Foreign travellers to Nagaland are required to obtain a Protected Area Permit (PAP). There are certain requirements for the PAP and we will be happy to speak to you about the current application process.
One of India's last remaining frontiers, travel to the northeast Indian state of Nagaland is challenging but hugely rewarding. This is a land of spectacular beauty, a place where history and unique cultural traditions are indelibly linked to the colourful indigenous tribal groups that play such an important role in the life of the region. With a rudimentary but improving infrastructure and limited accommodation options, few travellers make it to the remote region but those that do experience a rich and welcoming land that feels very different to the rest of the India subcontinent. Including the key Naga settlements of Kohima, Mokokchung and Mon, this itinerary also incorporates numerous visits to Angami, Ao and Konyak villages with ample time to meet the local inhabitants and learn about their traditions and way of life. Time is also spent in Kolkata and the Assamese town of Dibrugarh. This journey also includes a visit to Kohima’s famous Hornbill Festival, a grand celebration, held annually in December and attended by the sixteen tribes of Nagaland.
Kolkata – Kohima – Mokokchung – Mon – Dibrugarh – Kolkata
Trip Highlights
- Held in December, the Hornbill Festival is a grand celebration of the region’s identity
- Mokokchung is home of the Ao people and an important town in northern Nagaland
- Mon was once famous for headhunting and is home to ethnic Konyak and Ao peoples
- Visit the traditional villages of Jakhama and Kigwema, inhabited by the Angami tribe
- Tuophema is home to the northern Angami and set deep within the central Naga Hills
- Visit Longwa which straddles the international border between India and Myanmar
Itinerary
Day 1
Depart the UK
Today depart the UK and fly to Kolkata stopping en-route for a change of aircraft in the Middle East.
Day 2
Arrive Kolkata
On arrival in Dubai, connect onto the Emirates flight to Kolkata. Cultural and intellectual heart of eastern India, Kolkata is one of the most forward-thinking cities of India. It has long been noted for its wonderful architectural landmarks, many of which date from the period of the Raj, but the city was also the birthplace of the Indian independence movement and the home of such luminaries as Rabindranath Tagore.
Calcutta Bungalow
The Elgin Fairlawn
Oberoi Grand Hotel
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Day 3
Kolkata
Today join your local guide for a full day exploration of Kolkata. As one of the most historic, dynamic and cultured cities in India, there is a whole host of different things to do. Particular places of interest include the vast Indian Museum with its excellent and comprehensive displays, the impressive domed Victoria Memorial and the Kali Temple. Another interesting thing to do is to walk the streets of Old Calcutta to see the many Raj-era buildings that include St John's Church, the Writers Building and General Post Office.
- Breakfast
Calcutta Bungalow
The Elgin Fairlawn
Oberoi Grand Hotel
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Day 4
Kolkata to Dimapur – by air / Dimapur to Kohima – 75kms
Today fly to Dimapur where you will be met on arrival and transferred to Kohima. The state capital of Nagaland, Kohima is a beautiful town set on a series of hill with wide panoramic views of the surrounding region. Later visit the old village of Kohima with its large traditional gate decorated with horns of buffalo which represents the bravery and valour of the local Angami Tribe.
