Overview:
‘Kewhira’ or ‘ Kohima’ as called by the British, is the capital of India’s one of the seven sister states, Nagaland. The quaint capital city has untouched environmental beauty in every corner, covered with hills, forests, and mesmerizing landscapes. This mystical part of Nagaland is an ideal destination for hiking, trekking, and camping.
Other than being a paradise for the hikers and trekkers, Kohima is popular for its unique Hornbill Festival, celebrated at the end of each year in the month of December. This ten-day festival is organized to remember and cherish the culture and traditions of 16 Naga tribes through different art forms. The carnival also includes different fun-filled competitions, such as the king-size chili eating contest and many more. Like every other carnival, the Hornbill Festival is also not complete without some appetizing foods, so the festival ground also has various food stalls selling a variety of delicious local Naga cuisines.
The Hornbill Festival also marks the commemoration of the brave soldiers who died on the war-front during World War-II.
Day to Day Travel Slate:
Day1:
The capital city of Nagaland, Kohima, will be your first destination. So after arriving at Dimapur airport, you will be on a bumpy journey to Kohima. Check-in to a hotel and relax for the rest of the day. Enjoy dinner and spend the night in Kohima.
Day2:
In the morning, after having breakfast at the hotel, you will be out for the day exploring around Kohima. You will start with some shopping and take a tour of the local markets. You can get some of the souvenirs to take back home with you. After that, your next stop for the day will be the World War-II cemetery ground. It is the memorial to commemorate the soldiers who sacrificed their lives during the War at the Garrison Hill in Nagaland.
In the next half of the day, you will spend in Kisama village attending the famous Hornbill Festival. Located on the outskirts of Kohima,Kisama was constructed by the government to preserve and promote the culture of the Naga tribes. One of the most popular carnivals hosted in the ‘Land of Festivals’ is the Hornbill Festival from the 1st of December, and it continues for about a week every year. The Hornbill, a species of bird, is the Naga symbol of ‘respect’ and ‘folklore’; hence, the festival is named after it. The ‘Festival of Festivals’ celebrates the rich culture of the Naga tribes under the Mount Japfu, filled with traditional dances, songs, and colourful dresses. The festival is not complete without you sinking teeth into different local delicacies. While enjoying the festival, you can also indulge in some mouth-watering local cuisine. The festival ground also sets up a few stalls filled with local gift items that you can take back with you as souvenirs to cherish the memories of the place.
After participating in the Hornbill Festival, you will leave for Kohima in the afternoon. On the way, you will make a stop at the Phesama Tribal village. It is a very small village in the Kohima district with a few thousand populations.
In the evening, you will come back to the hotel and relax. At night enjoy your dinner and spend the night in Kohima.
Day3:
Today you will visit the Khonoma village 20Kms outside Kohima city after breakfast. Popularly known as the ‘First Green Village of India’, the place helps to protect and conserve the natural habitat of Nagaland. The village has taken steps by declaring 27 Square Km of its territory as “Khonoma Nature Conservation and Tragopan Sanctuary” (KNCTS) and has successfully terminated hunting on its ground. In this village, you will find culture, history, nature intact and blended.
Later you will drive back to the festival ground. After lunch, we will be exploring the more exciting and ethnic culture of the Nagas. You will become a part of the night carnival at Kohima, where you can observe the local people selling different items from Christmas decorations to chicken barbeque. One of the most exciting aspects of the festival is the whole street being flooded with people taking their family and friends out for fun and dinner.
At night you will return to the hotel and stay the night at Kohima.
Day4:
The next morning after a good breakfast, you will return to the festival ground for the last time before your trip comes to an end. You will enjoy the whole day at the festival and enjoy the closing ceremony celebrated with lots of fireworks and war cry.
The evening will be free for shopping or spend at leisure. You will spend the night in Kohima.
Day5:
In the morning, you will check-out from the hotel and leave for Dimapur Airport to return to your abode after a wonderful trip filled with lifelong happy memories.
Inclusions:
- Accommodation with Breakfast
- Transportation from Kohima on a disposal basis
- Locally guided tour
Exclusions:
- Airfare and train fare
- Parking fees (if any)
- Extra meals
- Any backup services of Insurance
- Packed drinking water and beverages
- Emergency medical expenses
- Any other expenses not included in the inclusions
