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The mountains are absolutely stunning on this beautiful trail. You can choose to hike from the Kisama side, which is easier and faster. At first, there is a steep climb that can take 30-60 minutes, depending on your fitness level. Once you reach a certain point, you’ll be rewarded with a breathtaking view of the mountains. After that, the trail is mostly straight for 2-3 hours until you reach the base camp. The base camp offers unobstructed views of the Dzukou Valley. You can continue further up to a spot marked with a Holy Cross. The valley may appear to be a grassland, but it is actually covered in tall bushes, giving it a perfectly manicured look. It takes another 1-2 hours of hiking to reach the cross.

You can camp overnight, and it was extremely cold. Luckily, some of us were able to light a fire inside a shelter. Having a bonfire outside was not an option due to the freezing temperatures. Even with two blankets each, you can still feel the chill (especially with the rain during the night). I recommend booking the available cottage at a reasonable price in advance. The next morning, after freshening up, you can pack up and had breakfast (a comforting bowl of hot Maggie noodles). Then, we made our way back to our respective destinations. It truly feels like heaven. The trek is challenging, but the views you get after the climb are indescribable. If you’re a true nature lover, you should definitely visit Dzukou Valley. Trust me, you’ll create countless unforgettable memories.

It’s a wonderful place to visit. Despite the rain on our way back, you can find this place to be refreshing. The hills are incredibly beautiful. You can truly appreciate the panoramic beauty by visiting. My trekking companions and I only took photos from the resting point all the way to the Dzokou Valley. It was simply amazing. And the view of the sunset with the multi-colored clouds was absolutely awesome. You can also have the opportunity to go to the Crosspoint early in the morning the next day, which was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Our guide was friendly and helpful.

You should bring a raincoat when visiting this place. Also, bring some food with you. The food there is a bit expensive, but you don’t have much choice.

You should bring a tent and sleeping bags for your overnight stay at Dzokou. However, avoid carrying unnecessary weight and only bring the essential clothing. If you enjoy trekking and are physically fit, you should definitely visit Dzoku Valley near Kohima. It is a must-have experience on your bucket list. The trek is moderately tough, especially because you have to carry your own luggage. The distance from the starting point to the guest house is approximately 6 km, with the first 1.5 km being quite difficult and challenging. On the same day, you can also hike up to the cross, which will take around 3 hours round trip from the Dzoku guest house.

One of the most stunning valleys in Northeast India. Here are some tips from my trekking experience that might be helpful for others.

1. Bring a water bottle as there are very few water sources along the trek. It’s also a good idea to pack some snacks since the goods there can be expensive due to carrying charges.

2. Avoid traveling during the monsoon season as the roads can be muddy and difficult to walk on, especially in the last patches.

3. If possible, bring two bedsheets as they can be very useful at night.

4. Don’t forget to pack sweatshirts and hoodies as it can get cold at night.

Restrooms:

There are two dormitories in the valley where you can spend the night. Remember to bring one bedsheets with you as it will come in handy.

Dzukou Valley: Explore the enchanting and magical valley that stretches across the borders of Nagaland and Manipur!

Story of this place

After a challenging 1.5-hour climb from Viswema on a sunny yet slightly cloudy day, the valley slowly revealed its beauty. As we marveled at the breathtaking view of Dzukou amidst the clouds and the sun’s reflection on the grasslands, you can continue our hike for another 3 hours. Upon reaching the trekkers’ hut, you can re greeted by a mesmerizing sunset, one of the most spectacular you can have seen in a long time. The weather was windy, sunny, and adorned with beautiful summer clouds. In the heart of this grassy valley, rays of light pierced through the white clouds, illuminating the golden ash purplish greens.

 As you can settled into our cottage room at Dzukou point, the air grew colder with the setting sun and the weather became more overcast. We gathered around a bonfire, enjoying its warmth as you can prepared dinner. The mysterious valley made us ponder and reflect, as if you can be transported into a state of spirituality, our emotions heightened. I felt a sense of liberation, as if I could dance through the valley with some magical power that permeated the air of Dzukou. At the same time, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of eerie lifelessness in Dzukou, which almost instilled a sense of fear and unease. Dzukou, derived from the local Angami Mao dialect meaning “cold water,” truly lives up to its name.

The next day, you can continue exploring the valley by hiking through the mysterious grassland in the clouds on the valley’s crown and along the Kezo L. The afternoon sun shone through the thick clouds, making it dark. The yellow-green grass reflected every corner of the valley, making it hard to see. As the clouds darkened and the rain and thunder grew stronger, we had to quickly return within four hours. After the hike back, we stopped at the Trekkers Hut kitchen to cook our meal and spent time talking and singing with locals. Later, you can went back to our lodging to prepare for a bonfire, cook khichri, and relax.

Dzukou remains a mystery to us, as you can are unsure how to interpret our experiences during the three days you can spent there. The second evening, everyone in the group was unusually quiet, feeling various unexplained disturbances and disconnecting from those around us. It felt like being in a trance again. After the night passed, you can hike back to Kigwema. A good meal and rest revived us, releasing us from the mysterious atmosphere of Dzukou Valley. When we discussed our thoughts on the valley, you can all shared the same strange feeling. Some things you canre inexplicable, but it was definitely unique.

Despite its enchanting yet sometimes soulless beauty, visiting and exploring the valley is truly worth it. It was both beautiful and terrifying, liberating yet unchanging. The scenery shifted from sunny to cloudy, providing an unforgettable experience. I look forward to repeating it a few more times.

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