Tribal Festival · Kisama Heritage Village, Kohima, Nagaland
Hornbill Festival
December 1–10, 2026
The Hornbill Festival is Nagaland's biggest event of the year. For ten days, from December 1 to 10, the state's tribes gather at Kisama Heritage Village near Kohima, each with its own morung, songs, dances, food and crafts.
Days are for the performances in the arena and walking between the morungs. Evenings in Kohima often have music. The programme is set by the organisers and can change year to year.
Indian visitors need an Inner Line Permit for Nagaland, which you apply for online before you travel. Festival week is busy, and rooms and camps near Kisama fill early.
Many visitors add Khonoma, a green village a short drive from Kohima, or a night at the Dzukou Valley camp, a trek of about four hours from Viswema.
Worth knowing
Book your stay near Kisama or in Kohima well before December, and apply for your Inner Line Permit as soon as your dates are fixed.
What this opens up
28 Nov – 3 Dec 2026
Our Hornbill Festival & Kaziranga group trip→
A Kaziranga jeep safari, then three nights in Kigwema beside the festival, with the opening day. Guwahati to Dimapur, up to 10 travellers. ₹29,999.
short drive from Kohima
Khonoma→
A green village known for its conservation work. A guided walk through the village is a good half day.
trek from Viswema
Dzukou Valley→
Rolling grassland above the clouds. About four hours each way; most people camp a night.
planning guide
Hornbill Festival 2026 guide→
Dates, permits, where to stay and how to plan the week.
Planning Hornbill this year? Message us with your dates and we'll tell you what's possible.
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