At a glance Tucked away in the north-eastern edge of India, Nagaland is a narrow strip of mountainous territory covering an area of 16,579sq.km. Nagaland State shares its boarders with the Brahmaputra Valley of Assam to its west and north, Myanmar to its east, Arunachal Pradesh to its north and Manipur to the south. About the city Entertainment One of Kohima's more popular youth hangouts, they often hold small rock concerts at Dream Cafe and serve up a very potent coffee with ginseng extract. Nightlife The sun rises early, so shops close soon after twilight and nights are early too. There's little here in the way of urban 'entertainment' but it is fantastic going for moonlit walks and just looking out at the brightly twinkling stars in the clear sky. Take along some good books and buy some rocking Naga music. They show Naga Concerts on the local channel too. Kidding around The Kachari Megaliths A beautifully proportioned brick doorway in the Mughal style, leads into the remaining ruins of the old capital of the Kachari rulers, in the heart of Dimapur. Green grass grows under the shade of the towering bargad tree, and fills the nooks and crannies of grouped rows of gigantic lingam-shaped stones known as The Kachari Megaliths. These stones, once carved with intricate motifs, are believed to be part of an old fertility rite. Green Park On the outskirts of Dimapur, en-route to Kohima, the simple name of this park belies the wonders it beholds. A long and winding road lined with slender Ashok trees curves gently through mango, litchi and guava groves. The air transformed, perfumed with their mingling aromas. The sky is an azure blue. As we park beside the perfectly trimmed hedges of Golden Duranta, Naga rock n roll wafts across the lake where people go boating. In the centre of the lake, across a picturesque bridge, is a circular, restaurant with a red-roofed open verandah above. People lie about on the grass surrounding it, drinking chilled lassi or simply chilling out listening to the song's heartbeat. The State Museum If you want to relate to the Nagas and not merely visit their town, the best place to begin is perhaps, the State Museum at Kohima. The tribal ethos of all the tribes is depicted here through colourful dioramas that showcase and help you understand every aspect of Naga life. The magnificence of the erstwhile warrior/head hunter and the brightly dressed womenfolk. There are the implements of the farmer and the tools of the artisan. Be it the hearth of a Naga kitchen with its overhanging bamboo shelves on which meat is left to smoke, or the deeply tapered roofs and elaborately carved pillars of their homes, the beer mugs, log drums and cymbals of their celebrations or historical artefacts native to the region - you will get a panoramic glimpse into their lives so different from yours. Displays of birds and animals endemic to the region are housed in the basement. Open from 10am to 3 pm, the museum is closed on Sundays and holidays. How to reach Road: Dimapur being a bustling commercial town, has public transport connecting it to every major hub in the region. A good quality road connects Dimapur to the state capital, Kohima. The roads beyond Kohima are mostly in very bad shape and often, simply don't exist except on paper. Do not judge time that might be taken to reach a place on distance. In the hills with their curves and bends and ups and downs, you never know. Carry drinking water and small eats at all times. During the endless monsoon months (between May to October), a perfectly good road can turn pot-holed in a few days. Sturdy all-weather boots instead of stilettos would be best. Landslides and accidents due to thick fog are not uncommon. Ask for a vehicle with fog lights. Anything could delay you. Suddenly, around one bend, you might come across a sight so stupendous, you simply must stop and soak it in. Distances for Kohima Dimapur (74km), Imphal (142 km), Guwahati (292 km), Shillong (427km), Itanagar (534km). Distances of Tourist Spots: From Kohima - Mon (65km) , Wokha (80km) , Phek (145km) , Zunheboto (150km) , Mokokchung (162km) , Zunheboto via Chazouba (224km) , Tuensang via Wokha Mokokchung ( 269 km). Rail: Guwahati, the gateway to the North East and Dimapur its commercial hub, are both very well connected to most parts of India. Several super-fast trains also connect easily with these routes - from north, west and south. Passengers are advised to phone the railway enquiry