Call: +91 7384718607
Call: +91 7384718607
Distinct and different, Nagaland is definitely not like the rest of the states in India. Nagaland is a vibrant and colorful land with flawless and unheard of traditions, one alluring enough for tourists to explore. It is one of the lesser-known destinations in India but enriched with culture and diversity and boasts of rich history. Bordering Myanmar, Nagaland is a mountainous state in the northeast part of India.
Home to diverse tribes, their distinct culture and traditional artifacts make it a perfect place for travelers to visit; most people in Nagaland follow Christianity.
How to reach
By Air: The nearest Domestic Airport is Dimapur Airport from Kohima city, roughly 74 kms from Kohima.
By Rail: The nearest Railway station is located in Dimapur, roughly 74 kms from Kohima.
By Road: There are buses run by the Nagaland State Road Transport which ply between Dimapur and Kohima.
Best time to visit
Summer: March to May ·
Monsoon: May to September
Winter: October to March
10 of the best places that tourists ought to visit in Nagaland
1. DIMAPUR
Dimapur is, officially, the entry point of Nagaland. It brags of good road conditions and mesmerizingly beautiful landscapes. It has the only airport in Nagaland. Villages like Nichugard, Kuki Dolong, Chumukedina, Seithekima, and Medziphema are serene, quiet, and away from the hustle and bustle of the city making them the ideal places for tourists to visit in Nagaland. They are also known for their eye-pleasing natural beauty. It is also the commercial centre of Nagaland.
If you are one of those travelers who love to witness and learn about different cultures, then Diphupar (situated on the outskirts of Dimapur)is one of the best places in Nagaland to do so where you can see the cultures of various tribes in Nagaland like Angami, Lotha, Chakehsang, Sumi, Ao, Zeliang, and so on. Similarly, Ruzaphema is known for exhibiting some of the finest artifacts of Nagaland. So, it’s a shopping hub for travelers.
Kachari Ruins, Nagaland
Major attractions and sightseeing places:
How to reach
Dimapur is accessible by road via two highways – NH39 connecting Kohima, Imphal, and Dimapur and NH36 connecting Assam with Dimapur. Similarly, there are direct trains from Kolkata, Guwahati, and New Delhi as well. As it has the only airport in Nagaland, one can get there by air as well from Guwahati, Kolkata, and Delhi.
2. KOHIMA
Kohima is the capital city of Nagaland. The original name of Kohima is 'Kewhira' derived from the name of flower 'Kewhi' found in the region and later renamed by the British. It is home to Naga and Kulkis tribes. The place is of historical importance in Nagaland as the 2-month long World War II battle against the Japanese was fought here. One of the most famous visited spots here is the Kohima War Cemetery, which houses thousands of soldiers of World War II.
Adventure activities in Kohima
Japfu Peak and Pulebadze Peak have always been a tourist’s favorite while Tseminyu remains the hub of history aficionados with its ancient ruins, villages that have been abandoned, broken pottery, and graveyards.
Kohima War Cemetery houses thousands of soldiers from WWII
Major attractions and sightseeing places:
How to reach
The main route to get Kohima by road is NH39 through Dimapur. The alternative highway is NH37 through Guwahati. By air, one must reach Dimapur airport and by road from there, which is about 68kms. Similarly, by train, the nearest railway station again is Dimapur and is about 75kms from Kohima.
3. MOKOKCHUNG
One of the populous and important centres in Nagaland, Mokokchung is the home of Ao Naga tribe. District museum is one of the main tourist attractions in this place especially for history and art lovers as it preserves Mokokchung's artifacts. As for the nature aficionados, Longkhum is the perfect destination, which is often considered as the paradise with its natural beauty. It is also famous for its ethnic handicrafts. Ungma village is another attraction. It is regarded as the oldest and the largest village in Nagaland.
Major attractions and sightseeing places:
How to reach
Mokokchung is 61km away from Kohima so one must reach Kohima first to get Mokokchung. However, the nearest railway station to Mokokchung is in Mariani, Assam (85km).
