Kohima
Nagaland · Kohima District · 1,444m
Naga warrior heritage, WWII cemetery, and the legendary Hornbill Festival — where 16 tribes celebrate as one.
Why Special
Kohima is the capital of Nagaland and site of the decisive WWII Battle of Kohima (1944) that stopped the Japanese advance into India. The Kohima War Cemetery is hauntingly beautiful with the famous epitaph: "When you go home, tell them of us and say, for your tomorrow, we gave our today." The Hornbill Festival (1-10 December) at Kisama Heritage Village is Northeast India's biggest cultural event — 16 Naga tribes showcase traditional dances, food, music, and sports including Naga wrestling and fire-eating. Kohima Cathedral, State Museum, and the vibrant local markets complete the picture.
Festivals & Events
Sekrenyi
FebFeb 25 (Angami calendar)
Angami Naga purification festival — ritual bathing in the village spring, community feast of rice and meat, war dances, and the symbolic cleansing of the year's sins.
Nagaland's most intimate tribal festival — purification, feast, and renewal.
Hornbill Festival
DecDec 1-10
All 16 Naga tribes converge at Kisama Heritage Village for warrior dances, tribal food, traditional crafts, and Naga wrestling. The largest cultural showcase in Northeast India.
Festival of Festivals — the single best window into Nagaland's tribal diversity.
Infrastructure Reality
Network Coverage
Good 4G in Kohima city. Very patchy outside city. No signal at Dzukou Valley.
WiFi: Hotels and some cafes
Medical & Emergency
Hospital: Naga Hospital Kohima — government, decent. Zion Hospital (private)
Ambulance: 108 active in Nagaland
Police: Kohima North PS, Kohima South PS
Getting There
Dimapur — 74km, 3hr (mountainous road). Guwahati — 340km, 8hr.
Roads: NH29 Dimapur-Kohima decent but winding. City roads narrow and steep.
Public transport: Shared taxis from Dimapur. City taxis/autos.
Fuel & Stay
Fuel: Main town — 2-3 pumps
EV charging available
Stay: ₹₹800-1500/night — guesthouses – ₹2000-4000/night — Hotel Vivor, Razhu Pru/night
Helpline: 100, 108
The stay decisions worth flagging in Kohima.
Kohima is Nagaland's capital — Kisama Heritage Village hosts Hornbill Festival (Dec 1-10). Stay scene is La Colline Resort, Hotel Vivor, Dreamz Resort. No luxury. During Hornbill Festival (Dec), book 6+ months ahead as rates triple. For Khonoma and Dzukou Valley trek bases, stay at Khonoma Green Village homestays (20 km). Kohima airport is via Dimapur (70 km).
Hotel Vivor and La Colline Resort are Kohima's top quality stays at ~₹6-10k. Dreamz Resort and Hotel Saramati are mid-range alternatives. During Hornbill Festival (Dec 1-10), hotels sell out 6+ months ahead and prices triple. For off-festival visits, mid-range properties work well.
La Colline Resort Kohima
Quality mid-range Kohima hotel with consistent reviews — comfortable rooms, proximity to Kisama (12 km for Hornbill Festival). Book 6+ months ahead for Dec festival dates; off-season rates are 50% lower.
No value pick here that's worth the flag. See alternatives below.
No location pick here that's worth the flag. See alternatives below.
No x-factor pick here that's worth the flag. See alternatives below.
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Neighborhood guide
Where to base yourself, by vibe.
Daily Budget Reality
Budget
₹1,800Mid-range
₹4,200Luxury
₹8,000💡 Hornbill Festival entry ₹20 Indians, ₹500 foreigners. ILP is free online.
Crowd Intelligence
Best days: Any
Dec 1-10 Hornbill Festival is THE time to visit. Book everything months ahead. Rest of winter is quiet and pleasant.
Food & Dining
Cuisine: Naga, North Indian
Naga cuisine is meat-heavy — smoked pork with bamboo shoot, axone (fermented soybean), and raja mircha (king chili, world's hottest). Try local rice beer. Heritage village restaurants during Hornbill are unmissable.
How to Reach
🌍 For International Travelers
Cultural Context
Nagaland capital with WWII history (Battle of Kohima). Angami Naga tribal culture. Hornbill Festival in December is the biggest tribal festival. Naga people are majority Christian.
What to Wear
Modest — conservative dressing recommended. Warm layers at 1,444m.
Food Safety
Restaurants serve Naga cuisine (pork, smoked meats, axone/fermented soybean), North Indian, and Chinese. Vegetarian options very limited. Safe in established places. Bottled water.
Common Scams to Watch For
- None — Naga hospitality is genuine
Cards & Cash
Limited — ATMs available (SBI, Axis). Better hotels accept cards. Cash preferred for most transactions.
English Spoken
Moderate — state capital with educated population. Nagamese (Naga pidgin) widely used.
Phone & SIM
Airtel and Jio work in Kohima town. Patchy in outskirts.
Nearest Embassy
Kolkata (~1,500km). Guwahati (~330km).
e-Visa for India. ILP MANDATORY — apply at Dimapur checkpoint or online. Kohima is the ILP processing hub.
Meet the Locals
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