Kohima - India HillTop Trips - Splendid hills and Majestic retreats

Kohima is the state capital of Nagaland. It is less than 3 hours drive from Dimapur on the National Highway No 39. Kohima is a hill station situated at an altitude of 1495 m above sea level. It has a population of only 53,100. It was here that the Japanese advance during the second world war was halted by the British and Indian forces.

Hill Resort | Elevation | Travel | Season | Tourist places | Accommodation | Location | Kohima Map

The Hill Resort

The Past

Kohima was founded alongside the large Angami village known as Kohima Village. It has earned its name in history as the place where the Japanese tide during World War II was halted.

Situated at an altitude of 195 meters above sea level is Dimapur, an important commercial center of Nagaland. Dimapur hosts the only airport in Nagaland and is also well connected with the neighboring states of Manipur, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram by National Highway 39. It is also the main railhead in Nagaland.

Kohima has been profusely showered with Nature's bounty. Besides the varied flora, the fauna of Kohima too boasts of its exotica. The Fakim Sanctuary, close to the Myanmar border, receives high rainfall and is inhabited by tigers and hoolock gibbons. The Pulie Badze Sanctuary is a ringed-in 9-sq-km area that lies in the proximity of Kohima. Located at a distance of 37 km from Dimapur, the Intanki Wildlife Sanctuary has some rare species of birds.

Shopping

The Sales Emporium, New Market, provides you with a choice of a wide range of Naga handicrafts such as the colourful and warm Naga shawls, shoulder bags, wood carvings, bamboo baskets etc. It is situated in the heart of Kohima town, opposite the State Bus Station. There are also super markets where one can shop for handloom and handicrafts. Each Naga tribe has its own distinctive design on its shawls and the most famous one is the red, black and white Tsungkotepsu of the Ao Nagas.

Entry Formalities

Domestic tourists visiting Nagaland require to obtain Inner Line Permits issued by the Additional Deputy Commissioner, Dimapur; Deputy Commissioner, Kohima and Mokokchung; Deputy Resident Commissioner at Nagaland House in Calcutta and Delhi; and Assistant Resident Commissioner, Shillong. A minimal permit fee is realized from each applicant. Detailed information can be had from the Directorate of Tourism, Nagaland, Kohima (Ph: 2544). All foreign tourists desiring to visit Nagaland require Restricted Area Permit from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, South Block, New Delhi. The Office of the State Resident Commissioner in New Delhi (Ph: 011-3012296) is also helpful.

When you go home, tell them of us: that for their tomorrow, we gave our today, reads an epitaph in the War Cemetery of Kohima. This picturesque town is the home of the brave and daring, yet simple and innocent, Naga tribes. Lapped in the eastern frontiers of the Himalayan mountain range, Kohima is marked by an unhurried pace of life, calm and serene environs and fresh, unpolluted air, which make a welcome change for a jaded city dweller. A typical Naga town, it depicts the exotic tribal culture of the northeast and offers a panoramic view of the neighboring hills.

Elevation

Kohima - 1500 meters.

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Location Details

Situated in the southwest part of the northeastern state of Nagaland, Kohima is a hill station perched at an altitude of 1500 meters above sea level. This capital town is at a distance of 339 km from Guwahati, 145 km from Imphal and 74 km from Dimapur. The National Highway 39 connects it to both Dimapur and Imphal.

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How to Reach There and Distances

Kohima is 3965 km from Thiruvananthapuram, 3271 km from Srinagar, 2748 km from Shimla, 410 km from Shillong, 1369 km from Patna, 3512 km from Panaji, 3175 km from Chennai, 1856 km from Lucknow, 690 km from Agartala, 2944 km from Ahmedabad, 2826 km from Amritsar, 3366 km from Bangalore, 2394 km from Bhopal, 1977 km from Bhubaneshwar, 3193 km from Mumbai, 1497 km from Calcutta, 2629 km from Chandigarh, 973 km from Darjeeling, 2380 km from Delhi, 971 km from Gangtok, 246 km from Guwahati, 2800 km from Hyderabad, 123 km from Imphal, 372 km from Itanagar, 2410 km from Jaipur and 2966 km from Jammu.

By Air

The nearest airport is at Dimapur. Indian Airlines operates Boeing services from both Calcutta and Delhi every alternate day. Guwahati and Imphal are also connected to Dimapur by air.

By Rail

The nearest railhead too is Dimapur, and the Northeast Frontier Railway runs a number of trains from Dimapur to Guwahati. Guwahati is in turn well connected to the rest of the country.

