Mapping Memories
Hornbill Festival 2026 Dec 1–10 · Kisama, Nagaland Packages from ₹4,999 Camps · Bonfire · Permits included Dzükou Valley Trek Tawang & Sela, from ₹14,999 Kapamodzü Peak trips, Sep-Dec Camps · Treks · Villages Hornbill Festival 2026 Dec 1–10 · Kisama, Nagaland Packages from ₹4,999 Camps · Bonfire · Permits included Dzükou Valley Trek Tawang & Sela, from ₹14,999 Kapamodzü Peak trips, Sep-Dec Camps · Treks · Villages Hornbill Festival 2026 Dec 1–10 · Kisama, Nagaland Packages from ₹4,999 Camps · Bonfire · Permits included Dzükou Valley Trek Tawang & Sela, from ₹14,999 Kapamodzü Peak trips, Sep-Dec Camps · Treks · Villages

Base in

Imphal

The valley capital at 790m.

Valley capital town, representative of Imphal
Imphal, Manipur
Altitude
About 790m
Airport
Imphal (IMF)
Status
Unrest since 2023, verify first
Permit
ILP required

Imphal sits in the valley at about 790m: the sacred Kangla fort at its heart, Ima Keithel (the all-women market) a walk away, and the roads out to Loktak, Ukhrul and Moreh. The state has faced civil unrest since May 2023: check the current advisory and local advice before booking.

The rainy season runs May to October; the cool dry months are the travel window.

Where to stay in Imphal →

Things to do in Imphal →

Quick answers

Imphal at a glance

Is Imphal open to tourists?

The valley has continued to operate through the unrest, but conditions change: check the current advisory and travel with local operators.

Do I need a permit for Manipur?

Yes, an ILP for Indian nationals; check the state tourism ILP page for the current process.

Practicals

Permits & season

ILP required for Indian nationals; check the current advisory with us before booking, as ground conditions decide the plan.

October to March is the comfortable window in the Imphal valley; winters are crisp, monsoon months are wet.

When to go

Plan around these months

NovemberDecemberJanuaryFebruaryMarch

Nearby

Close enough to combine

Things to do

What you're here for

Kangla

The sacred royal fort at the city’s centre.

Ima Keithel

The historic all-women’s market.

INA memorial

The Indian National Army story at Moirang road.

Journal

Read before you go

A highland lake at dawn, representative of Loktak's winter mornings

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Loktak Lake in December: phumdi mornings

Loktak Lake in December: misty phumdi mornings, winter migratory birds, Keibul Lamjao safari realities…
Family gathering in Northeast India, representative of Ningol Chakkouba

Guide · 4 min

Ningol Chakkouba: Manipur's Family Festival, Date and Meaning

Ningol Chakkouba explained: the Meitei festival of married daughters and paternal homes, held on…

Explore Imphal

Facts checked against the official Manipur tourism portal · Last verified 2026-09-26

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