WWII Battlefield Tour of Imphal and Kohima

Upon arrival at Imphal, you will be transferred to your hotel. After check-in, proceed for a battle of Imphal tour which covers sites in and around Imphal City related to the Battle of Imphal of 1944 and to learn about Manipur’s overall war experience. This includes a visit to the historic Kangla fort where you can see General (later Field Marshal) Slim’s cottage, besides seeing many other interesting sites. A visit to the Kangla fort is always a good introduction to Manipur – the land and its people. Proceed to Nungshigum, the closest WWII battlefield from Imphal.

Note: The Kangla fort is closed on Mondays.

Overnight at Imphal.

This tour has as its main destination the breathtakingly beautiful Loktak Lake, the largest freshwater lake in Northeast India and Manipur’s top tourist destination. We stop en route at the Second World War battlefield of Red Hill where the 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. Besides visiting other battlefields, 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 at India’s doorstep in 1944. This is the only such memorial complex in the world. This tour can take anywhere between 6 and 7 hours.

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

Overnight at Imphal.

The Shenam Saddle Tour takes you to the very hills that made up the Shenam Saddle position on the road to Burma/Myanmar. You will be travelling on the historic Pallel-Tamu road which connects South Asia and Southeast Asia. Hear all about the fierce fighting in the area and see if you can spot trenches dating back to 1944. At a height of some 5,000 feet, take in some truly spectacular views on all sides. A visit to the Khongjom War Memorial is also included where you can learn about the Khongjom War or Anglo-Manipuri War of 1891.

Overnight at Imphal.

Today you will see the important tourist sites in and around Imphal City. This 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, RCKS Art Gallery and Mapal Kangjeibung – the oldest living Polo ground in the world. A traditional Manipuri lunch is also part of this tour, on request. Manipur is famous for its handloom and handicraft products and the women’s market is the best place to pick up such things/souvenirs. In the evening you can visit the viewpoints at Cheirao Ching (hill top) to have a bird’s eye view of Imphal and to enjoy the sunset.

Overnight at Imphal.

Check-out after breakfast and drive to Kohima 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 you will see a WWII era airfield, a war memorial, battlefields and the historic Milestone 109 where the two arms of the British Army linked up. Before reaching Kohima visit Kisama Heritage Village to see the Kohima WWII Museum. This is one of the best Second World War museums in India. Do not miss to see the main venue of the famous Hornbill Festival to see the traditional houses of all the major tribes in Nagaland. The drive to Kohima will take up to 6 hours owing to the several interesting stoppages en route.

Note: The Kohima WWII Museum is closed on Saturdays and Sundays. It is open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekdays.

Overnight at Kohima.

This full day Battle of Kohima Tour includes a guided walk around the famous Kohima Ridge in which you will see the main positions of the battle such as Jail Hill, DIS, FSD, Kuki Picquet and Garrison Hill. The walk culminates at the Kohima War Cemetery where, among others, one can still see the outline of the tennis court around which fierce fighting raged in 1944. You can also visit Hill 5120, Aradura Spur and the most prominent landmark of Kohima– the Kohima Cathedral.

The later part of the day involves a visit to Khonoma village, the first green village in India and an important home of the Angami Naga tribe. Upon reaching Khonoma, see the age-group houses (Morungs), forts and ceremonial gates. Walk around the village to see the Angami way of life and also listen to the stories of how the villagers of Khonoma confronted the British in the colonial days. En route, you can also visit a memorial to Major General John Grover who commanded the British 2nd Division during the battle of Kohima.

Overnight at Kohima.

After breakfast, you will be transferred from Kohima to Dimapur airport for your onward journey.

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

Tour Ends