Home | Guest Column | Terms | Online Enquiry

Nagaland, the sixteenth state of the Indian Union has sixteen colourful tribes inhabiting the state. The landscape of Nagaland consists of blue hills, green valleys, meandering streams, rivers flowing through mountains & deep gorges.

SIGHTSEEING:

Kohima

It is the capital of Nagaland. At an altitude of 1444.12 mtr., Kohima is a beautiful town with Panoramic views. The following are the places worth visiting in & around Kohima.

War Cemetery :- The serene & spotlessly clean Kohima war cemetery was constructed in memory of those who laid down their lives during the 2nd World War. There are beautiful epitaphs engraved in bronze on each grave.

Museum :

For getting an idea of the different tribes living in the state, the State Museum is a must see. It possesses a rare collection of artifacts of the different tribes inhabiting the state.

Government Sales Emporium :

Located in the heart of Kohima town, it has a collection of colourful Naga handloom & handicraft items.

Cathedral :

An important landmark of Kohima, the catholic cathedral at Aradurah hill is one of the largest in India of its kind. A blend of the indigenous & modern architecture, the Cathedral has a quiet and serene ambience.

Kohima Village :

This is one of the biggest villages in Asia. There is a ceremonial gateway carved with defensive motifs of warriors and guns & the Indian bison, the symbol of prosperity. A little up, to the side of the road, still stands the old gate in its own little shelter.

Khonoma Village - NagalandKhonoma :

Located 20km. west of Kohima, this village is well known for its fighting Prowess in the past. The ancient bastion, the highest point in the village, could be approached through a traditional carved gate. Here in 1879, the Naga warriors made their last resistance against the British.

The beautiful terraces carved out of the hill slopes grow over 20 types of paddy at different elevations.

What is more noteworthy about this village is the ecological consciousness of its people. The ‘Khonoma Nature Conservation & Tragopan Sanctuary’ (KNCTS), covering an area of over 70 sq. km., which is owned & managed by the Khonoma Village Community was set up in 1998. This Sanctuary conserves the Blyth’s Tragopan, an endangered pheasant of Nagaland and also many other endangered & rare species of plants and animals.

Dzukou Valley :

Tucked away at an altitude of 2438.4 behind Japfu ranges, this valley of eternal charm about 30 km. south of Kohima, is a trekker’s delight. White & Pink lilies along with hundreds of other species of flowers and plants adorn the valley in monsoon. The predominant plant of Dzukou is the tough bamboo brush. Apart from these, rhododendrons in different colours bloom in the hills surrounding the valley.

Japfu Peak :

Located 15 km. south of Kohima & standing 3048 mtr. above sea level, Japfu is the second highest peak in Nagaland. From here, one can have a bird’s eye view of the surrounding hills including parts of Dzukou Valley. The Guiness Book of World Records holder, the tallest rhododendron tree can be found in the Japfu ranges. This tree is over 130 ft. tall and the girth at the base measures more than 11 ft. It takes more than five hrs. of strenuous trekking through steep inclines to have a view of this famous rhododendron.

Mokokchung

Located 162 km. from Kohima with an altitude of 1325 mtr. Mokokchung is the capital of the traditions & culture of the Ao tribe of the Nagas. The two main festivals celebrated here are connected with cultivation. ‘Moatsu’, related to sowing, is celebrated in early May, & ‘Tsungrem Mong’, the harvesting festival is celebrated in the month of August.

The warrior dress of this tribe consists of the beautiful black & red hand woven shawl with its white decorated band which signifies the prowess over their enemies.

Wokha

Located 80 km.from Kohima, this Picturesque district is the home of the Lotha tribe of the Nagas. The colourful dances & folk songs of the Lothas are well known. The main festivals of the Lothas are ‘Tokhu Emong’ & ‘ Pikhuchak’. “ Opvuram” is the prestigious social shawl for women & ‘Longpensu’ for men. Wokha is also famous for the best varieties of oranges & pineapples.

Phek

134 km. from Kohima, this is the home of the Chakhesang, which is a combination of three tribes (‘Cha’ of Chekru, ‘Khe’ of Khezhe & ‘Sang’, of Sangtam). They differ in their custom & culture from other Nagas. Their principal festival ‘ Tsukhenyie’ is celebrated during March-April. Phek is also famous for orchids & the rare tragopan.

Zunheboto

150 km. from Kohima, Zunheboto, is the home of the Semas, the martial race among the Nagas. The Semas are renowned for their colourful war dance & folk songs and their ceremonial war dresses. ‘Tuluni’ celebrated in the second week of July, is an important festival of the Semas.

Mon

Mon is the district headquarter of Mon district.It is the home of the Konyak tribe located 275 km from Kohima via Mokokchung.The Konyaks are known for their skilled craftsmanship in the form of woodcarvings, making of headbrushes, headgears, necklaces, machetes, guns, gunpowder etc. The ‘Aoling’ festival is the most colourful festival of the Konyaks and it is celebrated in the first week of April.

Longleng

Longleng is the district headquarter of Longleng district of Nagaland. It is the home of the Phom tribe.

Tuensang

Tuensang is the district headquarter of Tuensang district, located about 269 km from Kohima via Wokha and Mokokchung and 235 km via Zunheboto. It is the home of six different tribes of Nagaland namely the Changs, Yimchungers, Khiamniungans, Sangtams, Phoms and Semas.This diversity in tribes has brought in richness to cultural heritage and colourful traditional dresses to this part of Nagaland.

Touphema

Touphema is located about 41 km from Kohima. This is a village of the Angami tribe. The village community has developed this village as a tourist village which is maintained by them. The festival of purification of the Angami tribe ‘Sekrenyi’, is celebrated annually in this village from 25 to 27 of February.

Entry formalities. With effect from 1st January 2011 Protected Area Permit (PAP) required for foreign nationals has been withdrawn from  the North - East Indian States of Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur and  for a year. However, the tourists have to register themselves with the Foreigner's Registration Officer of the district they travel within 24 Hours of their arrival.