Kelhou Kevira
The Land of Angami Nagas
Introduction
In the Tenyidie language of the Angami Nagas, Kelhou Kevira means “the place where life is good.”
We’ve designed “Kelhou Kevira” for you to experience the community life of the Angami Nagas in Nagaland.
Angami is one of 18 major ethnic groups living in Nagaland.
Over the six days in the southern and northern Angami region, you will walk through villages, interact with the locals, know about their history, and participate together in activities that make you feel alive.
Itinerary
Day One - Rest and Chill.
Your journey starts from Dimapur – gateway to Nagaland.
Leaving the plains, you will head towards the Naga hills.
A turn on the road, and the magnificent view of Kohima lying on a long stretch of a hill top will welcome you.
The three hour journey will end at a homestay in Jakhama Village.
From the homestay, enjoy the beautiful view of the neighboring hills beyond which lies the green rolling hills of Dzukou Valley.
After resting for a while we will go for a walk around the village.
As we settle in, get to know your host and some stories at the homestay.
Day Two - Village life & the Paddy Field experience.
A village visit would be incomplete without visiting the paddy field, right?
Your day will start by visiting the terrace paddy fields of Jakhama Village in the backdrop of the towering hills.
Depending on the season, you’ll get to experience sowing, harvesting, and participating with the locals.
Lunch will be provided at the paddy field.
We will then go for a village walk interacting with the locals, visit granaries, learn about their architecture and culture.
Day Three - Kohima : Past and the Present.
A Day Visit to Kohima – the capital of Nagaland.
At Kisama Heritage Village we will witness the traditional houses – morungs, of all 18 ethnic groups of Nagaland.
The Cathedral of Kohima – the main church near the top of the town, gives you a panoramic view of the city.
You’ll then visit the local market in BOC in Kohima known for its diverse local products.
If you love flowers and thrift shopping, you can go for it there.
At the Kohima War Cemetery, reading the names, letters engraved by their loved ones, will remind you how they sacrificed their life and defeated the Japanese Army.
You are free to enjoy the evening on your own – walking around the city, visiting coffee houses, and night life.
We will stay in Kohima.
Day Four - In Asia’s First Green Village.
Enjoying the view of Mt. Puliebadze, we will cross Jotsoma, a beautiful town to reach Khonoma – Asia’s first Green Village.
We’ll take a quick stop before reaching Khonoma – at a viewpoint facing the terrace fields.
Reaching Khonoma, we will start our guided village walk.
You will learn about bravery and history of the village, meet the locals, and buy from shops where there are no shopkeepers.
We will visit the Morungs – their traditional culture learning youth dormitory and communal gathering place among others.
Stay at Khonoma.
Day Five - A Day of No Rush in Dzuleke
Traveling for about one hour in the morning, we will reach Dzuleke – a remote village, with a calm river stream, and away from the network zone. Sounds peaceful, isn’t it?
The day will be filled with forest walks, mithun sightings, birdwatching and spending time by river stream.
Imagine yourself sitting by the river with feet immersed in the water and reflecting on your journey.
You can also paint or sketch looking at the beautiful paddy fields, the river and the green hills.
We will stay at Dzuleke.
Day Six - Into The land of the Tuophe
In the morning, we will head towards the northern Angami region of Kohima district.
Today’s destination would be Tuophema Tourist Village. The village named after the Tuophe tree – the local Angami name for the Erithrina (Indian coral) tree.
Reaching Botsa we will have our lunch near the Tuophema entry Gate.
Once we arrive at the Tuophema Tourist Cottage, you can rest for an hour after which we will visit the beautifully preserved village museum followed by the guided village walk.
Curious about how announcements, alarms, and war signals were made in the olden days? Try playing the huge long drum near the museum and experience it for yourself.
During the village walk, you will learn about interesting folklore of the Angami Nagas, old megalithic rituals, visit the local Morung, and a historical tree.
As we walk back to our cottages, we will enjoy the sunset view.
Traditional dinner will be served. We can try Angami Naga dishes like Ghalo, Bamboo-baked fish, and homemade rice beer.
Stay at Tuophema
Day Seven - Npezié and Sayonara!
After a healthy breakfast meal, we will return to Kohima and drop you in Dimapur.
Bonus additions
This journey can be extended through additional explorations such as hiking trip to Dzukou Valley or Mt. Japfu, short forest walks in Tuophema, and a trekking expedition to the highest peak of Nagaland – Mt. Saramati.
How the Itinerary works
Over the six days, we will visit Angami Villages, paddy fields, forest trails, and traditional community spaces.
Each village has its own history and there’s always something new to observe and learn.
You will not only experience the village life, but also the city life, the fashion style, food, and history of Kohima town.
Guided walks introduce traditional storage systems such as rice granaries, morungs, traditional houses, and folklores.
Food
Meals will be prepared from locally grown produce and season ingredients.
Picnic lunch will be provided in Jakhama paddy field and Dzuleke day visit.
Stays
Accommodation is arranged in local homestays and community cottages.
Rooms are arranged on a twin sharing basis unless requested otherwise.
How to Reach and Weather
Your “Kelhou Kevira – The Land of Angami Nagas” journey starts in Dimapur.
It has a domestic airport and railway station and is well connected by roads.
From the plains of Dimapur, the journey gradually ascends into the hills, eventually reaching Jakhama village in Kohima district of Nagaland.
The road journey becomes scenic as we start entering the hills.
Is This For You?
This journey is for a traveller who wants to enjoy their holidays at an easy pace visiting remote Angami villages, paddy fields, walking in the forest trails, and interacting with the locals to understand their way of life.
The traditional architecture of the villages will fascinate you with its engravings, and stories related to their culture.
The villages like Khonoma and Dzuleke are also known for birdwatching.
If you’re lucky birds like Khalij Pheasant, Great Barbet, Oriental Turtle-Dove, Plumbeous Redstart can be spotted.
Groups are intentionally kept small, with a maximum of six guests, allowing space for context and interaction with locals along the walk.
Pricing
₹ 31,999 per person for a group of 6 individuals.
Single Occupancy that includes a private room within a homestay will be charged extra.
You can join “Kelhou Kevira – The Land of Angami Nagas” throughout the year.
Includes
- Accommodation in local homestays
- Meals: All Breakfast and Dinner and lunches on Day 1, Day 3, Day 4.
- All internal transfers from Dimapur to Dimapur
- Guided village, nature walks and short hikes.
- Entry Permits for villages, museums and mentioned activities
- Inner Line Permit for Nagaland
- Trip Leader throughout the journey.
Excludes
- Travel Insurance
- Personal expenses.
- Flights and trains to and from Dimapur.
- Single occupancy homestay charges.
- Additional accommodation outside itinerary dates.
- Alcoholic beverages apart from local rice beer.
- Any services not mentioned in inclusions.