Welcome to the land of festivals -Nagaland.Immerse yourself in the rich traditions and culture of the Naga Tribes.Food ,Music,Folklore await you at the Hornbill festival 2024.Explore mesmerising landscapes, deep valleys , remote tribal villages , hang out with the tribals over a local brew. Go hiking to the white winter wonderland of the surreal Dzukou valley. Indulge in shopping for some exclusive fashion such head-gears, colourful clothing and unique ornaments. Live the adventure !
Note: We encourage responsible tourism. Practice these guidelines while on a trip!
Covid-19 Advisory
If the trip gets canceled due to COVID protocols, and there is a restriction in travel, we'll be able to refund you 75% of the deposit right away and 25% will be kept as a credit shell which can be redeemed at any time in the future (No expiry), this credit is also transferrable and can be used by any friends/family at any given date.
Accomdations
Service Level
Transportation
Food
Age
18 to 70 yearsDifficulty
ModerateFitness Guide
No specific fitness/skills required
Note: This is a group tour. Minimum group size is 12 people
Tour Experience
The Hornbill festival is the ultimate introduction for people looking to experience tribal games, warfare, traditions and culture of the oldest tribes in India. Over 17 Naga tribes and many sub-tribes participate in this 10 day festival . The festival is a medium to showcase the diverse ethnicity of the Naga people through folk dances, food, handicrafts , art ,workshops, war fare skills and more.
Aside the Hornbill festival we will explore remote heritage villages, deep valleys , short hikes, starry skies, bonfires and local brews. We will witness how these ancient lifestyles merge with todays modernity and culture .. So hop in Hornbill 🦜
- Be a part of the vibrant celebrations of the 25 anniversary of The Hornbill Festival
- Share a day with the Angami tribe - witness first hand their life style and culture
- Explore Asia's greenest village
- Hike to the most mesmerising landscape- The Dzukou valley
- Try farming and fishing with the Angami tribes
- Explore Kohima
- Witness traditional games and war games displayed by the Naga tribes
- Be a part of the closing ceremony
- Choice of accommodations are private tents and cabins
- Private transport
- Shop for some exclusive gear - ornaments , handi crafts , ethnic clothing
- Small Group
- Inner Line Permit
6N/ 7D
Next Departures:- Nov 29, 2024
You will be doing:
You will be experiencing:
Itinerary
Travel notes of the day
Our team will be at the arrival terminal to receive you at Dimapur Airport.
We are travelling in winter so the days will be shorter and by the time we arrive at the village it will be dusk.
The stay at Dzuleke presents a rare opportunity to explore and interact with one of the oldest dwellers in this region. An opportunity to know first hand their way of life , culture.
A crisp winter morning🎅 awaits you , as you arrive at the Dimapur airport . Once all guests are in, we leave the plains of Dimapur for the hills of Kohima. Enroute get a glimpse of the Pineapples spread all along the route , may be savour some if you have tummy space after a local lunch!
Our destination is the village of Dzuleke, a hamlet of the Angami tribe. Located in Kohima district , Dzuleke is perched at approx. 4800 feet. Popular for its rainbow trout, Bhoot Jalokia and more this hamlet is home to approx. 200 families who reside in 35 households, Visualise that !
Once we arrive at the village we meet our hosts , one of the families from the 35 families that reside here, we check in after the initial meet and greet and rest for the reminder of the day , evening is at leisure
- Dimapur Airport
- Dzuleke
Travel notes of the day
Khonoma is known as a Warriors Village owing to its fierce resistance against the British colonial rule
Wake up to the village life - slow , relaxed and pleasant. Indulge in forest bathing or take a dip in a near-by waterfall, you are in the Jungle now- Tarzan or Jane ! Dzuleke feels like the village you never want to leave , straight out of a Disney screen.
Indulge in a waterfall hike, a village walk before we depart for Khonoma
Once you have had your fill for the day , we make our way to the village of Khonoma. Traditional brews await on arrival , savour some for a good nights sleep !
- Dzuleke
- Khonoma
Travel notes of the day
Old hunters and knowledgeable villagers took the initiative to save the forest and stop cutting trees and killing wild animals. Now everyone follows it and the village is regarded as a green village. They also practice jhum cultivation and shifting cultivation to stop the degradation of hills.- Is anyone listening from Himachal or Uttarakhand ! highly unlikely 😢
Did you know- The keepers of the forests - The Angami have not hunted or cut trees in since 1998 helping Khonoma to retain and improve its ecology and hence become - Asia's First Green Village. How about that !
Further in to our day , we explore the village of Khonoma , its lush green landscape and listen to some stories about the how Khonoma came to be - The Warriors Village.
