Hornbill Festival

Festival location:         Kohima (Nagaland). India

Festival date:               1-10 December 2027

Hornbill is the most glamorous cultural festival celebrated in one of the most remote part of the world. The festival is named to signify the Nagas’ devotion to the hornbill bird, which has historically been a part of their folklore. The Hornbill Festival Tour provides a glimpse into the kaleidoscopic cultures and ethnicities of Nagaland and other states of North East India. All the tribes gather at the foothills of Mount Japfü, at the venue of the festival- Naga Heritage Village, Kisama, which is at a short distance from Kohima, the capital city of Nagaland. There are a host of activities that take place such as cultural performances, indigenous games, craft bazaar, music events, fashion events, cycling competition, motor sporting competition, kids’ carnival, floral galleria, food courts, and film festival to leave visitor spellbound.

Day 1    Arrival Delhi

Arrive Delhi international flight. Welcome and transfer to hotel. Hotel  check-in time 1400 hour. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2     In Delhi

Breakfast at the hotel.

Take a Delhi metro train from central Delhi and travel upto Old Part of Delhi, it is a great experience travel with locals in Delhi. Upon arrival Old Delhi visit Jama Masjid, – The largest mosque in India Drive past Chandni Chowk, once and an imperial avenue of Mughal Royalty which today is the busiest commercial area of the city. Visit Raj Ghat (memorial to Mahatma Gandhi).

Continue your sightseeing tour of New Delhi, with visiting 12th century Qutab Minar, gracefully hand-carved for its entire height of 234ft, and the iron pillar, which has withstood the ravages of time and not rusted even after 1500 years. Drive past the India Gate (war memorial dedicated to the lives of laid down by the Indian soldiers), the  president’s residence – formerly the Viceroy’s Palace, parliament House and the Secretariat buildings,- an interesting blend of the Victorian and 20th century architecture.

On the way to hotel, visit the Bangla Sahib Gurudwara (Sikh temple) and witness prayer ceremony and rituals. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 3   Delhi to Dimapur (Flight / 3 hours) to Kohima (2 hour drive)

After early breakfast at the hotel, in time transfer to Delhi airport to board flight for Dimapur.

Upon arrival in Dimapur drive to Kohima. Upon reaching the camp, you are accorded the traditional welcome of the tribes of Nagaland. Spend the evening relaxing in the serene environs of the camp. Enjoy a drink by the campfire followed by a feast expertly created by the camp Chef. Overnight stay in the camp.

Day 05    Hornbill Festival

After breakfast take a short tour visiting some local market and World War II cemetery. Kohima War Cemetery is a memorial dedicated to soldiers of the 2nd British Division of the Allied Forces who died in the Second World War at Kohima. The Kohima Epitaph is the epitaph carved on the Memorial of the 2nd British Division in the cemetery of Kohima (North-East India). It reads: ‘When You Go Home, Tell Them Of Us And Say, For Your Tomorrow, We Gave Our Today.

Later drive to the Kisama Village for the spectacular Hornbill Festival. The name of festival is derived from the bird which plays a very important role in the folklore of these tribes. Today, we will witness the attire, folk music, dance forms, headgear, cuisines, paintings, handicrafts, and other intricacies of the varied tribes and sub-tribes of the state. As the sun sets, the enthusiasm of the festival multiplies. Enjoy the music of one of the many talented Naga rock bands performing at the festival. Explore the night bazaar for local artifacts and relish some Naga delicacies. Enjoy fashion show featuring traditional tribal wear and contemporary designs. Late night we will return to Camp for overnight stay.

Day 06     Hornbill Festival

Morning after relaxing breakfast again visit Hornbill Festival. The day is to enjoy performance of traditional dances not only from Nagaland but from all the North Eastern states of India names as ‘seven sisters’. We will also get a chance to see tribal houses as the Kisama village Complex consists of a cluster of sixteen houses of each tribe created in the indigenous typical architectural design and concept. The tribal house is called “Morung or Youth Dormitory” in local language which depicts Colourful life and culture of 16 recognized Naga tribes. Later afternoon return to Camp for overnight stay.

Day 07    Village Tour (Khonoma & Kigwema)

Full day is dedicated to visit tribal villages near Kohima. Visit of Khonoma village known for valor and courage of its tribal people. It is also a fine example of alternative form of living in full harmony with nature. The Naga tribes who live here used to go for mass hunt for their food and used to indulge in other practices which would harm nature. But, today, it has been converted into an eco-friendly village and has unique water system as the water is piped long distances using bamboo. This village is very scenic and surrounded by green rice terraces.

Explore the Kigwema village which is a charming old village of the Angami tribe. Kigwema means ‘inheritance of the house’, as it is said that many other Angami villages originated from here only. Walk through the lanes of the village and see their traditional houses with wooden pillars. Later also visit Jakhama village to experience the real Angami Naga tribal way of living. Later afternoon return to Camp for overnight stay.

Day 08    Kohima – Kaziranga (6 hour drive)

After breakfast drive to Kaziranga, upon arrival check-in at the resort. Balance day at leisure. Dinner and overnight stay at the resort.

Day 09      In Kaziranga

Early morning explore Western Zone of Kaziranga National Park on back of elephant. Apart from world’s endangered One-horned Rhinoceros, the Park sustains half the world’s population of genetically pure Wild Water Buffaloes, over 1000 Wild elephants and perhaps the densest population of Royal Bengal Tigers anywhere. Kaziranga is also a bird watcher’s paradise and home to some 500 species of birds. The Crested Serpent Eagle, Palla’s Fishing Eagle, Greyheaded Fishing Eagle, Swamp Partridge, Bar-headed goose, whistling Teal, Bengal Florican, Storks, Herons and Pelicans are some of the species found here. Return to the resort for breakfast. Afternoon enjoy jeep safari through the Central Zone of the National Park.

Dinner and overnight stay at the resort.

Day 10      Kaziranga – Guwahati (4-5 hour drive)

Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning drive to Guwahati, upon arrival proceed visit Kamakhya Temple.

Kamakhya temple – Situated atop the Nilachal Hills, the foremost shrine of Assam, Kamakhya is an ancient seat of Tantrik and Shakti cults of Hinduism – The temple offers grandstand views of the river Brahmaputra and its surroundings – The reigning deity here is Goddess Parvati (Sati) – Legend has it that the body of sati was dismembered and it is believed that of the pieces of her body which were scattered across the land and fell on the Nilachal hill – The temple here is called Yoni Pith – The shrine finds mention in the inscription of King Samudragupta’s pillar at Allahabad – A rush of devotees throngs the temple during the Ambubachi Puja – Close to Kamakhya temple is Bubhaneshwari temple from where one can have a panoramic view of the Brahmaputra River and the city. Later check-in at the hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel. 

Day 11      Guwahati – Delhi (By flight)

Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning at leisure for independent activities. This afternoon in time transfer to airport to board your flight for Delhi. Upon arrival transfer to Delhi international airport to connect your flight for onward destination. 

*Note:* This is a sample itinerary, highlighting the possibilities within a given time frame. We can tailor the tour to meet your specific needs. Share your expectations with us, and we will create a memorable experience. Contact us for a personalized holiday.