Ten days of Naga music, dance, food and craft in the hills near Kohima. Here is how to get there from London, step by step.
Quick answer: how do I get to the Hornbill Festival from the UK?
The Hornbill Festival 2026 is expected to run from 1 to 10 December at Kisama Heritage Village, near Kohima in Nagaland. From the UK, fly to Delhi (or Kolkata), take a domestic flight to Dimapur, then drive about 70 km to Kohima. Allow two days each way. Foreign nationals, including OCI card holders, should check permit rules on official Nagaland and Indian government sites before booking.
What is the Hornbill Festival?
The Hornbill Festival is Nagaland’s biggest celebration of its tribes and their culture. It is organised by the Government of Nagaland and has been held every December since 2000. It is named after the hornbill, a bird that features in many Naga stories and designs.
The festival takes place at Kisama Heritage Village, about 12 km from Kohima, the state capital. Each tribe has its own traditional house, or morung. Over ten days you will see dances, songs, traditional games, crafts, local food and evening music. It is colourful, friendly and unlike any other festival in India.
For many British Indian families, the North East is the part of India they know least. Hornbill is a wonderful way to see it for the first time.
How to get from the UK to Kohima
There are no direct flights from the UK to Nagaland. The simplest route is through Delhi, which has daily non-stop flights from Heathrow. Kolkata is closer to Nagaland, but from the UK it usually means an extra connection.
Leg | Typical time | What to know |
London Heathrow to Delhi | Around 9 hours non-stop | Air India, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and IndiGo fly non-stop. From £303 per person on our website (checked 29 September 2026, prices change daily). |
Delhi to Dimapur | Around 3 hours | Direct domestic flights run most days. Dimapur is the only commercial airport in Nagaland. |
Or Kolkata to Dimapur | Around 1.5 hours | Several flights a day. Useful if you connect through Kolkata. |
Dimapur to Kohima | 2 to 3 hours by road | About 70 km through the hills. Book a taxi or hotel transfer ahead. Traffic is heavier during the festival. |
Kohima to Kisama | 20 to 40 minutes | About 12 km. Local taxis and shared transport run during the festival. |
We suggest a night in Delhi on the way out. It breaks up the journey and gives you a buffer if your international flight is late. For more on the first leg, read our full guide to flights from London to Delhi.
Permits: check before you book
Nagaland has special entry rules. They are different for Indian citizens and foreign nationals, and they have changed recently.
Inner Line Permit (ILP). Nagaland requires an ILP for visitors who are not from the state, and Indian citizens apply online through the Nagaland government.
Protected Area Permit (PAP). In December 2024, India brought back the PAP requirement for foreign nationals visiting Nagaland. In 2025, the rule was relaxed for the ten festival days only.
We could not confirm the 2026 permit rules at the time of writing. British passport holders and OCI card holders should check the official Nagaland Tourism entry permits page and the GOV.UK travel advice for India before booking. You will also need an Indian visa or OCI card from the official Indian visa website.
7 tips for a smooth Hornbill trip
1. Book flights and rooms early
Kohima has a limited number of hotels and homestays, and they fill up for the festival. Book your stay as soon as you book your flights.
2. Aim for the first days
The opening day on 1 December is special. If you can only go for part of the festival, the first few days are a good choice.
3. Pack for cold evenings
Kohima sits in the hills. Days can be mild, but December nights are cold. Bring warm layers, a jacket and good walking shoes.
4. Leave slack in your domestic connection
Book your Dimapur flight on a separate day, or leave plenty of time after landing in Delhi. Winter fog in Delhi can delay flights in December.
5. Carry cash
Card payments are common in cities, but small stalls and village vendors often prefer cash. Keep some rupees handy.
6. Ask before you take photos
Performers and villagers are warm and welcoming. A smile and a quick ask before a close-up photo goes a long way.
7. Students and teachers: use MannPass
Verified students and education staff in the UK can join MannPass for £25 off selected return flights between the UK and India. It lasts 30 days, can be renewed, and cannot be combined with other offers.
Going to Hornbill with family
space to walk around. A few things to keep in mind:
It is a long journey. Two flights and a hill road. With young children or elderly parents, add an extra night in Delhi or Dimapur.
Expect walking and slopes. Kisama is on a hillside. If a family member has limited mobility, plan short visits and rest breaks.
Food is different. Naga food is delicious but often smoky, spicy and meat-based. Vegetarian choices exist but are fewer, so plan ahead if you need them.
Combine with family visits. Many travellers fly into Delhi, spend time with relatives, then head east for the festival. We can plan that as one trip.
Why book your Hornbill trip with Mann Travel?
A trip to Nagaland has more moving parts than a flight home to Delhi. International flights, a domestic connection, road transfers and rooms all need to line up. Our Southall-based team specialises in UK to India travel, speaks Hindi, Punjabi and English, and offers 24/7 support. We can book your flights from London, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh or Glasgow, and help with hotels in India along the way.
Let’s get you to Hornbill this December.
Search live fares at manntravel.co.uk/flights or call our team on 0208 099 9900. Prefer to write? Contact us online.
frequently asked questions
When is the Hornbill Festival in 2026?
The Hornbill Festival usually runs from 1 to 10 December, and 2026 is expected to follow the same dates. Check the official Nagaland Tourism website for the final programme.
Where is the Hornbill Festival held?
At Kisama Heritage Village, about 12 km from Kohima, the capital of Nagaland in North East India.
What is the nearest airport to the Hornbill Festival?
Dimapur Airport, about 70 km from Kohima. From the UK, fly to Delhi or Kolkata first, then take a domestic flight to Dimapur.
Do I need a permit to visit Nagaland from the UK?
Very likely. Foreign nationals have needed a Protected Area Permit since December 2024, with a festival relaxation in 2025. Check official sources for the 2026 rules before you book.
How many days do I need for the Hornbill Festival?
Allow at least 8 to 10 days from the UK. That gives two days of travel each way and three to five days in Kohima.
Festival dates, permit rules and flight schedules can change. Fares and availability change daily and depend on the airline, date and fare type. Always check live prices and official entry rules before booking.
