Chizami is a Chakhesang village in Phek district, Nagaland, best known for its hand-built terrace fields and a women-led weaving revival. It sits in the hill country of eastern Nagaland, about three hours by road from the state capital Kohima. This guide covers how to reach Chizami, the Inner Line Permit you need, when to go, where to stay and what to see, with every fee and timing dated and sourced.
Chizami is a rural Chakhesang settlement in Phek district, Nagaland, roughly 145 km from Kohima by road. It is known for terraced step-farming on steep slopes and for Chizami Weaves, a backstrap-loom livelihood project run largely by local women. Indian and foreign visitors need an Inner Line Permit to enter the state.
Key takeaways
- Chizami is a Chakhesang village in Phek district, Nagaland, at about 25.60°N, 94.39°E; Census 2011 recorded 2,592 residents in 586 families.
- All visitors from outside Nagaland need an Inner Line Permit (ILP). The official portal lists ₹200 for domestic visitors and ₹500 for foreigners, each valid 30 days (ilp.nagaland.gov.in fees page, as of November 2026).
- The nearest airport and railhead are both at Dimapur; from there it is roughly 74 km to Kohima and about 219 km on to Phek, per the Phek district administration.
- Chizami Weaves was started by the North East Network in 2008 with seven weavers and now works with more than 600 weavers across 14 villages, according to Morung Express.
- October to December brings the clearest weather; the Chakhesang Tsükhenye festival falls in April, before the main farming season.
- There is no airport, train or high-altitude pass at Chizami itself; travel is by shared taxi or private car from Kohima through Phek district.
About Chizami: a Chakhesang weaving village
Chizami is a village of the Chakhesang community in Phek district, in the eastern hills of Nagaland. According to its Census 2011 record, the village had 2,592 residents living in 586 families, almost all from Scheduled Tribe communities. It lies at roughly 25.60°N, 94.39°E, postal code 797102, and is organised into khels (clans), the usual unit of a Naga village.
Two things define Chizami for a traveller. The first is terrace farming: the Chakhesang are known for wet-rice cultivation cut into steep hillsides, a method local people call jhabo (terrace) cultivation, alongside older jhum (shifting) plots. The second is weaving. Chizami Weaves, a livelihood programme the North East Network (NEN) started in 2008, began with seven expert weavers and, as Morung Express reported for its tenth anniversary, had grown to more than 600 weavers across 14 villages in three blocks of Phek district. It became a separate entity under the Nenterprise Trust in October 2017.
If you are mapping a wider trip, Chizami pairs naturally with the quieter corners of our Nagaland travel guide, away from the better-known Kohima and Mon circuits.
| District / state | Phek district, Nagaland |
|---|---|
| Community | Chakhesang (Scheduled Tribe) |
| Coordinates | approx. 25.60°N, 94.39°E |
| Population (2011) | 2,592 in 586 families |
| Postal code | 797102 |
| Known for | Terrace farming; Chizami Weaves (backstrap-loom weaving) |
Best time to visit Chizami
October to December is the most reliable window for Chizami, when travel guides for Phek report clear skies and comfortable days. These are hill temperatures, so pack layers for cold mornings and nights year-round. The monsoon months (roughly June to September) bring heavy rain to Nagaland and can make the hill roads into Phek district slow or slippery.
If you want to see Chakhesang culture at its liveliest, time your trip to the Tsükhenye festival (also written Tsiikhenye), which falls in April. Morung Express reported Chizami’s 2025 celebration on 22 April at the village ground, describing it as the last festival before full farming activity begins. Festival dates shift year to year, so confirm with the village council before booking.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn–early winter | Oct–Dec | Clearest skies, cool days, cold nights; best overall window |
| Winter–spring | Jan–Mar | Cold, often crisp; terraces bare early, greening later |
| Festival spring | Apr | Tsükhenye festival; fields being prepared for planting |
| Monsoon | Jun–Sep | Heavy rain, green terraces, difficult roads |
How to reach Chizami
You reach Chizami by road, as it has no airport or railway of its own. The nearest airport and the state’s only major railhead are both at Dimapur; from there travellers head to Kohima and on into Phek district by shared taxi or private car. There is no high mountain pass on the route, but the hill roads are winding, so plan a full travel day.
By air: Dimapur Airport (DMU) is the gateway. IndiGo operates the main services, including a non-stop Kolkata route of about one hour twenty minutes and flights via Guwahati (schedules as of November 2026 — reconfirm with the airline). The Nagaland tourism department notes direct flights connect Dimapur to Kolkata, with onward connections through other Indian cities.
By rail: Dimapur is described by the Phek district administration as the only railway station in Nagaland. From Dimapur you continue by road.