- Breakfast,
- Dinner
De Oriental Grand, Kohima
Niraamaya Retreats Aradura
Day 5-6
Kohima – Hornbill Festival
Located in the northeastern corner of India, Nagaland is made up of sixteen major tribes each with their own languages, cultures and traditions. All Naga tribes celebrate their distinct festivals which are seasonal in nature and characterised by grand displays of colour, music and dance. During December the annual Hornbill Festival takes place in the village of Kisema and is a grand celebration attended by all of the tribes of Nagaland. Spend the next two days at the festival to soak up the atmosphere of this great event.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch,
- Dinner
De Oriental Grand, Kohima
Niraamaya Retreats Aradura
Day 7
Kohima – visit Jakhama, Kigwema and Khonoma
This morning visit the villages of Jakhama and Kigwema which are inhabited by the Angami tribe. Located south of Kohima, both villages are encircled by terraced paddy fields each with a traditional entrance gate and the customary Angami houses. Afterwards, continue onto the village of Khonoma. It was here that the Naga warriors made their last stand against the British in 1879. Return to Kohima and your hotel in the late afternoon.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch,
- Dinner
De Oriental Grand, Kohima
Niraamaya Retreats Aradura
Day 8
Kohima to Mokokchung via Tuophema – 170kms
Today drive to Tuophema. Home of the northern Angami tribe, Tuophema is situated deep in the central Naga Hills. Spend time in the village, home to the Angami tribe, then continue by road to Mokokchung. This picturesque town is the cultural centre of the Ao tribe who are famous for their colourful dances. In the evening visit the village of Ungma, the largest of the Ao villages and, according to legend, where the early Ao's first settled. The village is many centuries old and has much folklore, ancient customs and unique traditions.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch,
- Dinner
Whispering Winds Hotel
Day 9
Mokokchung – visit Mopungchukit, Chuchuyimlang and Longkhum
This morning visit the villages of Mopungchukit and Chuchuyimlang, both of which are inhabited by the Ao Nagas and are known for their festivals which take place at the start of May. After lunch, end the day at Longkhum. A vanguard village of the Ao's in the days of head hunting, Longkhum is today best known for the exquisite handcraft and handloom items that the villagers produce. The Ao's have a belief that Longkhum is the resting place of the spirits of the dead on their onward journey to paradise.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch,
- Dinner
Whispering Winds Hotel
Day 10
Mokokchung to Mon via Wakching – 260kms
After breakfast drive to Mon the headquarters of the Konyak tribe who wear traditional dresses with feathered headgear and have tattooed faces. En-route visit Wakching, a typical Konyak tribal village.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch,
- Dinner
Vinngoi Inn
Day 11
Mon – visit Longwa
This morning drive to the village of Longwa. One of the largest villages in Mon district, Longwa straddles the international boundary between India and Myanmar with half of the homes and buildings falling within India and the remainder in Burma. Later in the afternoon return to Mon.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch,
- Dinner
Vinngoi Inn
Day 12
Mon to Dibrugarh via Chui – 130kms
After breakfast leave Mon and drive north to Dibrugarh stopping en-route to visit the village of Chui. Dibrugarh is the northernmost Assamese town and located between Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh. Still retaining much of its colonial atmosphere, Dibrugarh lies in the heart of one of India’s most important tea growing regions and was also a major Second World War airbase.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch,
- Dinner
Heritage Chang Bungalow
Day 13
Dibrugarh
Today you are at leisure relax and enjoy your hotel which is surrounded by pretty gardens, surrounded by a working tea estate. Should you wish to learn more about tea, a tour of the 150-year-old estate can be arranged.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch,
- Dinner
Heritage Chang Bungalow
Day 14
Dibrugarh to Kolkata – by air
This morning you will be taken to Dibrugarh airport in good time to catch your onward flight to Kolkata. On arrival transfer to your hotel, located close to the international airport, where the remainder of the day will be at leisure.
- Breakfast
Holiday Inn Kolkata Airport
Day 15
Kolkata to the UK
Today transfer back to Kolkata airport and fly to the UK via the Middle East.
- Breakfast
Extending your stay...
Discover the Brahmaputra’s Majuli Island, the largest inhabited river-island in the world and setting for Vaishnavite monastic retreats and indigenous Assamese and Mishing villages. To reach, fly to Jorhat from Kolkata then continue by road to Kaziranga National Park or Kohima.
Kaziranga National Park is an ideal solution should you wish to incorporate wildlife into this journey. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the reserve is famous for its population of one-horned rhinoceros and large elephant herds. From Kaziranga it is a half day’s drive east to Kohima.
Incorporate a river cruise on the mighty Brahmaputra, boarding the vessel in Dibrugarh. The upper reaches of the Brahmaputra with its beautiful natural scenery, tea estates, temple sites, rural villages and wildlife showcase the very best of this diverse region.
