Join us this December to witness the state of Nagaland come alive with colourful outfits, traditional boozy brews, mouth watering food, and a lot of song and dance in the Hornbill Festival.
With no local script, the ancient history of Nagaland is quite unclear. The earliest records of the presence of the Naga people in the region dates back to 1228 CE. However, what we do know for sure is that Nagaland was an independent state without much interaction with the outside world due to cultural barriers and geographical isolation.
Life remained fairly undisturbed until the British annexed Assam in 1826 and the warrior tribes of the hills of the Assam Valley (now referred to as the Nagas) came to their notice. Over the next few decades, hostility rose as the people of Nagaland fought hard to protect their land and identity and a series of battles were fought where many British soldiers, as well as Naga warriors, lost their lives.
Nagaland holds a stunning amalgamation of diverse cultures that are evident in everything from language and cuisine to attire and traditional machetes. The Hornbill Festival is an annual cultural celebration held in the beautiful state of Nagaland, India. The festival, that annually takes place from December 1 to 10, was created in 2000 to showcase the rich and unique culture of the 17 major tribes residing in the state.
Decades later, the World War II has a huge impact on the peace of the land for a considerable period of time. Even after that, post the independence of India, the people of Nagaland came into friction with the Indian Government as they fought for regional autonomy. These instances of conflict over and over again (British invasion, World War II and then finally against the Indian Army) lead to a lot of the traditional culture, from customs to regional architecture of the land, being burnt away over time.
From the year 1963 onwards, Nagaland was given its own statehood under the Indian constitution. As of today, 17 major tribes are officially recognized in Nagaland. Apart from these, there are numerous sub-tribes that dwell in the state.
Named after the revered hornbill bird, which is seen as a symbol of good luck and prosperity in Naga culture, the festival provides a platform for these tribes to come together and share their heritage through various art forms, including local music, dance, and sports. Visitors can indulge in traditional Naga cuisine, witness cultural performances, watch traditional sports like wrestling and archery and learn all about the distinct cultural diversity the state holds.
The Hornbill Festival was conceived as a means to encourage inter-tribal interaction and to promote the cultural heritage of Nagaland, ensuring that the wealth of Naga traditions is celebrated and preserved for generations to come. Each edition of the festival, while rooted in tradition, seeks to add contemporary elements and broader social interactions, making it a mirror reflecting both the ancient and the modern aspects of Naga society.
There are two travel date options to choose from:
Group 1 & 2: 29th November – 6th December
These trips include the Opening Ceremony of the Hornbill Festival on 1st December.
Group 3 & 4: 7th December – 14th December
These trips include the Closing Ceremony of the Hornbill Festival on 10th December.
The main difference between each pair of groups is the style of stay in Jakhama during the Hornbill Festival:
Groups 1 & 3: Stay at a campsite in Jakhama (3 nights)
Perfect for those who enjoy a more immersive, outdoorsy experience with evenings by the bonfire and a chance to connect with fellow travelers. The bathrooms are shared, but clean, comfortable, and hygienic.
Groups 2 & 4: Stay at a homestay in Jakhama (3 nights)
Ideal for those who prefer a bit more comfort, with private rooms, attached washrooms, and cozy beds to relax in after a day at the festival.
The arrival on Day 1 has to be a maximum of 12:30 pm. The group will depart from the airport by 1:00 pm at the latest. Any arrivals post that (due to timings/flight delays), will have to get to destination at their own expense.
We highly recommend flying in a day prior if the flights don’t match this timings. The trip ends at Dimapur Airport/Station at 10:30 am.
Flight out can be anytime post noon.
We’ll be staying at simple homestays in Khonoma, Dzüleke and Kohima. The nights at Jakhama will be at a comfortable campsite with tents/cabins. Neat, clean and comfortable washrooms (non-attached). However in Dzukou, the accommodation will be in Dormitory.
The exact schedule of the festival is usually released by the third week of November. You can expect to see a lot of music, local food, local alcohol, and most importantly the hospitality of the Nagas while at the festival
The cultural diversity of northeast India is so vast that we can’t blame outsiders for not being aware of communities in the region who are purely vegetarians, so much so that they avoid eating onions( they are indigenous to the region, in case you are thinking about communities from mainland India who have settled here). Having said that, we must admit that the region’s food habits especially in the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram and Meghalaya are predominantly non vegetarian with a whole lot of red meat based preparations. But the states have warmed up to tourists recently and almost every place you visit will provide the Indian staple diet of rice, dal and sabji, even chapatis if you are lucky. Your craving for butter paneer may not be satisfied, but you will do just fine as far as maintaining your health and strength is concerned.
The rooms/tents are on twin sharing basis. In case you are a solo traveler, you will be paired up with another solo traveler of the same gender.
Most of your expenses are already covered in the trip cost. However, we recommend carrying up to ₹1,500 per day as an upper limit for personal expenses such as snacks, souvenirs, or meals not included in the itinerary. Do note that online payments (UPI, cards, etc.) are widely accepted in most places, especially in and around major towns and festival venues—though it’s still a good idea to keep some cash handy for remote areas or smaller stalls.
Once you sign up for the trip, we will be sending you a detailed list of Things to Carry for the season!
Vegetarians do not need to worry. While a lot of the local delicacies are meat-based, with the influx of tourism there are multiple vegetarian options at all places. You must also try out the seasonal fruits and vegetables in the region.
To comply with the latest guidelines set by the Government of Nagaland, ILP applications must now be completed by the individual traveler through a system that requires a live photo capture. As third parties are no longer permitted to apply on behalf of travelers, the ILP cannot be bundled as part of a travel package.
Applying for the ILP is a simple online process. Travelers can visit the official ILP portal of the Government of Nagaland at https://ilp.nagaland.gov.in and follow these steps:
– Register on the portal using a valid email address and mobile number.
– Fill out the application form with your travel details and upload the required documents.
– Capture and upload a live photo as prompted by the system.
– Submit the application and make the necessary payment online. (Rs. 200)
Once approved, the ILP will be issued digitally and can be downloaded from the portal.
The Dzükou Valley Trek is of easy-moderate difficulty. It involves a steep ascent at the start, followed by relatively easy walks across the valley. Suitable for beginners with decent fitness.
Dzükou Valley offers very basic facilities. We will be staying at the trekkers’ hut, which provides simple dormitory accommodation and limited food options — the only stay option available in the valley. While the hut is efficiently maintained by the SAYO (South Angami Youth Organization), it’s important to note that facilities are minimal. Guests uncomfortable with shared accommodation and common washrooms may want to opt out of the overnight stay.
If you’d prefer to skip the Dzükou trek, you’re welcome to stay back at the campsite and enjoy the Hornbill Festival instead. The package cost will remain the same, and your stay at the campsite, along with lunch and dinner for the day, will be included.
All our itineraries are designed in a way to attend at least one of these days, while Group 1 will be attending the Opening Ceremony, Group 3 will partake in the closing ceremony.
It is important to note that booking flights before reserving a slot with us does not guarantee availability. In the event that we are sold out, we cannot be held responsible for any inconvenience caused.