By road: The Phek district administration lists Phek town at 145 km from Kohima and 219 km from Dimapur, and says local transport within Phek is by car. Dimapur to Kohima is roughly 74 km. Chizami lies off the Kohima–Pfütsero side of the district; travellers commonly describe about a three-hour drive from Kohima, though exact timings depend on road conditions. Arrange a shared or private taxi in Kohima and confirm the Chizami drop with the driver.
| Leg | Distance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dimapur → Kohima | ~74 km | ~2–3 hours by shared taxi on NH29 |
| Kohima → Phek town | 145 km | Phek district administration figure |
| Dimapur → Phek town | 219 km | Phek district administration figure |
| Kohima → Chizami | indicative ~3 hours | Reconfirm distance and fare locally |
Things to see and do in Chizami
The main draw in Chizami is its working landscape and craft, not ticketed monuments. Plan your time around the terraced hillsides, the weaving centre and village walks, and always ask before entering fields, homes or taking photographs of people.
- Terrace fields. The stepped hillsides are the signature sight. They are private, working farmland reached by steep trails, so walk with a local guide and keep to paths.
- Chizami Weaves / weaving centre. See backstrap-loom weaving and the shawls, mekhalas (wraparound skirts), stoles and bags it produces. Buying here supports the weavers directly. Call ahead, as it is a working enterprise, not a museum.
- Village and khel walks. Chizami is organised into khels (clans); a guided walk explains house styles, community life and the farming calendar.
- Tsükhenye festival (April). If your dates align, the village festival is the most vivid time to visit.
| Experience | Time needed | Notes / fee |
|---|---|---|
| Terrace-field walk | 2–3 hours | Go with a local guide; no fixed fee, tip/arrange locally |
| Chizami Weaves visit | 1–2 hours | Call ahead; purchases support weavers |
| Village / khel walk | 1–2 hours | Best with a community host |
| Tsükhenye festival | Half to full day | April; confirm date with village council |
Suggested itinerary
Two full days in and around Chizami is comfortable, with travel days on either side. A sample plan:
- Day 0 (arrival): Fly or train to Dimapur, carry on to Kohima for the night. Secure your ILP before you travel.
- Day 1: Drive Kohima to Chizami (about three hours, indicative). Settle into a homestay, take an afternoon village walk and meet weavers.
- Day 2: Morning terrace-field walk with a guide; afternoon at the weaving centre and around the village.
- Day 3 (departure): Drive back towards Kohima or Dimapur; pair with other Phek district villages if time allows.
Where to stay in Chizami
Accommodation in Chizami is simple and community-based; expect homestays and basic guesthouses rather than hotels, so book ahead. The Phek district administration lists a Banoke/British Inspection Bungalow and a Resource Centre at Chizami among local facilities. For more choice, Phek town and the higher town of Pfütsero are the fallback bases.
- Homestays (Chizami): the usual option; arrange in advance through a village contact or tour operator.
- Guesthouse / inspection bungalow: basic rooms; availability varies, so confirm first.
- Phek town / Pfütsero: more rooms if Chizami is full.
Room rates in these villages are not published on official sites. Treat any figure you are quoted as an indicative planning estimate and reconfirm when you book (as of November 2026). Budget homestays in rural Nagaland typically fall in a modest per-night band including meals; ask what is included.
Food to try
Chakhesang home cooking is the real food experience in Chizami, usually eaten where you stay. Rice is the staple, grown on the terraces, served with local greens, beans, bamboo shoot and smoked or fresh meat. Common items you may be offered include:
- Axone (fermented soybean) — a pungent paste or cake cooked with pork or dried fish.
- Bamboo shoot — fermented or fresh, used in stews and chutneys.
- Smoked pork — slow-cooked with greens or local chillies.
- Local greens and beans — seasonal, often simply boiled or steamed.
- Raja mircha (king chilli) — extremely hot; used sparingly in chutneys.
Portions and dishes depend on the season and the household. Tell your hosts in advance about any dietary needs.
Budget breakdown
Chizami is an inexpensive destination once you reach it; your biggest costs are the journey and a hired vehicle. The table below is a planning estimate per person for a three-night trip, excluding flights, and assumes a shared homestay and a shared taxi. Verified fixed costs (the ILP) are marked; the rest are indicative bands to reconfirm.
| Item | Estimate | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Inner Line Permit (domestic) | ₹200 | Verified: ilp.nagaland.gov.in fees page |
| Transport (Dimapur/Kohima–Chizami, shared) | indicative ₹2,000–4,000 | Shared/private taxi; reconfirm locally |
| Homestay + meals (3 nights) | indicative ₹3,000–6,000 | Rural homestay band; confirm inclusions |
| Guide, village walks, tips | indicative ₹1,000–2,000 | Arrange locally |
| Weaving / souvenirs | your choice | Supports Chizami Weaves directly |
Treat every figure except the ILP as a planning estimate to reconfirm, since rural Nagaland prices are rarely published online.