Road

Nagaland State Transport runs services form Dimapur to Kohima. Blue Hills Travels runs luxury coaches from Guwahati which connect with Kohima and all other state capitals of the North-Eastern region states. Dimapur near Kohima is well connected with the neighbouring states of Manipur,Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura and Mizoram by National Highway No. 39.

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Accommodation

Book Rooms and Resorts at Kohima using yatra.com

Where To Stay

Kohima offers very few choices as far as lodges are concerned. A few good private hotels and the Tourist Lodge (Ph: 22417) are the only places to stay. Twenty-five percent of the rent for accommodation in the Tourist Lodge is required to be paid in advance either in cash or by money order at the time of booking.

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Best Season to Visit/Weather

It experiences around 250 cm of annual rainfall. While summers are tropical, winters are dry and bitterly cold.

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Tourist places near Kohima

Sites To Visit

The highway from Imphal to Dimapur-the route along which the Japanese hoped to reach the plains of India-crosses the saddle at the foot of the World War II Cemetery. These immaculate gardens stand as a memorial to the Allies who died on this very spot during the three-month Battle of Kohima that ended in April 1944. Each grave is supported by a bronze plaque with a suitable epitaph.

The Catholic Cathedral: at the Aradura hill is an important landmark in Kohima for it is one of the biggest Cathedrals in the whole North-East and house the biggest cross in India made of wood.

The Nagaland State Museum, about 1 1/2 km north, is a one-stop treasure trove where one can get a glimpse into Naga culture through history. Here one can find dioramas of each tribe being displayed. The main items exhibited are gateposts, statues, pillars, jewelry, and a ceremonial drum that looks like a dug-out war canoe in a separate shed. This canoe suggests that the Nagas may have originated from Sumatra. The basement of the museum has birds and animals of northeastern hill states.

The Zoological Park abounds in rich flora and fauna of Nagaland. Of special interest is the world famous Blythe Tragopan. In the heart of the town, one can see the last relics of the Kachari kingdom.

The World War II Cemetery is in a beautiful setting, with well maintained lawns and flowers. It was raised as citation for the supreme sacrifices made by the officers. Each grave is supported by a bronze plaque with a suitable epitaph that make one reflect on the freedom that we take for granted.

Sites Nearby

The village of Khonoma is situated about 10 km from Kohima. It has terraced fields which produce 20 types of paddy at different elevations and it presents a beautiful view. The Khonoma gate relates the story of British infiltration into Naga Hills.

Just 5 km away, on the Dimapur-Kohima Road is Ruzaphema, a place ideally suited for leisure and recreation with its colorful bazaars and a wide range of tribal handicrafts that are exquisite in their style, and unique in their own way.

Around 10 km from Kohima is the village of Khonoma that abounds in stories of valor and courage. The terraced fields, which produce 20 types of paddy at different elevations, present a beautiful view. The Khonoma gate relates the tragic story of British infiltration into Naga Hills in 1879.

Situated at an altitude of 3,048 meters above sea level, 15 km from Kohima is the Japfu Peak. It is the second highest peak of Kohima and ideally suited for trekking and scaling. The sight of Kohima from here is breathtakingly beautiful.

Dzukou valley is one of the best trekking spots in the northeast region at an altitude of 2,438 meters above sea level, behind Japfu Peak and 30 km to the south of Kohima. The entire valley is overshadowed with a type of tough bamboo brush that makes the place appear like a mowed lawn. White and yellow lilies and numerous other flowers adorn the valley in summers, while rhododendrons ornament the hills surrounding the valley.

Mokokchung and Zunheboto, situated 160 and 150 km respectively from Kohima are picturesque towns at great heights. Mokokchung is a cultural center of the Ao Nagas. Here the main festivals of the Aos-Moatsu and Tsungremmong-are celebrated during the first week of May and August respectively.

Japfu Peak is situated at an altitude of 3,048 m above sea level and is about 15 km away from Kohima. It is the second highest peak of Kohima and ideally suited for trekking and scaling. One can have a good view of Kohima from here.

Dimapur is an important commercial centre of Nagaland and is situated at an altitude of 195 m above sea level. It is the only Airport in Nagaland and is also connected with the neighbouring states. The town has the last relics of the Kachari Kingdom. Ruzaphema is ideally suited for leisure and recreation with its colourful bazaars and wide range of tribal handicrafts which are exquisite in their style.

Fakim Sanctuary is close to the Myanmer border and is famous for the variety of wildlife and scenic beauty. It is close to the Myanmar border and receives high rainfall. It is inhabited by tigers and Hoolock gibbons. Pulie Badze Sanctuary also lies near Kohima.