11D/10N
cultural Travel
Mon - Mokokchung - Touphema - Kohima - Dzuleke
Trip Overview
Get to meet the fascinating tribes of Nagaland such as the Konyak and the Ao peoples.
A scenic road trip through the lush ranges of the Patkai and Naga Hills.
Go on charming and leisurely village walks. Engage in slow paced cultural travel.
dibrugarh
Arrive at Dibrugarh, an important tea center in Assam. Check-in at a standard city hotel or a comfortable clubhouse with modern amenities. The rest of the day will be free to explore the local markets in the town, see the nearby tea gardens, visit a shrine of Hinayana Buddhism or go on a stroll along the banks of the Brahmaputra River and enjoy the sunset.
dibrugarh - mon
After breakfast, drive to Mon (7hrs) in the Patkai hills of northern Nagaland. Mon can be considered as one of the most remote regions of eastern India and is the home of the fierce headhunting Konyak Tribe, known for their tattooed faces, wood carving, and gun-making skills. The Konyaks can be easily distinguished from the other Naga tribes due to tattoos earned from their head-hunting expeditions, a practice banned as late as the 1960s. Your stay will be in a family-run guesthouse with basic amenities.
mon
After breakfast, travel to the remote eastern corner of India to Lungwa Village (2hrs), half of which falls in Myanmar. Visit the home of the Angh (village chieftain), whose house interestingly is divided by the border. Interact with the chief and other Konyak families to learn about their rich history and culture. See their local crafts and war trophies collected in the Morungs (dormitories), where young children were taught their traditions. The Morungs also have large log drums which are used to alert the villagers. One can also purchase beautiful tribal ornaments and interesting metal craft souvenirs from the villagers. Explore the countryside, and take a walk in their farms where they practice Jhum cultivation. Later, return to Mon by evening.
mon
Visit a few nearby Konyak villages such as Hongphoi, Wangla, and Old Mon. A good opportunity to observe the Konyak lifestyle, tribal arts, and crafts. In Hongphoi, it is easy to see village elders with tattooed warrior faces. Visit the houses of the chiefs, which are decorated with skulls of wild buffaloes and other hunted animals. Elderly villagers with tattoos can be sometimes seen gathering at the chief’s house or making bamboo crafts in the Morungs nearby. An old-world charm exists as the long-houses are very traditional, constructed in ancient Konyak way of using palm leaf roofing. Many villagers still continue to live their old traditional lifestyle.
mon - mokokchung
Travel southwards to the town of Mokokchung (9hrs), which is one of the most important towns in Nagaland. Historically, Mokokchung was the first town to be established by the British in the Naga Hills. It is home to the Ao tribes, who are famous for their arts and folklore. After a long journey, rest in a clean and comfortable hotel for your night's stay.
mokokchung
After breakfast, explore the nearby villages of the Ao tribe. Visit Mopungchuket, famous for the story of Jina and Etiben, the Ao version of Romeo and Juliet. See the beautifully carved time pillar, which depicts the chronological history of the Ao tribe along with tales of legends, battles, and migrations. Visit the sacred lake nearby where rituals and sacrifices were performed before the wars. See old churches, log drums, Dzukis (dormitories), and the cultural museum in the village which has an interesting collection of artifacts and rare photographs. Also visit the nearby village of Aliba, where the Aos became the first Naga tribe to be converted into Christianity by the Baptist Missionaries in 1872. After lunch, explore the villages of Longkhnum and Ungma, which is the largest village of the Ao people. One can still see elderly villagers with traditional tattoos. Enjoy the panoramic view of the Doyang dam from the Longkhnum village.
mokokchung - touphema
Travel towards Tuophema village (7hrs) near Kohima, the capital of Nagaland. Tuophema is a village of the Angami tribe, one of the largest tribal communities of Nagaland. Explore the village and observe the lifestyle of the Angami people. Enjoy your rural stay at Tuophema Tourist Village in traditional-styled cottages decorated with wood carvings and experience the ethnic cuisine of the Angami tribe prepared in the community kitchen.
