Dzukou Valley

Dzukou Valley is a high valley at about 2,450 m on the border of Nagaland and Manipur, south of Kohima behind Japfu peak, and it can only be reached on foot. Dzukou Valley is known for its rolling slopes of dwarf bamboo, which look like smooth green grass from a distance, cut through by a winding stream and almost free of trees.

The valley belongs to the traditional lands of the Angami and neighbouring communities, and the local villages manage access and the rest house. In June and July the Dzukou lily blooms here, a pink lily found in this valley and the surrounding hills and nowhere else. Other flowers follow in the monsoon, while winter turns the grass golden and can freeze the stream. Dzukou has suffered forest fires in dry winters, and local communities work to protect it, so visitors are asked to camp only in marked areas and carry out their rubbish.

What to see

• The dwarf bamboo slopes and the meandering Dzukou stream
• The Dzukou lily in June and July
• Sunrise from the ridge above the rest house
• Views of Japfu peak, the second highest in Nagaland
• Frost and ice on the valley floor in December and January

What to wear

The climb to Dzukou is steep and often muddy, so wear trekking shoes with good grip and carry a rain jacket; showers can come in any month. Nights are cold year round and near freezing in winter, so pack a warm jacket, hat, gloves and a good sleeping bag if staying over. Quick-drying layers and a head torch are useful. Naga communities traditionally wear woven shawls, with patterns that differ from tribe to tribe; the Angami shawls of this area are red and black.

Local food to try

The rest house sells basic meals of rice, dal and noodles, but it is wise to carry snacks and water. In Kohima and the trailhead villages of Viswema and Zakhama, try smoked pork with bamboo shoot, pork with axone (fermented soybean), and galho, a rice porridge with vegetables. Naga food uses the raja mircha, a very hot chilli, so ask for less spice. Vegetarian meals are simple and available on request.

Good to know

• Best time: June to September for green slopes and flowers; October to November for clear views
• Trek only in daylight; start early to reach the rest house before dark
• Village entry, camping and rest house fees are charged
• Allow two days to stay overnight in the valley
• Trailheads at Viswema and Zakhama are about 20 to 25 km south of Kohima; the climb takes roughly three to five hours
• Do not light fires outside marked areas; foreign visitors need a Protected Area Permit for Nagaland

Nearby places

Dzukou Valley is usually combined with Kohima, where the Kohima War Cemetery stands in the town centre, and with Kisama Heritage Village on the road south. Across the border in Manipur, Loktak Lake is a longer journey via Imphal.