Japfu Peak Trek

A pre-dawn climb to Nagaland's second-highest summit (3,048 m) for sunrise over the Naga hills.

At a glance

Difficulty: Challenging
Duration: 8–10 hours
Best season: October – April; March – April for rhododendrons
Base: Kigwema (Kohima)
Permits: Nagaland ILP required; foreigners also need a PAP. Verify before travel.

About this experience

Mount Japfü rises to 3,048 m directly south of Kohima and is the second-highest peak in Nagaland. Climbing it is a classic Naga adventure: most trekkers set off from Kigwema village in the early hours with headlamps, aiming to reach the summit for sunrise.

The trail climbs steeply through dense forest of oak, rhododendron and bamboo — the same forest where the world's tallest known rhododendron tree, about 20 m high, was recorded in 1993. In March and April, rhododendrons bloom red and pink along the path. From the summit, on clear mornings, the Naga hills roll away in every direction, Dzukou Valley lies to the south-west, and the distant Himalaya may appear on the northern horizon.

Allow 4–5 hours up and 3–4 down. It is a demanding but non-technical day hike; a local guide is essential, as trails can be confusing. Japfu can also be combined with Dzukou Valley on a multi-day trek.