Nagaland Hornbill Festival 2027

Day 1: Departure from your chosen airport to Kolkata (Calcutta)

Departure from your chosen airport on an international flight to Kolkata (Calcutta), in north-east India, with a connection at an airport yet to be confirmed. Overnight on board.

Our 14-day journey through Nagaland and Assam begins, a cultural group tour jointly developed by AlanSpeak Travel and Ruby Travel (Italy), with Spanish-, Italian-, and Emglish-speaking tour escorts. We will venture into one of India’s lesser-known regions to discover its landscapes, communities and traditions, with the Nagaland Hornbill Festival as the highlight of our journey.

Day 2: Arrival in Kolkata (Calcutta)

Arrival at Kolkata International Airport, in the city formerly known as Calcutta, capital of the state of West Bengal. We will be met by our local representatives and transferred privately to our hotel, where we will receive information about the programme, travel arrangements and preparations for entering Nagaland.

Kolkata served as the capital of British India until 1911 and retains an impressive colonial architectural heritage alongside a vibrant cultural and commercial life. Known as the City of Joy, it is also one of India’s leading intellectual and artistic centres.

Depending on our final arrival time and the time available, we may enjoy an introductory panoramic tour of the city, taking in its historic avenues and some of its most notable buildings. Time to rest after the international flight. Overnight accommodation.

Day 3: Kolkata – Dimapur – Kohima

Breakfast. Transfer to Kolkata Airport for our domestic flight to Dimapur, the main air gateway to Nagaland, in the far north-east of India.

On arrival, we will be welcomed by our local team before setting off by road towards Kohima, the capital of Nagaland, nestled among forested hills and mountains. The journey of approximately 75 kilometres will introduce us to the landscapes of this region bordering Myanmar, renowned for its remarkable cultural diversity and indigenous communities.

Nagaland is home to numerous Naga communities, each with its own languages, traditional dress, customs and cultural expressions. Over the coming days, we will discover part of this extraordinary heritage, particularly through the Hornbill Festival, held annually in Kisama, near Kohima.

Arrival in Kohima, check-in at our accommodation and free time to rest or take a short walk in the surrounding area, depending on our arrival time. Dinner and overnight accommodation.

Day 4: Kohima – Nagaland Hornbill Festival

Breakfast. Departure for Kisama, approximately 12 kilometres from Kohima, where the Hornbill Festival takes place, one of the most important cultural events in north-east India.

The festival brings together the principal Naga communities in an extraordinary celebration of their traditions, dances, music, traditional dress and handicrafts. Its name comes from the hornbill, a bird of great symbolic importance in Naga cultures, whose image frequently appears in their stories, ornaments and artistic expressions.

Throughout the day, we will explore the Kisama Heritage Village, where different communities present their traditional morung, structures inspired by the communal houses of earlier generations. We will enjoy cultural performances, traditional dances and music, while discovering the crafts, textiles and customs of the various Naga peoples.

There will be time to explore the festival grounds, photograph the celebrations and speak with participants, always respecting their traditions. The exact programme will depend on the activities scheduled by the festival organisers.

Return to Kohima at the end of the day. Dinner and overnight accommodation.

Day 5: Kohima – Second Day at the Hornbill Festival

Breakfast. Return to Kisama Heritage Village for our second day at the Hornbill Festival, gaining a deeper understanding of the cultures and traditions of the Naga peoples.

Nagaland is one of India’s most ethnically and linguistically diverse states. Communities such as the Angami, Ao, Sumi, Lotha, Konyak and Chakhesang maintain their own cultural traditions, reflected in their ceremonial dress, textiles, dances and oral heritage.

We will devote the day to discovering aspects of the festival that we may not have explored during our first visit. There will be opportunities to enjoy further cultural performances, learn about traditional craft techniques and observe the differences between the ornaments and attire of the various communities.

The festival also provides an excellent opportunity to discover local cuisine, browse stalls selling regional products and experience contemporary expressions of Naga culture. There will be time to explore the grounds with a degree of independence, supported by our team and with commentary in Spanish and Italian.

