From lovely weather to charming views and rich tribal heritage, Nagaland has everything going for it. Nestled at 4,904 ft near India’s eastern border with Myanmar, the northeastern state has lovely surprises in store for the seasoned traveller. An odyssey of unlimited adventures awaits you in Nagaland. Here’s how to make the most of your trip. By Karan Kaushik
8 Things to do in Nagaland
Explore tribal heritage at Kohima State Museum
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Perched on Bayavu Hill, this museum is a microcosm of Nagaland’s culture and history. On display here are tribal artefacts, dioramas of men and women from different tribes, jewellery, miniatures of traditional Naga houses, weapons, and other household goods used by the tribal communities of Nagaland. You’d be fascinated and a bit overwhelmed on seeing the collection of human skulls from the days when headhunting was practised by the tribals of Nagaland. To delve deeper into the lifestyle of the people of Nagaland, you may also fancy a visit to the Kisama Heritage Village.
Visit the charming Dzukuo Valley
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A part of the Khonoma Nature Conservation and Tragopan Sanctuary, Dzukuo Valley has gained immense popularity among nature-loving travellers. The charming valley offers a visual treat, thanks to the emerald green hills, verdant forests, and serpentine streams that dot its stunning landscape. Dzukuo is also a paradise for trekkers. The steep trails here are flanked by bamboo thickets and forests of oak and rhododendrons. Dzukuo Valley must be visited if you wish to experience adventure in the midst of pristine and unspoilt wilderness.
Spend a day at Khonoma
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One of the most popular destinations in Nagaland, Khonoma is home to the indigenous Agami tribe. It is also known as the ‘first green village of Asia’. The ancestors of the Angami people had fought against the British in 1879 and tales of their valour still echo in the village. Blessed with awe-inspiring terraced rice fields and beautiful tribal homes, the village makes for a restorative day tour. Interacting with the friendly locals and learning a thing or two about their unique lifestyle could be extremely enriching. Khonoma also has pretty homestays where you can spend some quality time with the locals and learn more about their culture.
Witness Angami life at Tuophema Tourist Village
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Another amazing place where you can soak in the Angami culture is the tourist village of Tuophema. A one-and-a-half-hour ride from Khonoma via Botsa takes you to the otherworldly Tuophema. You’d come across a large tree near the village’s traditional welcome gate. This tree was once used to hang enemy heads as war trophies. When here, you can stay in a traditional Angami house and enjoy a peaceful retreat. The team of young locals who manage the village also conducts guided walks of the village, which also include a visit to a local museum.
Meet the Konyaks in Mon
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Any trip to Nagaland would be incomplete without meeting the Konyaks in the untouched region of Mon. Mon is home to a cluster of villages, where you’d come across tattoed men dressed in traditional warrior dresses and attractive tribal necklaces. The most popular among the villages in Mon is Longwa village, where you could go and meet the village headman and witness the Konyak culture at his house. You may also buy tribal jewellery as some households support their income by making jewellery and masks for tourists. Other villages you may visit include Old Mon and Singha Chingnyu.
Take a safari at Ntangki National Park
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Wildlife enthusiasts must add Ntangki National Park to their Nagaland itinerary. The national park is located at a distance of 37km from Dimapur in the Peren district. It was established by the British in 1923 and recognised as a national park in 1993. The park is home to wild buffaloes, palm civets, sloth bears, wild dogs, flying squirrels, and the hoolock gibbon, which is exclusively found in Nagaland. The park has dense rainforests which provide habitat to myriad birds and reptiles too. Commonly spotted birds include hornbills, kingfishers, and black storks.
Trek to Mount Saramati
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Straddling the Nagaland-Myanmar border, Mount Saramati offers immense opportunities for the daredevil traveller. The Saramati peak is perched at an altitude of 3841m and is Nagaland’s highest peak. The trek to Mount Saramati begins at the quaint village of Thanamir in the Kiphire district. It’s a two-day trek that takes you through lovely tribal villages and lush meadows. From the peak, you can soak in spectacular views of the mountains of Nagaland and Myanmar’s Chindwin River basking in all its glory.
Shop at Hongkong Market
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If your friends from Northeast India have always given you major fashion goals, you have to visit the Hongkong Market in Dimapur. The bustling market is nothing less than a mecca of fashion and definitely worth a dekko. The shops here are filled with counterfeit products imported from Thailand and Myanmar which can be bought at affordable rates. From Nike sneakers to handbags and chic wraparounds, you’ll get everything here. Happy Shopping!
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