Capital in the hills
Kohima spreads across a series of ridges at about 1,400 metres, with the main town, the secretariat and Officers' Hill at its centre and wards and villages on the slopes around. Roads wind between the ridges, and many homes are reached by narrow lanes or steps. It's a compact city, but getting a truck close to a house can be the hardest part of a move.
When you ask for a quote, give the exact address, a map pin and how the house is reached from the road.
History
Kohima was the site of a decisive battle in the Second World War, and the Kohima War Cemetery, on Garrison Hill, where the fighting around the old tennis court took place, is one of the best known in Asia. The Angami villages around the town, such as Khonoma and Jotsoma, have their own long histories.
Inner Line Permit
Nagaland has an Inner Line Permit system, and many people from outside the state, including truck crews, need a permit. The rules change from time to time, so check what applies before you book, and keep the permits with the truck's papers.
Carrying on the slopes
Where a truck can't reach the door, goods are carried or moved to a smaller vehicle. Tell your mover how many steps there are, whether furniture fits through the doors, and ask for carrying charges to be in the quote.
Weather
Kohima has a mild summer, a wet monsoon from May to September and a cold winter, with chilly nights from December to February. Landslides can block the Dimapur road in the rains. October to April is usually the best time to move.
Hornbill and Sekrenyi
The Hornbill Festival at Kisama, from 1 to 10 December, brings thousands of visitors and heavy traffic, and the Angami festival of Sekrenyi in February and Christmas are big celebrations too. Avoid those dates if you can.
Local moves
Many local moves go between wards of the city, or out to Jotsoma, Kisama, Chiephobozou and the villages along the main roads. Share both exact addresses when you ask for a quote.
Common moves out of Kohima
Common moves from Kohima go down to Dimapur and on to Jorhat in Assam. Our route guides cover both.
Students
Colleges in Kohima and Jotsoma, and the university campus at Meriema, draw students from across Nagaland. A student's room usually goes as a few-items move; check the hostel's dates first.
Government postings
As the state capital, Kohima has the secretariat, the assembly and many government offices, and officials move in and out on postings. Government quarters need a vacating notice and an inspection. If an employer is paying, ask what documents they need; every mover we work with provides a GST invoice.
Cold-weather homes
Homes in Kohima are built for the cold, often with wooden interiors and heaters. Unpack warm clothes and bedding first, and check the heating before the first night.
Packing for hills and rain
Ask for cartons one person can carry, heavy pieces dismantled where possible, extra padding for the hill road, and everything wrapped against rain.
First weeks in a Kohima home
Ask how the water supply works, since many homes store rainwater and buy water in the dry months, check the power backup, and book internet early. Our guide to address changes after moving lists the official records to update.
Jotsoma and Khonoma
Jotsoma, just west of the city, has colleges and growing housing, and Khonoma, further out, is a well-known heritage village. Roads there are narrow and winding. Give the exact address and a landmark.
Dimapur for the railhead and airport
Kohima has no railway or airport of its own, so families and goods come through Dimapur, about three hours down the hill. Many families travel to Dimapur by train or plane and then drive up, while the truck brings the household goods.
The NH 29 widening
The highway between Dimapur and Kohima is being widened, and landslides and road works can close stretches for hours, especially in the monsoon. Check the road before the truck sets out.
The war cemetery
The Kohima war cemetery, on Garrison Hill in the town centre, marks the 1944 battle, and the roads around it are steep and narrow.
Nagaland University at Meriema
Nagaland University's campus at Meriema, on Kohima's edge, has hostels and staff housing.
The Dzükou valley
The Dzükou valley, south of Kohima, is a popular trek, and the villages at its foot, such as Viswema, are reached by narrow hill roads.
Kisama during Hornbill
The Hornbill festival is held each year from 1 to 10 December at the Kisama heritage village, about 12 km south of Kohima. Tourist taxis and buses fill the highway between the two all day, so a truck going south on those dates can lose hours in the queue.
Kohima village, the Bara Basti
Kohima village, called Bara Basti, sits on the ridge above the town and is one of the largest villages in the region, with houses built close together on steep paths. Goods from homes there are carried by hand to the road, so ask how far the nearest point a truck can reach is.
Water by tanker
Piped water in Kohima is scarce, and many households buy water by tanker, especially in the dry months. Ask the landlord how water reaches the house, and keep a few full cans ready for the first days after moving in.
Mao gate and the Imphal road
South of Kohima, the highway reaches the Manipur border at Mao gate and goes on to Imphal. When the road is blocked, as it sometimes is, trucks can be held for days, so moves to Manipur should be planned with room for delays.
Christmas in Kohima
Kohima is largely Christian, and Christmas and New Year are the biggest time of the year. Many offices and shops close for days in late December, and families travel to their home villages, so moves are hard to fix then.
Pickups for small loads
In Kohima, small loads often move by pickup or taxi rather than a truck, as the roads are narrow and steep.