Zunheboto to K Station is a lateral traverse across the district starting from Zunheboto driving via Ghukiye to Langki Bridge and Ghosu Bird Sanctuary. Don’t expect too much infrastructure, it’s a DIY place without any signages. Drive past Shena and Saptiqa and stop at the resting shed if you’re low on water supply. There are no shops or facilities on this route and STBC Women Department sometimes keeps a thoughtful self-service crate of mineral water – you can leave money behind in a plastic box. Drive past Ustomi village gate, Zhevishe village marketing shed and Late Hoikhe Hesso memorial and continue on the road to Wokha/Kohima. The road passes through Tsaphimi Reserve Forest, rubber plantations with sheets of latex drying in the sun, and scenic bridges. Just short of the exit point at K Station in Tseminyu, stop by at the roadside memorial of Dhanchu, the brave warrior of Kandi village who fought a tiger.

An exploration of the left half of the district, this offroad route takes you through Chakhesang territory, specifically the Kheza or Kuzhale area to the south. Starting from Kohima, drive via Kidima on this linear route running south of the Kikruma-Chizami highway. Drive via the historic villages of Khezakeno, Zapami and Kami, base for an extreme 4km offroad short cut to Kapamodzu (See Route 2). Most people take the usual longer route via Pfutsero, Tsupfume, Razieba (Razeba) to Zhavame, the base for Kapamodzu. Backtrack to Zhavame, Zalome and Razeba and drive past Nagaland’s Stonehenge Tsupfume towards Tetsume and rejoin NH-29 or the Kohima-Jessami Highway at Chizami. From Chizami, drive past the historic Sumi village and take a scenic back route to Losami Junction, cross Lanye or Lanezho Bridge, passing through a small section of Manipur to Jessami. Head to Meluri and take the deviation near the petrol bunk towards Tezatse and drive to district headquarters Phek, continuing via Khomi, Sakraba and Porba back to Pfutsero to complete the loop.

The Pochury territory is divided into five ranges or areas – Kamalaya, Meluri, Apoksah (Akhegwo), Phojesa and Phokungri. While driving in from Jessami, just before Akash Bridge over the Tizu river, you turn right and begin the ascent of the first range Kamalaya. It is a loose acronym for the six villages in the western part – Kanjang, Akhen, Matikhru, Akhen, Mollen and Reguri. Crossing Matikhru and Kanjang, you reach Akhen, the base for an offroad extension to Molhe Pass near Border Pillar 130 (See Route 4). From Reguri, make a scenic descent through a pine forest to the fields by the river and drive via Ziphu to Mollen. The drive takes you through forested tracts till you reach a fork in the road – the left leads to Phor and the right to Lake Shilloi. You have to cross a small river called Laiyakti, literally ‘one whose water never gets less’. Drive past Washelo and Thewati to reach Lake Shilloi. From Shilloi, you can do an extension via Pokhungri to the border town of Avangkhu (Route 5). Continue from Shilloi Lake via Laruri to Akhegwo and Meluri.

Enter the district at Ngoromi and Longmatra. The confluence of the Tizu and Zungki rivers lies near Longmatra. Take the diversion to the right, off the highway for Pungro and Thanamir for the Pungro Loop. This access is called 02 Rasta named after the GREF company stationed here. It’s a deeply rutted route and a bone-jangling ride on the narrow mud track paved unevenly with stones. From Pungro, drive via scenic villages of Amikioro, Mutingkhong, Moya and Mimi. From Mimi, one can do the Wawade-Hakkomute extension (Route 2), a diversion via Betang to a short, yet tricky hike to Wawade waterfall and continue to the end of the trail past Khongkha to Hakkomute. Drive from Mimi through the remote highlands via Lopfukhong, Khongjiri to Longkhimong and take a diversion to Khong, the end of the road in this nook. There’s a walking trail down to the Vohrtah (pronounced Wu-she-ta) river and Thanamir. The extreme offroad trail (Route 3) from Khong becomes too steep to navigate beyond 1 km. Backtrack to Longkhimong and continue to Salumi, taking a diversion for ‘Apple Village’ Thanamir. Return to Salumi and from Penkim Junction, head to Fakim Wildlife sanctuary, returning to Pungro to complete the loop.

The exciting trail to Wawade waterfall takes roughly 1½ hours from Mimi via Betang, a scenic viewpoint. It’s a tar road to Betang, which becomes a mud road after a few kilometers, as you make a descent past Khaha village. The settlement of Khongka can be spotted nestled on a hill with the end of the trail at Hakkomute barely discernible at a lofty elevation in the distance. Park your vehicle by the bridge for the 20-minute hike to the waterfall (it’s safer to pick up a local guide from Betang). After the bridge, there’s a wooden barrier on the road before the ascent to Khongka with several culverts. Continue to Hakkomute and backtrack all the way to Mimi.

