Dimapur is a flourishing trading center
Nagaland’s entry point is the town if Dimapur. Before you proceed further, get yourself an `inner –Line’ permit from the sub-Divisional officer (civil). It is a mere formality but very necessary. You can fly into Dimapur from Calcutta. Alternatively, you can fly from Guwahati to Jorhat (in Assam) and then motor through to Dimapur. This town is also Nagaland’s only railhead.
A flourishing trading center, Dimapur has a surprisingly cosmopolitan mixture of people. Sikhs are a common sight and tandoori chicken is as easily available as any local dish. Staying at the Tourist Lodge, you can a leisure take in the places of historical interest in and around Dimapur. Ruins of temples, carved pillars of sandstone and several tanks are all well worth seeing.
Seventy -five km away is kohima, the capital of Nagaland. Made famous town where the Japanese invasion of India was finally halted during World War II, Kohima figures in many a bestselling war book.
Either a taxi or a bus will drive you up to Kohima from Dimapur. As you drive along, the scenery changes dramatically. Till the check post of Chumukedima (you will be required to produce your time `Inner –Line’ permit)it is a fairly straight drive. From here on, the road beings to climb, and there is a profusion of colorful wild flowers and if the season is right, an abundance of orchids.