Escape to
Khonoma
Asia’s first green village, 20km from Kohima.
- From Kohima
- 20km · about 1h
- People
- Angami Naga
- Known for
- Green village · terraces · sanctuary
- Stay
- Homestays in the village
Khonoma is an Angami village about 20km west of Kohima, often called Asia’s first green village. In 1998 the village banned hunting and logging across its territory and created the Khonoma Nature Conservation and Tragopan Sanctuary, a decision that changed the valley.
The village is built on a spur above terraced fields, and the terraces are the thing to see: stone-walled, alder-shaded, and still farmed on a cycle the community has kept for generations.
Practicals
Permits & season
ILP required for Indian nationals outside the Hornbill window (waived Dec 1–10 with photo ID), online at ilp.nagaland.gov.in; foreign nationals pay a fee.
October to March is the clean window; December adds the Hornbill Festival, and the monsoon makes eastern roads slow.
Things to do
What you're here for
The terraces
Stone-walled fields on a community farming cycle centuries old.
The sanctuary
Khonoma’s own conservation area, tragopan country.
Village walk
Morungs, gates and houses, best with a local guide.
Overnight
Homestays and home kitchens, worth the extra day.
Getting there
About an hour by road from Kohima; an easy half-day trip, better as an overnight.
Best time: All year. Post-monsoon (Oct–Nov) the terraces are green; harvest is a busy, beautiful time.
Journal
Read before you go
Story · 4 min
A morning in Khonoma
Terraces, alder trees, and a village that stopped hunting, notes from a slow day…
Guide · 5 min
Aoleang Festival: the Konyak festival of Mon, Nagaland
Aoleang Mon Yü is the Konyak tribe's spring festival, held in the first week…
Guide · 7 min
Best time to visit Northeast India, month by month
The best time to visit Northeast India, month by month: weather, festivals, crowds and…
Guide · 4 min
Capital of Nagaland: Kohima, the Hill Capital Explained
Kohima is the capital of Nagaland, not Dimapur. History, why the confusion exists, what…
Guide · 4 min
Dzukou Valley in October: green season
Dzukou in October: the valley still green after monsoon, clear October light, trek conditions…
Guide · 6 min
Festivals of Northeast India by month, the full calendar
The month-by-month festival calendar of Northeast India: Hornbill (Dec), Sekrenyi (Feb), Aoleang (Apr), Moatsü…
More guides in the journal (129 total).
Explore Khonoma
- Where to stay in KhonomaMostly ₹1,000-2,000 with home-cooked meals.
- Things to do in Kohima
- Things to do in Dzükou Valley
- Things to do in Khonoma
- Things to do in Dimapur
- Flying into Dimapur Airport: flights, cabs and onward connections
- Dimapur Railway Station railway station: trains, cabs and onward connections
Facts checked against the official Nagaland tourism portal · Last verified 2026-09-26