Trekking to Dzüko Valley: A Journey to Remember
- Bharat Bhushan Negi
- May 6, 2023
- 7 min read
In July 2022, during a three-day holiday at IIT Guwahati, my friends Ajay, Surender, and I decided to take a break from our academic work. We were all bogged down with academic work and desperately needed a break. That's when we stumbled upon the idea of visiting Dzüko Valley in Nagaland and Manipur. The trekking experience was just what we needed to refresh our minds.
The first thing we did was apply for the Inner Line Permit from Nagaland House online. This permit is required to enter Nagaland, and we didn't want to face any hurdles during our journey. Once we had the permit, we booked our train tickets from Guwahati to Dimapur in Nagaland. The sleeper tickets cost us only 185 rupees, and we were all set to embark on our journey.
Excitement was building within us as we boarded the train at 11:50 PM, the journey was comfortable, and we reached Dimapur station at 4:45 AM. We were ecstatic to land in Nagaland finally and couldn't wait to explore its beauty. Our spirits were high, and we were excited about the trek ahead. The journey had just begun, and we were ready to embrace every moment of it.
Once we arrived in Dimapur, we knew we had to reach Kohima, the capital of Nagaland, before we could start our trek to Dzüko Valley. Taxis were the best option for us to go to Kohima from the railway station, and luckily plenty of taxi operators were waiting outside. We negotiated with one of them and settled on a fare of 350 INR per person for a car accommodating four people. Interestingly, we shared the taxi with another person heading to the same place.
As we made our way towards Kohima, we couldn't help but admire the scenic beauty of Nagaland. The trees, small villages, and traditional Naga-style houses made for a picturesque view. Kohima was a beautiful town that reminded us of Shimla from a distance. However, we reached Kohima early in the morning, and the shops were yet to open. We quickly inquired about the taxi stand from where we could get a lift to Viswema village, the starting point of our trek to Dzukou Valley.
After some enquiries, we learned there was another taxi stand in Kohima where we could find a ride to Viswema village. The taxi driver charged us 150 rupees to drop us off at the taxi stand. We were eager to start our trekking journey and couldn't wait to explore Viswema village and its surroundings. With our backpacks and trekking gear, we were all set for the next leg of our journey. As we were only three people, the taxi driver charged 630 rupees for a 7-8 seat Tata Sumo from Kohima to Viswema village. However, we waited a few minutes and were joined by more travel partners who shared the taxi fare. The road to Viswema village was decent, and we reached there in no time. After arriving, we decided to take a break and ate some snacks at a nearby homestay.
Next, we had to cover a distance of 7 km from Viswema village to the trek starting point. We had two options: walking or taking a Mahindra Bolero. Although the Bolero charged a fixed rate of 1500 INR for one side, we chose to opt for it to save time. Three people who worked in Kohima were joining us but were originally from other parts of India, making us a group of six.
On the way to the trek starting point, we encountered an entry point where we had to pay an entrance fee of 100 INR per person. Additionally, there was a camera fee of 200 and a plastic fee of 500, which was refundable if we brought the plastic back with us after the trek. We were impressed by this initiative to keep the environment clean and green.
Finally, we started our thrilling journey towards the trek starting point. The road was full of potholes and was unmetalled. At times, it felt like the car might topple over. The trees on the sides of the road brushed past our necks, and dense forests surrounded the road. Despite the bumpy ride, we were all standing on the backside of the Mahindra Bolero, enjoying every bit of the thrilling experience. With adrenaline rushing through our veins, we finally arrived at the trek starting point, ready to embark on our adventure to Dzüko Valley.
The excitement was palpable as we walked towards the base camp. The first hour was challenging, with a steep slope and numerous climbing stairs, but we were determined to reach our destination. The path wound through a dense forest, and we encountered several groups of people returning from the base camp. Eager to know how long we had to go, we asked every group we met for an estimated time. The weather was foggy, making capturing good videos difficult, but we didn't let that dampen our spirits.
As we continued our ascent, we ran into a group of people from Nagaland who were visiting Dzüko Valley for the first time. They were as excited as we were, and we exchanged stories and tips for the journey ahead.
