How to reach Dzükou Valley
Trek Duration: 3-6 Hours Depending on your pace & experience Difficulty: Moderate (Doable by an athletic person without prior trekking experience)
Total Cost: Approx. 5000 INR per head without a tour package
Nearest Airport: Dimapur Airport
Nearest City: Kohima (Trekking Point is at 12km from Kohima) Nearest Railway Station: (Dimapur Railway Station
Dzukou Valley is a picturesque valley located on the border of the Indian states of Nagaland and Manipur and quickly becoming one of the most popular off-beat destinations in India. It is known for its breathtaking beauty and unique biodiversity, making it a popular destination for tourists and nature enthusiasts. In this article, we will delve into the wonders of Dzukou Valley and explore what makes it so special.
The Dzukou Valley is surrounded by hills and mountains, which makes it an ideal destination for trekking and hiking. The valley is famous for its stunning natural beauty, with rolling hills covered in lush green forests and fields of vibrant flowers.
One of the unique features of Dzukou Valley is its biodiversity. The valley is home to several rare and endangered species of flora and fauna. It is particularly famous for its wide variety of wildflowers, which bloom in abundance during the monsoon season. Some of the most popular flowers found in the valley include the Dzukou Lily, which is found only in this region, and the rare and beautiful Rhododendron.
Historical and Cultural significance:
Apart from its natural beauty, Dzukou Valley is also known for its cultural significance. The valley has been considered to be a sacred place for some indigenous Naga people, who inhabit the region. The people believed that the valley is home to their ancestors' spirits and often perform rituals and ceremonies here.
How to reach:
Trekking trails: 1. Viswema: Easier but expensive because of the Taxi Sumos going up the mountains, off the national highway.
2. Jakhama: Cheaper but difficult. The trek is much steeper compared to the other two and the jungle is thick, better for experienced trekkers on a budget.
3. Khonoma: Less popular and has waterfalls on the way, but not recommended due to lack of facilities compared to the other two trails.
The valley is hidden behind the mountains and is accessible through well-defined trekking trails which start from the base of the mountains and winds its way up to the top. The trek is relatively easy and can be completed in a day(to and fro from Kohima), but it can be quite steep in some places. However, the views from the top are truly breathtaking, making the effort worth it. For those who prefer a more relaxed pace, there is a camp site in the valley with basic facilities for travellers established and maintained by local village organisations. Travellers can fine a kitchen with a fireplace, toilets, and a dorm equipped with mats, pillows and blankets for hire. The visitors can set up also set up tents to camp and enjoy the serene surroundings.
How much will it cost me?
(Calculated per head from Dimapur to Dzükou to Dimapur) 1. Transportation: i. 600 INR One way taxi from Dimapur to Kohima (Dimapur to ISBT+ISBT to your accommodation) ii. 3000 INR One way from Kohima to trek point(Viswema) You cannot find shared transportation to the trek point from Kohima, as of February 2023. 2. Food: 100-300 INR per meal 3. Dzükou Valley entry and rental costs: 500-1500 INR We recommend you to bring your own sleeping bags if you want to minimise your expenditure. With additional miscellaneous expenses, you can expect to spend around 7000-9000 INR per head for a 2 day trek to Dzükou Valley from Kohima if you are travelling solo. If you are travelling in a group, you can significantly decrease your expenses.
Why is it better to buy a package?
Tour Guides are included in all packages, so you only have to worry about getting the right timing and angle on your photos.
Food: We recommend you try authentic traditional Naga food. If you're daring, try the "exotic" options which you will not find anywhere else. Do not stick to Maggi or Puri Sabzi when in Nagaland.
Convenience: Nagaland still isn't very developed and lack adequate public tourism facilities. Unless you have a lot of time to research or have local contacts who can help you, as an outsider the thought of visiting inner regions of Nagaland can be a bit daunting because of the language barriers and culture differences, in the villages.
Support Local: We are only a mediator. We work to connect local businesses who are limited in resources with potential customers.
Make new friends: Connect with other fellow travellers, and make memories as you go on this adventure together.
Cost Effective: Apart from all these reasons, one more reason is that it's probably going to be cheaper for you to book a package anyway compared to trying to figure out how to do it by yourselves.
Book a package here: