Nagaland-Dzuleke / Dzukou Valley Experience | CampMonk - June

Keneka Ase! 

We are just asking, ‘how are you?’ in Nagamese. Since you will be spending a major portion of your time in Nagaland it is good to get prepped up, isn’t it? Though English is the official language and most people understand it, Nagamese, a pidgin/creole arising out of Assamese, Hindi, English and various Naga languages is what is spoken across the state. 

We sincerely hope that this trip turns out to be a memorable one for you, giving you happy memories for a lifetime. Now let's move to the specifics of the tour. 

Highlight

The trip will include travelling and exploring the heritage village Khonoma, also the first green village in Asia. Dzuleke, paradise hidden away from the hustle of the city. Jakhama, vibrant village with the best view of rice fields. Kohima, the capital depicting the modern day Nagaland and Dzukou Valley. 

Itinerary - 
 

Day 1 : Greet Nagaland! 

Meet at TCP Junction, Kohima at the latest you can arrive. It will be ideal for you to reach latest by 10 am. You will be greeted by the ChaloHoppo Guy who will be with you throughout the trip as a guide, companion, and a friend to enhance the experience of this memorable trip. 
Head to Khonoma and ease in your Homestay. 

Take an hour drive to Khonoma and reach your homestay. Get comfortable in your beds and get lost in the view from your balcony. Freshen up and relax with some lal chai to the view Khonoma has to present you.
Fish and smoke the local tobacco by the stream. 

Learn to catch fishes and cut firewood to prepare your own bonfire. Smoke the freshly made local tobacco. Head to a local house and cook your river snack. Interact with locals and shop the handicrafts made by the locals
 *There will be a professional local guide to help you out. 
Dine with the Locals. 

Time to have some finger licking Naga cuisine with your host family. Share your experiences so far and learn the culture over a meal. Good time to get some tips on how to cook a perfect Naga cuisine. 
 

Day 2 
Wake up to sunrise and capture the moment. 

The sun rises in the northeast so if you are an early bird, it's a perfect sunrise moment for you. Capture the sunrise over the beautiful valley. 
Heritage Village Walk. 

After breakfast head for a heritage walk in the village to the morungs, forts accompanied with the local guide. Time for a story trail where you will be enlightened with the stories of warriors and the struggles against the British the angamis of Khonoma raised back in the time. 
Freshen up and leave for Dzuleke. 

After your morning routines, we head for an hour drive to Dzuleke. Soak in the fresh air and the memorable drive through the forests. 
Blow the horn and call the Mithuns. 

On the way, call out to Mithuns or commonly known as Gayals, will come out to you once you blow the horn! Watch the magnificent beasts wander around and eat salt from your own hand. 
Hike up to surrender yourself to Dzuleke. 

Hike up to the hills or wander in the forests, or just sit with your empty thoughts and admire the pure surroundings of this paradise. Give the local mythical stories an ear and watch sky shift colours as the sun sets. 

Walk in the village and head for dinner. 

Roam around in the village with only 35 houses. Admire the beautiful houses and taste the local wines. Head for dinner and relax in the cosy homestay. 
 

Day 3 
Wake up to the birds chirping and greet your breakfast. 

After having a sound sleep, stretch your arms to the sound of the birds in the background. Eat the healthy breakfast at your homestay and pack up for Kohima and Jakhama. 
Head to Kohima and explore the city. 

After reaching Kohima we can head to known Kohima War Cemetery. The memorial remembers the bloodshed of 917 soldiers who died during the altercation with the Japanese during World War II. Perfect place for photography. 
Taste the Naga Cuisine. 

After exploring the War Cemetery, we head to the nearby local restaurant to taste the authentic Naga cuisine. Non-vegetarians can try their tongues on fresh servings of snails, silkworms, frogs, worms cooked the Naga way at Chingtsuong Restaurant.
 Vegetarians can head for pure veg. Yaotsu’s Veggie Table Restaurant, known for delicious South Indian and Chinese cuisine. 

This meal will not be covered by us. 
 

Street walk around Kohima Market and City. 

It’s time to step into the city and explore. A street walk through the city to the markets of Kohima will give you the best chance to flow with the Angami air.
 Faces, compact cosy wooden houses, rainbow gardens, the narrow-lane underground markets, allies leading to the scenic view of Kohima, a photographer’s delight. Shop the local Naga Dao, the Naga Shawl, bamboo shoots, and the best souvenirs you can pick up from Kohima. 
Head to Camp Yedikha. 

After the city walk, we head to our campsite in Jakhama village. Enjoy the beautiful 1-hour drive and after settling in the tents, enjoy the view on offer from the campsite, sipping hot laal chaa! 
Explore Jakhama: Village Walk. 

Post lunch we go to village walking in Jakhama. The village has a very serene feel about it. We will have guides taking us through the village while narrating the history of the village.
 Get together and have fun sitting beside the stream. Splash up or get drenched, it’s your time to admire sun setting over Jakhama. 
Bonfire and Sip on some Rice Beer Night. 

The evenings get chilly in Nagaland, so sit around a nicely lit bonfire. Wrap around the shawls bring out the woollen caps, it's going to be cold.
 Have the local fresh made Rice Beer; get high like the Nagas do while munching on some Naga delicacies! 

Dinner for both Veg. And Non-Veg. Dine all but don’t waste! 
 

Day 4 
Wake up for Dzukou. 

Today is the day to visit the alien bamboo land, Dzukou Valley. We have to be up early and ready by 7 am. Post Breakfast, we charge on the sumos waiting for us. 
Trek to Dzukou. 

The trek to Dzukou will take maximum 4 hours considering the first time and slow trekkers. It’s a bit steep, slippery climb up the stairs. It starts with an hour hiking up to the view point. 

Reach the viewpoint and soak in the fresh air, sadly very rare these days. What follows now is a straight trail along the sea of bamboos. The trek should not take more than 2 hours. Walk, look around, stand, breathe, soak in! Let Dzukou be your guide. 
Reach the Dormitory. 

Our abode for the night will be the only dormitory present in the valley. Relax your calves, stretch out and energize yourself with hot cuppa Noodles. 
Sunset with Laal Chaa. 

Admire the beauty Dzukou is while you sip on some laal chaa. Watch one of the most serene sunsets one can come across.
 We will have professional guides throughout to make sure you don’t get lost in this beautiful land. 
Stargaze. 

Sit through the cold winds to count the uncountable stars in the sky. Gift yourself the sight of trails of Milky Way. It’s going to be COLD. We will have dinner cooked and feel free to help us. It’s the camping experience that counts!
 Sleep tight, it will be COLD. 
 

Day 5 
Head to the Green Valley. 

Wake up early to head down to the main valley. In the backdrop of barren burnt hills find the golden valley below. Walk through the and catch the sun rise over the glistening Dzukou river.