I visited Kapamodzu Peak in December 2021 as part of my 11-day trip to Nagaland. I travelled from Duliajan, Assam, to Kigwema Village, where I began my journey with a hike to Kapamodzu Peak, followed by an unforgettable trek to Dzukou Valley with my local friends.
We welcomed New Year 2022 together, and I spent a few days living with an Angami family, experiencing their culture, traditions, and everyday life.
I continued my adventure with a trek to Mt. Tempii (Iso) and another visit to Dzukou Valley on my birthday, this time with another Angami friend.
On the 10th day, I headed to Dimapur, where I explored Dimapur and its historical places with my Mizo friends before wrapping up my trip.
This blog post, however, focuses on my road trip to Kapamodzu Peak from Kigwema Village via Pfutsero town. On the way back, we took a different route through Senapati district in Manipur before re-entering Nagaland through Khuzama.
Along the way, I’ll share the route we took, the places we passed, and my experience of visiting Kapamodzu Peak.
You’ll also find practical information on how to reach the peak, the best time to visit, accommodation options, and the people, culture, and way of life in Zhavame Village.
I hope it helps plan your road trip to Mount Kapamodzu. Back when I visited, the peak was hardly known to any tourists, except the locals.
Watch My Interview about Nagaland on Trip101’s Channel
I have also shared about Kapamodzu Peak in this video
Kapamodzu Travel Guide
Before getting into the travel guide, let’s first learn a little about Kapamodzu Peak.
The name “Kapamodzü” translates to “Kapa’s territory,” named after an early forefather who claimed the land.
Located at an altitude of 2,620 m (8,596 ft) above sea level, Kapamodzu is the highest tabletop mountain in Nagaland and is considered the fourth-highest peak in the state, after Mount Saramati (3,841 m), the highest peak in Nagaland.
A tabletop mountain has a relatively flat summit and steep slopes, giving it the appearance of a giant table rising above the surrounding landscape.
A flat surface at the top enough to settle a small village. It looks similar to the the “Table Mountain” in Cape Town of South Africa.
In geology, a tabletop mountain is also referred to as as mesa, tepui, or tuya.
Where is Kapamodzu?
Kapamodzu is located above Zhavame Village in Phek district of Nagaland in Northeast India.
Why Visit Kapamodzu?
In recent years, Kapamodzu Peak has attracted more visitors during the cosmos flowering season. The colourful flowers, sunrise and sunset views, and surrounding mountain landscape are among its main attractions. The Starry Night view is equally otherworldly.
You can get a panaromic view of the mountains specially Mt. Saramati in the east, Mt. Japfu in the south, along with the villages of both Nagaland and Manipur.
If you wish to trek to Mt. Kapamodzu, you have to start hiking from the Glory Peak of Pfutsero town.
Here’s a video on hiking to Kapamodzu from Pfutsero –
Watch Jacob’s trekking experience to Kapamodzu from Pfutsero
The other reason is to experience the rural and cultural life at Zhavame village.
How to Reach Kapamodzu Peak?
The Nearest Airports
Dimapur Airport is the nearest regional airport at a distance of 140 km from Kapamodzu Peak.
Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Guwahati is another option for travellers flying into Northeast India.
The Nearest Railway Station
There are two railway stations in Nagland – Dimapur and Shokhuvi Railway Station.
I would recommend you board a train to Dimapur Railway Station (DMV) for maximum convenience – better chances onward transport and stay options.
From Dimapur to Kapamodzu Peak
You can rent a car from Dimapur directly to Kapamodzu Peak , a journey of 6-7 hours.
Alternatively, you can travel to Kohima first by traveling on a shared taxi from the station area. Next morning you can head to Kapamodzu.
From Kohima to Kapamodzu Peak
From Kohima, you can either rent a car or travel via Bus from Nagaland State Transport (NST) bus stand – a journey of 70 km. Shared taxis are also available to Pfutsero. Then hire another car till the top of the peak.
The alternate to reach Kapamodzu can also be take via entering Manipur at Khuzama in Nagaland then through Mao town in Senapati district of Manipur, and then entering Zhavame in Nagaland and then to the Peak.
Whom to Contact for Kapamodzu Peak?
Follow The Majestic Kapamodzu account on Instagram and stay updated on bookings, any changes and rules of visiting the peak.
You can get in touch with my local friend Metevizo Zhotso if you want the trip to be organized from Kohima and Dimapur.
You can also contact Explore Nagaland a local tour company specializing on Nagaland run by Kezha’s family.
The growing interest in Kapamodzü has also created opportunities for local entrepreneurship.
In a November 2023 report, The Morung Express highlighted how Rose Rekha had developed “The Majestic Kapamodzu” entity with facilities such as a restaurant, camping and trekking trails to make the peak more accessible to visitors.
She also acknowledged the role of Zhavame’s villagers, village council and students’ union in conserving the mountain and its biodiversity.
Stay Options in Kapamodzu
At the peak, there are 4 wooden cottages/cabins and a Campground. Two Premium and Two regular cabins.
The team of The Majestic Kapamodzu also provides Jumbo Tents on elevated bamboo platform that can accommodate upto three guests.
For Budget friendly options, you can bring your own tent or rent tents and camping gears from the host.
If you want a cultural experience then stay at Zhavame Village where homestays are available too.
