Hornbill Festival 2026
Ten days of Naga tribal culture, music and food — the Festival of Festivals.
Photo: Arindam Saha / Unsplash
About the event
The Hornbill Festival is Nagaland's biggest celebration. Every December, the Naga tribes gather at Kisama Heritage Village near Kohima for ten days of traditional dances, folk songs, sports, crafts and food, each tribe hosting visitors at its own morung (traditional house).
It coincides with Nagaland Statehood Day on 1 December, and evenings bring the Hornbill Rock Contest and the Night Bazaar in Kohima. It is one of the most popular festivals in the Northeast, so travel and stays fill up early.
Most visitors combine it with Kohima's WWII cemetery, the village of Khonoma and, for trekkers, Dzükou Valley.
How to reach Kohima
By road from Guwahati
About 350 km · 8–10 hours
Guwahati → Dimapur → Kohima via NH27 and NH29
Nearest airport
Dimapur Airport (about 74 km from Kohima)
Nearest railway station
Dimapur Railway Station
Permits
Indian visitors from outside Nagaland need an Inner Line Permit, available online at ilp.nagaland.gov.in.
Planning tips
- Book stays in Kohima early — rooms near Kisama sell out weeks ahead.
- December mornings and evenings are cold; carry warm layers.
- Parking near Kisama is limited, so expect to use shuttles or taxis for the last stretch.
- Plan at least two days on the road each way if you are self-driving from Guwahati.
Get there your way
Drive yourself or let a local driver take you. Same regular pricing, no event surcharge.
Drive it yourself
Pick up in Guwahati and drive up at your own pace, stopping in Dimapur along the way. It is roughly 700 km round trip, so plan for the 300 km/day fair-use limit and a stay of several days. A car is the comfortable choice; bikes suit only very experienced hill riders.
Suzuki Ertiga (7-Seater)
Car · 7 seats
₹2,800/day
Yamaha FZ / similar
Bike · 2 seats
₹1,000/day
Honda SP 125
Bike · 2 seats
₹1,000/day
Yamaha RayZR 125 / similar
Scooter · 2 seats
₹800/day
Pickup and drop in Guwahati only. The event is about 350 km from Guwahati.
Sit back, we'll drive
A local driver handles the long Guwahati–Kohima drive, the festival-day traffic and the last-mile shuttle chaos, so you arrive rested. Best for families and groups.
5-Seater Sedan
1-4 passengers (driver included)
₹2,900/day onwards
7-Seater
1-6 passengers (driver included)
₹3,650/day onwards
Experienced local driver included. Final price depends on route and trip length.
Hornbill Festival 2026: frequently asked questions
When is the Hornbill Festival 2026?
The Hornbill Festival 2026 runs from 1 to 10 December at Kisama Heritage Village, about 12 km from Kohima, Nagaland.
Do I need a permit for the Hornbill Festival?
Indian visitors from outside Nagaland need an Inner Line Permit, which can be applied for online at ilp.nagaland.gov.in. Foreign visitors should check the current rules before travelling.
How far is Kohima from Guwahati by road?
Kohima is about 350 km from Guwahati and takes roughly 8 to 10 hours by road via Dimapur.
Can I rent a car in Guwahati and drive to the Hornbill Festival?
Yes. RedPanda Travels offers self-drive rentals with pickup and drop in Guwahati, and chauffeur-driven trips with a local driver if you would rather not drive the route yourself.
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