THE ORIGINS AND EARLY HISTORY
Much of Nagaland’s early history is preserved through oral traditions, with references to the Naga people dating back to 1228 AD. Historically, tribes lived in self-sufficient villages with minimal outside interaction due to geographical and cultural isolation. This began to shift after the British annexed Assam in 1826, leading to decades of resistance and conflict as Naga communities sought to protect their land and identity.
COLONIAL ENCOUNTERS AND SUBSEQUENT TRANSFORMATIONS
The region’s more recent history, however, has been shaped by a series of external and internal transitions. Following the colonial encounters of the 19th century, Nagaland also became a significant site during the Second World War, particularly around Kohima, which had a lasting impact on the region.
In the years after India’s independence, the Naga movement for self-determination led to prolonged periods of unrest and negotiation with the Indian government. These phases brought social and cultural shifts, influencing how communities lived, built, and preserved their traditions over time.
Nagaland attained statehood in 1963 under the Indian Constitution. Today, 17 major tribes are officially recognised, along with numerous sub-tribes, each contributing to the state’s layered cultural identity. This rich diversity of cultures is reflected in its languages, cuisines, attire, and traditional craftsmanship.
HORNBILL FESTIVAL: A CELEBRATION OF NAGA CULTURE
Today, Nagaland’s diversity is most visibly celebrated during the Hornbill Festival, an annual event held from December 1 to 10, introduced in 2000 to showcase the traditions of the state’s major tribes.
Named after the hornbill bird, a symbol of respect and significance in Naga culture – the festival brings together tribes from across the state to showcase their heritage through music, dance, and traditional sports.
Visitors can explore a wide range of experiences, from local cuisine and cultural performances to indigenous games such as wrestling and archery. The festival offers a window into the diversity that defines Nagaland, with each tribe presenting its distinct identity.
Introduced to encourage inter-tribal interaction and promote cultural heritage, the Hornbill Festival has grown into a platform where traditions are both preserved and shared. While rooted in longstanding practices, each edition also reflects evolving expressions of Naga society, blending the traditional with the contemporary.
Note: For detailed inclusions specific to your departure, please download and refer to the itinerary.
The trip starts at Dimapur Airport on Day 1, where the group assembles for departure, and ends at Dimapur Airport. All airport transfers during the scheduled start and end of the trip are planned accordingly. Participants are advised to plan their flights in line with the recommended arrival and departure timings shared for this trip.
On Day 1, participants are required to arrive at Dimapur Airport by 2:00 PM at the latest. The group will depart from the airport by 2:30 PM. Any arrivals after this time – due to flight timings or delays – will need to reach the destination at their own expense.
If your flight timings do not align with this schedule, we highly recommend arriving a day prior.
For departure, return flights can be booked anytime after 11:00 AM. The trip is expected to end at Dimapur by 10 AM. Please keep a 2 hours buffer window.
If you arrive a day earlier, the pick-up point for Kohima will be Jotsoma-Khonoma Junction. For Dimapur, pick-ups can be arranged from the airport or the railway station. The Trip Leader will coordinate with the group accordingly.
Note: Tempo Travellers are not permitted to enter the interior areas of Dimapur for individual pick-ups. If arriving early, we recommend booking accommodation near the airport, railway station, or along the highway for a smooth pick-up.
We’ll be staying at simple homestays in Khonoma, Dzuleke, Jakhama, and Kohima. None of the properties on the trip is boutique or luxurious. They are all clean, comfortable and hygienic and have been handpicked by our team!
However, the dormitory and the washrooms at Dzukou Valley are extremely basic.
Rooms are shared on a double-sharing basis. In case you are a solo traveller, you will be paired up with another solo traveller of the same gender. Please note that almost all of the properties will have double-bedded rooms.
While many communities across Northeast India do consume meat, freshly cooked vegetables are an integral part of everyday meals and are almost always prepared alongside meat dishes or served as a side during lunch and dinner. Vegetarian food is neither uncommon nor unfamiliar in the region.
While the food may not resemble restaurant-style meals from larger cities, it is nutritious, well-balanced, and sufficient to keep you comfortable and energised throughout the trip.
However, in towns like Kohima, you will also find a range of restaurants and cafés offering cuisines beyond local fare. During your visit to the festival, you can also explore regional delicacies that are unique to the area, such as silkworms, mithun, snails, and frogs, if you’re open to trying something different.
