Hornbill Festival 2026 for foreign visitors: permit, dates and a plan that works
Ten days in December when Nagaland's tribes gather at Kisama. For foreign passport holders the two things to settle early are the permit and a room. Tell us your dates and we reply with a plan and a price.
What a foreign visitor needs to know first
Dates and place
1 to 10 December 2026 at Kisama Heritage Village, 12 km from Kohima, the capital of Nagaland.
Entry
INR 250 per day for foreign nationals, paid at the gate. Evening concerts are ticketed separately.
Getting there
Fly to Dimapur, then 75 km and about 3 hours by road to Kohima. Kisama is a short drive from Kohima each day.
Permit
Nagaland is a Protected Area for foreign nationals. See the permit section below before you book flights.
Where to sleep
Rooms near Kisama sell out months ahead. In October the realistic choices are Kohima town, or a village stay in Khonoma.
How long
Four or five nights is enough for the festival and one village. Days 1 and 10 are the most ceremonial.
The Protected Area Permit and Hornbill 2026
- Foreign nationals need a Protected Area Permit (PAP) for Nagaland. The requirement was brought back in December 2024.
- For the 2025 festival, the central government waived the permit for tourists from 1 to 10 December. Nationals of Afghanistan, China and Pakistan were not covered by that waiver.
- For 2026, we have found no announcement of a waiver as of 8 October 2026. Plan as if you need the permit.
- The permit is applied for through a government-registered tour operator, at least 15 days before you enter the state. For a 1 December arrival that means mid-November at the latest.
- A waiver, if it comes, covers only the festival dates. Days in Nagaland before 1 December or after 10 December would still need the permit.
We check the position again when you enquire and tell you plainly what applies to your nationality and dates. Background: Protected Area Permit guide for foreigners.
Six days around the festival
A plan we would adjust to your flights and to the rooms still available.
| Day | What you do | Travel |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive Dimapur, drive to KohimaCheck in, an easy evening in town. Kohima sits at 1,444 m and December nights are cold. | 75 km · about 3 hours |
| Day 2 | Hornbill Festival at KisamaThe tribal morungs, dances and food stalls. Sunset at the amphitheatre. | 12 km each way |
| Day 3 | Hornbill Festival, second dayGo back for the performances you missed; Kigwema heritage village is within walking distance. | 12 km each way |
| Day 4 | Khonoma villageAn Angami village known for its conservation work, with a walk through the terraces. Overnight in the village if rooms allow. | 30 km from Kohima |
| Day 5 | KohimaThe Second World War cemetery and the local market, with a last evening at Kisama if you wish. | Local |
| Day 6 | Kohima to Dimapur, departMorning drive to the airport. | 75 km · about 3 hours |
Want more than the festival? The Dzukou Valley day trek starts near Kohima, and Kaziranga National Park in Assam needs no permit. Tell us in the form and we add the days.
Ask for a Hornbill plan
Free, and no obligation. We reply by email within 24 hours with questions or a first day-by-day plan.
Hornbill questions from international travellers
Do foreigners need a permit for the Hornbill Festival in 2026?
Nagaland requires a Protected Area Permit for foreign nationals. In 2025 the central government waived it for tourists from 1 to 10 December. As of 8 October 2026 we have found no announcement of a waiver for 2026, so plan as if you need the permit and apply at least 15 days ahead.
When and where is the Hornbill Festival 2026?
From 1 to 10 December 2026 at Kisama Heritage Village, 12 km from Kohima in Nagaland.
How much is the entry fee for foreigners?
INR 250 per day for foreign nationals. The evening music events are ticketed separately.
How do I get to Kohima?
Fly to Dimapur, the nearest airport, and continue 75 km by road, which takes about 3 hours.
Is it too late to book for December?
Rooms close to Kisama are usually gone by now. Kohima town and village stays such as Khonoma are the realistic options, and we check availability before proposing a plan.
Can I travel alone?
Tell us if you are travelling solo. Permit rules for protected areas often expect foreign nationals to travel as a group of at least two, and we will say honestly what is possible for your dates.
More for international travellers
- Arunachal Pradesh tours for foreign travellers: The 12-day Tawang, Zemithang and Ziro route with a price.
- Arunachal after Bhutan: Crossing at Samdrup Jongkhar and continuing from Guwahati.
- Ziro Valley for foreign travellers: A short Apatani homestay trip.
- Protected Area Permit guide: Which states need one, cost and lead time.