You’ve probably heard of the well-known hikes in India’s Himalayan area; however, have you ever heard of the Dzükou Valley Trek in Northeast India?
Sitting within the clouds at an altitude of two,452 meters (8,000 toes) above sea stage, the Dzükou Valley — additionally written as Dzukou Valley or Dziiko Valley — is positioned within the Indian state of Nagaland.
The executive border between the states of Nagaland and Manipur passes by way of the valley; nonetheless, Dzükou Valley is just accessible from the Nagaland aspect.
Inhabited by 16 main ethnic teams and sub-groups, Nagaland is blessed with cultural variety, mountains, and pure magnificence, which is finest explored by doing the favored Dzükou Valley Trek.
Attention-grabbing truth:
The time period “Dzüko” is derived from the native Viswema dialect of the Angami Nagas and means “uninteresting and soulless” — although don’t let this deter you from visiting for a hike. The identify was given as a result of the ancestors of Viswema village couldn’t domesticate crops or set up a settlement within the valley.
They had been, nonetheless, nonetheless in a position to recognize its excessive magnificence. Dzükou Valley is roofed in dwarf bamboo shrubs, with excessive hills surrounding uniform hillocks and a tranquil river flowing by way of the valley. Furthermore, the views you’ll take pleasure in whereas mountaineering are really spectacular.
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What Sort Of Hiker Are You? [Free Quiz]
Now, earlier than we dive additional into find out how to hike the Dzükou Valley, I wish to share a free persona quiz I believe you’ll love!
Uncover your mountaineering persona on this enjoyable and quick hiker persona quiz, which additionally shares path solutions based mostly in your outcomes.
When you’ve grabbed the quiz, maintain studying for an in-depth Dzukou Valley Trek Information. This gorgeous hike is a must-do for out of doors lovers visiting India!
Dzükou Valley Trekking Map
Earlier than mountaineering within the Dzükou Valley, it’s advisable to take a look at a map to get a lay of the land.
The beneath Dzükou Valley map presents an awesome place to begin, or you may click on right here for the interactive Google Maps model.
Greatest Time To Do The Dzükou Valley Trek
When it comes to the perfect month to go to Dzukou Valley, it’s really a year-round vacation spot.
The truth is, monsoon season — Might to August — is when the colourful pink Dzükou Lily blooms. This flower could be very particular, as it could possibly solely be discovered within the Dzükou Valley. Because it grows alongside different colourful flowers towards lush inexperienced grasses, it creates a really gorgeous scene.
However, throughout winter, the Dzükou Valley is roofed by frost and receives snowfall, significantly in direction of the top of December till February. So long as you don’t thoughts the chilly, this is usually a pretty time to go to as you may soak up frozen views of the valley.
How To Attain Dzukou Valley (Getting There)
The Dzükou Valley could be reached by way of two mountaineering trails; one from the Viswema Village and the opposite from Jakhama (additionally spelled Zakhama).
Hikers typically undergo Viswema, because the Jakhama path is far steeper. The truth is, Viswema solely has about one hour of uphill mountaineering vs Jakhama, which is a steep ascent virtually all the means. Bear in mind, you may at all times go up the Viswema path and down the Jakhama path.
Viswema Village is about 14 miles (22 kilometers) and Jakhama is about 9 miles (15 kilometers) from Nagaland’s capital metropolis of Kohima.
To achieve Kohima, non-public vehicles, taxis, sumos (shared taxis), and buses repeatedly drive from Dimapur, which is dwelling to the closest regional airport. LGBI Airport in Guwahati (Assam) is the closest Worldwide Airport.
By railway, the Dimapur Railway Station is effectively related to different states. You possibly can head to Kohima from the station by boarding public buses, non-public vehicles, and sumos. It takes round 2-2.5 hours to succeed in Kohima from Dimapur.
From Kohima, you may take a shared taxi from the Networks Journey AOS Bus Cease to succeed in both Viswema or Jakhama.
Necessary observe:
Indian nationals should get an Inside Line Allow (ILP) to go to Nagaland. For overseas guests, passports and visas are sufficient for coming into Nagaland; nonetheless, they often ask overseas vacationers to register themselves on the nearest native police station upon their arrival to the state.
Dzukou Valley view from the Helipad close to the campsite. Photograph Credit: Joydeep Phukan of The Gypsy Chiring
The Dzükou Valley Trek– Important Info
Dzükou Valley Elevation: 2,452 meters (8,000 toes) above sea stage.
Dzükou Valley Trek Elevation Acquire: Viswema is 1,631 meters (5,351 toes) above sea stage and Jakhama sits at 1,606 meters (5,269 toes). This implies a hiker would acquire about 821 meters (2,694 toes) when mountaineering from Viswema and about 846 meters (2,776 toes) when mountaineering from Jakhama.