We leave Khonoma for Kohima. We have a packed day, starting with the War Memorial then move towards Kohima State museum and end the day with a stroll through the local market.
We leave Kohima for Jakhama and settle down in our accommodations for the night.
- Kohima
- Jakhama
Travel notes of the day
Dzukou is a remote valley between Nagaland and Manipur and has some of the most stunning and remote landscapes in the valley.
We do away with the wheels today ! We are hiking to the famed Dzukou Valley in to mesmerising landscapes. The idea is to get to Dzukou , camp for the night.
Once we get to Dzukou explore the stunning hills , landscapes and the clearest sky you have witnessed.
We stay at Dzukou for the night surrounded by the milky way and nature. Ah ! almost missed to tell you during the time of our visit the valley will be carpeted by Snow. Its a white wonderland !
- Jhakama
- Dzukou Valley
Travel notes of the day
Don't miss the local brews and the tribal Morungs.
A Morung is a setting for a ancient guard house used by the tribals to impart various skills of tribal warfare
Pinch yourself to believe the landscape we awaken too! A cuppa tea awaits post which you can spend time sun bathing and allowing yourself to slowly realise the vastness of the valley and landscape around. Once you are recharged and ready to move we make our way back to Jakhama. On reaching the festival grounds - rest up , eat and get ready to explore the festival.
Spend the rest of the day exploring the various offerings at the Hornbill Festival. After a buzzed day , retire to the comfort of your camp for the night with a bonfire.
- Horn Bill Festival
Travel notes of the day
Todays experiences include traditional fishing during the first half of the day and full day at the Hornbill festival.
We take the Angami experience a step further. Working alongside their farms we try and understand the techniques followed by the Angami to run these farms. How ? We explore the village and then get into to the fields for some farm fishing. yes, we help the local farmers catch fish with our bare hands.
Once we have explored the village and caught some fish we head to back to our stay and start prepping for Kisama Village where we will witness the closing ceremony of the Hornbill Festival. Meanwhile our hosts are already prepping a traditional lunch for us which includes our catch of fish.
Post lunch hike to Kisama village for the closing ceremony fo the hornbill festival.
- Jhakama
- Kisama
- Jhakama
Travel notes of the day
We can make a quick stop at a few local markets for souvenir shopping !
We bid you farewell today.
Breathe in the fresh air, take in the sights en-route Dimapur airport as your depart Nagaland. Our guide will see you off at the airport .
- Jhakama
- Dimapur Airport
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Dates and Prices
Duration | Price for Couple | Price for Single | Price per Child |
---|---|---|---|
Nov 29, 2024 - Dec 05, 2024 |
₹35000
|
Other Details
- Stay on all nights in twin sharing accommodation
- Breakfast from Day 2 to 7
- Trip Lead for all days of the trip
- Local guides at Jakhama, Dzukou, Dzuleke and Khonoma Local Sumos to Dzukou and back
- Transport in a Tempo Traveller
- Inner Line Permits to enter Nagalan
- Lunch on Day 2, 4 and 5
- Dinner on Day 1, 2 and 4
- Airfare charges/Train Charges
- Meals not mentioned under inclusions
- Hornbill Festival entry tickets (Rs 50 to Rs. 100)
- Tips for hotels, guides and drivers
- Any personal expenditure
- Cost incidental to any change in the itinerary/ stay on account of flight cancellation due to bad weather, ill health, roadblocks and/or any factors beyond control.
- Anything not specifically mentioned under the head "Inclusions".
FAQ:
Q. What time does the trip start and end?
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 recommend flying in a day prior if the flights don't match these timings. The trip ends at Dimapur Airport/Station at 10:30 am. Your flight out can be anytime post noon.
Q. What type of properties are we staying at?
We'll be staying at simple homestays followed by a well run guesthouse/hotel on the last night.
Q. How are the rooms shared?
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 , unless 😉
Q. How much money should I carry?
While most of your expenses are taken care in the trip cost, an additional INR. 1,500 per day (Upper limit) would be more than enough for all your expenses.
Q. Are there vegetarian food options at Nagaland and at Hornbill Festival?
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.
Q.What are the events at the Hornbill Festival?
The exact schedule of the festival is 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
Refund & Cancellation:
45+ days prior to starting date of the trip – 95% refund of the total trip cost
30-44 days prior to starting date of the trip – 75% refund of the total trip cost
15-29 days prior to starting date of the trip – 50% refund of the total trip cost
8 -14 day prior to starting date of the trip – 25% refund of the total trip cost
7 days or less prior to starting date of the trip – No refund
Note - For Fixed Departures (Group Trips) - If you are able to find a replacement for yourself in the group, we'd be happy to provide you with a 100% refund!
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