Remote Roing in Arunachal Pradesh would be a fascinating addition to this itinerary and can be fitted between Mon and Dibrugarh. Set in an area of stunning natural beauty, Roing is home to the Idu Mishmi tribe and is the location for the Reh Festival which takes place in February.
Guide to Price
15 days from £3785 per person
What's Included
- International and domestic flights
- Private car with English speaking driver
- Accompanying tour escort in North East India
- Sightseeing with local English speaking guides
- Hotel accommodation and taxes
What's Not Included
- Cost of visas
- Travel Insurance
- Expenses of a personal nature
from £3785
Travel Information
Getting There
British Airways fly direct from London Heathrow to Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad. Virgin Atlantic have daily flights to Delhi and Vistara fly direct to Delhi. Emirates, Oman Air, Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways also have excellent connections via their respected hubs to Kolkata, Kochi, Trivandrum, Kozhikode, Goa, Jaipur and Lucknow and fly from airports all over the UK.
Flying Times From UK
Direct flights from the UK take between 8 and 10 hours depending on the destination. Flights with stops en-route take between 12 and 14 hours.
Time Zone
India is +5½ hours ahead of GMT.
Visa Requirements
Holders of British Citizen passports are able to apply for an e-Tourist Visa (eTV). There are three different eTVs - a one month eTV (valid for 30 days), a one year eTV (valid for 365 days) and a five year eTV (valid for 5 years). Applications for the one month eTV can only be made within 30 days of travel to India. Applications for the one year eTV and five year eTV can only be made within 120 days of travel to India.
Please note that the very latest an Indian eTV application can be made is 4 days prior to travel to India. The eTV becomes active from the date of entry into India. It is not valid for Protected or Restricted areas.
All international passengers arriving in India are required to complete an e-Arrival Card up to 72 hours prior to arrival India. This applies to all nationalities and must be submitted online via the official portal https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival
Do’s & Don’ts
Smoking and drinking in public places is prohibited in India – with smoking this includes public areas in hotels, restaurants and bars.
E-cigarettes and related products are banned in India. You will be unable to buy e-cigarettes or bring them into the country.
Always ask permission before entering a temple and remember to remove your shoes and any leather objects such as bags, belts or wallets. It is fine to wear socks.
When in a Buddhist temple you should always walk in a clockwise direction with the main building to your right.
Modest, loose-fitting clothing is preferable and is essential when visiting religious places. When visiting a Sikh Gurudwara the head needs to be covered.
Permission should always be asked before taking a person’s picture.
When eating, only the right hand should be used. Indian culture considers the left hand to be unclean.
Money
The currency of India is the Indian Rupee (INR) and comes in notes and coins. Exchanging money is easy and can be done at international airports, most hotels or banks and it is always a good idea to ask for some small denomination Rupee notes. ATMs are now common and reliable in all main cities and credit cards are widely accepted by most hotels, shops and restaurants. In rural areas or wildlife reserves ATMs and money exchange facilities are limited so having cash is essential.
Please note that there are restrictions on bringing Indian rupees into India. Visitors, including tourists, are not permitted to bring any amount of Indian currency into the country. Pounds sterling and other foreign currencies are allowed to be brought into India. For more information please visit the FCO’s Foreign Travel Advice for India.
Tipping
This is left to your discretion, however, tipping for good service in India is part of everyday life. In restaurants and for room service a 10% tip is appreciated and at smaller hotels and homestays a communal ‘tip box’ is common.
For drivers and guides, hotel staff and at national parks, the following amounts should act as a guideline. Please note that these figures are based on two people travelling together:
Tour driver: INR1000 to INR1200 per day (not per person)
Tour guide: INR1000 to INR1200 per day (not per person)
Naturalist (national parks): INR1000 to INR1200 per day (not per person)
Jeep Driver (national parks): INR 500 per day & per safari (not per person)
Hotels (communal tip for all staff): INR 1000 to INR 1500 per day (not per person)
Food & Drink
India is known the world over for its food and especially its vegetarian cuisine. Spice plays an important role in dishes throughout the country as do breads, rice, pickles and chutneys. Although nearly every region has its own speciality, there is a divide between the cuisine of northern India and southern India – the north with its meat dishes influenced by the Mughals and the lighter, fruitier, coconut based dishes of the south. Desserts are common in India with kulfi ice cream and gulab jamun two of the best known and most popular. Nearly all tend to be very sweet, milk based or fried.
