The short answer
Jakhama (Zakhama) route to Dzukou: what visitors should know first
Use this path for coming down if your knees are good, or as an alternative if Viswema is closed. Do not choose it for the climb if you are cautious about steep steps. Check which entry points are open, since both have been suspended together.
Useful facts
Jakhama (Zakhama) route to Dzukou facts at a glance
- Location
- Jakhama village, about 18 km south of Kohima, elevation about 1,606 m
- Experience type
- Steep forest trek
- Known for
- Rough-hewn stone steps and a quicker, harder path
- Time or schedule
- Roughly 4 to 5 hours, per trekking accounts
- Access
- Permit required; entry points may be suspended
Why it matters
Why Jakhama (Zakhama) route to Dzukou is worth your time
The two Nagaland approaches give Dzukou its character as a through-route, and Jakhama is the second of them. The village hosts St Joseph's College and is a big community in its own right, so the route also takes you through a living Angami settlement rather than a purpose-built gateway.
The path matters for access too. When fires or accidents close one trail, the other may be the only way in, and both have in the past been shut together. Knowing the difference between them lets you plan a safe route and a sensible fallback, and it keeps pressure off a single path.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
Stone steps
Rough-cut steps carry much of the path, which are firm in the dry and slick when wet.
- 02
A village start
You begin in a large Angami village at about 1,600 m, already high before the climb starts.
- 03
Descent route
Coming down here after a night in the valley turns the trek into a one-way crossing.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Jakhama is a large Southern Angami village about 18 km from Kohima, at about 1,600 metres, which means you begin the climb already fairly high. The path is steeper than Viswema's, and accounts describe rough-hewn stone steps and a hard climb.
The common plan is to go up by Viswema and come down here, since steep steps are easier going down than up for most legs. You will need a driver who can meet you at Jakhama, and a clear time for pick-up. Leave early from the valley so that you are off the slope before dark.
If you start from Jakhama instead, expect a slower, tougher climb. Take plenty of rest stops and do not rush the steps.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Arrange car pick-up at Jakhama before you set off
- Wear boots with ankle support and use a trekking pole
- Leave the valley early so you finish in daylight
- Check that this entry point is open before you travel
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Jakhama (also spelt Zakhama) village, about 18 km south of Kohima
- Time needed
- Roughly 4 to 5 hours total in one direction by most accounts; allow most of a day
- Best time
- October to November, or late April to early June; avoid wet weather when stone steps are slippery
- Walking level
- Demanding
- Senior comfort
- Challenging for older travellers because of the steep, uneven stone steps and few places to sit. Descending is easier on the lungs but harder on knees; if either is a concern, use the Viswema path both ways.
- Tickets and access
- Outsiders need a Nagaland Inner Line Permit. A small local fee is reported; confirm locally. Both the Jakhama and Viswema entry points were suspended together in January 2026, so check status before you travel.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Jakhama (Zakhama) route to Dzukou
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
Challenging for older travellers because of the steep, uneven stone steps and few places to sit. Descending is easier on the lungs but harder on knees; if either is a concern, use the Viswema path both ways.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Is Zakhama the same as Jakhama?
Yes, Jakhama is also spelt Zakhama in some trekking material; it is the same Southern Angami village.
Should I go up or down by Jakhama?
Most guides suggest going up by Viswema and down by Jakhama, because the steps are steep.
How far is Jakhama from Kohima?
About 18 km south of Kohima, per Wikipedia.
Sources and further reading
- Wikipedia: Jakhama
- Onmanorama: Dzukou Valley trek
- India Today NE: Dzukou trekking suspended after wildfire (Jan 2026)
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
