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Nagaland · Peren · Zeliang Naga

Benreu

Zeliang Naga village at the foot of Mount Pauna (Nagaland's third-highest peak) — a quiet base for trekking the state's south-western hills.

Overview

Benreu is a Zeliang Naga village in Peren district, sited on the slopes below Mount Pauna, which at roughly 2,682 m is among the highest peaks in Nagaland.[1],[2],[3]

The village is developing as a low-key eco-tourism destination with community cottages managed by the Zeliangrong area council.[1],[2]

History

The Zeliang are one of the smaller Naga tribal groupings, with kin across the Zeme (Assam), Liangmai (Manipur) and Rongmei populations — collectively self-identifying as Zeliangrong.[3],[4]

Culture & cultural significance

Milei Ngi (Mileinyi), the Zeliang new year, is observed in February; Hega and Chagah are the other principal festivals.[2]

Festivals

  • Milei Ngi (Zeliang new year)

    February

    Dates vary by year and village.

Lifestyle, cuisine & handicrafts

Cuisine

  • Smoked pork with anishi
  • Bamboo-shoot curries
  • Zeliang rice beer (kaimei)

Handicrafts

  • Zeliang shawls
  • Bamboo craft

Things to do

  • Trek to the summit of Mount Pauna (day trip from Benreu)
  • Stay in the community-run cottages at Benreu
  • Walk through paddy terraces to viewpoints over the Barail range

How to reach

By air
Dimapur (DMU), ~110 km.
By rail
Dimapur (DMV).
By road
About 40 km from Peren town on a hill road; a hired vehicle from Dimapur or Kohima is the usual approach.

Best time to visit: October–April; February for the Zeliang new year.

Nearby attractions & villages

  • Mount Pauna

    3–4 hour climb; snow occasional in winter.

  • Peren town

    40 km — district headquarters.

  • Ntangki National Park

    Same district — hoolock gibbon habitat.

Responsible travel guidelines

  • Benreu is small and cold — book cottages ahead through the village council.
  • Do not carry back forest produce; medicinal plants are locally protected.

Frequently asked questions

Is Benreu really at 1,950 metres?
The Nagaland tourism directory and Peren district records place the village at approximately 1,950 m; Mount Pauna above rises to about 2,682 m.[1],[2],[3]

Sources

  1. [1]Tourism Department, Government of Nagaland — Benreu listing
  2. [2]Peren district administration
  3. [3]Wikipedia — Benreu
  4. [4]Wikipedia — Zeliang people

Facts on this page are cross-checked against tier-1 (Government of India), tier-2 (state government & tourism boards) and tier-3 (district administration, official festival organisers) sources. Wikipedia is used as a tie-breaker only. Where sources disagree, the page states the ambiguity rather than picking a side.

Last verified 2026-07-27. Facts on this page were confirmed against tier-1/2 sources on that date.

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