Hornbill Festival Photography Tour Nagaland

Overview

A 3-night, 4-day travel photography expedition into the heart of Nagaland—the legendary land of the headhunters. Discover the mystic charm of Northeast India through its indigenous culture, remote landscapes, and timeless tribal traditions.

DCP Experts

DCP Safety

Entry fees

Images Review

Meals

Stay

Transport

About The Tour

Embark on an unforgettable 3-night and 4-day Travel Photography Tour to Nagaland, thoughtfully scheduled around the vibrant Hornbill Festival—one of India’s most fascinating cultural celebrations. Held annually at Kisama Heritage Village near Kohima, the festival brings together the major Naga tribes in a spectacular celebration of tribal dances, indigenous music, traditional customs, and warrior heritage.

This photography tour offers a rare opportunity to explore the heritage and daily life of the Naga people, capturing compelling portraits, elaborate tribal adornments, ceremonial rituals, traditional sports, and the powerful energy of warrior reenactments. Set against Nagaland’s rolling hills and remote landscapes, every photograph reveals a story of resilience, pride, and cultural identity.

Led by an expert DCP mentor, this guided tour is designed for storytelling-oriented travel photographers who wish to enrich their portfolios with powerful, character-driven imagery. From vibrant scenes at the Hornbill Festival arena to intimate moments in tribal villages, this expedition offers the unique privilege of documenting one of India’s least explored and most photogenic destinations.

Quick Information

Route:

Dimapur – Kohima - Dimapur

Start Point:

Dimapur

Duration:

3 nights 4 days

End Point:

Dimapur

Inclusions

3 nights and 4 days of guided travel photography during Hornbill Festival
DCP Photography Mentor with deep cultural photography experience
Entry to Hornbill Festival grounds and access to performance arenas
Local transportation and logistics support during the tour
Hands-on photography guidance and portfolio review sessions

Experts

Kane Lew

Masterclass Mentor And Head - Creative Photography

Kane Lew, one of the finest artists in the DCP panel of experts. He is an arts graduate from Sir J.J. Institute of Applied Arts, Mumbai, and is a commercial photographer. Kane is an experienced photographer and has travelled extensively across Indian geography for several years. He has brilliant photography skills and technical knowledge in all genres of photography with a special interest in wildlife photography. He is known for his innovations and his capability of giving shape to imaginations. He has a great teaching acumen. Apart from his love for art, sculpture and music, he is a skilled trainer, trekker and a biodiversity expert. He is a Masterclass Mentor in the panel and Head of Creative Photography Division, Team DCP.

We recommend flying to Dimapur Airport (DMU), the nearest airport to the Hornbill Festival. Dimapur is approximately 75 km (2.5–3 hours) from Kisama Heritage Village, the festival venue.

**We recommend Flexi flight option for greater flexibility in unforeseen cancellations.

Not recommended

Getting Ready

Things to carry:

Wide-angle lens
Medium Telephoto lenses – preferably 70 - 200mm.
Carry fully charged batteries for your camera / flash.
Carry battery charger. Carry extra pack of camera batteries
Carry backup memory cards / HDD storage drives, Laptop
A sturdy tripod is a MUST.
Remote shutter release with or without cable (preferably with a lock)
It is advisable to carry basic first aid along with you.
Enough warm clothing

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive at Dimapur

Arrive at Dimapur. We will drive to Kohima from here which is a 2 hours journey on road. After reaching Kohima, checkin to your hotel and refresh. We plan to visit the War Cemetary, Church and the local market, which offer amazing photo opportunities. Overnight at Kohima.

Day 2 and 3: Kisama - The Carnival

<p>Drive to Kisama, where annual Hornbill festival is held. Enjoy the dances, songs, games, etc. After the formal programme gets over, you can go to the tribal huts, interact with the tribes and learn the specific tribes more in detail. Overnight at Kohima.</p>

Day 4 - Departure

Travel to Dimapur in the morning for your return flight.

Field Learnings

How to approach and photograph indigenous communities respectfully
Mastering portrait photography with natural light
Visual storytelling through street and festival photography
Working with color, movement, and chaos during live performances
Composition techniques for capturing rituals, ceremonies, and details
Building a cultural narrative through photo series

Package Cost

Indian nationals:
Twin sharing: INR 39,500 per person inclusive of all taxes
Single occupancy: Not available

Foreign nationals:
Twin sharing: US$ 600 per person inclusive of all taxes
Single occupancy: Not available

Gold members - Upto 5% off
Silver members - Upto 3% off

WhatsApp to ask for a payment link / QR code to pay.

Cost includes

Transfer charges (Dimapur – Kohima – Dimapur)
Dedicated vehicle for internal transfers for all days
Accommodation for 3 nights and 4 days
Breakfast, lunch and dinner during the stay.
All entry charges and guide fee
DCP photography expert for all days
All taxes and service charges

Cost does not include:

Mineral Water, Soft Drinks, Laundry Charges, Phone Calls, Tips etc.
Any kind of insurance, Medical or/and Emergency Charges.
Any extra meals not included in the above itinerary.

Map

Kohima, Nagaland

Policies

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations 30 days or more prior to departure – 20% cancellation fee.
Cancellations within 30 days of departure – non-refundable.

Disclaimer – Force Majeure

The organizer shall not be liable for any delay, change, cancellation, loss, or additional expenses caused by natural calamities, adverse weather, government restrictions, transport disruptions, or any other force majeure events beyond its control. Any itinerary changes made for participant safety shall be binding. Any additional costs arising from such circumstances shall be borne by the participants, and no refund or compensation shall be payable for affected or unused services.

Design Your Custom Tour

Hornbill festival - In the land of the Head Hunters, Dec 2027

₹ 39,500₹ 44,964

₹39,500₹ 44,964