Dzükou Valley Trek Issue: Reasonable (from Viswema) and tough (from Jakhama).
Dzükou Valley Trek Period: The minimal time to succeed in the Dzukou Valley Visitor Home — which is the top level of the trek — is about 4-to-5 hours from each villages. The Dzukou Valley Trek distance distance by way of Viswema is roughly 13 kilometers (8 miles) and 10 kilometers (6 miles) by way of the Jakhama path.
Dzükou Valley Trek Location: Kohima District, Nagaland.
Dzükou Valley Trek Trailhead: The most effective a part of mountaineering to Dzukou Valley is loads of signage alongside the way in which!
- The trailhead at Jakhama begins from the principle street close to a bridge by the river — a little bit forward of the sumo stand of Jakhama. Click on right here for a Google map.
- At Viswema, the hiker has to first attain the “Trekker’s Level”, which is about 8-9 kilometers (5-5.6 miles) from the village. The precise path begins from the Trekker’s Level. Click on right here for a Google map.
Different Close by Hikes: When in Nagaland, additionally don’t miss Mt. Saramati and the Japfu Peak Trek.
The Dzükou Valley Trek place to begin at Jakhama. Photograph Credit: Joseph Prathul
Dzükou Valley Trek Step-By-Step Information
Able to embark on one of many world’s finest hikes? Let’s do that!
Dzükou Valley Trek by way of Viswema
From Viswema, one can stroll 8 kilometers (5 miles) alongside drivable street or rent a taxi exterior the village gate for about 1000-1500 INR (~$14-$20 USD). Whereas strolling can prevent cash, it additionally expends various vitality and provides about 2-3 hours to your mountaineering time.
As soon as the street ends, you’ll attain the “Trekker’s Level” — which is when it’s time to hike.
The trek begins with a steep 4-kilometer (2.5-mile) climb up rough-hewn stone steps by way of forest. This part takes about 45 minutes to an hour.
Notice that relying on the climate, this part could be muddy and slippery, so be sure you convey the right mountaineering apparel.
Maintain trekking till you attain the highest of Viswema Hill, which is whenever you formally attain the Dzükou Valley. Spend a while right here admiring the breathtaking views over the valley.
View from the highest of Viswema Hill of Dzukou Valley Trek, Nagaland. Photograph Credit: Joydeep Phukan from The Gypsy Chiring
Together with being lovely, that is additionally the place the steep part ends and the place you’ll be confronted with two trails. The one to the left goes to Mt. Tempfu, whereas the path to the correct leads you to deeper into the Dzükou Valley.
Head proper and benefit from the surroundings, as the remainder of the path — which is one other 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) — is comparatively flat. You’ll zig-zag alongside the valley slope and cross pretty little streams till you attain the Dzukou Valley Visitor Home.
Dzükou Valley Trek by way of Jakhama
Your different possibility is to hike from Jakhama, which is the extra demanding of the 2 choices, nevertheless it takes much less time. Additionally observe that in monsoon season, this path could also be further slippery, so make sure that to have correct footwear.
The path begins on the bridge close to the principle street of Jakhama village.
Personally, I hiked proper from the sumo transport stand in Jakhama. From the sumo stand, you may ask the motive force to drop you 4 kilometers (~2.5 miles) forward on the small relaxation home constructed by the Kohima Forest Division.
Mountain climbing a little bit forward, you will notice native farms and farmer huts, which is the place the street ends. From right here, you’ll cross one other river and start the tremendous steep path by way of dense forest.
It’s a painful straight ascent, with stone steps bringing you larger and better till you attain the highest of Jakhama Hill, which takes about 3-4 hours.
From right here, you may take pleasure in a beautiful view of the Dzükou Valley, the Viswema Path, and the Watch Tower of the valley. The Watch Tower is of specific observe, because it presents a real panoramic view of the Dzükou Valley and the villages beneath. It could accessed from close to the Dzukou Valley Visitor Home.
After descending the hill, the Viswema Path and Jakhama Path merge. Flip proper and you’ll instantly have the ability to see the Dzukou Valley Visitor Home. It’s a flat stretch of simply 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) to the lodging.
Staying At The Dzukou Valley Visitor Home
The Southern Angami Youth Affiliation (SAYO) maintains the Dzukou Valley Visitor Home.
There are two homes, which they consult with as dormitories. One has a picket ground whereas the opposite is concrete. Hikers sleep on the ground in these dorms, and the visitor home caretakers present blankets, mats, and different sleeping equipment.
When you attain the visitor home, you’ll need to pay an entrance payment for mountaineering the Dzükou Valley in addition to for lodging, meals, and sleeping equipment.
