Dimapur Travel Guide: 4 Places to Visit, How to Reach & Best Time

Places to visit in Dimapur

4 places, grouped by kind. Each one shows how well it is verified: an official source, two independent sources, or not yet verified.

District headquarters 1

Dimapur (district headquarters) Two sources

Location: Dimapur · district headquarters

Headquarters of Dimapur district, carved from Kohima on 2 December 1997, inaugurated April 1998 (Nagaland Tourism).

On the map · Directions ↗

Heritage and culture 2

Kachari ruins Official source

Highlight · Location: behind Naga Shopping Arcade, opposite the Circuit House · city

Carved sandstone mushroom-domed and V-shaped pillars, 8-10 ft high, from the Kachari kingdom's capital (Dimapur district portal).

On the map · Directions ↗
Heirloom Naga Centre Official source

Location: near Seluphe Junction, Sovima village (district to confirm) · about 15 minutes from the airport

Gallery of Naga craft with a shop and guest house; Monday-Saturday 9 AM-5 PM (Dimapur district portal).

On the map · Directions ↗

Wildlife 1

Nagaland Zoological Park Official source

Location: Dimapur (district to confirm) · about 6 km from town

176 ha, opened 2008; 8 AM-4 PM, closed Mondays (Dimapur district portal).

On the map · Directions ↗

In depth: Kachari ruins

Dimapur is the gateway to Nagaland and its rail head. In the town centre stand the carved pillars of the Kachari kingdom's old capital, a short walk across the railway line from the bus stand (Dimapur district portal). Several places the portal lists under Dimapur are now in Chümoukedima district.

At a glance

Type: Medieval ruins Official source
Period: Before the 13th century per the district portal; Incredible India says 10th century Official source
Location: Behind Naga Shopping Arcade, opposite the Circuit House (Dimapur district portal) Official source
Best time: Winter (Dimapur district portal) Official source

History and significance

Before 13th century: Kachari capital (Dimapur district portal; Incredible India says 10th century). Official source
1840: Ruins recorded by Lieutenant Grange (Incredible India). Official source
1997: District created (Nagaland Tourism). Official source

What to see

Kachari ruins: Carved pillars.
Zoological Park: 176 ha.
Markets: Naga Shopping Arcade nearby.

Visiting

Zoological Park: 8 AM-4 PM; closed Monday; small entry fee (Dimapur district portal). Official source
Heirloom Naga Centre: Monday-Saturday 9 AM-5 PM (Dimapur district portal). Official source

Festivals

Aai-Sagi and Bishu: Kachari festivals, 13 and 27 January (Nagaland Tourism calendar). Official source
Wangala: Garo festival, 21 November (Nagaland Tourism calendar). Official source

Visitor guidelines

Indian visitors from outside Nagaland need an Inner Line Permit; apply at ilp.nagaland.gov.in (Nagaland Tourism; ILP portal). Dimapur is also under the ILP; a 30-day domestic tourist permit was reported at Rs 200 in May 2025 (Eastern Mirror).
Foreign visitors need a Protected Area Permit, applied for through indianfrro.gov.in (Nagaland Tourism).
Plan long road journeys to start and end before nightfall (Nagaland Tourism).

How to reach Kachari ruins

By rail: Dimapur station (Nagaland Tourism). Official source
By road: Kohima by taxi from the stand next to the station (Nagaland Tourism). Official source

Month by month

Month	Temp °C	Sunrise	Sunset	Verdict
Jan	IMD normals to add	06:03	16:44	Cool, dry; cold nights in the hills
Feb	IMD normals to add	05:51	17:07	Good: cool, dry; Sekrenyi
Mar	IMD normals to add	05:26	17:24	Good; warming
Apr	IMD normals to add	04:53	17:38	Pre-monsoon showers; spring festivals
May	IMD normals to add	04:30	17:53	Showers; Moatsu
Jun	IMD normals to add	04:23	18:07	Monsoon; landslide risk
Jul	IMD normals to add	04:32	18:09	Heavy rain; Dzukou lilies
Aug	IMD normals to add	04:48	17:52	Heavy rain
Sep	IMD normals to add	05:00	17:21	Rain easing
Oct	IMD normals to add	05:13	16:49	Good; Amur falcons arrive
Nov	IMD normals to add	05:33	16:27	Best: clear, cool
Dec	IMD normals to add	05:54	16:26	Good: cool; Hornbill Festival 1-10

Suggested plans

Half a day: Kachari ruins on arrival, then Kohima.

