It was in the year 2000, that the State Government desirous of promoting tourism embarked upon an ambitious project to exploit the cultural assets of Nagaland, through a 10 days long festival to coincide with the celebration of Nagaland Statehood Day on 1st December. Thus, the inception of the Nagaland Hornbill Festival so named in collective reverence to the bird enshrined in the cultural ethos of the Nagas to espouse the spirit of unity in diversity.
Nagaland is a cultural mosaic of diverse multi-ethnicity sprung up by the several tribes that inhabit the State. Each community celebrates its myriad festivals revolving around the agrarian calendar that makes Nagaland by default, a land of festivals. Twelve years on, this intangible heritage asset has been aptly tagged lined in the changed moniker – “NAGALAND HORNBILL FESTIVAL: FESTIVAL OF FESTIVALS” to envcompass through collective celebration the colour and vibrant elements of all the tribal festivities and give a glimpse of Naga life to titillate cultural sensibilities. What has emerged from a local heritage event, metaphored to a national and international festival has now become a must visit and notable attraction in the travel itinerary of both domestic and international travelers.
The annual Hornbill Festival will be held for ten days, 1st – 10th December. It draws all the tribes and sub-tribes of Nagaland to the foothills below the lofty spurs of towering Mount Japfü wherin lies Naga Heritage Village, Kisama – the venue of hte Festival. It plays host to a weeklong medly of cultural performances, indigenous games, craft bazaar, music events, fashion, cycling, motor sporting, events, a kids carnival, floral galleria, food courts, film festival and a series of competitions in various activities.
A prominent sight at Kisama are the imposing tribal Morungs (male dormitories) that are resplendent speciments of Vernacular architecture. Every Naga community is represented in their respective Morungs. Some even accomodate the majestic log drums where male members intermittently beat the gigantic hollowed log with wooden beaters in perfect synchronization. Long before the age of modern communications, the Nagas devised indigenous methodologies of relaying messages by beating different tempos and arrangements to send out messages decipherable only to the village members. As you hear the sound reverberate throughout Kisama it hypnotically draws you in search of the source.
Itinerary
Also scroll down to see the ‘detailed itinerary’ section for more information on the tour plan and things we do.
Package No 1 : ( dates are 8-11 Dec’ 2019)
Cost per person – Rs. 15,700/-
Day 01 – Arrive at Dimapur OR Dimapur airport and drive to KOHIMA. Please see arrival/departure section for group pickup timings.
Day 02 – Full day at the Hornbill Festival.
Day 03 – Full day at the Hornbill Festival.
Day 04 – Village visits around Kohima City, after that drop Dimapur.
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Package No 2 : (dates are 8-14 Dec’ 2019)
Cost per person – Rs. 30,500/-
Day 01 – Arrive at Dimapur OR Dimapur airport and drive to KOHIMA. Please see arrival/departure section for group pickup timings.
Day 02 – Full day at the Hornbill Festival.
Day 03 – Full day at the Hornbill Festival.
Day 04 – Village visits around Kohima, to the dwellings of Angami Naga people.
Day 05 – Drive to Kaziranga for overnight stay.
Day 06 – early morning Elephant Safari after that back to hotel and take breakfast, after breakfast go to Kaziranga Orchid park, after lunch go to jeep safari. back to hotel for night stay.
Day 07 – Drive to Guwahati and depart.
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Package No 3 : ( dates are 3-15 Dec’ 2019)
Land cost per person – $ 1,450/-
Day 01 – Arrive at Delhi airport and drive to hotel. Please see arrival/departure section for group pickup timings.
Day 02 – Early morning visit to delhi local sight seeing. and over night stay in Delhi.
Day 03 – Morning proceed to Agra. Full day at Agra. Visit to the World Femouse Tajmahal, Agra Fort, ect ect…
Day 04 – Drive from Jaipur pink city of India,
Day 05 – Fly to Guwahati and stay.
Day 06 – Drive from Guwahati to Kohima. Overnight at Kohima.
Day 07 – Full day at the Hornbill Festival.
Day 08 – Full day at the Hornbill Festival.
Day 09 – Village visits around Kohima, to the dwellings of Angami Naga people.
Day 10 – Drive to Kaziranga for overnight stay.
Day 11 – early morning Elephant Safari after that back to hotel and take breakfast, after breakfast go to Kaziranga Orchid park, after lunch go to jeep safari. back to hotel for night stay.
Day 12 – Drive to Guwahati and local sight seeing stay at Guwahati.
Day 13 – after breakfast airport drop for next destination……..
Tour ends here..!
Note: The itinerary is subject to change. Our lead photographer may make changes to the itinerary during the tour depending on weather, photography opportunities and any other local conditions that prompt for making alternate plans.
Hornbill Festival PhotographyThe tour includes visits to the most colourful festival of the North East in Nagaland, interaction and photography with aboriginal people of Nagaland, witnessing and photographing Indian historical culture at Golden Triangl and a stopover at Kaziranga National Park.
Hornbill Festival
The villages and people of Nagaland
Golden Triangl of India, Delhi-Agra-Jaipur
Kaziranga National Park
This tour is designed keeping photography in mind. It is led and mentored by our award winning travel photographer. Some photography-related aspects of this tour include –
Visit to sights specifically chosen keeping photography opportunities in mind.
Expert help and advice with photographing culture and people of the region.
Constant interaction and assistance on field by your photography mentor with an experience of travelling in the region.
Insights to nuances of travel and outdoor photography during the tour – in theory and also on field.
Image reviews by your photography mentor.
Hornbill Festival PhotographyThis tour is intended for amateur as well as serious photography enthusiasts with an interest to visit and photograph the beauty of North-East and the celebrations of Hornbill Festival. No prior expertise or experience in photography is necessary, as our photographers will be there to assist you at every level. You may carry any camera – a simple aim-and-shoot or a DSLR. Travel enthusiasts who are not photographers but keen to experience the multiple facets of North-East can also benefit from the tour.
Can I bring my non-photographer partner with me?
Yes, you can. We visit many beautiful places in the North East, see the celebrations of Hornbill Festival. Having a good time during the trip is as much on the agenda as photography is. Your partner will enjoy the journey with the group.
I am not a keen photographer. But I want to visit Hornbill Festival and the North-East with your group. Can I still join?
Yes. The answer is exactly same as in the case of previous question. We visit many beautiful places in North East, watching the Hornbill Festival and having a good time during the trip is as much on the agenda as photography is.
Have more questions? See our photography tours FAQ or reach out to us using the form at the end of this page.
Registration
Contact us at the email/numbers below to book the tour.
email: sarothitourism@gmail.com
Tel: 9435040452 (Utpal) / 6000362472 (Pankaj) / 9706194209 (Rupsikha)
Please fill in the following form to get in touch with us regarding the tour.
