The beauty of India is in its diversity and this diversity is not just limited to its culture but its changing landscapes, terrains, and climatic conditions. India is home to scenic mountains, marvelous rivers and waterfalls, lush green forests, and adventurous roads. Among all of the states in the country, the north-east remains the least explored with Nagaland at the top of it. Nagaland is home to hundreds of tribes and it is a state that has an abundance of natural beauty and greenery. Often known as the Switzerland of the East, this small Indian state remains untouched by most of the travelers. However, there are innumerous reasons to go to Nagaland for a visit. It is a heaven for adventure lovers as well as those seeking solitude away from the hustle of city life. There are a plethora of places to visit in Nagaland. After staying at the beautiful capital Kohima for a couple of days, you can start your journey to explore other parts of the state. Let us have a look at activities that you can indulge in while enjoying a holiday in one of India’s seven sister states.
- Exploring the scenic beauty of Mokokchung: Mokokchung town is one of the most beautiful places in the state that offers a lot of picturesque landscapes. You can climb a hill or sit at a cafe’s balcony to witness the scenic beauty of the cultural capital of Nagaland. It is also a very famous spot for clicking memorable pictures. You can also get familiar with the local culture while taking a walk down the lanes of this town.
- Hornbill festival: Hornbill festival is the identity of Nagaland and you can not miss this if you go to the state. It is the most important festival for the Nagas and people from all across the country visit the state to witness the colorful culture of this state. Hornbill festival is celebrated in the first week of December every year where both men and women perform a folk dance donning their traditional attires.
- Dzukou Valley: This place is a heaven for adventure lovers and is famous among trekking enthusiasts. Dzukou will give you a feeling of Switzerland and its lush green scenes will hypnotize you with its natural beauty. Situated at a height of 2,462 meters above the sea level, this place is one of the key attractions for the tourists in the state. You can start your trek from Mt Ishii in Senapati district of Manipur to reach the valley after climbing up for almost 5 hours to enjoy the spellbinding view from the top.
- A visit to Tuphema villages: This is the closest you can be to the Nagas and witness their lifestyle. It is a once in a lifetime experience to witness the vast diversity of cultures that this country houses and at the same time, you can understand them to clear the prejudices prevalent about the Nagas in the rest of the country. The more you explore, the more you know. Apart from this, Tuphema villages offer a lot of picturesque views as they are located at the top of the hills. Situated at a distance of just 41 km from Kohima, these villages are full of big-hearted Nagas who will amaze you with their hospitality and acceptance. They also prepare special huts for tourists with basic comforts taken care of.
- Visiting the Kachari Ruins: Kachari Ruins are one of the key places that you need to visit to get a glimpse of the history of Nagaland that doesn’t find a mention in the history books. Dating back to the 10th century, the Dimasa Kachari ruins are located in Dimapur. These ruins are full of mushroom-shaped pillars that were constructed during the Kachari kingdom that ruled over the state for a very long time. These pillars are well preserved by the authorities.