Return to Kohima after the day’s activities. Dinner and overnight accommodation.

Day 6: Khonoma – Kohima – Hornbill Festival

Breakfast. Departure for Khonoma, a historic Angami village approximately 20 kilometres from Kohima, known for its cultural heritage, terraced agricultural landscapes and nature conservation initiatives.

Khonoma played an important role in Naga resistance to British colonial expansion during the 19th century. During our visit, we will learn about its history, traditional village architecture and aspects of everyday life in the Angami community. The surrounding area offers magnificent views of the mountains and terraced fields.

Return to Kohima to visit the War Cemetery, one of Nagaland’s most important historical sites. This memorial commemorates the Allied soldiers who died during the Battle of Kohima in 1944, a decisive confrontation of the Second World War that helped halt the Japanese advance towards India.

Depending on how the day progresses and traffic conditions, we may return to Kisama for the final activities of our third day at the Hornbill Festival. This will be an opportunity to say farewell to this extraordinary celebration and discover performances or areas we have not yet visited.

Return to our accommodation in Kohima. Dinner and overnight accommodation.

Day 7: Kohima – Mokokchung

Breakfast. We leave Kohima and continue our journey through the interior of Nagaland towards Mokokchung, one of the main cultural centres of the Ao community, known for its traditions, handicrafts and important role in the state’s modern history.

The journey of approximately 150 kilometres takes us through mountainous landscapes of forests, valleys and small settlements. Due to the nature of Nagaland’s roads, the drive may take much of the day. We will make stops to rest, admire the scenery and discover aspects of rural life in this region.

Mokokchung is regarded as one of the principal centres of Ao culture. Its inhabitants have preserved numerous traditions, although the arrival of Christianity during the 19th century profoundly transformed local society. Today, churches, community celebrations and cultural institutions play an important role in everyday life.

Arrival in Mokokchung and transfer to our accommodation. Depending on arrival time and road conditions, there may be an opportunity for a short introductory walk around the town. Dinner and overnight accommodation.

Day 8: Mokokchung – Traditional Villages of Ungma and Longkhum

Breakfast. Today we will explore the cultural heritage of the Ao community, one of the principal Naga communities, visiting two of its most representative villages: Ungma and Longkhum.

We begin at Ungma, situated a few kilometres from Mokokchung and regarded as one of the oldest and most important Ao villages. According to oral tradition, it occupies a central place in the history of their ancestors. During our visit, we will learn about community organisation, local architecture and the changes these settlements have undergone over generations.

We continue to Longkhum, a picturesque village perched on a mountain ridge at approximately 1,800 metres above sea level. It is known for its remarkable views across the surrounding valleys, its traditions and its handicraft heritage, particularly the textiles and other items produced by local communities.

We will have the opportunity to explore the village surroundings and discover its stories and customs, accompanied by our local team. Visits will be organised with respect for the daily lives of residents and local access arrangements.

Return to Mokokchung in the afternoon. Free time, dinner and overnight accommodation.

Day 9: Mokokchung – Jorhat (Assam)

Breakfast. We say goodbye to Nagaland and continue our journey towards Assam, one of the most fascinating states in north-east India, renowned for its extensive tea plantations, mighty rivers and extraordinary biodiversity.

Our journey takes us from the mountains of Nagaland down to the lower, fertile lands of the Brahmaputra Valley. As we descend, the landscape gradually changes: forests and hills give way to broad plains, cultivated fields and tea plantations.

Arrival in Jorhat, one of Assam’s historic towns and a major centre of tea production in India. The region played an important role during the final years of the Ahom kingdom, which ruled much of the Brahmaputra Valley for nearly six centuries.

Depending on our arrival time, we may visit a tea plantation to learn about a crop closely linked to Assam’s history and economy. Access to the tea-processing facilities will depend on their operations and visiting arrangements.

Transfer to our accommodation. Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 10: Jorhat – Kaziranga National Park

Breakfast. Departure for Kaziranga National Park, one of India’s most important protected natural areas, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985.

