Nagaland Hornbill Festival Tour Package from Kerala
Nagaland at an unhurried pace — the Hornbill Festival at Kisama, an overnight trek into Dzukou Valley, and villages like Khonoma that never make the checklist.
The journey
Our founder Sajin Salim travelled to Nagaland for the Hornbill Festival — and chose to go slowly, by train from Ernakulam, rather than fly. That decision shaped everything. Nagaland, he found, isn't a destination you tick off; it's a place you are slowly introduced to — through the people you meet, the villages you stop in, and the nights you spend under some of the clearest skies in India. This journey is built around that spirit. You will be at Kisama Heritage Village for the Hornbill Festival, where the Naga tribes gather with their own music, dance, food and stories — a celebration of living heritage, not a show staged for tourists. You will trek into Dzukou Valley and spend a night among its rolling grasslands, where the stars feel close enough to touch. And you will go beyond Kohima to villages like Khonoma, because the most interesting parts of Nagaland are usually the ones that aren't on any checklist. We keep the pace unhurried on purpose. In Nagaland, the distance is part of the experience.
What makes it special
Hornbill Festival at Kisama
Full-day access to the festival at Kisama Heritage Village, where all the major Naga tribes gather with their morungs, dances, music, crafts and food.
A night in Dzukou Valley
Trek into the valley and camp overnight — rolling grasslands by day, and a sky full of stars once the light goes.
Khonoma green village
India's first green village — terraced fields, Angami heritage and a quieter side of Naga life beyond Kohima.
Naga food & culture
Local meals, markets and conversations built into the trip, not bolted on.
Small-group, slow travel
Unhurried pacing with room to stop where the road surprises you.
Day by day
A guide to the rhythm — every day flexes to your pace.
Day 1
Day 1 — Arrive Dimapur, drive to Kohima
Fly from Kerala to Dimapur, Nagaland's gateway. Meet our representative and drive up to Kohima, the hill capital (about 3 hours). Settle in and ease into the pace with a Naga dinner.
Day 2
Day 2 — Hornbill Festival at Kisama
A full day at Kisama Heritage Village for the Hornbill Festival. Explore the tribal morungs, watch the dances and music, browse the crafts and food stalls, and take in the diversity of the Naga tribes gathered in one place.
Day 3
Day 3 — Trek into Dzukou Valley, overnight camp
Drive to the trailhead near Viswema/Zakhama and trek up into Dzukou Valley. It is a proper trek, not a casual walk, and the reward is worth it. Camp overnight in the valley — expect one of the clearest night skies you will ever see.
Day 4
Day 4 — Dzukou sunrise, return to Kohima
Wake early for the quiet valley at first light, then trek back down and drive to Kohima. Rest, and in the evening visit the Kohima War Cemetery and the local market.
Day 5
Day 5 — Khonoma green village
Day trip to Khonoma, India's first green village — terraced rice fields, Angami traditions and a slower, older rhythm of Naga life. Return to Kohima in the evening.
Day 6
Day 6 — Kohima to Dimapur, fly home
Morning drive back to Dimapur and fly home to Kerala, carrying the kind of trip that stays with you longer than the photos.
What’s included
- Return airfare Kerala–Dimapur (as per selected plan)
- Accommodation in Kohima on twin-sharing, plus the Dzukou Valley overnight camp
- Daily breakfast and Naga meals as per itinerary
- All private transfers and sightseeing by dedicated vehicle
- Hornbill Festival entry and Dzukou trek arrangements
- Inner Line Permit assistance for Nagaland
- Local English-speaking assistance and on-trip support
Not included
- Travel insurance
- Lunches and dinners not mentioned in the itinerary
- Personal expenses, tips and porterage
- Anything not specifically listed under inclusions
Good to know
When is the best time to go?
The Hornbill Festival runs 1–10 December every year, so the trip is timed around those dates. Nagaland in early December is cool and pleasant.
How hard is the Dzukou Valley trek?
Moderate. It is not an extreme expedition, but it is a real trek with a climb, so a basic level of fitness helps. We pace it comfortably and carry camp support.
Do I need a permit for Nagaland?
Indian travellers need an Inner Line Permit (ILP), which we help arrange. Foreign nationals must register on arrival. Carry a valid photo ID.
Can the trip be customised?
Yes — every Lumiere trip is private and tailor-made. We can add villages like Khezhakeno, extend the Dzukou stay, or slow the whole thing down. Just tell us.
This package is a ready-made starting point for our Cultural Kerala signature journey — read how we shape the full experience.
Keep browsing
More Kerala journeys
Maldives Tour Package from Kerala
Maldives Tour Package from Kerala (4N/5D) from Rs.54,999. Turquoise lagoons, overwater villas and powder-white sandbars make the Maldives the most-requested…
Maldives Honeymoon Package from Kerala
Maldives Honeymoon Package from Kerala (5N/6D) from Rs.74,999. A private overwater villa, candle-lit dinners on the sand and endless turquoise sea - the Mald…
Cambodia Tour Package from Kerala
Cambodia Tour Package from Kerala (5N/6D) from Rs.59,999. Home to the majestic Angkor Wat - the world's largest religious monument - Cambodia offers ancient…