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Konyak elders in traditional regalia, Nagaland

Featured Cultural Expedition

Nagaland Tribal & Cultural Expedition

21 Days · Nagaland · Assam

Expedition overview

A deep cultural journey through the tribal heartland of Nagaland combining Angami, Ao, Lotha, Khiamniungan and Konyak communities with mountain landscapes, heritage villages, indigenous traditions, festivals and wildlife.

Why choose this expedition

  • Spend time inside five distinct Naga tribal communities — not a drive-by visit.
  • Witness Sekrenyi, the Angami purification festival, in its home villages.
  • Trek Dzukou Valley and Mt. Pauna for the high-altitude grasslands of Nagaland.
  • Cross into Konyak country at Longwa, where the chief's house straddles India and Myanmar.
  • End in the floodplains of Kaziranga and Manas — a wildlife counterpoint to the hills.

Itinerary highlights

  • Benreu Village
  • Mt. Pauna Trek
  • Khonoma Green Village
  • Sekrenyi Festival
  • Kohima
  • Dzukou Valley
  • Touphema Tourist Village
  • Ungma Village
  • Longkhum Village
  • Mopungchuket
  • Tuensang
  • Noklak
  • Mon
  • Longwa
  • Shangnyu
  • Chui
  • Jorhat
  • Kaziranga National Park
  • Manas National Park
  • Barpeta Holi Festival

Cultural highlights

  • Khonoma — Asia's first Green Village and an Angami warrior stronghold
  • Touphema heritage huts and Angami foodways
  • Ao villages of Ungma, Longkhum and Mopungchuket
  • Khiamniungan log-drum houses in Noklak
  • Konyak headhunter heritage in Longwa, Shangnyu and Chui
  • Barpeta Satra Holi — Vaishnavite spring celebration in Assam

Tribal communities encountered

  • Angami
  • Ao
  • Lotha
  • Khiamniungan
  • Konyak
  • Zeliang

Wildlife & nature

  • Kaziranga National Park — one-horned rhinoceros, swamp deer, tigers
  • Manas National Park — UNESCO site, golden langur, pygmy hog
  • Dzukou Valley alpine flora
  • Birding around Benreu and the Barail foothills

Photography opportunities

  • Konyak elders with facial tattoos and brass headhunter pendants
  • Sekrenyi ritual portraits in Angami villages
  • Dzukou Valley in bloom
  • Aerial-style ridge drives between Tuensang, Noklak and Mon
  • Riverine landscapes of Kaziranga at dawn

Festival experiences

  • Sekrenyi (Angami, Feb)
  • Aoleang (Konyak, Apr)
  • Barpeta Holi (Mar)

Day-wise itinerary

  1. Days 1–2

    Guwahati to Benreu

    Arrive in Assam and drive into the Zeliang hills of southern Nagaland.

  2. Days 3–4

    Mt. Pauna & Benreu Village

    Trek Mt. Pauna and overnight in Benreu — one of Nagaland's highest villages.

  3. Days 5–6

    Khonoma & Dzukou Valley

    Walk Khonoma's terraced fields and trek into Dzukou's alpine basin.

  4. Day 7

    Kohima & Sekrenyi

    Time the visit with Sekrenyi purification rites in Angami villages.

  5. Days 8–9

    Touphema & Ungma

    Heritage huts in Touphema, then drive north to the Ao capital of Ungma.

  6. Days 10–11

    Longkhum & Mopungchuket

    Stone megaliths, weaving and Ao village life around Mokokchung.

  7. Days 12–13

    Tuensang & Noklak

    Cross the eastern ridges to Khiamniungan log-drum villages.

  8. Days 14–16

    Mon, Longwa, Shangnyu, Chui

    Konyak country — the Angh's house at Longwa, Shangnyu's carved morung, Chui's tattooed elders.

  9. Days 17–18

    Jorhat & Kaziranga

    Descend into Assam for jeep safaris in Kaziranga.

  10. Days 19–20

    Manas National Park

    Western Assam, UNESCO World Heritage wildlife.

  11. Day 21

    Barpeta Holi & departure

    Holi at Barpeta Satra before flying out of Guwahati.

Responsible travel notes

  • Ask before photographing elders, ritual objects and sacred sites.
  • Buy directly from village weavers and carvers when possible.
  • Carry out all non-biodegradable waste from Dzukou and Mt. Pauna.
  • Dress modestly when visiting morungs, churches and satras.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to do this expedition?
Late October to April. Sekrenyi falls in late February; the Hornbill Festival window in early December is an alternative anchor.
What permits are required?
Indian citizens need an Inner Line Permit for Nagaland; foreign nationals need a Protected Area Permit. We handle both.
How physical is the trip?
Moderate. Expect long mountain drives and two light-to-moderate treks (Mt. Pauna and Dzukou Valley).

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Travel with us

Living Roots Expeditions designs each journey with handpicked village hosts, local guides and ethical partners.

Email us at hello@livingrootsexpeditions.com
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