for any changes in departure/ arrival schedules. Ask at the Assistance desk for directions to you destination. Taxicabs, share cabs, buses, auto rickshaws and cycle rickshaws are available into town, from just outside the station. Foreigners are not allowed to disembark in restricted areas like Dimapur without valid permits. Air: Foreigners disembarking by air at Dimapur must register at the airport. Taxis and share cabs ply back and forth from the above airports. Check for conveyance, bookings and connections at the Assistance counter. With adequate notice, travel agents can also make prior arrangements for transport. Passengers are advised to phone the airline concerned for any changes in departure/ arrival. Especially during inclement weather. Contact details will be given on your ticket. Dimapur Airport is 74 km from Kohima. There are taxi cabs into Dimapur. From here, you can get share cabs to Kohima (@ Rs100 per head). Kohima to Dimapur Airport costs the same. A full cab costs Rs 1500 There are daily Indian Airlines flights to Dimapur (74 km from Kohima) from both Kolkata and Guwahati. A cab from the airport to Dimapur costs Rs.100. Take a share cab to Kohima from here Getting Around: State Transport run regular bus services between Dimapur and Kohima and also between all major towns and villages. Taxis, jeeps and vans are also available, but in the absence of a rate chart, they tend to quote exorbitant rates. Hop on to a share-cab with local passengers or ask the help of a local person to bargain. A seat in a share cab from Dimapur to Kohima should cost Rs 100. Distances 15 km from Dzukou Valley 40 km from Dzulekie 20 km from Konoma 41 km from Tuophema Village 74 km from Dimapur 292 km from Guwahati Best Seasons The magic of any region is enhanced when you experience it in every season possible. Nagaland is pleasant throughout the year. However, as it rains heavily between May and September; carry an umbrella. By autumn when it clears, the massive waterfalls and gurgling streams that flow through verdant valleys and endless emerald hills rise from the misted valleys. Only to beckon the nature lover to mellow sunshine, to harvest festivals, orchids and the eternal snows of the eastern Himalayas. Temperatures vary between 16 C - 31 C in the summer and 4 C - 24 C in winter. Cottons in summer and light layered woollens and a jacket just in case, should suffice in winter. The best time to visit is from October to March. Carry your walking shoes Places in and around The Commonwealth World War II Memorial Near Ser's Bazaar, in Kohima. A walk through the perfectly maintained, flower-filled rows of graves that line the greens in this cemetery designed by Edward Lutyens, is a serene, nostalgic experience. It was here, at the Battle of Kohima in 1944 that the Japanese assault on India was halted. A small garrison of 3,500 men made a valiant stand against an army of 15,000 for 50 unforgettable days and nights. Lest we forget, a plaque on one of the cemetery's tall crosses reads !When you go home, tell them of us and say, For your tomorrow, we gave our today. Kohima Cathedral The Christmas-New Year week is a great time to visit Kohima. Not only is the Catholic Cathedral at Aradurah Hill the largest in the North East, it has the largest wooden crucifix in India as well. Most of the population being Christian, mass here is a sight and sound to behold as familiar hymns resound with Nagamese lyrics and rituals firmly in place. Unlike any other Christmas Eve anywhere. The Zoo Houses that quintessentially local beast the mithun (a semi-wild bison), golden langurs, the endangered Blythe's Trangopan pheasant among others. Open from 9am to 4 pm with an hour's lunch break before noon, it is closed on Mondays. Triple Falls The waterfalls cascade a magnificent 280 ft into a natural pool amidst lush green vegetation near Seithekima village, is best approached via Dimapur. Though good roads don't connect it yet, Trekking here is a good idea. A resort is being developed here as well as at Chumukedima village by the Department of Tourism. Chumukedima was the first base the British established when they attempted to make inroads into this wild, virgin terrain. The Intanki Wildlife Sanctuary 37 km away from Triple Falls, there is a small Rest House here, for those who take pleasure in nature. Though home to many wild animals and rare species of birds and butterflies, there are no organised sightseeing tours at present.