What attracts you in Nagaland is the concoction of nature and culture. The rich cultural heritage, the picturesque landscape and the traditional legacy of this place is what makes it so popular among tourists. The relics of the past, the traditional lore, makes this place seem historic and yet contemporary. The best time to visit Nagaland is between October and May. The most popular tourist destinations are listed below.

Dimapur

      The town that welcomes you in Nagaland, the entry point of the state, is a town blessed with natural as well as historic ruins.A well connected town that has decent road conditions and offers many opportunities for exploration. Be it nature or history you will be amazed by the beauty of it. It has ruins dating back to the 13th century, the Kachari Ruins where you will find traces of Ahom invasion. You also have Nichuguard Village, Chumukedima, Seithekima Village, KukiDolong village and mezdiphama which will take you into an unforgettable journey of scenic beauty that will mesmerize you to your core. Far away from the humdrum of the city, the hustle and bustle amid the chaos and traffic, you will be surrounded here with peace rather than traffic, with nature instead of buildings, with a clean, green calm and serene atmosphere which will definitely appeal to your senses. You can also come to Dighupar where you can witness the lives of various tribes like Angami, Chakehsang, Lotha, Sumi, Ao, Sangtam, Zeliang and RengmaPouchury. You can also buy ethnic artifacts from Ruzaphema which guarantees originality.
Dimapur is the only town with an airport in the state. Its vibrant colours and deep-rootedness of culture and tradition represents authentic Nagaland.Alongwith the above mentioned attractions, Dimapur also features a Zoological Park, Diezephe Craft Village, Ao Baptist Church, Green Park, Nagaland Service Centre, Rangapahar Reserve Forest, Shiv Temple and Intanki Wildlife Sanctuary.

Kohima

      The most appealing and exhilarating city of Nagaland which also happens to be its capital. Despite being a commercial hub the city has not lost its grace and charisma. The ancient and the modern, the natural and the man-made exists in a perfect blend which paints the city in a vibrant hue that strikes a tourist and gets etched into his memory. Plenty of scenic views also abound the city and it also provides historic remains for the scholarly. The predominant tribe of this region is the Angami tribe and Kohima lets you peek into their life, their culture and traditions. Some famous tourist attractions are Japfu peak, Puliebadze peak, Tseminyu for the history lovers who can have a glimpse of ancient ruins, broken pottery, abandoned villages and much more. Other attractions include Kohima War Cemetery, Kohima Zoo, Naga Bazaar and Kohima State Museum among others.

Mon

      Mon is the land of the KonyakNagas and is a land of warriors with tattoos on their face known for their head-hunting prowess. The Konyaks call themselves descendants of Noah and generally practice agriculture. Here you can have a number of interesting encounters. For example ,if you visit Longwa you can literally have half of your body in India and the other half in Myanmar. There is also the Chief’s house where he lives with his 60 wives. Tourists remain dumbfounded after looking at the large number of trophies made of the skulls of animals. Veda Peak, Chui Village and Sangnyu village known for its wooden carving are some of the delightful places you would surely like to visit. If you visit Mon during April, you will be lucky enough to witness the AoleangMonyu Festival, the harvest festival of the Konyaks.

Mokukchung

      One of the most beautiful places in Nagaland, Mokukchung is full of life and fills tourists with wonder at its beauty and serenity. It is known for its hospitality, its festivals and its culture. Termed as a paradise for nature lovers, Longkhum is one of its destinations worth exploring. You will fall in love with these hillocks adorned with Rhododendron. The place is also known for its handloom and handicraft. Also there is a sect called Limapur who practice animist religion. Another place that will peak your interest is Ungma which is believed to be the first place founded by the Ao tribe. You can also visit the village of festivals called Chuchuyimlang where Ao festivals like Moatsu festival are celebrated.

Wokha

      Nature's gift to Nagaland, surrounded by hills and rivers, blanketed with vibrantly coloured flowers and dotted with colourful orchards, Wokha is a paradise for nature's lovers. This district is a perfect place to find peace and calm within oneself. Bask in the glory of nature here and feel mesmerized to the core. The tourist attraction above Riphyim offers splendid views of a dam in Donyanriver. The land of the Lotha tribe who are blessed in art and craft. Apart from this Totsu Cliff, Mount Tiyi, Liphanyan Governor's Camp, Water Pool, Tehurang valley, Baghty valley and Vankhosung Town are some popular places among tourists. A great time to visit Wokha is November when the Lothatribe celebrateaTokhuEmong Festival. So come over to Wokha for some sheer delight.

Tuophema Village

      A village steeped in culture and tradition, known for its ethnic style, with traditional artefacts, traditionally styled huts, jewellry, clothing, souvenir museum and traditional Naga delicacies. It is a place to go to if you want to experience authentic Naga culture. A major attraction of this place is the AngamiSekrenyi festival celebrated between the 25th and 27th of February every year.

Dzukou Valley

      This place is one of the places in Nagaland which can be boasted of for its charm, grace and beauty. This place is a mesmerizing, magical land which will take your heart, mind and breath away. Beauty in its divine form, with valleys full of flowers, the azure sky, the magic which it has in its gaze will definitely hypnotize you.Dzukou Valley is to Nagaland what 'Valley of Flowers' is to Uttarakhand. If you want to spike your adrenaline, then come, have to trek to the Valley. It's is a trekker's delight and is said to be the best trekking circuit in the country. About 30 km from Kohima, the capital, Dzukou Valley is unexplored and pristine which is full of flowers of different hues. The valley seems so beautiful that it is almost magical. The panoramic vistas, the ravines, the streams oh! What a beauty it is. John Keats rightly said “A thing of beauty is a joy forever.” Come over to the valley and experience the joy of a lifetime. It feels heavenly to be here during spring when the entire valley is blooming with flowers like the 'Daffodils' of William Wordsworth but winter here is paradise too.