Permits and rules: ILP for Nagaland
Everyone visiting Chizami from outside Nagaland needs an Inner Line Permit (ILP). The requirement comes from the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873, and applies to the whole state. You apply online at the official portal, ilp.nagaland.gov.in; the Home Department moved ILP issuance online from 1 January 2025.
The portal’s fees page lists ₹200 for a domestic visitor and ₹500 for a foreigner, each valid for 30 days (as of November 2026), with additional payment-gateway charges; these rates reference Home Department Notification No. HOME/ILP-36/01/2024/284 dated 14 August 2025. Apply before you travel, keep a copy on your phone and in print, and carry photo ID. Foreign nationals should also reconfirm any separate registration requirement with the authorities before arrival.
Beyond the permit, usual hill-travel courtesies apply: ask before photographing people, fields or homes; respect private farmland; and follow any plastic or waste rules your hosts set. There is no national park or wildlife-safari permit involved at Chizami itself.
Practical tips
- Connectivity: mobile network and data can be patchy in rural Phek district. Download maps and your ILP offline before leaving Kohima.
- Cash and UPI: carry enough cash. ATMs and reliable card/UPI acceptance are mainly in larger towns like Kohima or Phek, not in the village.
- Health: the nearest well-equipped hospitals are in Phek town and Kohima; carry a basic kit and any personal medicines.
- Clothing: hill weather is cold at night even in autumn. Pack warm layers, a rain shell in the shoulder seasons, and sturdy shoes for terrace trails.
- Solo women travellers: Nagaland villages are generally welcoming and community-oriented; staying with a homestay family and arranging a local guide is both practical and respectful.
- Respect: this is a living, working village, not an attraction. Buy from the weavers, hire local guides, and ask permission freely.
For wider route planning across the state, our Nagaland travel guide sets out the main airports, the ILP and the festival calendar in one place.
Nearby places
Chizami sits among several Chakhesang and Khezha villages in Phek district, so it is easy to add a stop or two. Distances below are approximate; confirm locally.
| Place | Distance (approx.) | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Pfütsero | short drive | One of Nagaland’s higher towns; viewpoints and a base with more rooms |
| Phek town | district HQ | Administrative centre; services, lodging, onward transport |
| Khezhakeno | nearby village | Old Chakhesang/Khezha settlement with local legend and stone sites |
| Kohima | ~145 km | State capital; war cemetery, museums, gateway to Phek |
For the full state picture, see our Nagaland travel guide.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Chizami and which tribe lives there?
Chizami is a village in Phek district, in the eastern hills of Nagaland, at roughly 25.60°N, 94.39°E. It is a Chakhesang community village, recorded in Census 2011 with 2,592 residents in 586 families. It is known for terrace farming and for Chizami Weaves, a women-led backstrap-loom weaving enterprise.
Do I need a permit to visit Chizami?
Yes. Everyone from outside Nagaland needs an Inner Line Permit (ILP) to enter the state, including Chizami. Apply online at the official portal ilp.nagaland.gov.in, which lists ₹200 for domestic visitors and ₹500 for foreigners, each valid 30 days (as of November 2026). Carry a copy with photo ID.
How do I reach Chizami?
Reach Chizami by road. The nearest airport and railhead are at Dimapur; from there travel to Kohima (about 74 km) and continue by shared or private taxi into Phek district. The drive from Kohima is commonly described as about three hours. There is no airport, train or mountain pass at Chizami itself.
What is the best time to visit Chizami?
The best time to visit Chizami is October to December, when guides report clear skies and cool, comfortable days. For culture, the Chakhesang Tsükhenye festival falls in April. Avoid the June–September monsoon, when heavy rain can make Phek district’s hill roads slow and slippery. Pack warm layers year-round.
What is Chizami Weaves?
Chizami Weaves is a weaving livelihood enterprise the North East Network started in 2008 with seven weavers. According to Morung Express, it later grew to more than 600 weavers across 14 villages in Phek district, and became a separate entity under the Nenterprise Trust in 2017. It makes shawls, stoles, bags and more on backstrap looms.
Where do I stay in Chizami?
Stay in a village homestay or basic guesthouse; Chizami has no hotels, so book ahead through a village contact or operator. Phek town and the higher town of Pfütsero offer more rooms as a fallback. Room rates are not published officially, so treat any quote as an indicative planning estimate and reconfirm.
Last updated and sources
Chizami suits travellers who want a quiet, community-led stay built around terrace farming and weaving rather than monuments or nightlife. Go in autumn for clear skies, or in April for the festival, and always book your stay and permit ahead.
Last updated: 3 November 2026. Fees, timings and permits change — reconfirm with official sources before you travel.
Sources: Nagaland ILP portal — about and fees; Phek district administration — how to reach; Nagaland Tourism — how to get there; Morung Express — Chizami Weaves is 10 years old and Chizami celebrates Tsükhenye festival; North East Network — northeastnetwork.org; Census 2011 village record via Chizami. Accessed September 2026.
