DZUKOU VALLEY
Trekkers visiting Northeast India should rejoice as the trail to Dzukou on the Manipur-Nagaland border is not only aptly challenging, but also breathtakingly scenic. The trek is facilitated by the Manipur Mountaineering and Trekking Association (MMTA). Its base camp is located at Mt. Issi, from where it’s a five-hour walk upwards. Beautiful lilies and rhododendron flowers are plentiful in the valley, along with a pristine stream that has the propensity to freeze during the winters. If you’re feeling even more adventurous, the Japfu Peak is at 3,940m. The valley is 15kms south of Kohima.
KOHIMA
This is a tranquil town, and why wouldn’t it be if it literally means ‘the land where the flower kewhi grows’? It may not be as large or populous as Dimapur, even though it is the capital of Nagaland, but it certainly is more intrinsically connected to the Naga culture. While you are here, be sure to visit the Catholic Cathedral and watch it glimmer in its crimson radiance. When you’re done, tread to the World War II Memorial built to honour the state’s valiant soldiers. And finally, take a stroll around the city’s supermarkets to purchase some locally produced trinkets and Naga shawls. Dimapur is the nearest airport, 74kms away.
MON
Located in Nagaland, Mon is not for the faint hearted. The Konyak tribe that inhabits its slopes is known for its warrior culture just as much as its grisly past—that of headhunting. Even the journey to reach the Mon village of Nyahnyu Konyak is an extremely challenging one. The best time to visit would be for the Aeleong Festival, the annual spring festival, when the tribe fully displays the intricacies of its traditions. The festival day, 4th April, is packed with great pomp and show. Other than this, adventure enthusiasts visiting Mon can partake in plenty of activities such as trekking, angling and birding. Jorhat in Assam, 161 kilometers away, is the closest airport.