(7 Days, 6 Nights)

Tour Route: – Jakhama – Dzokou – Khonoma- Kohima Tour Duration: 6 Nights Travel Dates: Oct 10-16 Group Size: 18 people

BRIEF ITINERARY:

Oct 10: Arrive at Dimapur Airport. Transfer to Kohima. O/N Kohima hotel Oct 11: Head to Khonoma Heritage village, explore Morung and then head to Jakhama campsite. O/N Jakhama camp Oct 12: Drive to trek starting point and trek to the stunning Dzokou Valley. O/N Dzukou camp Oct 13: Explore Dzokou Valley. O/N Dzukou camp Oct 14: Trek down and drive to Kohima City. O/N Kohima hotel Oct 15: Drive to Khezhakeno (Oldest Naga Village). Observe the local life and visit Cheda Lake. O/N Kohima hotel Oct 16: Drive to Dimapur airport. Fly home

DETAILED ITINERARY: Oct 10: Arrive at Dimapur Airport. Transfer to Kohima. O/N Kohima hotel

Upon your arrival at Dimapur airport, a cab will transfer the group to the capital of Nagaland, Kohima. It is a 70 km journey, and will take about three hours to cover.

The property we have chosen for this night is a place we love. It doesn’t feel like a hotel, more like a home, but there is so much culture and history within those very walls and we shall share the stories once we take you there. They have a cute garden, the gentlest puppy in the world, and a lot of Naga artefacts, weapons and books in the various rooms. They also prepare some delicious meals that will leave you wanting more.

And, of course, you must try Naga food also. Go try some mouth-watering dishes in an authentic Naga restaurant.

Do you know that Nagaland is home to the spiciest chilly in the world? The Bhut Jolokia also known as “ghost chilly” is the spiciest in the world! Who is going to be brave enough and try to eat one? Who, huh, who! Kaun banega roadie!!!

Spend the evening geting to know your fellow travellers. The holiday has begun.

Oct 11: Head to Khonoma Heritage village, explore Morung. O/N Kohima

After breakfast we will drive down to Khonoma – also known as “Asia’s frst green village”. It got this name after the villagers of Khonoma stopped cuting trees and hunting wild animals and birds in the village forest area from 1998 to maintain the ecological heritage and the environmental degradation. Khonoma is an hour’s drive from Kohima. The road is a litle bumpy but the views are amazing. You will cross terraced felds with various paddies and crops. There is greenery all around doing justice to the village’s name. After you reach the village, you can see green hills towards one side of the village the terraced paddy felds on the other side. This village also happens to be the last place where the Naga warrior batled against the British. Tombstones are erected to pay tribute to the Naga martyrs who gave their lives in this batle. We will explore the village on foot. There are various places to visit in the village like forts, old monuments and ‘Morungs’. The ‘Morung’s exhibited handicrafts, old utensils, traditional arms, musical instruments, etc. There are certain community centres too where some village members displayed their weaving skills and other craftsmanship. After exploring this beautiful village, we will return back to Kohima in the evening.

Oct 12: Drive to trek starting point and trek to the stunning Dzokou Valley. O/N Dzukou camp

Today is going to be the highlight of the trip. The Dzokou Valley is the reason I frst visited Nagaland and it is undoubtedly going to be what you will talk about most once you go back from the trip!

After breakfast, we start on a trek. The frst one hour is a steady uphill climb. The forest is dense, thick with trees but every 15-20 minutes, there are points from where you can look down at the valley. Keep your spirits high, and keep walking. After about an hour, you reach a clearing. From here, there are sweeping views of the valley. There is a sort of a valley deep below and on all sides there are clif facades surrounding this hole like a natural barricade. There is mist blowing all around and clouds foating, and the whole area gives you a Lord of the Rings Modor like feel. A signboard points southward for Dzokou Valley and as you take the frst ten steps in the direction, you have no idea what’s in store for you. There is a slight curve in the path, and the moment you take it, it’s as if you have stepped into a whole new land… no, whole new world. While moments ago, you were walking up a regular looking mountain wondering what the hype about Dzokou could be, suddenly you are in an absolutely diferent world. There are lush carpeted meadows all around you, the hills slope like litle pieces of custard or pudding – just green in colour.

By now you have realized you are somewhere special, and as we walk between the hills for the next hour, we are in for something very special! Keep walking along, the weather is pleasant, there is a stream fowing a litle ahead in the distance, and the route is beautiful. From time to time, you see clusters of burnt trees.

