Overview

Hornbill Festival is the biggest and most widely celebrated festival in Nagaland. Witness the festivities up, close and personal as ethnic Naga people come together to celebrate their cultural legacy through traditional music, dance, clothes and food. Our tour takes you to the heart of the festival and gives you an intimate insight into the lives of the tribal people. Visit the first Green Village in India, spend a night in tents at a local village and get a true feel of the Nagaland countryside. 

Trip dates: December

5 Nights 6 Days Available on request
Inclusions/Exclusions
What we'll give. What we won't

What is included in the tour

  • Airport transfers and all local transport
  • Hotel accommodation in Kohima
  • Accommodation in deluxe tents (twin share basis) in Seikhakie
  • All local permits

What is NOT included in the tour

  • Air travel to and from Dimapur
  • Any meals not specified in itinerary
  • Any personal items like alcoholic beverages, medicines etc.
  • Personal travel insurance
Highlights
What makes this tour special
  • Experience local flavours at Hornbill Festival
  • Enjoy life in the wild with overnight tent stay
  • Discover the stories of local craftsmen at tribal villages
  • Discover the ethos of conservation in India’s first Green Village
Itinerary
Day 1 (Dimapur- Kohima) (-, -, D)
  • Arrive at Dimapur where our representative will receive you at the airport. From here, we drive to the capital city of Kohima. Premium SUVs are provided to ensure a comfortable ride.
  • The two and a half hour drive to Kohima 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.
  • This is a relaxed day where you can take you time to explore the town and then return to the hotel for dinner.
Day 2 (Kisama Heritage Village- Phesama- Kohima) (B, L, D)
  • Have breakfast at the hotel and then depart for sightseeing at a local village and a World War II Memorial. This will be followed by a trip to the Kisama Heritage Village where you can see the festival being celebrated through traditional song and dance with villagers dressed in their ethnic attires.
  • You can also pick up a souvenir from one of the shops.
  • Tickle your taste buds with some local flavours at lunch. Try smoked pork with Akhuni, the signature Naga dish made with fermented soya bean. Galho is another popular Naga dish of a broth made with fresh vegetables, rice and meats. This is a great day out to experience local culture and to get an authentic taste of Naga life.
  • We head back to our hotel after this with a stop at Phesama village on the way. This is a small village located about 8 kilometres from Kohima and present a quaint picture of rural life.
  • We return to Kohima in the evening and retire to our rooms. 
Day 3 (Kigwema village- Hornbill Festival) (B, L, D)
  • Today, we depart for Kigwema village for a short visit followed by a drive to the Hornbill Festival.
  • Spend the whole day at the festival and witn ess the ethnic Naga people celebrating their cultural heritage through music, food, clothes and handicraft.
  • The night market at the festival is not to be missed with vendors selling everything from Christmas decorations to street food. This is a full day’s excursion and a great opportunity for photographers to get some great shots. The colours are many, and the subjects varied. Our guides act as translators helping you communicate with vendors and tribal chiefs.
  • We finally head back to the hotel late in the evening and retire for the night.
Day 4 (Hornbill Festival- Khonoma Village- Seikhakie tent stay) (B, L, D)
  • Today, after breakfast we depart for Hornbill Festival once again. Spend some time at the festival and visit the stalls that you couldn’t visit the day before. With its assortment of exotic foods, the festival is an epicurean’s delight. Our lunch today consists of local delicacies from the food stalls.
  • Post lunch, we drive to Khonoma Village located about 20 kilometres from Kohima. Khonoma Village is the first Green Village in India. The most striking feature about Khonoma are 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).
  • After exploring the village, we drive to Seikhakie where we spend the night in tents. It’s lovely to camp out under the stars surrounded by the mesmeric views of the green valleys and distant mountains.
  • Enjoy a bonfire in the evening an soak in the blissful solitude of the place over dinner. 
Day 5 (Seikhakie sightseeing- Khonoma) (B, L, D)
  • Today will be spent taking Nature Walks in the region with a visit to see the state animal- mithun.
  • Post lunch we drive to Khonoma village for local sightseeing. Visit historical places of interest like forts and memorial gates, interact with local craftsmen, known for their intricate stone carving, and get an authentic feel of tribal life.
  • The evening can be spent in leisure where local youths can perform games for your entertainment.
  • You can try the locally brewed rice beer, ‘zutho’, followed by dinner.
Day 6 (Departure from Dimapur) (B, -, -)
  • This is the last day of the trip and after breakfast, we make our way towards Dimapur. The drive takes a little over two and a half hours. Take a good look at the receding mountains and streams and expanse of green as we drive towards the more urban setting of Dimapur.
  • The tour comes to an end when we drop you off at Dimapur airport.
Route Map