Wokha

About Wokha

Wokha stands at 1,430 metres in the central hills of Nagaland and is the administrative centre of Wokha district, the homeland of the Lotha Naga people. The Lotha are known for their craftsmanship, particularly in shawl weaving with bold geometric patterns, and for the Tokhu Emong harvest festival celebrated in November. The town itself sits on a ridge with views toward the plains of Assam on clear days, and the surrounding hills hold dense mixed forests. Wokha is 115 km from Kohima, approximately 3 hours by road. The district’s biggest draw for international visitors is Doyang Reservoir, a large hydroelectric lake about 20 km from town, which hosts the world’s largest single-site roost of Amur falcons each October and November. An estimated 140,000 falcons gather here nightly before continuing their migration to Africa, making it one of the most extraordinary wildlife spectacles on the planet.

Top Attractions in Wokha

• Doyang Reservoir is the centrepiece of Wokha tourism: a broad hydroelectric lake where Amur falcons gather in the tens of thousands each October, an event that has transformed local conservation attitudes and brought global birding attention to Nagaland.
• Puliebadze Jotsoma Village is a traditional Angami Naga settlement near the Wokha-Kohima corridor, accessible for village walks and cultural visits.
• Seidzu River flows through the Wokha district, offering riverside walks, fishing, and access to forested areas with good birdlife throughout the year.
• Mount Tiyi, the prominent peak visible from Wokha town, is a revered local landmark and a moderate trekking destination with trails through Lotha Naga community forests.
• Lotha Naga villages around Wokha offer weaving demonstrations and homestay experiences: local families often welcome visitors to watch and sometimes try traditional loom techniques used for the distinctive striped Lotha shawls.
• The Tokhu Emong festival in November is the Lotha harvest celebration, featuring community songs, traditional games, and feasting: timing a Wokha visit to coincide with it adds significant cultural depth.

Why Visit Wokha

Wokha offers the best wildlife spectacle in Nagaland and one of the most impressive in all of Northeast India. The Amur falcon roost at Doyang Reservoir each October draws birdwatchers from across the world and is now a conservation success story: local Lotha communities stopped hunting the falcons and now protect them as a community resource. Outside falcon season, Wokha is a quiet and scenic hill district with authentic Lotha culture, good views, and easy access from both Kohima and Dimapur.

Best Time to Visit Wokha

October and November are the prime months for the Amur falcon roost at Doyang Reservoir, with peak numbers typically seen in the second and third weeks of October. This is also the most comfortable weather period. December through February offers clear skies and cool temperatures good for hiking and village visits. The Tokhu Emong festival falls in early November and overlaps usefully with the falcon season.

How to Reach Wokha

By Air: Dimapur Airport (DIM) is the nearest airport, approximately 100 km from Wokha town, around 3 hours by road. Daily flights connect Dimapur to Guwahati, Kolkata, and Delhi.

By Rail: Dimapur railway station is the only railhead in Nagaland. From Dimapur, shared sumos and private vehicles cover the 100 km to Wokha in about 3 hours.

By Road: From Kohima, Wokha is 115 km on a 3-hour drive through hilly terrain. From Dimapur, the distance is approximately 100 km, also around 3 hours. The route from Dimapur passes through Merapani and climbs steadily into the Wokha hills.

Permit Requirements

An Inner Line Permit (ILP) is required for all visitors to Nagaland, including Indian nationals from other states. Indian citizens can obtain the ILP free of charge at the Nagaland House in Delhi, Kolkata, and Guwahati, or at Dimapur Airport on arrival. Foreign nationals must obtain an ILP at Dimapur Airport or at designated entry checkpoints before proceeding to Wokha or any other district. Carry photocopies of your ILP alongside the original, as checkpoints between Dimapur and Wokha are actively staffed.

Nearby Destinations

Dimapur is the closest major transport hub, 100 km from Wokha and the entry point for flights and trains into Nagaland. Kohima is 115 km south and pairs well with a Wokha trip: spend the falcon season at Doyang and then travel to Kohima for the Hornbill Festival, which opens on December 1.

Plan Your Wokha Trip

One to two nights in Wokha is enough for the Doyang Reservoir experience and a village visit. For a longer Nagaland itinerary that takes in Wokha, Kohima, and other districts, see our explore all Nagaland destinations page.