HORNBILL TOUR

The Hornbill festival is where one can see a melange of Naga cultural displays at one place. Organised by the State Directorate of Tourism every year between December 1 and 7 in Kohima, the festival is intended to revive, protect and preserve the richness and uniqueness of the Naga heritage. The festival, in a way, is also a tribute to the hornbill, a bird most admired by the Naga people for its qualities of alertness and grandeur. This majestic bird is linked closely with the social and cultural life of the people, as is evident in tribal folklores, dances and songs. The awe and admiration for the bird is symbolically displayed on almost all traditional tribal headgears worn during festivities. Local handicrafts and handlooms, ranging from bamboo products to intricately woven traditional garments and organic fruits and vegetables are on display at the festival. Stalls with an array of tempting Naga dishes are helping to lure food lovers as well. The festival is organised to showcase the cultural mosaic and the rich heritage of Nagaland.

Day 01 : Arrive Dimapur, Drive to Kohima, 74 km/ 2 hours
Arrive Dimapur airport in the state of Nagaland. Meet and assist and drive to Kohima. Check into hotel . Proceed to the Naga heritage village at Kisama, the festival venue near Kohima, all spruced up to accommodate the hundreds who will join the merry making in the next few days.

Return to your hotel in the evening and then stroll around the main street of Kohima, normally closed by dusk on other days, now abuzz with the ‘night market’ that springs up during the Hornbill Festival. You can try out various Naga cuisine here and generally look about reveling in the merry-making.

Day 02 : Kohima
Head towards the Hornbill festival grounds at Kisama. Whole day at the festival. Evening at the ‘night market’.

Day 03 : Kohima – Khonoma
Morning visit Khonoma village which is 20 km (one way). This village is held in high esteem by all Nagas as this was never subjugated by any power and is known for its valour and courage. Now, it is declared as a ‘green village’ due to its commitment to protecting the environment. Afternoon attend the Hornbill Festival, at Kisama Heritage Village.

Day 04: Kohima – War Memorial and Cathedral
The war memorial is a cemetery honoring the dead during the Allied war at the site of one of the final battles between the allies and the Japanese and the end of the Japanese advance in British India. It is an attractive site and a somber experience to read the graves that include not only British soldiers, but soldiers from throughout British India. The epitaph carved on the memorial of the 2nd British Division in the cemetery has become world-famous as the Kohima Epitaph. It reads: “When You Go Home, Tell Them Of Us And Say, For Your Tomorrow, We Gave Our Today".

Later visit the Cathedral: The Catholic Church located on the Aradhurah Hill, near the Little Flower School is probably the biggest church of its kind in the pre-dominantly Christian north-eastern region of India. The church presents a refreshingly modern blend of indigenous and creative architecture. The church itself is located on the hill and provides a magnificent view of the town.
In the afternoon at the Hornbill festival.

Day 05 : Kohima – Tuophema – Kohima, 45 km one way
In the morning we drive to Tuophema village.The village of Tuophema to the north of Kohima is an ancient heritage village. The people of this village are hard working and one can find exquisite handicrafts and handloom items in this village. You can also taste authentic Naga cuisine here. The village celebrates the Angami Sekrenyi Festival during the 25th – 27th of February each year. This festival is the high point of this amazingly preserved Time Machine of Nagaland.

Returning to Kohima we visit the WW II museum next to the festival grounds and also be at the festival.

Day 06: Kohima
The last day of the festival!! Enjoy traditional dances, games, taste the Naga dishes. Opportunity to pick up souvenirs to carry home.

Day 07 Kohima: Dimapur airport, 74 km/ 2 hours
Drive to Dimapur Airport for out bound flight. .