Eventually after about one and a half hours of walking, we will reach this gorgeous spot where two huge cabins have been set up for weary travellers and those planning on spending the night. The cabins are very cold though, especially at night, and I froze last time round. This time we have organized tents for the whole group, which will be a lot more comfortable and warmer. Oct 13: Explore Dzokou Valley. O/N Dzukou camp

Who wants to see a prety sunrise!

Wake up to the beautiful panoramic view. After breakfast, let’s click some pictures at a viewpoint yonder, and then head down to this meadow. At a few places, rocks have been cut into the mountain like natural steps. Once we are in the meadows, feel free to run around, yell with joy or click a lot of pictures.

The panorama is beautiful - green sloping hills on all sides, it’s like nothing you have seen in before. They talk of Scotland, the highlands, but Dzokou is something else. It’s like none of the mountains you will see anywhere in the Himalayas.

I have no doubts that you will want to spend a lot of time clicking photographs here, and we know some good spots for you to take the best photographs. We will head back to our campsite before it gets dark. More fun and games at night. The night sky will be full of stars. I am planning to lie down on the grass and stare at the night sky! In the middle of the mountains, with none except for us there, it would be a surreal experience to see a thousand silver specks in the blackness of the sky. If you look for long enough, you might even spot a few shooting stars.

Oct 14: Trek down and drive to Kohima City. O/N Kohima hotel

After breakfast, we shall head back to the base of the mountain. Let’s enjoy the hike. Once we are at the base, we shall head to Kohima just 1.5 hours away. Once we are there, we shall frst visit the war cemetery, and then check into the hotel.

The afternoon has been kept free for shopping, or just chilling! There is a bazaar and all those who are interested in shopping can go there and buy stylish clothes, jackets, souvenirs at bargainable prices! Fun and games to follow at night! Oct 15: Drive to Khezhakeno (Oldest Naga Village). Observe the local life and visit Cheda Lake. O/N Kohima hotel

And, because we have come all the way to the North East that too to the land of the Nagas, how could we not get a taste of their culture? The land of the tribes and their great folklore, brimming with stories that boggle our minds, need the explorers in us to dive a litle deeper, right? Thus, we have planned this special day to visit the oldest Naga village, Khezhakeno! Because how could we bid farewell to Nagaland without relishing a litle more of its greenery? Thus, we are headed to the rustic village of Khezakheno where paddy felds and grasses shall wave back at you.

We shall also visit the Chief’s House and interact with the locals to learn about the stories of their tribes that have been passed down through the generations. Listen to them, ask them about their life and let your mind wander with wonder. And, to make our cosy visit that much more memorable, how about a picnic like the good old days? We are going to sit by the quaint and quiet Chida Lake and have lunch. Since it is the last day of our trip let’s make this lake our own? Let’s shoot a choreographed dance video and get all goofy to commemorate all the time with your newly made buddies! Come early evening we shall head back to our adorable home in Kohima. It’s our last evening of the trip, so let’s party tonight folks! Let’s dance the night away, hug each other and make memories that shall always stay!

Oct 16: Drive to Dimapur airport; trip ends

The Tour ends today, sadly. A cab will transfer us to Dimapur airport and from there we go back to our respective cities. Au revoir!

What's included?

• All accommodation on twin sharing basis in a 3 star hotel in Kohima. • Camping in Dzokou Valley • Camping at Jakhama campsite • Daily breakfasts • All transfers & transport within Nagaland • Airport transfers • Inner line permit for Nagaland • Day trip to Khezhakeno village and Cheda Lake • Dzokou Valley trek, porter fees, camp set up • Exploring Khonoma heritage village and Morung • Cultural dance performance • Entrance fees to all scenic spots listed in the itinerary • Government taxes and service charges except tips for tour guides and drivers

Exclusions • Lunches and dinners • Flight tickets • Any personal expenses, or anything not mentioned under inclusions

Total Cost:

• Rs. 22,500 per person if booked on or before Sep 20

• Rs. 23,500 per person if booked after Sep 20

Flight tickets:

• Oct 10: Fly into Dimapur latest by 2 pm

• Oct 16: Fly back from Dimapur post 2 pm

Cancellation Policy: • 60 days or more days before the trip start date: full refund • Between 60 and 45 days of trip start date: 75% refund • Between 45 and 30 days of trip start date: 50% refund • Between 30 and 14 days of trip start date: 25% refund • In last 14 days before trip start date: no refund

Only 18 seats are available. Book now!!

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