’s invasion during World War II. Interestingly, Manipur and Nagaland were the only two states where World War II was actually fought in India.
- Return to the hotel in the evening for dinner and then retire for the night.
- Today we make a road trip to the famous and historical Khonoma Village located about 20 kilometres from Kohima. The Angami Nagas, rebels who battled against the British, made this their last base, as the British advanced to the Naga Hills in 1879. Interestingly, Khonoma Village is the first Green Village in India. The most striking feature about Khonoma is its rows of paddy fields cultivated along the hill slopes. There are 40 different varieties of paddy grown in Khonoma. We can hike down to the paddy fields to the river that flows across them as the main source of irrigation. The houses in the village have mud floors and bamboo walls and firewood is the main source of fuel. Interestingly, 27 sq. kms of the village area has been declared as Khonoma Nature Conservation and Tragopan Sanctuary (KNCTS).
- In the afternoon, after lunch, we will visit the Kohima State Museum. Here, you will get an introduction to Naga tribal culture and the lifestyles of its people through the large assortment of tribal artefacts on display.
- Return to the hotel in the evening.
- Today we have an early breakfast and then make our way towards Mokokchung, home to the Ao Naga tribes. This is a long 6 hour drive and we will stop at a tribal Lotha village on the way to experience its vibrant cultural life, celebrated through traditional song and dance. At Mokokchung, check-in to your hotel or the Circuit House.
- The rest of the day can spent at leisure and in resting after the long day’s journey. In the evening you can take a stroll around the town, meeting local Ao Naga people. The Ao Naga mainly survive on agriculture, but their folk literature is very rich. Our guides will act as translators in your interaction with the locals. This is a great experience for those interested in anthropology as well as photography. Get an insider’s perspective into the daily lives of these indigenous people; visit their homes and see how they live in these remote parts.
- Return to the hotel/circuit house for dinner and overnight stay.
- Today, we head towards Tuensang, to the east of Mokokchung. The district of Tuensang is the largest in Nagaland and shares its border with Myanmar. The drive take a little over 4 and a half hours.
- En route, we stopover at the Longma and Lungso village, inhabited by Ao Naga tribes for another insight into rural, tribal life. Hot packed lunch is provided here and you can take your time to have your meal at this quaint, rustic setting.
- We reach Tuensang in the evening and check into the Circuit House. This is one of the fastest growing commercial hubs in the state and is a favoured spot for locals and tourists alike.
- Walk down to the local market in the evening and explore the surroundings before returning to the Circuit House for dinner.
- Today will be spent exploring the multi-faceted culture of the Naga tribes. The 5 major tribes of this area include the Chang, Khiamniungan, Sangtam, Yimchunger, and Phom. We visit their adjoining villages and also a part of the Sumi Village.
- This is a full day’s excursion and we return to the circuit house in the evening for dinner.
- After breakfast, we set off for the remote Mon valley of Nagaland. The picturesque Mon valley i s home to the Konyak tribe, who until recently had the dubious distinction of being a fearful tribe of head hunters. The tribe is identified by the elaborate tattoos on their faces and chests, that are earned as recognition for acts of valour. In fact, Konyak homes were known by the grizzly human heads that hung on front walls. With time, the human heads have given way to animal heads. Visit the Konyak tribe people and interact with them to learn of their intriguing social history and customs. We spend the whole day exploring the area of Mon.
- On our itinerary is a visit to one of the largest villages in the district, Longwa village, which borders India and Myanmar, that houses the famous Longwa twin tree, a curious spectacle for botanists.
- In Mon, we stay at the Circuit House.
- Have breakfast the Circuit House and depart for Jorhat in Assam. This is the closest airport to Mon and is located about 160 kilometres away.
- A premier SUV takes you to Jorhat. It’s a lovely drive with spectacular views of the surrounding landscape. It’s interesting to see how the topography changes as we descend from the remote Naga hills to the more level ground in Assam with its rolling expanse of tea plantations.
- Our tour ends at Jorhat where you can continue your onward journey.