Manipur and Nagaland Tour

Assist on arrival at Imphal and transfer to hotel.

After check-in, proceed for a tour of Imphal City which includes the two Second World War cemeteries in Imphal maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), the famous Ima Market – one of the largest markets in Asia run only by women, Kangjeibung – the oldest living Polo ground in the world and the historic Kangla fort which is regarded as ‘the cradle of Manipuri civilization’. In the evening we will take part in the aarti puja at the Govindajee Temple, the main Vaishnavite temple of Manipur.

Note: 1) The starting time of the tour and the number of sites to be visited will depend upon the time of your arrival at Imphal airport.

            2) The Kangla Fort is closed on Mondays.

Want to experience the thrill of crossing over what is perhaps India’s most exciting and under-explored international border or of visiting the place where South Asia meets Southeast Asia? Then this is the tour for you. We take you to the border town of Moreh (110 km from Imphal) and cross over into Tamu in Burma (Myanmar) to see its bustling bazaar, friendly people and main Buddhist monastery. We top it all off with a delicious Burmese meal! As if that wasn’t enough, en route near Tengnoupal you enjoy stunning views from the road at 5,000 feet of the mountains that form the India-Burma border. We can also see the Shenam Saddle where some of the most ferocious fighting of the WWII took place between the British and Japanese soldiers. Overnight at Imphal.

Note:  1. The visit to Tamu (in Myanmar) will depend on the overall (political) situation in Myanmar during the time of the tour.

2. Crossing the international border into Tamu is only permitted for and on offer to Indian tourists. Foreign nationals can travel up to Moreh only.
3. The border and the market are closed on Full moon and New moon days.

This tour has as its main destination the breathtakingly beautiful Loktak Lake, the largest freshwater lake in North East India and Manipur’s top tourist destination. We can get a bird’s eye view of the lake from the Sendra Island.  We stop en route at the Second World War battlefield of Red Hill where India Peace Memorial and the only Japanese war memorial in India, is located.  The recently opened Imphal Peace Museum, built by Japan at the base of Red Hill, can also be visited.  This tour also includes a visit to the Indian National Army (INA) Memorial Complex (including the INA War Museum) where men of the INA hoisted the INA flag on the Indian soil. This is the only such memorial complex in the world. Another highlight of the day is the Keibul Lamjao National Park, the world’s only floating national park to see the Sangai, the brow antlered deer or the ‘dancing deer’. Overnight at Imphal.

Note: The Imphal Peace Museum and the INA War Museum are closed on Mondays.

Drive to Kohima after breakfast along the Imphal-Kohima Road. This road was in 1944 – and remains today – Manipur’s lifeline and main connection to the outside world. On the way to Kohima we will see a WWII era airfield, a war memorial, battlefields and beautiful landscapes all along the road. Before reaching Kohima we will visit Kisama village to see the Kohima WWII Museum. This is one of the best World War II museums in India. We will also visit the main venue of the famous Hornbill Festival to see the traditional houses of all the major tribes in Nagaland. Overnight at Kohima.

Note: This drive to Kohima will take up to 6 hours since we have many stoppages en route.

After breakfast, we will visit the Kohima War Cemetery which is one of the most iconic battlefields of the world. In this cemetery, among others, one can still see the outline of the famous tennis court around which fierce fighting raged in 1944 during the WWII. It is where you will find out why the Battle of Kohima is also known as the ‘Stalingrad of the east’. It was in Kohima that the Japanese invasion of India during the WWII was stopped. We will also visit famous the Kohima Cathedral which is also one of the main highlights of Kohima town. We will also try to visit the Nagaland State Museum, if time permits.

The latter part of the day involves a visit to Khonoma, also known as ‘Asia’s first green village’, and an important home of the Angami tribe. On reaching Khonoma, you will be able to see the Naga age-group houses (Morungs), forts, ceremonial gates and the Angami way of living through an engaging village walk. Overnight at Kohima.

Note: The drive from Kohima to Khonoma takes about 1 hour.

Drive from Kohima to Dimapur airport. Fly out from Dimapur airport.

 (Reporting time at domestic airport is two hours prior to the time of departure of flight)

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