One of the fastest growing urban centres of Nagaland, Mokokchung is a municipality and a town of much political and economic significance in the state. An urban hub and epicentre of the Ao tribes, Mokokchung is truly a mesmerizing tourist destination. It is blessed with stunning landscapes and some of the villages are truly captivating. Roots of origin of the Ao people can be traced to Mokokchung as also Christianity which later spread to other parts of the state. Popular for the gorgeous tribal festivals, Mokokchung has emerged as charming tourism destination. Here is a snippet of travel guide to see in the town.

By Air: 

Mokokchung does not have an aerodrome and has to depend upon Jorhat Airport located in Assam about 112 km away and the Dimapur Airport which is 212 km away from the Mokokchung town. Jorhat is connected well with airports in Kolkata and Guwahati and has regular flights flying in and out of Jorhat. From here tourists can book cabs or take buses to reach Mokokchung.

By Rail: 

Mariani Station in Assam is the closest railhead to Mokokchung. It is about 85 km from the town and can be easily reached by cabs and buses. A large number of trains passes through Mariani Station giving this part of the country the much needed rail connectivity. Dibrugarh-Chennai Egmore Express, new Tinsukia-Bangalore Weekly Express, Dibrugarh Rajdhani Express are few of the many trains that make a stop at this station.

By Road:

With no station or airport, Mokokchung has to rely completely on road transport for connectivity with neighbouring towns, cities and states. NH 61 passes through Mokokchung which accounts for its commendable connectivity. Roads are good which makes travelling easy and smooth. The roads are lined with beautiful trees and accounts for an enjoyable ride. Buses ply regularly between Mokokchung and cities like Jorhat, Guwahati etc.

Getting Around:

Mokokchung is quite a stunning place and the best way to explore the town and the district is by foot. However rental cars are also available for older tourists and for travelling to distant places.

Summer (March to June):

Summer in Mokokchung lasts for a short time and though it does tend to get a little hot and sultry it is nothing in comparison to the extremely harsh summers of that the major part of the country experiences. Overall the weather remains pleasant without any major discomfort. Tourists go for outdoor picnics and nights are a good time for taking leisurely strolls.

Monsoon (July to August):

Rainfall in Mokokchung is fairly moderate and weather changes for the good. The rains infuse freshness in the air and the surroundings get covered with greeneries. Nevertheless monsoon is best avoided as it is accompanied by frequent landslide that can jeopardise travelling plans and even pose a risk to tourists. During monsoon season however tourists can avail of good discounts.

Winter (September to February):

Winter in Mokokchung is the longest season and is blessed with great weather conditions. Weather is pleasant and comfortable and temperature remains within a comfortable range. It is the ideal time for sightseeing and enjoying the place. Nights can get a little chilly but it feels good. Winter also coincides with few tribal festivals and hence the best time to catch a glimpse of Naga culture and celebrations.  

Enjoy Rhododendrons and Cherry Blossoms in Full Bloom: 

Plan a visit to Longkhum during spring when gorgeous flowers are in full bloom. It is a spectacle to watch as the mountains and hills get covered with beautiful rhododendrons and the streets and roads are lined with cherry blossoms. It is a stunning sight to behold. The entire village is lit up and there is romance in the air.

Visit Moatsu Festival: 

The Ao people celebrate Moatsu festival in the first week of May soon after sowing season is over. After the hectic season there is a period of rest and recreation which is celebrated in the form of Moatsu festival. The festival lasts 3 days and is accompanied by rituals, singing and dancing. The women dress up in their best attire and join in the festivities along with their men.

Visit Vegetable Capital of Nagaland:

Longkhum is a stunning place that enthrals people with their natural beauty. So much so that it is said people must return to retrieve their souls that remain back with Longkhum. The village also witnesses a gorgeous spring when the village gets covered with blooming rhododendrons and cherry blossoms. Longkhum has also earned the distinction of being the ‘Vegetable Capital’ of Nagaland. There are vegetable farms all across the village growing a variety of vegetables particularly tomatoes. It is the largest producer of tomatoes which is exported to neighbouring cities and states.

Experience Tsungremong Festival:

Tsungremong is another popular festival of the Ao people and this is celebrated post the harvest season in the first week of August. Entry to the celebrations is restricted to only people of specific villages. These festivals are a great opportunity to learn about Ao culture, customs, rituals and lifestyle. Traditionally this festival also marked the transfer of power from one generation to the next.

Mokokchung has a fair number of restaurants that serves delicious local cuisine. When in Mokokchung it is recommended that tourists try the local dishes which are bursting with flavours and extremely unique in preparation and taste. Local food however is hot and spicy and primarily non vegetarian including beef, pork, chicken etc. vegetarian dishes are available but lacks variety. There are a number of Indian, Chinese and Continental restaurants now in the town to cater to the demands of the tourists.

Mokokchung is considered to the fashion capital of Nagaland as all stuff of latest fashion are found here. Owing to its proximity to Myanmar, a large number of items are imported from here and you get quality stylish goods at reasonable prices. The clothing of Mokokchung is also heavily influenced by the pop culture of Japanese and Koreans. Tribal handicrafts and jewelleries are also found here. Pick up a few as souvenirs of the trip before heading off.