Khonoma a stunning village, a great success story of first forest conservation in Nagaland. Known by very few travellers it is regarded as the first green village in Asia. It is one of the secret places in Northeast India hidden behind the majestic hills of Kohima. If you are thinking of visiting Khonoma village in Nagaland then this guide is for you, I will tell you how to spend a happening day in Khonoma village.
Starting from terrace paddy fields, old forts to mind-blowing scenery, wildflowers and butterflies there’s lots to offer by the small helmet name Khonoma. Traversing through the hilly roads when we reached the village of Khonoma gentle bridge welcomes us. It’s truly a magical village adorned with pleasant sight anywhere you look. Though it the rice fields, or the home of Angami Nagas everywhere you can see the magic of colour. Our Khonoma travel guide will help you to uncover all the attractions you can explore in Khonoma village.
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How to reach Khonoma village
Khonoma is situated 20 kilometres west of Kohima. The road leading to Khonmoa is both winding and uphill. Taxis are available from Kohima to reach Khonoma it will cost Rs 500 – Rs 700. It is a bit tricky to bargain for the best price in Kohima so try your luck.
How to reach Kohima?
Kohima is easily accessible from Dimapur the nearest railhead. Distance between Dimapur to Kohima is 74km. Dimapur also has an airport of its own. This is well connected with all the major cities or India.
If you want to visit Kohima from Guwahati then the best option is Jan Shatabdi express running from Guwahati to Jorhat. For more comfort and worry-free journey, you can hire a private cab from Guwahati or Dimapur. The distance from Guwahati to Dimapur is 290 Km and Kohima is 360km. Click here to book a private taxi to Kohima.
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What are the top attractions of Khonoma
Khonoma Forts
Very few people know that the freedom struggle touches Nagaland and Khonoma is a leaving example of the struggle for freedom, survival and territorial unity.
In 1879, the villagers of Khonoma battled with the British and killed the British officials and armed soldiers and sacrificed almost 40 of their soldiers in the war of independence. This village also happens to be the place where the Naga warrior battled against the British.
Tombstones are erected to pay tribute to the martyrs who gave their lives in this battle. Forts of Khonoma were the place where the last battle against the British fought.
Apart from the main fort, there are several small forts exist around the village. You can watch all these forts by walking around the small alleys of the village.
Khonoma village
The second most important attraction of Khonoma is the village itself. I will tell you in detail about all the hidden places in our Khonoma travel guide. While walking around the village you can observe the skilled villages making wooden crafts, baskets or weaving clothes.
You can also be delighted by watching the well-decorated village. Colourful flowers blooming in many colours could be seen in everyone’s house. Some of the villagers may invite you to their home also.
Almost all the household had kitchen gardens supplying their daily need of fruits and vegetables. The whole village seemed like an organic hub with its own gardens and surrounding paddy fields.
The one prime thing in the village is the cleanliness of the village. Nature has gifted this village with such lush green abundance that no material riches can ever match it.
Check Khonoma Pictures: A Photo Blog to know more about the wonderful village.
Graves of the deceased family members
The Khonoma village is unique in one respect. The villagers, members of the Angami tribe, bury their dead body near their homes. So while exploring the village we saw people having the graves of their deceased family members near their houses.
Morung of the Khonoma village
Morung Ghor or the dormitory was the school for learning various skills like age-old traditions, woodcrafts, martial art and farming in ancient times. Now the ‘Murung’s exhibited Angami Naga handicrafts, old utensils, traditional arms, musical instruments, etc.
Morungs are like certain community centres where village members displayed their weaving skills and craftsmanship. Beautiful pictures of animals and birds are also drawn on the walls of Morung.
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Please check Nagaland Tour package.
Why Khonoma is known as a green village
Due to the cutting of trees in the forests the environment and ecological balanced disturbed to a high extent. To maintain the ecological heritage and the environmental degradation the villagers of Khonoma stop cutting trees and hunting wild animals and birds in the village forest area from 1998.
Few old hunters and knowledgeable villagers took the initiative to save the forest and stop cutting trees and killing wild animals. Now everyone follows it and the village is regarded as a green village. They also practice jhum cultivation and shifting cultivation to stop the degradation of hills.
What to Eat
Nagaland has a rich variety of traditional food which is completely different from the rest of India. If you really like to experiment with food then you can try lots of different Naga Cuisines. But I would like to suggest you try pork curry cooked in tradition style using fermented bamboo shoot and fish chutney. Of course, it is very spicy but you didn’t forget the taste once you taste it. Lastly, if you prefer vegetarian then you can try the boil vegetable curry cooked using “Axone” a traditional spice made of fermented soybean available only in Nagaland.
How to travel around
Walking on foot is the best way to explore the village. The village is located on top of a hill. The terrain is ranging from gentle slopes to steep and rugged hillsides. Most of the alleys around the village are very small and a bit confusing for the first timer. So please hire a local guide for a day tour in Khonoma. A local guide will cost Rs 500 for the entire day and there is a small entry fee of Rs 50 which generally collected in the village gate.
Best time to visit Khonoma
You can visit Khonoma at any time of the year. But the best time is definitely during the Hornbill Festival. You can club together with your Hornbill Festival tour and spend a day in Khonoma village enjoying closeness with nature Naga Hospitality at its best.
If you love trekking and nature madly then you can also go for trekking in Dzuleke and Dzukou valley located just a few kilometers away.
Dzuleke is a small hamlet situated around 20 kms from the village of Khonoma. Dzukou Valley is the stunning valley of Nagaland adorned by pristine natural beauty. Dzukou valley can be accessed only by trekking from Jakhama Village. Read more at Experience the Stunning Dzukou Valley.
Where to stay in Khonoma village
Khonoma village has few standard hotels and tons of homestays which offer authentic hospitality and mouthwatering food.
Khonoma village homestay
Several local families in Khonoma offers homestay for guests. You can feel the affability of home and the authenticity of staying with a local family. We enjoyed traditional Naga food and had some delightful time staying in the Khonoma village homestay. Homestays provided all the basic amenities for a comfortable stay. If you want to book a homestay at Khonoma green village please write to us.
Cost of Homestay:
Homestays are very basic which offer basic amenities and amazing food. A homestay will cost Rs 1000 – Rs 2500 per night.
That’s all! A short travel guide to Khonoma village, Nagaland. Hope I am able to clear all your doubts before planning your tour in Khonoma. Please follow the link If you want to book a Nagaland Tour package.
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If you are looking for more information on Kohima and Hornbill Festival please check out the page dedicated to Kohima on our website, or email us at support@nexplore.org to start planning your trip!
