Nagaland and Manipur Travel Guide: Hornbill Festival, Kohima, Dzukou Valley and Loktak Lake

Nagaland and Manipur sit side by side on India's border with Myanmar. Both are small, green and full of culture. Nagaland is home to more than a dozen Naga tribes and hosts the famous Hornbill Festival. Manipur is known as the "jewel of India", with Loktak Lake, classical Manipuri dance and the game of polo, which was born here.

Nagaland: what to see

Hornbill Festival (1 to 10 December)

The Hornbill Festival is the biggest festival in the Northeast. It is held every year from 1 to 10 December at Kisama Heritage Village, about 12 km from Kohima. In 2026 it runs from 1 to 10 December. Each tribe has its own morung (traditional house), and every day brings dances, songs, traditional games, crafts and food stalls. In the evening, Kohima has music concerts and a night market.

• Book hotels in Kohima two to three months ahead. Homestays in Kigwema village near Kisama are a great option.
• Arrive by 9:30 am for the best seats at the main arena.
• Apply for your ILP at least a week before you travel.

Kohima

Nagaland's capital is a hill town at about 1,450 m. Visit the Kohima War Cemetery, where the 1944 Battle of Kohima was fought on the tennis court of the old district commissioner's bungalow, the State Museum, and the busy local market.

Dzukou Valley

A wide valley of rolling green hills on the Nagaland–Manipur border, about 30 km from Kohima. The trek starts from Viswema or Zakhama and takes 3 to 5 hours one way. Stay overnight in the basic rest house or carry a tent. In summer the valley is covered with flowers, including the rare Dzukou lily.

Khonoma

Often called India's first green village, about 20 km from Kohima. The Angami villagers stopped hunting and protect their forests, terraced fields and old stone gateways. Walk through the village with a local guide.

Mon and Longwa

In the far north, Mon is the land of the Konyak tribe, once famous as headhunters. At Longwa, the village chief's house sits right on the India–Myanmar border. It is a long drive, so keep at least three extra days.

Manipur: what to see

Loktak Lake and Keibul Lamjao

Loktak, about 48 km from Imphal, is the largest freshwater lake in Northeast India. It is famous for its phumdis, floating islands of grass and soil. On the lake is Keibul Lamjao National Park, the world's only floating national park and the last home of the Sangai, Manipur's dancing deer. Watch the sunset from Sendra island and take a boat ride among the floating huts.

Imphal

See Kangla Fort, the old seat of Manipur's kings, and Ima Keithel, a huge market run only by women. The Imphal War Cemetery and the INA Memorial at Moirang remember World War II battles.

Sangai Festival

Manipur's biggest tourism festival, usually held in late November (21 to 30 November in 2026), with dance, crafts, polo and food.

Is it safe to visit Manipur now?

We want to be honest here. Since May 2023, Manipur has seen ethnic violence, and some areas still have curfews and restrictions. As of October 2026, official advisories such as the UK government's still advise against all but essential travel to Manipur. Some travellers do visit Imphal and Loktak, but the situation can change quickly.

Our advice: check the latest news and government advisories before you plan Manipur, avoid the hill districts, travel only in daylight and use a local operator. Nagaland, right next door, is calm and welcoming, and the Hornbill Festival is a safe and rewarding first trip.

Permits for Nagaland and Manipur

• Nagaland: Indian citizens from outside the state need an ILP for every district except Dimapur. Apply online on the official Nagaland ILP portal. Kohima, Kisama, Khonoma and Dzukou all need the permit.
• Manipur: An ILP is needed for Indian visitors from outside the state, also available online.
• Foreign nationals need a Protected Area Permit for both states.

Fees and rules change from time to time, so always check the official portals before paying.

How to reach

• Nagaland: Fly or take a train to Dimapur. Kohima is about 74 km (2 to 3 hours) by road.
• Manipur: Imphal airport has flights from Guwahati, Kolkata and Delhi. The road from Kohima to Imphal is about 140 km.

Best time to visit

• October to March: Best weather, with the Hornbill Festival in December and the Sangai Festival in November.
• June to September: Dzukou valley is greenest and full of flowers, but trails are wet and roads slow.

Sample 6-day Hornbill trip

1. Day 1: Arrive in Dimapur, drive to Kohima.
2. Day 2: Hornbill Festival at Kisama, evening night market.
3. Day 3: Kohima War Cemetery and State Museum, afternoon at the festival.
4. Day 4: Khonoma green village walk.
5. Day 5: Dzukou valley day trek (or a second festival day).
6. Day 6: Drive to Dimapur for departure.

Want us to plan it? Share your dates on the plan my trip page. For the bigger picture, read our Northeast India travel guide.