Travel to Phek – Nagaland’s Best Kept Secret

The bewitching landscape of Phek is a magnificence per se. The alluring terrace paddy fields as you travel to Phek slips into changing hues of colors gently walking through the changing seasons. The monsoons emanates a fluorescent green color from the paddy field, enough to evoke a palpable sense of rejoice. The forest protected hills overlook the sandwiched paddy fields, standing as guardian. Autumn sweeps the green shades of paddy fields into earthly brown – a significant change harboring the success of paddy harvest.

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Between the drifting seasons, November turns the hinterlands of Phek bloom pink with Cherry Blossom. Small villages tucked in remote corners start preparing for Christmas with onset of winters. The lakes slips into hibernation with dipping temperature, pausing the swirling movement. The warmth of backyard fire billow smoke in the air with foggy morning and misty nights. The hand woven traditional Shawls live up to its promise to protect from piercing wind. The mystic and magic of Phek intertwine as Nagaland’s best kept secret.

Zapami – One of the hundreds of Picturesque Villages

I ended up in a small village in Phek called Zapami, in pursuit of solitude. The village is located under Pfutsero block of Phek. My car screeched through the dusty broken roads from Kohima, winding through the serpentine curves, before coming to a halt in front of a Morung styled gate. This marked the entry to Zapami Village – a small hamlet tucked in hills of Nagaland. My host Rheiweu (native of Zapami village) waved at me from far with a warm smile. In the miniscule seconds left to meet her, I adjusted my gaze around the gorgeous terrace fields. I was hugged by the invigorating feeling of joy; being in the right place.

There was barely any expectation but the mere sight of the rustic homes, wildflowers and paddy fields stirred the thought away. I knew I could brisk walk around the paddy all day long, stopping by to talk to locals. Chakheshang ethnic tribe majorly dominates the Phek District of Nagaland. She led me inside her home through the narrow cobbled lane. The kitchen smelled of dry fish and ethnic delicacies, the tiny kitchen garden flourished with organic vegetables. A small pot on the gas crackled as it released the steam from from boiling millet. Well, this was my first encounter with a remote village in Phek.

Read my experience staying with a local family in Zapami Village of Phek, Nagaland

Chizami – A sustainable and silent Entrepreneurial Revolution

Chizami Village has spearheaded a sustainable entrepreneurship model for economic development rooting on the traditional weaving practices. The North East Network in 1990 initiated the reformations and skill enhancement programs. This aimed to transform the realm of women empowerment and bring better economic opportunities. The omnipresent weaving skill of women in the village made a landmark shift contributing to the growth of the economic model. After years of wilt, positive changes led to the formation of Chizami Weaves.

Today, hundreds of women are part of Chizami Weaves – a venture flagged off for a sustainable livelihood. The village is a flagbearer for rural women empowerment. The close-knitted network of the women today produce handiworks and traditional products with ethnic motifs through their brushed handloom skills. The women are becoming self sufficient by selling the handwoven products across the country. As you travel to Phek, a stopover at Chizami village is significant.

The village even stay put through lockdown and pandemic by setting with “Covid-19 Creativity Hub”. The quarantine center in Chizami Village, set against the gorgeous hilly backdrop, reflects the indomitable spirit of this remote village. The creativity brewed amongst the quarantined natives through their engagement in activities like painting, knitting, writing etc.

Pfutsero -Travel to Phek’s Coldest Inhabited Place

Pfutsero is set on the highlands of Nagaland and marked as the coldest inhabited place in Nagaland. The temperature tends to dip into minus in the winters, leaving the lakes and water bodies frozen. November sets you on a fairytale trail with Pfutsero blooming in pink Cherry blossoms. The roadside turn into sprinkle of colors of wildflowers.  Pfutsero is center head for theological studies with Baptist Theological College as one of the oldest theological colleges in Nagaland.

Hike to Glory Peak

It is the highest point in Pfutsero, and it takes around 30 – 40 minutes to hike to Glory peak on a well paved road. The picturesque landscape of the blue hill soaked in dense clouds and the scattering sunlight is awe inspiring. The gorgeous view accompany you throughout the trail walking you to the viewpoint offering panoramic view of Pfutsero town. The salubrious air of Pfutsero town makes the trail comfortable. A clear day offers views of Mount Saramati – highest Mountain peak in Nagaland.

Pfutsero Baptist Church

The Baptist Church is a soothing architecture with a sober combination of blue roof and white façade.  The purple wildflowers beautiful swirl along the fences of the church. The interiors of the church is simple arcade for mass and prayers. The church was empty when I visited and got lucky to spend some peace time.

Chida Post

Chida Post is a luxuriant valley tucked in Khezhakeno Village under Pfutsero block of Phek District. The valley is sandwiched between the borders of Nagaland and Manipur. The Chida Lake welcomes you to the valley. The valley opens you to phenomenal sight of rolling hills and swirling clouds. Chida Post happens to be a popular picnic spot amongst the local. The nature splendor of hills, forest, clear skies, and chirping birds dominates in abundance.

Shilloi Lake – Boating and Angling Delight in Meluri

Shilloi Lake is one of the largest natural lake in Nagaland tucked amidst low hills and verdant forests. The lake is nestled in Lutsam Village under Meluri block of Phek. The traditional and tribal lore has legendary stories about the lake. One of the stories go back to a missing baby girl from Lunadvu Village. According to legends, the baby was heart crying in middle of the lake and two hands kept the baby from drowning. She was believed to be the reigning queen of the lake. According to folklore, the spirits of ancestors protect people from drowning in the lake.

Apart from the folklore, good and interesting to hear, the lake is frequented by Siberian cranes during the migratory season. The lake is famous for angling and boating. The best time for fishing in the lake is from June to September. This landlocked pine surrounded lake is great for even boating. For as less as Rs 100/- you can go angling for a day.

Dzudu Lake – Experience the Joy of a Frozen Lake

The lake is surrounded by damp forests with the trees covered in moss. The lake is hidden amidst the natural foliage after an uphill trek through the thick forests. The summers with the incessant rain pours fuels the foliage to grow thick and dense. The ground lay in ferns and overgrown shrubs. As the winter crawls in, the still water of the lake freeze succumbing to minus degree temperature.

The lake is calm catching up with the silence with the surrounding. The moss covered trees surround the lake in close knit reflecting a green hue on the water. The legends say the lake is protected by guardian spirits. The lake is considered sacred and hence swimming or treading in the water is forbidden. The trek is slightly arduous due to the dampness and mud slushed trail.

Kapamodzu – Hike to an Offbeat Peak on Travel to Phek

The Kapamodzu Peak is a trail shrouded in a curtain of wilderness. The route is laid in carpet of grass interspersed with wildflowers, ferns, holly, orchids, and many other plants. The entire route is a vantage point to spectacular bounty of nature. The Kapamodzu hill is home to different diverse flora and fauna. The hike along the cliff to the peak is a serene one. The route is an offbeat one. The best way to reach Kapamodzu base is using personal vehicle or hire a taxi.

Phek is a hidden paradise with untouched pristine landscape and serene marvels of nature. Be it the economic entrepreneurial model of Chizami or the traditional folklores or the sustainable agricultural practices, there is a new thing to learn and experience at every corner when you travel to Phek.

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