Nagaland, journey into the land of warriors
€1500
per person
A fascinating adventurous two-week trip covering the main places of interest of Nagaland and meeting the heirs of the Naga warriors.
From Dimapur airport, we will head directly to Kohima, the capital of Nagaland. It is a mountain resort at over 1260 meters above sea level. After visiting its museum, we will drive to Khonoma, a small village (our favourite) inhabited by the Naga Angami community. You will be staying in a traditional homestay and your hosts will share with you the anecdotes about Nagaland and its indigenous people, and devour delicious meals, prepared by the food straight out of the organic vegetable garden.
After a trek in the fabulous bamboo valley of Dzukou, we will proceed to the village of Tuophema where we will be housed in authentic Naga huts and visit indigenous villages. From Tuophema, we will leave for Mokokchung via Wokha, which are inhabited by the Lothas indigenous communities. The district of Mokokchung is home to several typical villages like Longkhum, where spirits are said to manifest themselves through eagles.
After a visit to Tuensang, its lush nature and its sacred places, we will continue to the region of Mon, which remains the best witness of the culture of the indigenous peoples of Nagaland.
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PHOTO / FESTIVAL
Journey combining a photo-tour at the Horbill festival in Kohima, a showcase for the indigenous peoples of Nagaland, and a peaceful stay in the eco-village of Khonoma to meet the descendants of Nagas Angamis.
6 days
PHOTO / ETHNIC
A fascinating two-week trip covering the main places of interest of Nagaland (Kohima, Khonoma, Tuophema, Mokokchung, Tuensang, Mon) and meeting the indigenous peoples, heirs of the Naga warriors.
14 days
Day 1
Arrival in Dimapur
Namaste! We welcome you warmly at Dimapur Airport and drive directly to Kohima, the administrative capital of Nagaland. Overnight in Kohima.
Day 2
Kohima - Khonoma
After breakfast, we will visit the Kohima Museum, which exhibits the history and customs of the Naga people, a good introduction to this particular culture. We will then head to the village of Khonoma where we will spend three nights with a Naga Angami family. Khonoma, perched on a rocky spur at an altitude of 1200 m, was for a long time the fiefdom and the last stronghold of the Angamis warriors who resisted the British invader until 1880. Many leaders of the Naga National Movement were born here. But you can rest assured, Khonoma has now become a very peaceful eco-village with lovely welcoming people. Overnight in Khonoma in a guesthouse.
Day 3
Khonoma Village, Naga Angami Community
This day is dedicated to the visit of Khonoma. Our local guide (our host) will tell us more about the tumultuous past of this small village. We will visit the traditional Morungs wooden houses where the elders inculcated the moral values to the youngsters. We will also meet the weavers and basketmakers of the village; the Naga people excel in these two crafts. We will have lunch and dinner at our hosts' who will cook local dishes made with fresh and organic products. Overnight in Khonoma.
Day 4
Dzukou Valley (2-3 hours trekking) - Khonoma
After breakfast, we will go for a short trek of 2-3 hours to the beautiful Dzukou valley (2438 m) composed of a multitude of small valleys and bamboo forests. We will have a picnic there in front of this beautiful panorama. We will return to Khonoma after lunch. Overnight in Khonoma.
Day 5
Khonoma - Tuophema
In the morning, we say goodbye to our lovely hosts and take the road to Tuophema, a reconstructed Naga village, designed to offer visitors a glimpse into the life of the ancient naga. We will spend two days housed in thatched huts that will transport you back in time! In the evening, a tasty dinner will be served in the restaurant of the village, made entirely of local ingredients. It will also be an opportunity to taste the 'tzuko', the 'beer' of nagaland. Overnight at Tuophema.
Day 6
Tuophema
We will spend a relaxing day going for a guided walk through the rice fields and to the peaks of the neighbouring valleys. Overnight at Tuophema.
Day 7
Tuophema - Mokokchung
After breakfast, we will drive to Mokokchung. On the way, we will stop at Wokha, which is the chief town of the Nagas Lotha community. Lothas are famous for their crafts and dances with colorful costumes. After a short visit, we will drive to Mokokchung where we will stay for two nights. Overnight in Mokokchung.
Day 8
Mokokchung
We wake up in the village of the Ao Naga community. We will visit Mokokchung as well as the small village of Mopunchukit. The last visit of the day will take us to Longkhum, a hilltop village formerly used as a battleground for headhunters. The Ao Nagas believe that the spirits of the dead are manifested in the eagles that nest here. Overnight in Mokokchung.
Day 9
Mokokchung - Tuensang
We leave for Tuensang, the largest district of Nagaland. The main Naga ethnic groups in the region are Chang, Yimchunger, Khiamungan, Sangtam and Phom Nagas, each with their own cultural heritage. Overnight in Tuensang.
Day 10
Tuensang - Longtrok - Tuensang
After driving 60 kilometres from Tuensang, we arrive in the legendary village of Longtrok, where there are six 'living stones'. Legend has it that these six stones represent the ancient gods of the Ao Naga people. These stones would then have given birth to other stones that would have spread all over the world. In this place, you will also see objects from the Tsongliyangti and Chungliyangti civilizations. Overnight in Tuensang.
Day 11
Tuensang - Mon
Departure for the last ethnic leg of the trip: the region of Mon. Mon is both the northernmost and the most eastern of all the districts of Nagaland. It is home to the Konyak Nagas, the most impressive ethnic group in terms of appearance. The Konyaks were once headhunters and collected the skulls of their enemies. Important members of the community (now very old) still wear necklaces of brass skulls showing that they cut heads in clan battles. Night in Mon.
Day 12
Mon - Shangnyu - Longwa - Mon
The second day in Mon region, we will drive to two picturesque villages, Shangnyu and Longwa inhabited by the Konyak community. The road that leads to them is gorgeous. In Shangnyu, we will first visit the house of the chief who is over 500 years old. Then after a few shots, we will continue to Longwa. Longwa has a peculiarity, its inhabitants have dual nationality, one Indian and the other Burmese. The Indo-Burma border passes into this very village dividing the chief's house into two halves, Indian and Burmese. Night in Mon.
Day 13
Mon
Our third day in Mon will be dedicated to exploring other indigenous villages around. Night in Mon.
Day 14
Mon - Dimapur
Back to Dimapur. End of the trip. Looking forward to meeting you again. Namaste.
