Dzükou Valley from Kohima — what is published about the walk, and what is not
The Dzükou Valley near Kohima: high meadows at about 2,438–2,452 m behind Mount Japfü, walked from Viswema or Jakhama, with flowers from May to September.
ArticleVerified 2026-10-23
How to reach Kohima — Dimapur by air or rail, the road up, and the Inner Line Permit
How to reach Kohima: Dimapur airport 66 km and Dimapur station 69 km by road, Guwahati 335 km, and the Inner Line Permit (tourist ILP, 15 days, online).
Kohima is a hill capital with no railway and no working airport of its own. Everyone comes through Dimapur, on the plain below, and up the highway.
First, the permit
Indian citizens from outside Nagaland need an Inner Line Permit to go beyond the inner line. The Commissioner, Nagaland's page says the tourist ILP is valid for 15 days and is applied for online at ilp.nagaland.gov.in. Do it before you travel and carry a copy. Foreign nationals: press reports in December 2024 said the Protected Area Regime had been reimposed for Nagaland, so check the current rule with the state and the Ministry of Home Affairs before planning.
By air, to Dimapur
Dimapur Airport is about 66 km and 105 minutes by road from Kohima on our routing; Wikipedia and Wikivoyage say 74 km, and Wikivoyage about two hours. Kohima's own airport at Chiethu is under construction.
By train, to Dimapur or Chümoukedima
- Dimapur railway station: 69 km, 107 min.
- Chümoukedima Shokhüvi station: 59 km, 100 min.
Wikipedia says a line towards Kohima, with a station at Zubza, is being built.
By road
From Guwahati it is about 335 km on free-flow routing (258 minutes, before traffic). From Delhi it is about 2,106 km, a drive of several days; nearly everyone flies or takes the train. Kohima sits on NH 2 and NH 29, and the Dimapur–Kohima highway is tolled.
Getting around
Wikivoyage says the centre, the war cemetery and the bazaar are within walking distance of each other. Taxis go out to the Kisama Heritage Village and Khonoma.
Once you are here
Read things to do in Kohima and the best time to go, and copy the one-day plan.
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Questions people ask
Which is the nearest airport to Kohima?
Dimapur Airport, about 66 km and 105 minutes by road on our routing; Wikipedia and Wikivoyage give 74 km and Wikivoyage about two hours. Kohima's own airport at Chiethu is still being built. Taxis and shared cars run up from Dimapur; we have no verified fares.
Is there a train to Kohima?
Not yet. The nearest stations are Dimapur, about 69 km and 107 minutes by road on our routing, and Chümoukedima Shokhüvi, about 59 km and 100 minutes. A line from Dimapur towards Kohima, with a station at Zubza, is under construction, by Wikipedia's account.
How do I get the Nagaland Inner Line Permit?
Indian citizens from outside Nagaland apply online at ilp.nagaland.gov.in; the Commissioner, Nagaland approves it. The tourist ILP is valid for 15 days. Apply before you travel, carry a copy, and check the portal for the current fee and documents, which we cannot verify here. Foreign nationals should check the current Protected Area rules.