After another hour of walking, we reached a top from where the landscape transformed into small bumpy mountains of green grasses. It was a breathtaking view, and we couldn't resist taking a few pictures. However, amidst all the beauty, we couldn't help but notice the burnt trees in the distance. We later learned that a few years back, due to the carelessness of some tourists, the area had caught fire. It was a disheartening sight, but the grass on the ground was new and green, and the valley still looked stunning. From this point onwards, the way was much simpler and smoother. We made steady progress, and after another 1.5 hours, we finally reached the base camp of Dzüko Valley. It had been a long and arduous journey.
As we reached the base camp, we were welcomed by the breathtaking view of the valley. The lush green hills were surrounded by fog and seemed like a dreamland. We were so mesmerised by the beauty of nature that we forgot about our tiredness and the journey we had just completed. We saw many tents pitched at the campsite, which the village people manage; a dorm facility was also there, charging around 100-200 rupees. We booked a tent for three people, and to our surprise, the owner charged us only 1000 rupees for the night, along with the tent and blankets. We also pre-ordered dinner for the night, as the food tends to run out quickly. The veg food cost us 350 rupees, and they provided us with tea in the morning.
After freshening up and having some snacks, we decided to explore the valley. We went hiking to the big cross sign down in the valley. As Nagaland is a Christian state, we saw many crosses on our way. It took us about an hour to reach the cross from the base camp, and on the way, we crossed two beautiful water streams, which we had to travel by keeping our shoes in our hands to avoid getting them wet. The water was crystal clear and cold, and we couldn't resist dipping. The cold water was refreshing and rejuvenating, making us forget our worries and stress. From the cross, we could see the magical view of the valley.
As the evening approached, we saw the sun setting behind the hills, painting the sky with shades of orange and pink. The view was spectacular, and we sat there for hours, admiring the valley's beauty. We also had dinner at the campsite, a simple meal of rice, dal and vegetables, but it tasted heavenly in the serene surroundings of the valley.
As the night fell, we saw the stars twinkling in the sky, and the valley was illuminated with moonlight. We spent some time around the bonfire, listening to music and sharing stories with other trekkers. It was a surreal experience, and we felt so close to nature. The first day of our trek was an unforgettable experience, and we couldn't wait to explore more of this magical place.
The next morning, we woke to a breathtaking view of the valley bathed in golden sunlight. As a vlogger, I took 18 takes for a starting shot of my vlog and finally got the perfect shot. After that, we decided it was time to return home. We chose a different path this time, the Jakhama way.
Although the route passed through a dense forest and a waterfall, it had many stairs and was much longer than the Viswema route.
After an hour of walking, it started to rain, and we realised we were not fully equipped with rain gear. I only had an umbrella, which failed to protect me from getting wet. We were fully soaked, and at one point, I fell due to the loose soil and mud caused by the rain. I lost my hat and realised it was missing after 100 steps. I retraced my steps and found it in a muddy pothole. The rain was still pouring down, and we had to struggle to reach the main road of Jakhama village. We showed the plastic we were carrying while hiking, and the villagers refunded 500 rupees. We waited for a lift, but it was Sunday, and most taxi drivers were on leave to attend church. Shops were closed until the afternoon as well. Luckily, a man was approaching a nearby place, and we asked him to drop us off at Kohima. He agreed and charged us 700 rupees, which we thought was our only option.
After an eventful and exciting trip to Nagaland, we had unforgettable memories and experiences that will stay with us for a lifetime. We hiked through lush green forests, took refreshing dips in crystal-clear streams, and witnessed stunning panoramic views of the Dzukou Valley. Our journey was challenging, from getting caught in the rain without proper gear to losing personal belongings. But even in the face of adversity, we found a way to make the best of the situation and become stronger. As we boarded the train back to IIT Guwahati, we were grateful for the beauty of the world we had just experienced and the new perspectives we had gained. We knew that this journey had profoundly touched us and that we would never forget the magic of Nagaland. And with that, our adventure ended, but the memories and lessons we took away from it will stay with us forever.
It was a amazing travelling experience. 😍
Amazing read.
Felt like, I was traveling with you guys the entire time.