Itineraries · 6 days · Nagaland
2026 Hornbill Festival Itinerary — full itinerary
A dedicated ten-day Hornbill Festival (1-10 December) package covering all sixteen Naga tribes, the night carnival and Kohima.
Day 1 — 1 December 2026 (Arrival & Opening Day)
- Arrive at Dimapur Airport/Railway Station.
- Drive to Kohima (3–4 hours depending on traffic).
- Check in at your accommodation in Kohima, Kigwema, or Phesama.
- Proceed to Kisama for the opening ceremony.
- Explore the tribal morungs.
- Sample traditional Naga cuisine.
- Attend opening cultural performances and music events.
Day 2 — 2 December (Full Festival Experience)
- Spend the entire day at Kisama.
- Watch performances from different Naga tribes.
- Visit handicraft and handloom stalls.
- Experience indigenous games and Naga wrestling.
- Attend evening concerts.
- Photography tip: Morning light around the morungs is excellent for portraits and cultural photography.
Day 3 — 3 December (Festival + Kohima Heritage)
- Festival activities at Kisama.
- Kohima War Cemetery
- Nagaland State Museum
- Kohima local market
- Return to Kisama for night events and food festival.
Day 4 — 4 December (Khonoma Excursion)
- Khonoma Village, often called India's first green village.
- Village walk.
- Learn about Angami culture.
- Explore terraced fields.
- Traditional lunch with local hosts.
Return to Kohima by evening and attend festival concerts.
Day 5 — 5 December (Dzükoü Valley Trek)
- Early morning trek to Dzükoü Valley.
- Full-day hike.
- Return to Kohima in the evening.
- If you prefer a relaxed pace, spend another day at Hornbill Festival and explore lesser-visited morungs and workshops.
Option A (Recommended for active travelers)
Day 6 — 6 December (Festival Finale for Your Trip & Departure)
- Enjoy cultural performances you may have missed.
- Depart for Dimapur Airport/Railway Station.
- Phesama – closest to Dzükoü Valley and Kisama.
- Kigwema – convenient for festival access.
- Kohima – best for restaurants and evening activities.
1–2 Dec: Festival immersion3 Dec: Festival + Kohima heritage4 Dec: Khonoma village5 Dec: Dzükoü Valley trek6 Dec: Final festival day + departure
Questions about this itinerary
Can it be customised? Yes — this is a starting plan, not a fixed package. We shift days, swap villages and adjust the pace to your group.
What about permits? Indian nationals need an Inner Line Permit for Nagaland and we file it as part of the booking. Foreign nationals need PAP registration. Read the ILP guide.
Where does the cost start? It depends on group size, stay type and season. Our 2026 Nagaland cost breakdown has the numbers, and send us your dates for a quote specific to this route.
Want this as a trip? Plan your Nagaland trip — share dates and group size, we send a custom itinerary in 24 hours. Or browse all itineraries and the photo gallery.
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