The Kiusum extension, especially the route to the last village Thongsonyu, is a challenging drive for any offroader. The trail starts off easy as you drive north of Kiphire on the highway to Tsar Farm and take a right turn for Phelungre. The trail is moderate as you cross a steel bridge and drive to Latsu, continuing past Sangkhumti to Kiusum. It’s a 2-hr drive from Kiusum via Reicham and Limtsang to Pokhpur. Continue driving another hour via Tikhingkhiu to reach Thongsonyu, the end of the trail. This is the most treacherous offroading stretch and one has no choice but backtrack the same way to Kiusum.

At Kiusum, one has three options – 1) Return the way you came westwards to Phelungre and Tsar Farm back to Kiphire. 2) Drive south via Longtsunger towards Pungro, Penkim or Thanamir. 3) Head north and exit Kiphire district to reach Pang, 14.7 km (4-5 hours) in Noklak district (See Page __) via Chikiponger and Vitsuvong. The route takes you past cornfields and a rocky river crossing. The river is 20-30 ft wide and the water level is almost mid tyre height (Be aware, water levels increase considerably in the rains). Drive through a narrow gorge before tackling the difficult ascent to Pang in Noklak district regarded as the home of the Khiamnungan tribe.

Mhainamtsi is the gateway to Peren district and this radial loop is the main arterial route with off-road extensions from nodal points like Ahthibung, Ngam, Tening and Peren. Jalukie to Ahthibung is supposed to be a black top made years ago but the surface disintegrates as you drive further away from town.

From Dimapur, turn right at Chumukedima and drive via Vidima, Shitovi Junction to Mhaikam – there are a few homestays in the area. Pimla has a few tea shops and vegetable vendors. Cross Mhainamtsi and turn right at the T-junction towards Jalukie. The DC’s office is at New Peren HQ Complex near Kejanglwa village, 51 km from Dimapur, with an offroad short cut to Ahthibung. Drive 3km to the Baptist Church in New Peren, turn right to Old Chalkot 7km away and turn left on the main road to Ahthibung, 3km away. One can do an off road route from Ahthibung to Lower Sinjol via Old Beisumpui, Songsang and Beisumpui Zangdi

From Tening, it’s a dusty drive on a kachcha (mud) road to New Nzau, a village named after its founder. The view of Kchalwang mountain forms the backdrop. It has a small store where you can pick up supplies. Further ahead at Ntu/Ntuma, there’s Sangsang’s Tea Stall, the only refreshment option en route. Passing through bamboo thickets, the trail descends via the last settlement Canamaram to the scenic Meguiki river with a Bailey bridge. This is Nagaland’s southernmost point. The confluence of the Meguiki and Barak river is located across the bridge beyond the Nagaland-Manipur border at Kedang.

Turn off the highway after Longmatra village for Honito along a decent patch. From here it is a challenging drive to Nitoi, along a hilly stretch with frequent furrows and ditches. Though the route is moderate, it could get rather tricky in the rains. From Nitoi, continue to Sitimi a kilometer ahead, from where it is a smooth black top to Shishimi, except for a few places where bridges are being constructed. From Shishimi backtrack to Sitimi that has a GREF Camp. Instead of taking the good highway from Sitimi to Seyochung, drive on a black top via Kiyezhe and Natsami to Langzanger. From Langzanger the road deteriorates considerably and becomes difficult after the right deviation for Tsunger. Driving further, the level changes to extreme as you pass through dense forest with an obstacle course of marshy path, water and grass onward to Seyochung. Seyochung to Lukhami is a black top and a well used path. From Lukhami to Kisetong the route is good, as you continue to Changchor.

Drive north of Tuensang town via Tuensang village on the NH-702 B highway towards Hakchang and take the left diversion towards Sangchen Compound. Cross the Etijung or Yijung river and drive to Sangchen Compound. It’s a normal road and the highway to Noksen is being built so one needn’t engage 4×4 in this stretch. From Sangchen Compound, drive to the nearby village of Momching and continue to Bhumpak. Follow the district’s northern boundary and cross the Phomchi river en route to Yangpi. Continue to Noksen, Litem, Alisopur and Tronger, turning right on the highway for Chare. After covering Longtrok/Chungliyimti, there are multiple options from Chare. Take the highway via Longkhim to Tuensang. Or drive to Mokokchung via a 19 km short-cut, an oroad route on a narrow path. Or take the NH-202 highway via Meyilong to exit Tuensang district as you reach Moalenden in Mokokchung district; cro

An offshoot of the earlier route, this extension from Sheangamokok to Tangnyu is pure offroad country. The route to Sheanghahwamsa requires 4×4 as it is a mud path with slushy sections and slippery red soil. One rain and the moderate route could transform into an extreme section in no time. From Sheanghahwamsa, one road heads northeast via Nyahnyu to Longwa. But drive northward to Longshen, before joining Tangnyu on the Mon-Longwa axis.

