boltQuick Facts10-sec scan
navigationHow I Did It
- check_circleTook a shared taxi from Kohima’s AOC stand to Viswema (~₹50 a seat), then shared a Bolero to the trek start (~₹250 my share).
- check_circleTrekked up the Viswema route (5–6 hours with breaks) and slept at the valley rest house.
- check_circleCarried all food and a sleeping bag from Kohima — nothing to buy up there; came down the Jakhama trail on day three.
alt_routeMy Route
- 1Kohima → Viswema~₹50shared taxi, ~₹50
- 2Trek start via shared Bolero~₹250~₹250) → Dzukou rest house (~₹100/night
- 3Jakhama trail down → Kohima~₹50shared taxi, ~₹50
articleMy Experience
June is when the Dzukou lilies bloom, and I had wanted to see the valley in flower for two years. The Viswema climb starts with what everyone calls the stairway — steep stone steps that humble you in the first hour. After that it flattens into a long rolling traverse, and then the valley just opens up: green waves of grass, streams, and those white lilies everywhere I looked.
The rest house is basic — a roof, a floor, and a small kitchen where the caretaker makes noodles and tea for a small charge. I carried rice, dal packets and snacks from Kohima, which was the smartest thing I did, since there is nothing to buy up there. Night in the valley is silent in a way cities never are, and morning mist sat in the meadows till nine. I walked the flat valley trail for two hours before heading down the Jakhama side — shorter but brutal on the knees, rocky and steep the whole way. Trekking poles would have helped. The night before, I’d shared tea at the rest house with two college students from Kohima doing the same trek, and we traded trail stories long after dark. By evening I was back in Kohima with muddy shoes and zero regrets.
account_balance_walletWhat I Spent
| Expense | Approx Cost |
|---|---|
| Shared taxis + Bolero | ~₹450 |
| Rest house (1 night) | ~₹100 |
| Food + snacks from Kohima | ~₹1,200 |
| Hostel in Kohima + entry + misc | ~₹1,100 |
lightbulbMoney Saver
Carry everything from Kohima — food, water, a sleeping bag. There are no shops at the valley, and buying forgotten gear at the trailhead costs double. Travel with one friend and split the Bolero.
verified_userReality Check
What actually saved money? The shared taxis and carrying my own food. The trek itself costs almost nothing. What wasn’t worth saving money on? Good shoes. My old sneakers slipped twice on the Jakhama descent. Biggest mistake? Starting at 10 AM. Start by 7 — afternoon clouds roll in fast and the trail gets slippery. Biggest surprise? The lilies. Photos don’t prepare you for a whole valley of them. Would I do this route again? In a heartbeat. Next time in September, when the flowers are different and the crowds are thinner.
tips_and_updatesWhat I Wish I Knew
- Start the trek by 7 am — afternoon clouds roll in fast and the trail turns slippery.
- Wear proper trekking shoes; ordinary sneakers slip on the Jakhama descent.
- Carry all your food and at least 2 litres of water — there is nothing to buy on the trail.
- Keep a photo ID handy; there is an entry check at the base of the trek.
personAbout the Traveler
Kevi from Kohima — a traveller story on Mountains Bliss. Traveller stories · fellow travellers, honest budgets.
forumKevi
Is the trek okay for a beginner? I’m reasonably fit but have never trekked.
Yes — take the Viswema route, start early, and pace yourself. It’s long but not technical. Carry a rain jacket in monsoon months.
Do I need a guide or a permit?
The trail from the Nagaland side is well marked, so a guide is optional. Non-Naga visitors need an ILP for Nagaland — sort it before you reach Kohima.
forum Traveler discussion (0)
No questions yet — been on this route? Ask away or share what you paid.