4. LONGLENG
Longleng is the home of the Phom tribe who is famed for their spectacular skill in pottery, spinning, and bamboo work. The best time to visit this place is during the festive season, and the main festival here is Monyu festival, which marks the end of winter and the commencement of summer in Nagaland. It is a 6-day long festival and is a spectacle for tourists to watch. Apart from this, Longleng boasts of some of the serene and tranquil landscapes in Nagaland that is sure to lure tourists to this place. Furthermore, Dikhu River is another noticeable tourist attraction in Longleng where people like to sunbathe and have picnics on its beach.
How to reach
Longleng is connected to National Highway 61, which links Longleng to Changtongya. As Dimapur has the only airport in Nagaland, one must get to Dimapur first by air and make a road trip from there.
5. MON
One of the fascinating places to be in all of Nagaland, Mon is home to Konyak tribes. These tribes are known for their face tattoos, hunting skills, and unusual black teeth. There are interesting places to visit in Mon, of which Longwa is one of them. The largest village in Mon, Longwa shares its border with Myanmar, and here you can have the opportunity to be in two different countries at one time – half in India and half in Myanmar. The chief of the tribe's house is another place one can visit and witness how the chief lives in the house with his 60 wives. Interesting, isn’t it?
Longwa village, Nagaland
Major attractions and sightseeing places:
6. WOKHA
Where Nagaland brags of some of the beautiful destinations with natural beauty, Wokha truly is a paradise and delight for nature lovers with its multi-colored flowers, hills, river, and whatnot. Wokha is home to the Lotha tribe, and travelers here can interact with the tribe. The place is a 4-hour drive from the capital of Nagaland. There is a tourist village above a place called Riphyim, which is a prominent attraction and provides a beautiful view of the dam of Donyan River.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit this wonderful place is during the month of November when Lotha tribes celebrate the post-harvest festival called Tokhu Emong festival. It is a 9-day festival.
Major sightseeing places:
7. KIPHIRE
Kiphire is an awe-inspiring district in Nagaland. It is an ideal destination for adrenaline junkies and adventure seekers as they can indulge themselves in trekking, rafting, and canoeing. The highest peak in Nagaland, Mount Saramati, lies in Kiphire, which is also a major attraction here.
Places to visit:
How to reach
The way to reach Kiphire is through National Highway 155, which connects Kiphire with Kohima, Mokokchung, Dimapur, and Meluri. Regular buses and other means of transport are available. If one wants to travel by train or air, Dimapur is the only option and then by road from thereon.
8. PHEK
When a place covers 70% of the evergreen forest, it is bound by a natural paradise. Phek is one such place in Nagaland. It is rich in flora and fauna are given that most of its area is comprised of hills and forest. Furthermore, picturesque mountains and still lakes are sure to take your breath away.
Pfutsero is another must-visit place in Phek. It is the highest altitude town in Nagaland (2133 m) and also the coldest inhabited town in all of Nagaland, where temperatures drop below zero degrees.
Terrace farming, Pfutsero, Nagaland
Places to visit:
9. Tuensang
Tuensang is the headquarters of Tuensang district of Nagaland. The largest district in Nagaland, Tuensang is among the largest urban centers in Nagaland along with Kohima and Dimapur. With the increase in the number of schools, colleges, hospitals, and basic amenities in the past few years, it is also one of the fastest growing towns in Nagaland.
Although the Chang Naga tribes are the predominant inhabitants, Tuensang is known to have multiple tribe people living together in harmony. A blend of culture and tradition only adds flavor to this already beautiful place. It is one of the most popular places to go souvenir shopping in Nagaland.
Places to visit:
10. Peren
Yet another amazing place to visit in Nagaland is the home of Zeliagrong and Kuki tribe – Peren. Known to be the rich cultural bank of Nagaland, Peren offers village tourism in Mt Pauna village, which showcases the rich culture of Zeliagrong and Kuki tribes. Mt. Pauna also provides a panoramic view of the valley beneath the mountain.
Major attractions:
Best time to visit
To reach Peren, the nearest railroad and airport is in Dimapur, 77 km away from Peren. Travelers can travel by road from there via cabs and buses.