Longleng

      Home to the PhomNagas who are considered exceptionally skilled in pottery, spinning and bamboo work, Longleng is mostly known for its 32 km adventurous road that is usually undertaken by adventure-seekers. This place is quiet, calm and serene where you can bask in the sun or also have picnics on the sandy beaches of the river Dikhu. The people of this place are preservers of culture and traditions mainly through their festivals. The main festival of the season is called Monyu, which marks the coming of summers and the end of winters.

Tuensang

      Home to the Chang Nagas, Tuensang is known as a place where many tribes live together. This co-habitation has resulted in a heterogeneous culture which amaze tourists. Their handloom, handicrafts, jewelry and art works are very famous. If you want to go for souvenir shopping then Tuensang is the place to go to. Changsangmonko and Chilise, Tsadang Village and Chunglimiyti are some places which you would like to visit.

Peren

      Known for its unmatched natural beauty, Peren is the rich cultural bank of Nagaland. It’s the land of Zeliagrong and Kuki tribes. The Mt. Pauna village and Bereu Village are its major attractions. Mt. Pauna is a paradise for nature lovers. You can get a picturesque panorama of the valley below which is replete with lush forest cover. The green of the wild and the blue of the sky definitely makes the place a much attractive one. The accommodation is in the form of huts which are built traditionally under trees to give you all a natural vibe. You can also try out authentic dishes like the KennieNku which is very popular among the gastronomists. There are also other attractions like Ntangki National Park, Puliwa caves, Mt. Kisa and many others.

Kiphire

      Offering splendiferous scenery to visitors, Kiphire is one of the most spectacular districts in Nagaland. It is also a place for adventure seekers for they can indulge in rafting, trekking and canoeing. The highest peak of Nagaland lies here which is named Saramati. Here a trekker can experience a 3 day trek which passes through a beautiful Rhododendron forest. Kiphire is replete with panoramic villages like Salumi, Mimi and Pungro. These villages also houses caverns and waterfalls which add to the majesty of Kiphire.The Salt River Mihki; Fakim Wildlife Sanctuary and Kisatong Village are some places of interest in the region.

Meluri

      Nestled amidst green hills, Meluri is the home of the Pochury tribe who are known for their excellent hunting skills. The rock formations are the most interesting attractions of the place. Its two lakes namely Shilloi and Dzudu are widely known. These lakes were considered supernatural and hence avoided by humans for a very long time. However with the passage of time one of them (Shilloi Lake) has become a very popular tourist spot and is used for angling. There is also the Zanibu Peak which provides a mesmerizing view of a large part of Nagaland and Mt. Everest.

Khonoma Green Village

      Khonoma is a place which has been built around the idea of conservation. The village is the home of the Angami tribe who have made given up hunting and practice only agriculture. At about 20 km away from Kohima, this village is one of its kind. Here houses are made naturally using natural products and basket weaving and handloom is also carried out along with agriculture. This is how the Angami tribe show concern for nature and it is truly a place where more and more people should visit and be inspired to work for nature and not against it. The energy and determination of the people are something people must experience.

Benreu

      Benreu is located in the Peren district of Nagaland and this villages epitomizes untouched, pure and unsullied beauty. Since this place is not explored by many, this place is a perfect getaway and an escape into nature. The peacefulness of this place and the serenity of the atmosphere will definitely be worth your time. The breathtaking landscape of the place along with the simple affairs of everyday life are what attracts people the most. Benreu can be considered a cultural paradise due to its multi-hued portrayal of the Naga lifestyle and culture.

Festivals of Nagaland

Hornbill Festival

      Hornbill festival is a 7 to 10 days festival that begins with great enthusiasm from 1st of December every year. It is a major festival in Nagaland which is named after a bird and related to agriculture. This festival is held in Kisama Heritage Village and attended by all the tribes of Nagaland. This is an ideal time to experience the vividness and richness of the Naga culture also strengthening the bond between the different tribes. The Kohima Night Bazaar and contests like pork eating contest add to the festive mood and the main attractions are the colourful headgear, the warrior log drums, exquisite costumes and the soulful war cry which make the festival grand and thoroughly enjoyable.

MoatsuMong

      It is a three day festival that is celebrated from the first of May to the third of Mayin Nagaland by the Ao tribe. Held in Mokokchung district it marks the completion of the sowing season. It begins with cleaning of wells and the brewing of beer. Traditional delicacies are made and cultural programs are being held. Men perform traditional warrior dance and women sing songs in praise of Ao villages. Portraying its rich culture, this festival is a very colourful one.

Lui-ngai-ni

      Celebrated by almost all tribes of the Nagas on the 15th of February, this festival marks the seed-sowing season . This festival is known for strengthening the bond between Naga tribes and is celebrated with much pomp and splendour. Spreading the message of peace and harmony, traditional dances are performed and delicacies are prepared and rituals like lighting fire and blessing the seeds that will be sown are observed.