Nagaland

‘Land of the Headhunters’ Nagaland’s reputation precedes it. A tribal state, each of its 17 main tribes, maintain a strong cultural identity, most notably at the annual Hornbill Festival. Held in December, in Kohima, each of Nagaland’s most prominent tribes come together to showcase their vibrant song, dance, and musical traditions. It also includes contests such as the Naga Chilli Eating competition, one of the world’s hottest chilli. Kohima is also of interest to history buffs, as it was the site of heavy fighting between the British and the Japanese in WWII, with hundreds of graves being maintained in the Kohima War Cemetery. For the best weather, travel between October and March.