Dzukou with The Hornbill Festival
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- Trip Duration: 3N / 4D
- Max altitude: 2,452 m (8,045 ft)
- Grade: Easy
- Start/End point: Dimapur
Dzukou with The Hornbill Festival – A Spectacular Celebration of Naga Culture & Heritage
Experience the vibrant spirit of Nagaland at the Hornbill Festival, often called the “Festival of Festivals.”
Held every year in December at Kisama Heritage Village near Kohima, this grand cultural celebration showcases the traditions, folk dances, music, indigenous crafts, cuisine, and heritage of all the Naga tribes. A perfect blend of culture, adventure, and festivities, the Hornbill Festival offers visitors a unique glimpse into the rich and diverse traditions of Northeast India.
Overview
How to Reach
Via Flight: Dimapur has a domestic airport and flights are mostly connected through Kolkata. So it is advised if you are planning to reach Dimapur via flight, then you should book the tickets in advance as the prices would rise quite steeply during peak season.
Via Train: Dimapur is the only railway station in Nagaland and it is well-connected to Kolkata, Guwahati, and New Delhi by train. Kamrup Express is the best train to reach Dimapur from Kolkata, and it leaves daily from Howrah station. New Tinsukia Express is also another weekly train that leaves from Howrah station.
Via Road: Dimapur is well-connected by road from Guwahati. So if you are someone who wishes to enjoy long rides through the altitude, then you should definitely take a ride from Guwahati to reach Dimapur which is 280 km in distance.
Pick up-Dimapur, nagaland
Drop-Dimapur, Nagaland
Pick Up and Drop Time: The pick up time from Dimapur on Day 1 is 11 am and the drop time from Kigwema is 11 am.
Mobile Network Availability: There is no mobile network available in Dzukou Valley and Airtel, Vodafone, and Reliance Jio do not have any network in the valley. However, there are some high points during the trail where you can get very weak signals.
Highlights
- Stunning views of Machapuchare, Annapurna Range, Dhaulagiri, Mardi Himal, chances of wildlife spotting
- Scenic Mountain Views of Machhapuchhre, Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Mardi Himal. Memorable sunset at High Camp
- Summit push to Mardi Himal Base Camp, Magical sunrise over the Himalayas, views of Annapurna Range, Mardi Himal, Dhaulagiri, and Mt Machupuchare
- Breathtaking sunrise at High Camp, trail is very steep, Siding (Remote traditional village), Scenic descent through mountain trails
- Final trekking stretch, Scenic drive back to city, Explore market & Souvenir shopping
Itinerary
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Our journey begins from Dimapur. Once you have arrived to Dimapur, our team will pick you up. Dzukou Valley can be easily reached from Kohima – the capital city of Nagaland. We will take a drive from Dimapur to Kigwema via Kohima. This drive is bound to keep you awestruck with the natural beauty. We will stay the night in a comfortable homestay
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Our trek starts from Viswema which is around 20 kilometers from Kohima. So early morning after breakfast, we will have a short drive of 4 kilometers from Kigwema to the trek point at Viswema. The trek for Dzukou Valley begins from here. The trail is approximately 5 hours through beautiful rugged terrain.
For some time, the trail is through bamboo and deodar forests. Later you will climb steeply for 1km alongside a stream. Here you will get a resting shade and take some rest. There is also a government water tap and you can definitely fill up your water bottles. Once we have left the stream, the uphill trail becomes quite steep. Please keep in mind that the trail would be little bit mossy here, so please mind your steps.
You will reach a pass which is approximately 1km from the resting point from where you will get the breathtaking panoramic view of the entire valley. Today we will reach Dzukou Trekkers Hut and will have lunch there. Night stay at the Trekkers Hut and enjoy the night with your trek mates. -
This day is all yours to explore the Dzukou Valley and engulf its natural beauty. After your breakfast, we will start exploring the valley and capture endless snaps. You can also visit the Ghost Caves or the ‘Bhoot Gufa’ but make sure you have a torch in hand as the cave is quite dark. We suggest exploring the vast stretch of the grasslands with blossoming flowers scattered everywhere like a floral blanket and spot the famous Dzukou Lily in the valley. If you are lucky enough, you can also spot the state bird of Nagaland, the Blyth tragopan. The other rare species that can be spotted are the Asian golden cat, the Hollock Gibbon, the clouded leopard, and the horned toad. After exploring the valley, return to the trekkers hut and stay the night there.
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After having our breakfast, we will trek back to Viswema village. After taking some pictures and saying goodbye to the valley, we will start our descent. Since the route is much steeper, it will take around 2-3 hours to reach the point. With the stream flowing through your left, enjoy your trail downwards. There will be a zig-zag trail for sometime and afterwards you will reach another pass. From Viswema we will take a short drive back to Kigwema. Here you will have your lunch and dinner at homestay. All trekmates will share their memories, while staying an extra night at Kigwema.
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After having our breakfast, we will drive back to Dimapur and will drop you at Dimapur. Return back to your base with a pocket full of memories.
Above is your detailed guide to the Dzukou Valley trek that is conducted by Altitude Adventure Holidays and our entire team will make sure that your entire trek is safe, secure, and definitely a memorable one with bucket full of memories.
What's Included
- Meals from Day 1 Lunch to Day 4 breakfast. Meals will be veg & Non veg with morning & evening tea.
- All Transportation from dimapur to dimapur.
- Homestay in Kigwema, Kisema.
- Team Manager
- Group medical kit.
- All park entrance fees and trekking permits.
What's Not Included
- Mules or porter to carry personal luggage.
- Food during the transit (While on car)
- Insurance for clients.
- Anything not specifically mentioned under the head.
- Anything not mentioned in inclusions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The Mardi Himal Trek is rated easy to moderate and is suitable for both beginners and experienced trekkers. However, the trail includes steep ascents, descents and long walking days, so a good level of fitness is essential.
The trek reaches approximately 4,500 metres (14,764 ft) at Mardi Himal Base Camp. Since this is a high-altitude trek, trekkers should be properly acclimatized and prepared for possible altitude-related challenges.
The biggest highlights include the spectacular Mt. Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), Mardi Himal and Annapurna ranges, beautiful rhododendron and oak forests, peaceful mountain villages, High Camp, and the breathtaking sunrise from Mardi Himal Base Camp.
The best seasons are spring (March–May) and autumn (mid-September–December). Spring brings colourful rhododendron blooms, while autumn generally offers clear skies, pleasant trekking conditions and excellent Himalayan visibility.
The complete itinerary takes around 8 days, including arrival and departure from Pokhara. The actual trekking journey begins from Kande, after a short drive from Pokhara, and passes through Deurali, Rest Camp, High Camp, Mardi Himal Base Camp and Siding before returning to Pokhara.
Gear Checklist
Trekking pole
Water bottle
Head lamp
Sunglasses
Power bank
Rain cover for rucksack
Windproof jacket
Sun cap
Trekking shoes
Sunscreen lotions
Raincoat (for monsoon)
Booking Form
Customize this
- Trip Duration: 6N / 7D
- Max altitude: 4,500 M (14,764 ft)
- Grade: Moderate
- Start/End point: Pokhara
₹17,000.00 +5% GST
- Trip Duration: 14N / 15D
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- Grade: Hard
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₹12,000.00 +5% GST
- Trip Duration: 5N / 6D
- Max altitude: 3,600 m / 12,073 ft
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₹11,300.00 +5% GST
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- Max altitude: 5,359m / 17,582ft
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- Max altitude: 4270 m / 14,065 ft
- Grade: Easy to Moderate
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₹13,000.00 +5% GST
