Kohima itinerary

Plan 01

1 day in Kohima

1. 01

   Day 1: War cemetery, bazaar and views

   Start early at the Kohima War Cemetery, where Commonwealth soldiers killed during the 1944 Battle of Kohima are buried on the grounds of what was once a tennis court. Allow about an hour to walk the rows and read the inscriptions; the museum at the cemetery entrance explains the history. Return to the main bazaar for lunch and a walk through the local market, where people shop for vegetables, cloth and handicrafts. Rest during the hottest hours. In the late afternoon, head to Bara Basti for a sunset or late-day view of the town and surrounding hills, then wander through the residential neighbourhoods to get a sense of Naga domestic architecture and life.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Kohima War Cemetery	45 minutes to 1 hour	Moderate	Early morning or late afternoon, when the sun is soft and fewer visitors are present; October to March for cooler walking

   Pace: Moderate walking today — plan a sit-down break between stops.

   With parents at Kohima War Cemetery: The cemetery is on a slope with uneven ground and some steps, but trees provide shade and the pace is contemplative. Benches are available at several points. Many older visitors find it manageable if they take their time and sit when needed.

Plan 02

2 days in Kohima

1. 01

   Day 1: Cemetery, museum and market

   Spend the morning at the Kohima War Cemetery, then visit the Kohima State Museum to see Naga weapons, textiles, and traditional crafts that explain the region's pre-colonial history. The museum is located in the town centre and is air-conditioned, making it a good indoor break. Have lunch in the bazaar area, then walk up to Kohima Village (Bara Basti) to see the old gates and contemporary Naga life. End in the bazaar as it comes alive in the late afternoon.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Kohima War Cemetery	45 minutes to 1 hour	Moderate	Early morning or late afternoon, when the sun is soft and fewer visitors are present; October to March for cooler walking
   Kohima State Museum	45 minutes to 1.5 hours	Easy	Weekday mornings, when the museum is quiet; October to March for comfortable walking between the museum and nearby sights
   Kohima Village	1–2 hours	Moderate	Morning, when light is soft and villagers are about their day; avoid midday heat

   Pace: Moderate walking today — plan a sit-down break between stops.

   With parents at Kohima War Cemetery: The cemetery is on a slope with uneven ground and some steps, but trees provide shade and the pace is contemplative. Benches are available at several points. Many older visitors find it manageable if they take their time and sit when needed.

   With parents at Kohima Village: Paths through the village are often steep and uneven. There are no pavements or formal walking routes. It is manageable for active older travellers, but not for those with mobility challenges.

2. 02

   Day 2: Nearby village and handicrafts

   Take a car to a nearby Naga village such as Khonoma, about 20 km west of Kohima (roughly an hour each way) to see traditional stilt houses and perhaps meet locals. Many villages welcome visitors who arrive respectfully and without expectation of a 'show'; ask your driver or hotel for advice on which villages are open to visits. Return by late afternoon and spend the evening browsing for Naga shawls, beadwork and wooden handicrafts in the bazaar or at local shops. Have dinner at a small local restaurant.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Khonoma	Half a day, including travel	Moderate	Morning departure; October to March for clear hill views

   Pace: Moderate walking today — plan a sit-down break between stops.

   With parents at Khonoma: The village itself has stepped stone lanes and terraced paths that are uneven underfoot; most visitors see it from the car plus a short walk to a viewpoint, which suits travellers who can manage occasional steps but not long climbs.

Plan 03

3 days in Kohima

1. 01

   Day 1: War cemetery and its history

   Spend the morning thoroughly at the Kohima War Cemetery, reading the cemetery guide and the memorial inscriptions that tell individual stories of the 1944 battle. The cemetery museum explains the broader context of the battle and the significance of this remote hill station to WWII. Have lunch and rest. In the late afternoon, take a walk through the town's residential areas, visiting Bara Basti for views and getting lost intentionally in the neighbourhood lanes to see how people live.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Kohima War Cemetery	45 minutes to 1 hour	Moderate	Early morning or late afternoon, when the sun is soft and fewer visitors are present; October to March for cooler walking

   Pace: Moderate walking today — plan a sit-down break between stops.

   With parents at Kohima War Cemetery: The cemetery is on a slope with uneven ground and some steps, but trees provide shade and the pace is contemplative. Benches are available at several points. Many older visitors find it manageable if they take their time and sit when needed.

2. 02

   Day 2: Museums, markets and neighbourhoods

   Visit the Kohima State Museum in the morning when it is cool, then explore the bazaar areas on foot, stopping for local snacks and observing the rhythms of the town. Have lunch at a small local restaurant, then walk up to Kohima Village (Bara Basti) to see traditional and modern Naga houses side by side. In the late afternoon, visit the Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians or the 1920 Jain temple.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Kohima State Museum	45 minutes to 1.5 hours	Easy	Weekday mornings, when the museum is quiet; October to March for comfortable walking between the museum and nearby sights
   Kohima Village	1–2 hours	Moderate	Morning, when light is soft and villagers are about their day; avoid midday heat
   Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians	20–30 minutes	Easy	Any time of day, but especially peaceful in early morning or late afternoon; visit outside of service times

   Pace: Moderate walking today — plan a sit-down break between stops.

   With parents at Kohima Village: Paths through the village are often steep and uneven. There are no pavements or formal walking routes. It is manageable for active older travellers, but not for those with mobility challenges.

3. 03

   Day 3: Village and handicrafts

   Travel early by jeep to a nearby village to see traditional stilt houses and learn about Naga agricultural life. Many villages produce handicrafts, shawls and wooden items; purchases directly from makers support local livelihoods. Return to Kohima by early afternoon and spend the rest of the day shopping for textiles, beadwork and souvenirs in the bazaar. Visit a traditional weaver's shop if your driver knows one. End with a quiet dinner, perhaps at a homestay or small hotel with a view of the town lights.

Read before you go

Guides for the stops on these routes

Pacing

Pacing a Kohima trip for parents and children

• Kohima's steep terrain and numerous stairs make it challenging for those with limited mobility. Choose a hotel in the town centre or Bara Basti, which requires fewer stairs to access nearby sights, and use a car and driver for the day.
• The Kohima War Cemetery is the most accessible and moving sight, requiring only a gentle walk. Plan a full morning there without rush.
• Hire a car and driver for the full day rather than walking long distances. The town's steep lanes and lack of pavements make walking uncomfortable for extended periods.
• The Kohima State Museum is air-conditioned and on one level, making it ideal for a midday rest. The war cemetery museum is also accessible with minimal walking.
• The weather is cool year-round, so dress in layers. December to February is the most comfortable; avoid June to September due to monsoon humidity.
• Hotels vary in comfort and amenities. Confirm lift access, room location (ground floor may be easier than upper floors due to stairs), and vehicle drop-off before booking.

Kohima with elderly parents: the full guide →