Situated on the floodplains of the Brahmaputra River, Kaziranga protects an extraordinary variety of ecosystems, ranging from extensive tall-grass meadows to tropical forests, wetlands and lagoons. It is particularly famous for being home to the world’s largest population of greater one-horned rhinoceroses, a species that was once on the brink of extinction.

The park also provides a refuge for Asian elephants, wild buffalo, deer, numerous bird species and Bengal tigers, although the latter are considerably more difficult to spot due to the dense vegetation.

Arrival at our accommodation near the park. In the afternoon, if timings and conditions permit, we will enjoy our first safari in a four-wheel-drive vehicle, accompanied by an authorised naturalist guide. We will explore one of the sectors open to visitors, with opportunities to observe rhinoceroses, elephants and other animals in their natural habitat.

Return to our accommodation. Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 11: Kaziranga National Park – Safaris and Wildlife Watching

Early morning departure for a four-wheel-drive safari in Kaziranga National Park, accompanied by an authorised naturalist guide. The early hours offer excellent opportunities for wildlife watching, when temperatures are cooler and many animals are particularly active.

Kaziranga is one of Asia’s great conservation success stories. Its extensive grasslands support a significant population of greater one-horned rhinoceroses, alongside Asian elephants, wild buffalo, swamp deer and numerous species of waterbirds and birds of prey.

During the safari, we will follow the park’s authorised tracks, stopping at suitable locations to observe and photograph animals in the wild. Wildlife sightings depend on natural conditions and cannot be guaranteed.

Return to our accommodation for breakfast and some rest. Free time during the middle of the day to enjoy the facilities and natural surroundings.

In the afternoon, we will undertake a second safari in another sector of the park, provided conditions and permits allow. This further excursion will give us the opportunity to discover different landscapes and increase our chances of spotting wildlife.

Return to our accommodation at the end of the day. Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 12: Kaziranga National Park – Guwahati

Breakfast. We leave Kaziranga and continue by road towards Guwahati, Assam’s largest city and the main commercial and transport hub of north-east India.

The journey of approximately 200 kilometres takes us through the fertile plains of the Brahmaputra Valley, passing small settlements, cultivated fields, tea plantations and rural landscapes. We will make stops along the way to rest and enjoy the surroundings.

Guwahati stretches along the banks of the Brahmaputra, one of Asia’s great rivers. Historically known as Pragjyotishpura, the city combines a long religious and cultural heritage with the energy of one of north-east India’s principal urban centres.

Arrival and transfer to our hotel. Depending on the time available and traffic conditions, we may visit the banks of the Brahmaputra to admire the river and enjoy the atmosphere of the city at sunset.

Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 13: Guwahati – New Delhi

Breakfast. We will spend the morning discovering some of Guwahati’s most notable attractions before saying goodbye to north-east India.

If flight schedules permit, we will visit Kamakhya Temple, situated on Nilachal Hill. It is one of the most important pilgrimage sites of Shakta Hinduism, dedicated to the worship of the Mother Goddess and particularly significant in the religious traditions of Assam.

We may also explore the local markets, where traditional handicrafts, textiles and regional specialities can be found. Assam is especially renowned for its silk, including the highly prized muga silk, characteristic of the state.

At the scheduled time, transfer to Guwahati Airport for our domestic flight to New Delhi. We leave behind nearly two weeks of cultural and natural experiences, from the traditions of the Naga peoples to the remarkable landscapes and wildlife of Assam.

Arrival in Delhi and transfer to our hotel. Free time to rest and prepare for our return to Spain. Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 14: New Delhi – Return to your chosen airport

Breakfast, if the flight schedule permits. At the scheduled time, private transfer to Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi for our return flight to your chosen airport, with a connection at an airport yet to be confirmed.

Our journey through the Nagaland Hornbill Festival and Assam comes to an end, having given us the opportunity to discover some of north-east India’s most distinctive cultures, experience the extraordinary Hornbill Festival and explore the landscapes and natural wonders of the Brahmaputra Valley.

Arrival at your chosen airport, provisionally expected on the same day depending on the final flight arrangements. End of our services and of a journey filled with memorable encounters, traditions and experiences.