The most common drink in India is chai tea which can be bought on nearly every street corner. The yoghurt drink lassi – whether sweet, salty or fruity – is also easy to find. The popularity of coffee has spread from the south whilst Indian beer is well-respected. There is also a fledgling wine industry centred on Nashik in Maharashtra.
Accommodation
There is a huge breadth of accommodation in India with styles varying across the country. India is famed for its heritage properties, the majority of which tend to be found in the north of India. These come in all shapes and sizes from beautifully restored buildings and luxury palaces operated by distinguished hotel groups to small privately owned forts and ancestral homes.
Homestays are also very popular and found throughout the country. Whether a grand and luxurious family residence, heritage property or simple abode, they offer a high level of service and a unique glimpse into everyday Indian life. Please let us know if you would like to include a homestay into your itinerary. In more remote regions, hotels are likely to be clean and simple whilst wildlife accommodation is generally either in jungle lodges or comfortable tented camps. For those looking to relax there are many excellent beachside hotels and an increasing number of retreats specialising in both Ayurveda and yoga.
Shopping
With wholesale markets and bazaars, innumerable shops and stores, India is a shopper’s paradise. The country is best known for carpets and dhurries with Rajasthan, Kashmir and Leh best for these. There is also a bewildering range of clothing, fabric and leatherwear found not only in the smallest of villages but also the largest cities. Gems, silver and jewellery (valuable or costume) are popular throughout the country but especially in Jaipur and Hyderabad whilst Kochi is noted for its antiques. Spices can be bought all over India but purchased straight from plantations in the south. Darjeeling, Assam and the Western Ghats in south India are all known for tea.
Suggested Reading
For India travel advice, Footprint, Rough Guides, Lonely Planet and Bradt have excellent guide books whilst Nelles Maps have comprehensive and up to date maps of the Indian subcontinent. There is also a wide range of literature including from famed authors such as RK Narayan, Vikram Seth, Paul Scott, VS Naipaul, Arundhati Roy and Salman Rushdie. Vivek Shanbhag's more recently translated book 'Ghachar Ghochar' also comes highly recommended. Other good books on India include:
‘India: A History’ by John Keay
‘The Great Arc’ by John Keay
‘No Full Stops in India’ by Mark Tully
‘India in Slow Motion’ by Mark Tully and Gillian Wright
‘City of Djinns’ by William Dalrymple
‘White Mughals’ by William Dalrymple
‘Chasing the Monsoon’ by Alexander Frater
‘The Tears of the Rajas’ by Ferdinand Mount
‘Plain Tales from the Raj’ by Charles Allen
‘Mughal Architecture and Gardens’ by George Michell
'Tea, Love and War: Searching for English Roots in Assam' by David Mitchell
Health
Your doctor is the best person to advise you on staying healthy whilst abroad but current recommended vaccinations are Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Tetanus and Diphtheria. Yellow Fever is compulsory, but only if you have visited an affected Yellow Fever area within 5 days prior to your arrival. In some instances anti-malarial tablets may also be needed. For current information on health advice you may wish to visit the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) website Travel Health Pro on https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/. The Medical Advisory Services for Travellers Abroad (MASTA) website (www.masta.org) is also a useful resource.
Travel Advice
For current information on India the best resource is the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice) which is a comprehensive resource and updated regularly. We would also recommend visiting the Safer Tourism Foundation website (safertourism.org.uk) before you travel and will be happy to address any questions or concerns you may have.
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Our Reviews
What our clients say
All in all a super special holiday
MR & RR - India - March 2024
All in all a super special holiday. Thanks so much for helping to put it together. The guides and drivers are always so important and they were excellent and kind throughout. Assam and Nagaland are so different from mainland India...a very relaxed vibe in beautiful surroundings. We would happily return.
Getting to know you
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Helping you to design your trip
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