The Dzukou Valley VIP Relaxation Home with a scenic view. Photograph Credit: Joydeep Phukan
The visitor home kitchen presents each vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals as soon as a day. You possibly can eat noodles (non-vegetarian) on different events.
A makeshift kitchen can be rented if you wish to prepare dinner for your self, although you’ll want to purchase firewood and hire utensils from the visitor home.
There may be additionally a small procuring stall on the campsite providing sweets, biscuits, and noodles, amongst different issues.
A bathroom/toilet is out there for public use.
SAYO additionally presents a cottage secluded from the principle campsite space. It prices greater than the dorms however has an hooked up toilet.
Furthermore, there’s a campsite with area for pitching your personal tent or you may hire a tent from the visitor home.
In the summertime months, water is available on the campsite in a reservoir related to the stream. In winters, nonetheless, you need to accumulate water from a stream about 5 minutes away from the campsite for ingesting and flushing the bathroom.
Dzükou Valley Trekking Ideas
Now that you understand what mountaineering the Dzükou Valley is like, let’s go over some important suggestions. The beneath recommendation will actually assist you’ve the perfect Dzukou Valley journey attainable.
-Most individuals hike the entire day and keep on the visitor home for under an evening; nonetheless, to essentially expertise the serene great thing about the valley, I’d recommend you to remain no less than 2-3 days. You could hike down into Dzükou Valley, go to the Watch Tower for a panoramic view, and swim in a river. Moreover, you may rent an area information to take you to lesser-known caves, pure swimming pools, and waterfalls.
-Since there are two path choices, why not do each? Many individuals choose to hike the simpler path from Viswema to get to the visitor home after which return by way of the steep Jakhama route, which is far simpler on the way in which down, particularly with its stone steps.
-Riverside tenting has been banned as a consequence of littering. Due to this fact, the Dzukou Valley Visitor Home is the place you may keep within the valley.
-There isn’t a electrical energy within the valley, so make sure that to hold an influence financial institution and headlamp. Furthermore, cost your telephone and digital camera battery absolutely earlier than setting off on the Dzükou Valley Trek.
–Touring solo? You possibly can completely do the Dzükou Valley Trek by yourself! Plus, the Dzükou Valley is an unimaginable vacation spot for solo feminine journey in India. That being mentioned, an area information will assist you to from getting misplaced, can enlighten you about native Naga traditions, and might share fascinating folklore tales related to the valley. Bonus: by hiring an area information, you’re supporting the native economic system.
-You gained’t discover any outlets for snacks or eateries alongside the path. Although you will see just a few streams for gathering clear ingesting water, it’s at all times advisable to hold quantity of ingesting water and dry fruits to eat through the hike.
-Because the trek time is about 4-5 hours from both of the villages, it’s prompt that you simply begin early within the morning. Arriving to the visitor home within the night can typically imply there aren’t any rooms or campsite spots left.
-Whereas blankets can be found on the visitor home, if attainable, it’s sensible to convey a high-quality sleeping bag and equipment. That is very true through the chilly winter months.
-There may be no community connectivity within the Dzükou Valley. If you wish to name your family members, you need to climb to the height of the hill the place the Watch Tower is.
Dzukou Valley River Stream. Photograph Credit: Joydeep Phukan of The Gypsy Chiring
What To Pack For The Dzükou Valley Trek
If you’re visiting the Dzükou Valley throughout monsoon season in the summertime, there’s a larger probability of rain. Due to this fact, a poncho or raincoat and rain cowl (in your backpack) is a should.
You could additionally put on footwear with good grips, as the paths grow to be slippery.
So far as clothes is anxious, hikers ought to convey a light-weight jacket, thermals, stretchable mountaineering pants, t-shirts, socks, and gloves. Convey an additional set of garments for those who plan to spend time swimming.
Carrying sweatshirts or T-shirts through the day is ample, nevertheless it will get very chilly at night time.
Furthermore, throughout winter, it’s further necessary to hold a high quality sleeping bag. You’ll additionally wish to convey some further layers and doubtlessly an additional jacket for extra insulation.
You should buy your entire mountaineering clothes and tenting gear at REI right here.
Dzükou Valley Trek Price
When it comes to the Dzukou Valley journey value, registration for the hike prices 100 INR (~$1.34 USD), whereas lodging prices:
- 1500 INR (~$20.15 USD) for a room within the cottage with hooked up toilet
- 100 INR (~$1.34) for a dormitory area or campsite
Now, for those who’re curious what the approximate prices are in your whole round-trip from Guwahati in Assam (the place the worldwide airport is positioned), you’ll probably spend about 4,000 INR to six,000 INR (~$54-$81 USD). This contains trains, transport, lodging, meals, and information.
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