Longkhum Village – The Soul-Keeper of the Ao Hills

Nagaland India

The Ao say your soul lingers behind on your first visit to Longkhum — so you're bound to return one day to collect it.

Perched at around 1,846 metres on a ridge southwest of Mokokchung, Longkhum village Nagaland is one of the highest and most storied settlements of the Ao tribe. Once a vanguard fortress in the headhunting era, this Ao tribe village Longkhum is now a canvas of terraced farms, rhododendron slopes and ridge-line views that seem to run without end. Climb to Mata Yimkong hilltop, where a fortress once stood sentinel, then scramble down to the Longlangba stone bridge, a natural rock arch locals cherish as the setting of an Ao "Romeo and Juliet" legend. Among the finest things to do in Longkhum: meet weavers and woodcarvers, share home-brewed rice beer, and let the quiet work on you.

Best time to visit: October to April for clear skies and hill views; catch the Longkhum rhododendron season in March–April, or the Tsungremong / Moatsu festival in spring.

Traveller tip: Knowing how to reach Longkhum from Mokokchung is easy — shared cabs leave the Sumo counter around 6.30 a.m. and fill fast, so book a day ahead and stay overnight in a village homestay to catch the ridge at dawn.

Plan your visit via Nagaland Tourism.

This attraction can be easily covered in BreakBag Holidays' customised Nagaland tour packages, paired with Mokokchung and nearby Ungma.

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