This lateral traverse across Wokha from Okotso in the east to Pyotchu/Ralan in the southwest is an exciting oroad route. Enter Wokha district from the east via Longkhum in Mokokchung district, driving in via Okotso to Pangti, the village where thousands of Amur falcons roost annually in Oct-Nov. The forest has teak, bamboo and banana and the mud road is pretty bad. Continue via Asha to Doyang Hydro Project North Bank and drive to Sanis on the highway. The route to Pyotchu is along a ridge that follows the course of the Diyung or Tapu river to the left with the plains of Assam to the right. This is a coal-mining area, and after Tsopo, all the descents to the right from Chudi, Longtsung and Lotsu, lead to coal mines. The road is patchy, alternating between tarred and rough, and gets slushy in the rains. Buses ply only till Longtsung. After Pyotchu, the Diyung river takes an upward curve and one has to cross the river to reach Ralan.

This offroad route takes you to the remote villages of the western parts of the district. Start from Shamator and drive via Leangkonger, Shiponger and Kephore to Huker on the Zunheboto border. Drive north to the large town of Chessore and continue via Lunthu to K Longsor. After Chessore and Lunthu, the road is not used much as vehicles hardly, hence the 4×4 track is rather awful. Continue on the mud path to Kelongru and drive via Moyit up towards the high altitude village of Longtoker. Backtrack to Moyit and continue towards Sotokur to exit the district from the north via Helipong to Tuensang.

Drive from Akhegwo towards Kiphire and take the diversion to the left from the highway on the tar road crossing a Bailey bridge across the Aphughoki river, towards Khuvuxu (pronounced Khuvukhu). Satoi Range has 11 settlements under its jurisdiction – Khuvuxu, Hokiye, Thakiye, Tsutoho, Satoi village, Satoi town, Itovi, Ikiye, Tsuruhu (good for sighting tragopan), Kheshito and Ghokhuvi. You cross a blue pillar gate with the words Vi Wolo (Safe Journey)/Sasuvi (Welcome) before entering Thakiye. The sharp climb from Kizari in the foothills to Hokiye is the most challenging section in this circuit as the road is very narrow with deep ruts caused by rain channels criss-crossing the track. Wheel placement becomes crucial and in some tight spots, the navigator must get down from the vehicle to guide the driver. Hokiye lies at the crest of the mountain

Enter Noklak district from Kiphire driving up the highway to Anatongre. Take the diversion to the right for Thonoknyu and descend to the Zungki river before making the slow ascent to sub division headquarters Thononkyu. The road traverses the area between the Zungki and Chokla rivers. The path is difficult and narrow in sections with steep drops on one side, so correct wheel placement is critical. Drive via Chilliso and Peshu to Sanglao and up to Nokhu. From Nokhu descend to the Makao river and climb up to district headquarters Noklak.

Enter from Kiusum in Kiphire district and come into Noklak district through Pang in the south. From Pang, cross the Chokla river, and climb up to Thonoknyu, the nearest nodal town to refuel if low on gas or provisions. Else, continue on a good road via Thoktsur to Chipur. After Chipur, the route deteriorates, making it a dicult road to Kingjung, a fairly large town. Kingjung to Wui is the toughest and worst section, with a slippery narrow path passing through hilly terrain. There are ditches caused by rain channels and the red mud is very slippery, so if you lose momentum, the vehicle tends to slide back. Proper wheel placement is required. If it rains, the oroading level becomes extreme. Wui is known for its dao making, blacksmiths and pottery. From Wui, there’s a shortcut via a dilapidated wooden bridge over the Chokla river, though the longer route via the steel bridge is more reliable. The road is ok till the bifurcation, and the left route to Kingphu is usually not passable, so take the upper route. It’s slushy, red mud and the route from Kingphu to Sanglao is wide but still a bad stretch.

Take a hike to Choklangan Caves

Drive in from Tuensang via Chendang Saddle and turn o towards Chingmei for the drive to Noklak, the district headquarters. Being a new district, there is a lot of fresh road cutting en route, so be aware of sudden landslides. Bear in mind that it becomes a lot trickier in the rains. Phone network gets patchy towards the interiors. From Noklak one can take a diversion to Langnok and backtrack to Noklak. The route to Pangsha and Dan follows the Makao river and is quite challenging with plenty of slippery red mud and slush.

