Khonoma Dzükou Valley

There is a place in northeast India, where the rivers run clear and pure, a solitary valley nestled high in the mountains, the air is fresh and invigorating, multi-colored wildflowers dance in the wind, and the only audible sounds are the therapeutic murmurs of long-lived brooks, the gentle rustle of bamboo leaves in the breeze and your own footfalls on the soft earth. This mesmerizing place is yet to be discovered or visited by nature lovers as still largely untouched and unspoiled as well.

Attraction

The valley more rightfully belongs in a fairytale book or fantasy novel than in this earthly realm which is a breathtakingly beautiful, picture-postcard masterpiece of nature’s handiwork. The Dzükou valley, is a hidden paradise here on planet Earth, spanning the Nagaland – Manipur interstate boundary in northeast India. An environment where there are no dispersions or deafening dins to drown out the more subtle whispers of your own inner voice, a tranquil retreat where you can go to escape the hubbub and helter-skelter of urbanity.A place that is a perfect fit for not only adventure seekers, spelunkers, nature lovers, botanists, hikers, trekkers, and explorers but also gratifying for those seeking tranquility or spiritual fulfillment.

History

Originally attained from the Viswema idiom of the Angamis ‘Dzüko’, the word Dzüko means ‘Soulless and Dull’ referring to when some ancestors of Viswema who moved out to establish a new village in Dzüko, they were unable to harvest crops due to the unfavorable weather conditions which led them to say “the valley is very beautiful but is dull and soulless. Dzüko derives its meaning from the Angami word, is a common misconception. The Dzükou valley has also been called “the valley of flowers”. The valley is strongly suggested not to miss out if you happen to already be traveling in Nagaland. In the northeast Indian state of Nagaland and indeed, in the entire Indian subcontinent, it is one of the most sublime destinations.

Inside/Outside Views

The Dzükou valley boasts an astonishing, undulating treeless sweep of knolls, hillocks, verdant glens, river-cut ravines, meandering rivulets, and deep-reaching caves, stretching as far as the eye can see in all directions, all just begging to be explored. From its interesting topography, the valley’s picturesqueness largely derives, which has been sculpted over millennia by the geological processes of weathering and erosion and fully unveiled thanks to the almost complete absence of tree cover. To witness, The convoluted folds, ripples, and contours of the valley are a marvel and few travelers will have ever observed anything like it before. The other major drawcard the valley holds in addition to the jaw-dropping scenery is its stunning exhibition of wildflowers of varying hues. In the first two weeks of July, this display reaches its peak.

How to Reach

From Kohima, Khonoma is a 20 km bumpy drive, the last stretch having mesmerizing views of the terraced fields. Traveling by road in Nagaland is protesting as well as a back-breaking journey. One can easily reach Khonoma in a taxi from Kohima, which is the quickest but also the costliest way of getting here. INR 700 is the required amount one has to pay in this way. From Kohima’s Main Town Center to Khonoma, bus services are offered by the government. However, on this route, the bus frequency is really weak. So, before you plan to travel to Khonoma, you should check the timings of the bus day.

By Air: Having frequent flights from all over the country, The state airport is in Dimapur, however mostly via Kolkata. From Dimapur to Kohima, one needs to cross a journey of approximately 3 hours.

By Rail: From Khonoma, the nearest railway station is in Dimapur. One can board a connecting train from Guwahati to Dimapur, as your train might not be directly going to Dimapur. The rest of the country is well connected to Guwahati.

By Road: Kohima is well-connected to major cities in North-East India, Guwahati, and Shillong. From Kohima, Guwahati is 352 km and Shillong is 414 km. Khonoma is at a distance of 20 km from Kohima.

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