Kashmir from Nagaland: After the Hornbill Festival, a Himalayan Winter
Kohima and Dimapur to Srinagar: flight routes, pairing December's Hornbill Festival with Kashmir snow, food for meat lovers and a 7-night plan.
Quick answerFrom Nagaland, fly from Dimapur via Kolkata, Guwahati or Delhi to Srinagar; Kohima travellers drive to Dimapur first. Plan 7 nights. A popular idea is a late-December trip after the Hornbill Festival for snow in Gulmarg. Meat lovers will enjoy Kashmir's wazwan.
Nagaland's Hornbill Festival fills the first ten days of December with music and colour. Once the celebrations end, a trip to snowy Kashmir makes a memorable way to close the year. And for a community that takes meat seriously, Kashmir's lamb-centred cuisine is a highlight.
Getting there
| From | Typical route |
|---|---|
| Dimapur | Fly via Kolkata, Guwahati or Delhi |
| Kohima | Road to Dimapur (about 2–3 hours), then fly |
| Mokokchung | Road to Dimapur or Jorhat, then fly |
Food for meat lovers
- Wazwan: slow-cooked lamb dishes like rista, rogan josh and gushtaba. See our wazwan guide.
- Kebabs: smoky seekh and tujji at Srinagar's barbecue lanes.
- Pork: not available in the valley; meat served is halal.
- Chilli: Kashmiri food is milder than Naga food, so carry your own chutney if you need heat.
7-night plan
| Nights | Where |
|---|---|
| 2 | Srinagar (1 houseboat) |
| 2 | Gulmarg (snow in winter, meadows in summer) |
| 2 | Pahalgam |
| 1 | Srinagar |
When to go
- Late December–February: snow.
- October: clear skies and autumn colours.
- May–June: green valleys.
Costs
About ₹16,000–24,000 per person on a budget and ₹27,000–48,000 mid-range for 7 nights, excluding flights.
Timing the trip after Hornbill
The Hornbill Festival runs in the first ten days of December. Flying out around the middle of the month gives Gulmarg time to build up snow, which usually becomes reliable from late December. If snow is the main goal, a trip spanning Christmas and New Year is the safer bet; book flights from Dimapur well ahead.
Naga travellers who enjoy smoked and grilled meats should try the barbecue lanes of Srinagar in the evening, where seekh kebabs and tujji are grilled over coals.
Plan the rest of your Kashmir trip
- Kashmir Tour Packages from Every State of India: Travelling from any of India's 28 states? Find the fastest route to Srinagar, how many nights to plan, the best season for your region and a link to your state's full…
- Kashmir Tour Package from Kolkata: Bengalis have loved Kashmir for generations. Direct flights, why the Puja holidays are a sweet spot, a 6-night route and honest costs from Kolkata.
- Kashmir from Sikkim: Sikkimese travellers know high passes and ropeways. Kashmir adds houseboats, Mughal gardens and one of the highest cable cars in the world.
- Kashmir from Mizoram: Mizoram celebrates Christmas in style; Kashmir can add snow. How to reach Srinagar from Aizawl, planning a December trip, and a 7-night plan with costs.
- What to Eat in Kashmir: Beyond rogan josh: the meatballs, lotus stems, pink tea, bakery breads and winter specials that make Kashmiri food so distinctive, including vegetarian favourites.
Frequently asked questions
How do I reach Kashmir from Kohima?
Drive to Dimapur and fly via Kolkata, Guwahati or Delhi to Srinagar.
Is pork available in Kashmir?
No. Meat served in the Kashmir valley is halal; lamb and chicken are the main meats.
When can I see snow in Kashmir?
Usually from late December to February, especially in Gulmarg.
How much does a Kashmir tour package from Nagaland cost for a couple?
For 7 nights in Kashmir, a mid-range land package costs about ₹54,000–96,000 for two people sharing a room, with breakfast and dinner and a private cab. Add flights or trains to Srinagar.