While most of your expenses are covered in the trip cost, carrying around ₹1000 per day should be sufficient for personal expenses.
Please note that in places like Khonoma, Dzuleke, and Dzükou Valley, online payments may not be accepted, which can make transactions slightly inconvenient. However, UPI is easily available in Dimapur, Jakhama, and Kohima, and most festival stalls also accept UPI.
For a clearer understanding of what is included in your trip, we recommend reviewing the Inclusions and Exclusions section before planning your expenses.
Airtel and Jio work best in this region. However, network connectivity may be limited in areas like Khonoma and Dzuleke, and there is no network coverage in Dzukou Valley. Dimapur, Jakhama, and Kohima generally have stable network connectivity.
The trip takes place in the first week of December, when Nagaland transitions into winter.
Across Khonoma, Dzüleke, Kohima, Jakhama, and the festival grounds, days are usually pleasant to slightly warm, while evenings and early mornings turn noticeably cold. Layering is recommended to stay comfortable through the day.
At Dzükou Valley, expect a sharper contrast — the trek during the day can feel warm , windy or pleasant, but temperatures drop significantly after sunset, reaching freezing conditions at night. Rains are usually not expected during winters in the region but can be a surprise element given climate change.
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.
Single occupancy requires an additional room and impacts overall group capacity. To maintain the experience quality and balance trip logistics, a limited number of single rooms are offered with a single-room supplement.
A 90-litre backpack is ideal for this trip. Suitcases are also acceptable; however, you will need a separate 30-40 litre backpack for the Dzükoü Valley trek, as the rest of your luggage will be stored at Jakhama while you explore the valley. Once your booking is confirmed, a detailed Things to Carry list, curated for the season, will be shared with you.
This trip is suitable for travellers with moderate fitness levels, but it does include one physically demanding day during the Dzükou Valley trek. The trek involves walking for about 5–6 hours each way on mountain trails, with long uphill and downhill sections.
While it is not technical and does not require prior trekking experience, you should be comfortable with sustained walking on uneven terrain and carrying a small daypack.
The other days involve village walks, short hikes, and sightseeing at a relaxed pace. If you are reasonably active, enjoy walking, and are open to a challenging but rewarding trekking day, you will be well-suited for this journey.
This trip may not be ideal for travellers with knee issues or those uncomfortable with long walking days.
Yes, each day’s activities will be accompanied by a knowledgeable local guide who will provide insights into the culture, history, and natural wonders of the region. You will also have a ChaloHoppo trip leader throughout the trip.
All our itineraries are designed in a way to attend at least one of these days, while Group 1 and 2 will be attending the Opening Ceremony, Group 4 and 5 will partake in the closing ceremony.
The detailed festival schedule is usually released by the third week of November. Broadly, you can expect vibrant showcases by different Naga tribes, live music performances, local cuisines, traditional brews, and, most importantly, the warm hospitality of the Naga community throughout the festival.
The Dzükou Valley Trek is of easy – moderate difficulty. It involves a steep ascent in the initial part of the trek, followed by relatively easy walks across the valley. Suitable for beginners with decent fitness.
Dzükou Valley offers very basic facilities. Accommodation is at the trekkers’ hut, which provides simple dormitory-style stays and limited food options — the only available stay option within the valley.
The hut is maintained by the South Angami Youth Organisation (SAYO) and has basic facilities, given the remote setting. Guests who are not comfortable with shared accommodation and common washrooms may consider opting out of the trek.
If you prefer to skip the Dzükou trek, you may choose to stay back at the homestay and spend the day at the Hornbill Festival instead.
To comply with the latest guidelines set by the Government of Nagaland, ILP applications must now be completed by the individual traveller through a system that requires a live photo capture. As third parties are no longer permitted to apply on behalf of travellers, the ILP cannot be bundled as part of a travel package.
Applying for the ILP is a simple online process. Travellers can visit the official ILP portal of the Government of Nagaland at https://ilp.nagaland.gov.in and follow these steps:
Once approved, the ILP will be issued digitally and can be downloaded from the Portal.
If you have extra days, here are some great add-ons based on your time:
2–4 days: Majuli and parts of Assam
4–5 days: Mon, Longwa, Mokukchung (parts of Nagaland)
5–7 days: Journey through Meghalaya
We’re happy to curate a seamless extension based on your time and interests.
