Peak Season
Kohima in December
Nagaland, India
December is Hornbill Festival month — 16 Naga tribes gather at Kisama Heritage Village (Dec 1-10) for the Festival of Festivals.
The December story
Hornbill Festival is a once-in-a-lifetime experience: Naga warrior dances, fire-eating, log drumming, traditional wrestling, tribal cuisine stalls (smoked pork, king chili), music concerts, and craft bazaar. Book everything 2 months ahead. Prices double during festival. Dress warm — 4°C mornings. Post-festival (Dec 11-31) is quiet and cold but the War Cemetery and heritage sites are atmospheric in winter light.
Why December scores 5/5
Weather
Hornbill Festival (Dec 1-10). 4-18°C. Cold but THE reason to visit Kohima.
Roads & Access
self drive: Doable — parking limited in city.. road condition: NH29 Dimapur-Kohima decent but winding. City roads narrow and steep.. public transport: Shared taxis from Dimapur. City taxis/autos.. from nearest city: Dimapur — 74km, 3hr (mountainous road). Guwahati — 340km, 8hr.. last km difficulty: moderate — mountain road from Dimapur
Safety & Emergency
Safety: 3/5. rescue: SDMA Nagaland. helpline: 100, 108. ambulance: 108 active in Nagaland. police station: Kohima North PS, Kohima South PS. nearest hospital: Naga Hospital Kohima — government, decent. Zion Hospital (private)
Network
VI: No, JIO: Yes, BSNL: Yes, NOTE: Yes, AIRTEL: Yes. Good 4G in Kohima city. Very patchy outside city. No signal at Dzukou Valley.
Kids
Kid-friendly (3/5) — Hornbill Festival is spectacular for older kids, War Cemetery is educational, Cultural exposure to tribal traditions
Elevation
1,444m — Low altitude, no issues
Who should go
- ✓Travelers with basic fitness
- ✓Families with children
- ✓Anyone looking for the best time to visit
Who should think twice
- ✗Those with mobility issues
- ✗Anyone needing constant connectivity
- ✗Cold, expensive, crowded during festival
All 12 Months
| Month | Score | Note |
|---|---|---|
| January | 3/5 | Cold 4-18°C. Dry. Post-Hornbill quiet. Clear views. |
| February | 3/5 | Cold 5-19°C. Dry. Spring approaching. Sekrenyi Festival (Angami tribe). |
| March | 4/5 | Warming 8-22°C. Spring flowers. Pleasant trekking weather. |
| April | 3/5 | Warm 10-24°C. Pre-monsoon. Good weather. |
| May | 2/5 | Warm 12-24°C. Pre-monsoon showers. Dzukou lily begins blooming. |
| June | 1/5 | Monsoon. 14-24°C. Heavy rain. Landslides on roads. |
| July | 1/5 | Peak monsoon. Heavy rain. Roads dangerous. |
| August | 1/5 | Monsoon continues. Rain decreasing slightly. |
| September | 2/5 | Monsoon retreating. 12-22°C. Rain decreasing. |
| October | 4/5 | Post-monsoon. 10-22°C. Clear. Green hills. Pleasant. |
| November | 4/5 | Cool 8-20°C. Clear. Pre-Hornbill buzz building. |
| Decemberviewing | 5/5 | Hornbill Festival (Dec 1-10). 4-18°C. Cold but THE reason to visit Kohima. |
Practical Details
How to reach
Dimapur — 74km, 3hr (mountainous road). Guwahati — 340km, 8hr.. Roads: NH29 Dimapur-Kohima decent but winding. City roads narrow and steep.. Self-drive: Doable — parking limited in city.. Public transport: Shared taxis from Dimapur. City taxis/autos.. Last stretch: moderate — mountain road from Dimapur
Elevation
1,444m
Difficulty
moderate
Budget tier
mid-range
Nearby in Nagaland scoring high in December
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