How to reach Dimapur

By train: Dimapur (DMV) on the Northeast Frontier Railway main line (Nagaland Tourism); a few trains terminate at Shokhuvi in Chümoukedima district (Wikipedia).
By air: Dimapur Airport (DMU), the state's only airport, located in Chümoukedima district (Wikipedia; Nagaland Tourism).
By road: Taxis from Dimapur to Kohima; night buses to Guwahati and Shillong (Nagaland Tourism).
Headquarters: Dimapur
Coast: Landlocked

Find trains, flights, buses and tours to Dimapur

Best time to visit Dimapur

Best time: October to April (seasonal pattern); Hornbill Festival 1-10 December.
Climate: Hill climate, cooler with height; heavy monsoon from about June to September.

Dates to plan around in Nagaland

Chega Gadi (Zeliang) — Peren: 30-31 Oct (Nagaland Tourism calendar)
Cherry Blossom Festival — Longkhum, Mokokchung: First week of Nov (Nagaland Tourism calendar)
Tokhu Emong (Lotha) — Wokha: 6-7 Nov (Nagaland Tourism calendar)
Ahuna (Sumi) — Zünheboto: 14-15 Nov (Nagaland Tourism calendar)
Ngada (Rengma) — Tseminyü: 27-28 Nov (Nagaland Tourism calendar)
Hornbill Festival 2026 — Kisama, Kohima: 1-10 Dec 2026 (DD News; Sentinel)
People's Festival — Chida Resort, Khezhakeno, Phek: 1-10 Dec yearly; 2026 edition not announced (Nagaland Tourism)
Sekrenyi (Angami) — Kohima: 25 Feb 2027 (Nagaland Tourism calendar)

Where to stay in Dimapur

Tourist Lodge, Dimapur Official source

Near railway station, next to NST bus stand

Tourism Department lodge; a 2023 PPP lease plans to redevelop it (Dimapur district portal); check it is open

Hotel Saramati Official source

Naga Shopping Arcade, Dimapur

Listed by Nagaland Tourism; not inspected

Hotel Tragopan Official source

Circular Road, Dimapur

Listed by Nagaland Tourism; not inspected

Quick answers about Dimapur

What is Dimapur known for?

Gateway city: the Kachari ruins, rail head and markets.

What is the one place not to miss in Dimapur?

Kachari ruins. Carved sandstone mushroom-domed and V-shaped pillars, 8-10 ft high, from the Kachari kingdom's capital (Dimapur district portal).

Which is the nearest railway station to Dimapur?

Dimapur (DMV) on the Northeast Frontier Railway main line (Nagaland Tourism); a few trains terminate at Shokhuvi in Chümoukedima district (Wikipedia).

Which is the nearest airport to Dimapur?

Dimapur Airport (DMU), the state's only airport, located in Chümoukedima district (Wikipedia; Nagaland Tourism).

When is the best time to visit Dimapur?

October to April (seasonal pattern); Hornbill Festival 1-10 December.

How many places are there to visit in Dimapur?

Our guide lists 4 places in Dimapur district, Nagaland, across district headquarters, heritage and culture, wildlife.

Nearby, in neighbouring districts

Diezephe craft village, Chümoukedima — Weavers, wood carvers and cane workers; International Loinloom Festival in the first week of December (Dimapur district portal).
Naga Heritage Village, Kisama, Kohima — Morungs of the Naga tribes, a World War II museum and the Hornbill Festival venue (Nagaland Tourism; Kohima district portal).

Dimapur travel guide