Enter the district from the south and drive up the Ongpangkong range from Longsa to Ungma and Mokokchung. Don’t take the usual NH-61 highway via Chuchuyimlang and Changtonya to Tuli. Instead, take the left diversion from Impur Junction for Mopungchuket-Impur past the Yimchalu village gate and the Rural Tourism Lodge of Sungratsu Village. From Mopungchuket, the tar road continues past Sungotenem Park towards the coffee estates of Khar. Backtrack to the neighbouring village of Sungratsu and drive up the central Asetkong range towards Tuli. The 27 km stretch from Impur Junction till Longpong Bridge is a narrow yet decent tar road, after which the real offroad section begins. Continue via Longjang and Kelingmen – there’s an offroad access to Chuchuyimlang (Route 2) from both places though the Longjang access is more treacherous. From Kelingmen, continue via Asangma to the nodal town of Tuli. Take the left from Tuli Market Junction for Molungyimsen and Molukimong to cover the Jangpetkong Range (Route 3) or continue north of Tuli towards the Assam border and turn in from Yajang C, B, A for the Japukong Range (Route 4) via Lirmen, Anokpu and Mangkolemba to Changki Jucntion.

Though Chuchuyimlang lies on the Mokokchung-Changtongya-Tuli NH-61 highway, the offroad access from Longjang or Kelingmen (16 km further up the road) is more interesting and worth the detour. The route from Longjang is tougher with a descent to the Mining river. There’s no bridge and the river crossing is followed by a steep ascent along a narrow, rocky road to Chuchuyimlang. Sometimes this route gets damaged due to landslides, in which case, drive further to Kelingmen and take the right from the T-junction to Chuchuyimlang. This route is moderate in comparison to the first access. Backtrack to Kelingmen if going up to Tuli via Asangma.

From Tuli Market Junction turn left for the Jangpetkong Range, which stretches down to Changki Junction, 62 km away. Cross Luyong Bridge as the road climbs steadily from the plains towards Molungyimsen. The road wends past terraces of paddy fields and great mountain views closer to Molungkimong. Drive past Yimjenkimong towards Waromong and the roadside sacred boulder of Jangjanglong. Cross the diversion for Melak river 12 km to the left; there’s no bridge and it’s 4-5 km from there to Asangma. There are multiple diversions going down to the river like the Dibuia-Melak Link Road. Each place has a story behind its name. Dibuia is named after dibu, a particular kind of small bamboo. Alongma, literally ‘a place of stones’, was the rocky lair and holiday spot for legendary Ao lovers Jina and Itiben. Mongchen is one of the highest points in this route and there are scenic viewpoints overlooking Mangkolemba and Maipang Khar. A small footpath marks the trail the American missionaries took towards Impur Mission Centre. The road condition deteriorates as you drive to Chungliyimsen with its ancient tree and 5 km milestone

From Tuli Market Junction turn left for the Jangpetkong Range, which stretches down to Changki Junction, 62 km away. Cross Luyong Bridge as the road climbs steadily from the plains towards Molungyimsen. The road wends past terraces of paddy fields and great mountain views closer to Molungkimong. Drive past Yimjenkimong towards Waromong and the roadside sacred boulder of Jangjanglong. Cross the diversion for Melak river 12 km to the left; there’s no bridge and it’s 4-5 km from there to Asangma. There are multiple diversions going down to the river like the Dibuia-Melak Link Road. Each place has a story behind its name. Dibuia is named after dibu, a particular kind of small bamboo. Alongma, literally ‘a place of stones’, was the rocky lair and holiday spot for legendary Ao lovers Jina and Itiben. Mongchen is one of the highest points in this route and there are scenic viewpoints overlooking Mangkolemba and Maipang Khar. A small footpath marks the trail the American missionaries took towards Impur Mission Centre. The road condition deteriorates as you drive to Chungliyimsen with its ancient tree and 5 km milestone

From Niuland the district headquarters, the Hovishe-Ghotovi axis to Longwesenyu in adjoining Tseminyu district connects up via Ziezou and Zhadima to join the Botsa-Kohima highway. The stretch between Ghotovi and Longwesenyu near Rengmapani sometimes witnesses landslides, especially in the rainy season. Always check if the route is open with local villagers before venturing.

From Niuland, drive south towards Hokuto and bypassing the village, drive past Hozukhe, Nikhekhu towards Nihokhu. Between Nikhekhu and Nihokhu, take the left diversion from the fork with the signboard for Ghokuto, an ascent on a track with moderate to steep inclines. Keep steady acceleration because if the RPM drops, the vehicle may stall. The same track would be graded as difficult in the monsoon. Backtrack to Nihokhu and drive via Hokheze to Lavi, a nice lake with fishing facilities.