What to pack for Hornbill Festival

December in Kohima is deceptive. The afternoon sun is kind; the morning and night are not. Kisama sits at about 1,400m and the festival’s best hours are its coldest. Pack like you mean it.

The list

• Warm layers, plural. Thermals or a base layer, a fleece or mid-layer, and a proper jacket over it all. Mornings at Kisama start close to single digits.
• Comfortable walking shoes. The festival ground is sloped and uneven — you will walk far more than you planned.
• A rain shell. December is dry season, but mountain weather keeps its own calendar.
• A day pack. For layers you shed by noon, water and whatever you buy at the craft stalls.
• A power bank. Between photos and no reliable charging points at the ground, batteries die young.
• Cash. ATMs in Kohima strain during festival week and stalls are cash-first. Withdraw in Dimapur on your way in.
• Your ID and permit copy. For the ILP checkpoint and festival entry — keep a printed copy; signal is not a plan.
• A torch. For carnival nights and early walks back.

The two things people regret

Not bringing a jacket serious enough for the arena at 9am. And packing so much that every festival day starts with luggage anxiety — you can move in a single backpack for this trip.

What you can borrow from us

Trek guests get camping arrangements on our Dzükou trek; tent guests at Hornbill get a warm setup, bonfire and breakfast. The rest of the list is yours to carry.

Something specific you’re wondering about? Ask on WhatsApp — packing questions are free.