Kigwema View Point
The Kigwema View Point offers a breathtaking, panoramic vista of the surrounding hills, including the majestic Japfu Peak (the second-highest peak in Nagaland) and, on a clear day, a glimpse of the start of the famed Dzukou Valley trek route, making it a critical rest stop and photo opportunity for trekkers and tourists alike; its elevation provides a stunning perspective of the terraced fields below, a testament to the agricultural skill of the Angami people, and the scattered traditional huts of the village, providing a complete landscape view that perfectly blends natural grandeur with human settlement, an ideal spot for contemplation and appreciating the region's immense natural beauty.
General information
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Ideal Duration:
30 Minutes to 1 Hour:Place Type:
Scenic Lookout:Entry Fees:
No Fixed Entry Fee:There is usually no formal entry fee to access a natural viewpoint unless it is a privately maintained property; the general natural viewing area is free;
Platform Maintenance Donations:If there is a constructed viewing p...No Fixed Entry Fee:There is usually no formal entry fee to access a natural viewpoint unless it is a privately maintained property; the general natural viewing area is free;
Platform Maintenance Donations:If there is a constructed viewing platform, a small, optional donation box might be present for its maintenance, where a contribution of Rs.10 to Rs.20 is generally expected from visitors for the upkeep of the facility;
Trekking Permit Checkpoint:The proximity to the Dzukou Valley trek base means that while the viewpoint is free, you might encounter local officials checking for the necessary trekking permits and Inner Line Permits (ILP), which are mandatory and incur a cost.Timing:
Regular Timings:The viewpoint is an open space and accessible 24/7, but for safety, it should only be visited in daylight hours, specifically between 6:00 AM (for sunrise) and 6:00 PM (before dark);
Ideal Visit Time:The best time to visit is...Regular Timings:The viewpoint is an open space and accessible 24/7, but for safety, it should only be visited in daylight hours, specifically between 6:00 AM (for sunrise) and 6:00 PM (before dark);
Ideal Visit Time:The best time to visit is during the Sunrise (around 6:00 AM to 7:00 AM) for the clearest views, dramatic light, and to catch the morning mist rising from the valley, offering a highly refreshing and visually rewarding experience, or in the late afternoon for sunset.Special Events:
Trekking Season Events:The viewpoint becomes a buzz of activity during the peak trekking seasons (April to May and October to November), serving as an informal gathering spot where trekkers often celebrate their successful return or prepare for the adventure ahead, creating ...Trekking Season Events:The viewpoint becomes a buzz of activity during the peak trekking seasons (April to May and October to November), serving as an informal gathering spot where trekkers often celebrate their successful return or prepare for the adventure ahead, creating a lively, celebratory atmosphere;
Village Mithun Viewing:During certain traditional festivals, villagers might bring their prized Mithuns (local cattle) to graze near the higher points of the village, and the viewpoint offers an excellent vantage point to observe these magnificent animals, which are symbols of wealth.Best Photo Spots:
The Wide-Angle Panorama:The best shot is a wide-angle panorama capturing the entire sweep of the mountain ranges, the forested hills, and the terraced cultivation fields, using the platform or railing as a foreground element to create depth and context;
Read MoreThe Wide-Angle Panorama:The best shot is a wide-angle panorama capturing the entire sweep of the mountain ranges, the forested hills, and the terraced cultivation fields, using the platform or railing as a foreground element to create depth and context;
Silhouettes at Sunset:A striking photo can be achieved at sunset by silhouetting a person or the viewing structure against the brilliantly colored sky and the distant, dark mountain ridges, emphasizing the dramatic scale of the landscape;
The Cloud Layer Shot:If you are lucky, on a morning when the clouds settle in the valley, a photograph taken from the viewpoint looking down upon the white, cottony layer of clouds with the mountain peaks poking through is truly spectacular, giving a feeling of being above the world.Photo Gallery
Things To Do
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Sunrise or Sunset Photography:Arrive early to capture the dramatic mountain sunrise or stay late for the sunset, where the light casts a beautiful golden or pink hue over the hills and the valley below, offering spectacular landscape photography opportunities;
Nature Observation:Use the elevated position for bird-watching or simply to observe the local flora and fauna of the surrounding forests, which are part of a rich biodiversity hotspot, using binoculars for distant viewing;
Picnic Break:The spot is an ideal place to take a short, refreshing break, enjoying packed snacks and water while soaking in the tranquility and the cool mountain air, making it a perfect spot for peaceful contemplation;
Identify Landmarks:Attempt to identify the various geographical land...
Information
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Why Famous:
Panoramic Landscape:It is famous for providing one of the most accessible and stunning panoramic views of the Naga Hills, the vast expanse of the surrounding forests, the geometrically beautiful terraced fields, and the distant mountain ranges, offering a dramatic visual rep...Panoramic Landscape:It is famous for providing one of the most accessible and stunning panoramic views of the Naga Hills, the vast expanse of the surrounding forests, the geometrically beautiful terraced fields, and the distant mountain ranges, offering a dramatic visual representation of Nagaland's natural terrain;
Dzukou Valley Starting Point:It is a strategic and emotionally significant stop for trekkers, as it often marks the final point before beginning the challenging but rewarding journey to the famous Dzukou Valley, inspiring a sense of adventure and preparation. -
Architecture:
Architectural Significance:Viewpoints are often natural elevations, but the village council has sometimes enhanced the spot with a simple, yet robust viewing platform or a small, wooden watchtower; the construction emphasizes safety and functionality, often using local ston...Architectural Significance:Viewpoints are often natural elevations, but the village council has sometimes enhanced the spot with a simple, yet robust viewing platform or a small, wooden watchtower; the construction emphasizes safety and functionality, often using local stone and simple wood structures, designed not to distract from the natural panorama but to facilitate safe viewing, sometimes including a small bench or rest house for trekkers;
Dimension and Structure:A typical constructed platform is modest, perhaps 5 meters by 5 meters, with low wooden railings for safety; the focus is on the open, unhindered view rather than the structure itself; if a viewing tower is present, it is simple, around 8 to 10 meters high, built with heavy-duty timber and stone base, adhering to traditional building materials while serving a modern tourism function. -
How To Reach:
By Air:The nearest airport is Dimapur Airport (DMU) (70 KMS); the route follows the main road to Kohima and then continues south to Kigwema; the viewpoint is typically reached by a short hike or drive up from the village center;
By Train:N... -
Near Tourist Places:
Dzukou Valley Trek Base (0 KM), Kisama Naga Heritage Village (2 KMS), Kohima War Cemetery (15 KMS), Kohima Cathedral Church (17 KMS), Kohima Local Market (16 KMS), Japfu Peak (10 KMS to base), Khonoma Green Village (35 KMS), Touphema Village (45 KMS), Dzuleke Village (40 KMS), State Museum Kohima (16 KMS).
Tourism Tips
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Health & Safety:Be cautious near the edge of the viewpoint and viewing platforms, especially with children, and always inform your homestay host of your plans if you intend to visit for sunrise or sunset when visibility is low;
Packing:Bring...
Reviews
Information about New and Updated Locations(670+) of Nagaland Has Been Added :-
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Dzukou Valley Dzuleke VillageGovernor's View PointIntanki National ParkJapfü PeakKezoma Town MemorialKohima Botanical GardenKohima Town CentreKohima Town Centre Kohima Zoo Naga Bazaar KohimaNaga Heritage Village Phizo Memorial ParkPhom Village Pulie Badze Wildlife SanctuaryRazhu PointSecond World War MuseumTouphema Tourist VillageMore PlacesNote:-
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