touphema - kohima - touphema
Enjoy a day trip to Kohima (1hr) to see the various attractions, many of which are related to the historic Battle of Kohima in 1944. Visit the World War II Memorial located at the center of Kohima, which was once the battle site. It is the main landmark of the town and commemorates the sacrifices of the British and Indian troops resisting the Japanese invasion. Visit the Reconciliation Cathedral, which is noted for its beautiful architecture, mural paintings, and view of the town from the Aradura hilltop. The State Museum is another interesting attraction that exhibits a rare collection of tribal artifacts of different tribes which portrays their history and indigenous culture. Also visit Kisama Heritage Village, the venue of the famous Hornbill Festival. It also showcases Naga tribal architecture and has a World War II Museum within the complex. If time permits, visit Bara Basti, which was once the old settlement of Kohima.
touphema - dzuleke
After breakfast, proceed to Dzuleke (4hrs), another village of the Angami tribe. Dzuleke is a remote idyllic village surrounded by pine forests and streams. A community-based ecotourism project exists here and is run by the village council. On the way, visit Khonoma village, well known for its initiatives of forest conservation and a ban on hunting. One can also see the historic spots where the natives fought against the British colonists. The rest of the day will be free at leisure to enjoy amidst the greenery of the Naga Hills. Your stay will be in a village homestay with basic amenities.
Dzuleke - Benreu - Dzuleke
Go on a day trip to Benreu (2hrs), the village of the Zeliangrong tribe. It is located at an elevation of 1900m at the base of Mt.Pauna where travelers can go on short hikes. Explore the village and visit the Morung (dormitory) at Benreu, considered as one of the oldest structures in Nagaland. Zeliangrong tribe comprises of three clans namely Zeme, Liangme, and Rongme. Few Zeliangrong tribesmen continue to practice their old beliefs and animist religion. One can also try the interesting bitter honey of Benreu, which is harvested from the hive of the Teliane bee and has medicinal properties. Return to Dzuleke by dusk.
Dzuleke - dimapur
Leave early morning to Dimapur Airport (4 hours) for departure in the afternoon. End of tour.
Where you will stay?
When you travel with us, we make sure that you stay in the best available accommodations in the places you visit, especially since many areas in Northeast India are remote and do not have many options to stay.
These properties are highly reviewed by our team of experts and are aesthetic in nature when possible.
Our itineraries are flexible, highly customisable, and you can always choose a different property depending on budget and style.
konyak retreat, mon
RATING: standard
STYLE: homestay
The Konyak Tea Retreat is located at Shiyong Village near to Mon town. Run by an enthusiastic Konyak lady who is passionate about responsible tourism and her culture, the highlight of the property is its located midst verdant hills, villages, tea estates and fruit orchards. Rooms have a unique decor, are spacious and fairly modern.
whispering, mokokchung
RATING: standard
STYLE: guesthouse
Wishpering Winds, located in the verdant hills of Mokokchung, is a cozy minimalistic guesthouse run by enthusiastic locals. Rooms are clean and with standard amenities. There are good views of the hills from the hotel and rooms.
the heritage, kohima
RATING: standard
STYLE: boutique hotel
The charming and boutique The Heritage in Kohima was earlier the District Commissioner's bungalow. An old property styled in typical early 20th century raj-era with high-ceilinged woody rooms and airy verandahs with armchairs for relaxing and soaking the views. Accommodation is fairly standard.
homestay, dzuleke
RATING: basic
STYLE: homestay
Dzuleke is a pretty village of the Angami people midst lush hill scenery. The people of the village have been know for their consideration towards the jungles and conservation measure, and have lately started a responsible homestay project in the village where guests are allotted alternatively to different families and can get a chance to experience first-hand the Naga hospitality and way of life.
The tours listed in this website are our own well-researched itineraries that come with a great degree of flexibility and customization. Each tour is therefore individually costed around your requirements and budget. This provides you with a sense of choice and reliability, and also helps us meet customer expectations much more closely, making your travel experience all the more memorable.
Please fill out the form below to tell us more about the tour you are interested in and a response with costs and information will be sent to you.
