Kohima travel guide
Scenic hill capital
Kohima is a scenic hill capital known for its war history, vibrant tribal culture, surrounding villages, trekking routes, and panoramic landscapes, making it a unique destination blending heritage, nature, and adventure in Northeast India.
Best time to visit Kohima
Oct–Apr is the season: Nov–Mar is dry and cool, and the Hornbill Festival fills early December. May–Sep is very wet, with landslides on the roads.
| Month | Verdict | Temperature | Rain | Crowds | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | best | 5–16 °C | 10 mm | low | Cold mornings and evenings, frost possible; dry, clear days |
| February | best | 7–19 °C | 30 mm | low | Cool and dry; Sekrenyi festival in Angami villages late in the month |
| March | best | 11–24 °C | 50 mm | low | Mild and mostly dry; pleasant for village walks and treks |
| April | good | 13–25 °C | 100 mm | low | Pleasant, with more frequent afternoon showers |
| May | mixed | 15–25 °C | 190 mm | low | Pre-monsoon rain on many days; landslide risk begins |
| June | mixed | 17–26 °C | 250 mm | low | Monsoon sets in; misty, wet days and slippery roads |
| July | mixed | 17–26 °C | 330 mm | low | Very wet; landslides and road closures are common |
| August | mixed | 17–26 °C | 340 mm | low | Heavy rain continues; allow extra time on the road to Dimapur |
| September | mixed | 16–26 °C | 270 mm | low | Rain easing late in the month; roads still landslide-prone |
| October | good | 14–24 °C | 130 mm | low | Monsoon ends; green hills and clearing skies |
| November | best | 9–22 °C | 25 mm | low | Dry, clear and cool; good for treks and village visits |
| December | best | 5–17 °C | 5 mm | high | Cold nights; Hornbill Festival (1–10 Dec) fills hotels early |
How many days to spend in Kohima
Two days cover the War Cemetery, State Museum and Kisama Heritage Village; a third adds Khonoma village, and two more allow an overnight trek to Dzükou Valley.
How to reach Kohima
- By air: Dimapur (DMU) — 65 km by road. Most visitors arrive via Dimapur and continue by road
- By train: Dimapur (DMV) — 69 km by road
- By road: From Dimapur — 69 km. Buses and shared taxis run up from Dimapur
Getting around
Walk around the centre; local taxis are easy to find, and shared line taxis from BOC junction run to Kisama and Kigwema. Hire a taxi for Khonoma.
Things to do in Kohima
- Kisama Heritage Village — Festival heritage site (2.5 h · Free entry)
- Kohima War Cemetery — WWII memorial site (1 h · Free entry)
- Khonoma village — Green village (4 h · Free entry)
- Japfü Peak — Second highest peak (6 h)
- Kachari Rajbari (Ruins of a Fort) — Ancient ruins site (1 h)
- Khonoma — Eco friendly village
- Doyang River — Major river (3 h · Free entry)
- Tuophema Tourist Village — Tourist village stay (2.5 h)
- Intanki National Park — National park (4 h · Paid entry)
- Nagaland Heritage Village — Traditional village (2 h · Paid entry)
- Triple Falls Seithekema — Scenic waterfall (2 h)
- Sabangya Longkhum Road — Scenic hill village
- Khonoma Sanctuary Fall — Wildlife sanctuary (2 h)
- Glory Peak — Highest peak (2.5 h)
- Mount Tiyi College — Sacred hill
- Khrokhropfü wildlife sanctuary — Bird sanctuary (3 h)
- Mt. Pauna, Benreu village — Hill peak (3 h · Free entry)
- Puliebadze, Jotsoma Village — Wildlife sanctuary (3 h)
- Nagaland Zoological Park — Zoo and park (2.5 h · ₹20 to ₹40)
- Mopungchuket — Cultural village
- Pfutsero — High altitude town
- Chümoukedima Viewpoint — Hill viewpoint (1 h · Free entry)
- Pfutsero town — High altitude town
- Nagaland State Museum — Cultural museum (1.5 h · ₹10, ₹50 for photography (2019 listing))
- Tuophema — Tourist village stay
- Dzükou Camp Site - Viswema — Camping valley spot (9 h)
- Ungma — Oldest Ao village
- Khezhakeno — Historic village
- Doyang Hydro Project — Hydel project
- Benreu Tourist Village — Scenic viewpoint (2 h · Free entry)
- Shilloi Lake — Scenic lake (2 h · Free entry)
- Craft Showroom Nagaland, Diezephe Craft Vill — Handicraft village (1 h · Free entry)
- Dzuleke Village — Peaceful eco village (3 h)
- NEZCC Office — Cultural centre
- Sukhai Village — Traditional village (1.5 h · Free entry)
- Zhavame village — Traditional village (1.5 h · Free entry)
- Dhansiri River — River viewpoint
- Cathedral of Kohima (Mary Help of Christians Church) — Large hill cathedral (45 min · Free entry)
- Viswema — Popular trek base
- Nagaland Science Centre — Science museum (2 h · Paid entry)
- Dovipie Inn — Village stay
- Meluri Village — Remote village
- Temple — Spiritual temple
- Jotsoma — Hilltop village
- Satakha Village Ground — Hill village (1 h · Free entry)
- Kigwema — Cultural village
- Agri Expo — Expo centre
- Zakhama — Trekking base village
- Medziphema — Nearby town
Food to try in Kohima
- Pork with fermented bamboo shoot — The classic Naga pork dish; the bamboo shoot adds a sharp, sour flavour
- Naga chilli chutney — Very hot chutney of local chillies, often the king chilli (Raja Mircha)
- Beef pickle with Raja Mircha — Spicy beef pickle made with the fiery Naga king chilli
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Kohima?
Oct–Apr is the season: Nov–Mar is dry and cool, and the Hornbill Festival fills early December. May–Sep is very wet, with landslides on the roads.
How many days are enough for Kohima?
2–5 days. Two days cover the War Cemetery, State Museum and Kisama Heritage Village; a third adds Khonoma village, and two more allow an overnight trek to Dzükou Valley.
How do I reach Kohima?
By air: Dimapur (DMU) — 65 km by road. Most visitors arrive via Dimapur and continue by road. By train: Dimapur (DMV) — 69 km by road. By road: From Dimapur — 69 km. Buses and shared taxis run up from Dimapur.
What are the top things to do in Kohima?
Kisama Heritage Village, Kohima War Cemetery, Khonoma village, Japfü Peak, Kachari Rajbari (Ruins of a Fort), Khonoma.
Plan your Kohima trip
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Guide checked on 2026-10-06.