Day trek to Dzüko Valley, Nagaland

Stark, Rustic and dry.

As you walk along the vast dilution of valley and pass the burnt trunks, the chill in breeze freeze your soul. The rustling of leaves adds another dimension to this whole biting landscape.

I came across the name Dzukou valley in 2016 and have wanted to visit since then after seeing those lush green pics. Finally got a weekend off and packed my bag for Nagaland.

Once you reach Dimapur, you will get regular shared jeep to Kohima (2.5hrs) from 7th mile.

After reaching the heritage village in evening, I got details of tour operator and registered my name. While signing, I found myself amongst the last to enlist in the team. We were asked to be ready by 5.30am, they will come and pick us from respective locations.

cool sunrise, isn't it?

Since our vehicle took their own sweet time to reach. I utilized my time having this lavish feast for breakfast

On boarding our vehicle, I was introduced to few of our team members- super cool couple Mridula-Nagesh and Nitish. Remaining four were in another vehicle with whom we caught up during the trek.

After crossing the checkpoint,

our vehicle took us in bumpy ride to the start point. Mridula was so disappointed when the vehicle was climbing the hills, thinking that part of the trek was being hijacked by our poor jeep 😀 I'm sure she and all of us were praising the yellow vehicle by end of the evening

Inauguration with happy faces

rocky climbs

nature with her frills

Wait for other members

imprints done on stone to climb better

and the famous scramble to conduct photo session in between 😂

and some more rocks!

we were maneuvering under and sometimes over fallen trees, roots and boulders

this section was dense with bright trees, with

path woven with centuries old roots.

After a steep climb of 1.5-2hrs,

we reached the top,

from where one the valley starts.

Two stars of our team practicing for the PERFECT SRK move on hill top for 30mins

"Dzüko is a word derived from Viswema dialect of Angami tribe; the literal meaning of Dzüko is ‘dull and soulless." It does makes sense when you see the valley

Mridula

the `black scorched trees

"Others say that ‘Dzu-kou’ in Angami/Mao language stands for cold waters. It indicates at the icy cold water that flows in Dzüko valley."

Nitish in dilemma- whether he should construct hydraulic turbine in left side or right side of the stream

Can you see the green huts in right top of above pics? we need to reach there. seems so near, yet was so far!

endless walk~ chalte hi jaana

Our official photographer*- Geo Francis. Here I had abducted his camera and clicked random shots for few minutes; he was kind enough to let it go

Below trio urf Shatabdi express

by some miracle the trio stopped for pic 🛴

Now that I remember, it was no miracle, there was two path from a juncture and they didn't know which way to go. So all of us had to wait for the guide; hence the pic😀

Finally!

🙂

We had our half cooked pre packed lunch on the benches,

and started indulging in the soothing views of beautiful ridges.

One can plan stay here, in tents and rooms. only available washrooms and kitchen (for warm water and food) in whole valley

STOP littering the place with plastic. You are not only ruining environment but also pics!

After spending 1-1.5hrs there,

we stepped up for our return

The initial return route was monotonous

but it swiftly turned into adventurous.

we crossed jagged boulders,

climbed up a stretch of tricky stone section and

found this view

After a short retrieve, we were back to navigating fissures down the slabs

few more minutes and

finally the stroll to parking lot.

our ever impatient jeep- all set to rush home

Group pic 🙂🎉

Day well spent.

Dzüko was an unanticipated experience.

The whole valley appeared dead. Countless hills looked like tombs of gods and kings put on rest. It was erringly similar to walking on wild ground of sacred graves. Even the thought of ringing music in this valley seemed scandalous.

Hope to visit this valley someday during monsoon, when Dzüko is in full bloom.

Note:

• Trek costed Rs2500-3000/head. You can avail the same at Rs1200-Rs1500 during offseason

• If you are travelling solo, its better to join a group or take a guide otherwise there's a chance of you getting lost

• Visit this place during rainy season to see the valley spring into life

• Stay near Viswema and book homestays directly

• Carry your own water bottle

• If hitchhiking is issue (as it was with me), take help from your homestay to book shared taxi's to destination

PC- Nitish, Geo, Mridula and Sreekanth

*~ because

1. he carried a professional camera

2. shared most pics amongst the professional in group 😛

Drop a text if you want any further details. Travel safe. See you in next blog. Till then keep exploring!