Best Time to Visit Kapamodzu Peak
The best time to visit Kapamodzu Peak is from September to November during the flowering season for the vivid cosmos flowers, clear skies, and best sunset and sunrise views and greenery all around.
The above photo is from October, clicked by my friend Khanjan Konwar who went with Metevizo.
I went in December, there were no flowers and the hill turned brownish affirming the dry winter season.
The Story Behind This Nagaland Trip
On the 22nd of December 2021, I received a phone call from Kezha – my Angami friend from Nagaland. “Brother, it has been a while since you visited Nagaland, come, we will explore some places and celebrate the new year together. My friends from Rajasthan, Kerala and Dimapur are also joining.” he said.
My Mom passed away due to post COVID complications in July 2021. I was grieving and overwhelmed with unresolved emotions. His phone call felt like the light in my darkest moments.
“I am definitely joining you guys. Can’t wait!” I replied back. Five days later on December 27, I boarded the train with no fixed plans of return but with the hope to feel mentally better.
Joel – Kezha’s college friend who was from Kerala but travelled from Dibrugarh boarding the same train that passes my railway station. From the start to reaching Kezha’s home in Kigwema, we talked and laughed and shared about how excited we were for the coming days.
We got down at Oking Hospital in Kohima, and walked downwards to Morung Lodge, a homestay run by his aunt Nino Zhasa. I love the view of the Kohima and the distant hills from here.
I was in awe when I saw it for the first time. I had come for trekking to Mount Japfu in 2020. The kitchen beautifully maintained traditional setting and overall – a homely space.
We then headed to Greenwood Villa Homestay in Kiphuza – Kezha’s home and settled for the night.
I would highly recommend you come and stay in Kohima or somewhere around Kigwema or Jakhama on the first day during your trip to Kapamodzu.
This is where I stay whenever I go to Nagaland –
1. Day Dream Nest Homestay in Jakhama.
2. Greenwood Villa in Kigwema (Kiphuza).
3. Morung Lodge in Kohima.
The Adventurous Road Trip to Kapamodzu Peak
We started our journey as early as 7:40 am from Kigwema for Kapamodzu. Shurhongu a friend from Kohima also joined the three of us.
Kiphuza (Kigwema) – Jakhama – Viswema – Kidima – Lasumi – Zapami – Pfutsero – Kapamodzu – This was the route we took. A journey of 72 km with multiple stops.
The morning was cold though the sun was up – Winter for a reason! At a shadow patch of road surrounded by trees, I saw workers preparing to start their roadwork. Ahead at a small junction somewhere around Kidima, we halted.
The shops were yet to open. Shurhongu offered us Nagaland coffee that he carried.
Every time we saw a beautiful landscape we decided to slow down, halt and experience it fully. I was loving the sun facing us brightly.
The hills and their morning colours reminded of the sketch and painting books with layers of hazy green or bluish hills.
It is always fun and enriching experience traveling with Kezha. I remember him sharing about Chakhesang culture, and also about the mountains peaks that we saw with their names.
Right before we drive the higher stretch of roads, we halted again. Pfutsero – the highest town in Nagaland can be seen distinctly resting at the hill top from Lasumi Village.
As we began our journey uphill through the country roads, the view of peaks like Mt. Japfu in Kohima became clearer – a visual treat to our eyes!
Such scenic roads and the urge to not listen John Denver’s “Country Roads, Take Me Home” would be like doing injustice to our souls. Each of us sang sour heart out.
The beauty of traveling with local friends is that we had no rush. We reached Pfutsero at about 10 am and decided to take a break at Pfutsero town for we were hungry.
The restaurants were just opening, and not all of them had the cooked rice ready yet. We somehow found one where it was ready but the rest of the ingredients weren’t. We waited!
After a delicious Chakhesang traditional rice meal, we initially thought of going to Glory Peak in Pfutsero but decided to skip it this time.
Buying a few snacks and cold drinks, we started towards a relatively offbeat route to Kapamodzu.
As Kezha drove us out of Pfutsero in the cold morning air, with the sun slowly coming up and the roads still quiet, he played a song dedicated to the town we were leaving behind.
It was the popular song named “Pfütsero” sang by the eminent Naga folk-artist Methaneilie Jütakhrie in Tenyidie (Angami) language in the early 1990s.
A song about the people, culture and nature of Pfutsero.
Though I couldn’t understand the meaning of the words, I could feel how precious the song would be for the locals there.
The offroading drive to Kapmodzu is the most adventurous and scenic of all. Along the road I saw small vegetable farms, people carrying stacked firedwood on their back.
A ray of sun kissed the Kapamodzu Peak while the rest of the mountain was still under the shade of the morning clouds. It felt like, the Sun God pointing us “that’s where your journey to heaven ends.”
The final stretch of the road is the steepest and most thrilling of all, with the hillside rising right beside you on one side and a deep gorge dropping away on the other, offering a beautiful view of Zhavame village below.
There is a designated flat space where you can park your car.
The sun was shining with its brightest glory. We started walking uphill towards the watch tower view point area excited to see how the view would be. We reached the top around 12:30 pm.
We reached a circular space like a small court with steps of a pavilion facing the view of Mt. Saramati and Patkai Range. The watch tower that we saw from below was just beside it.
The space is well maintained with concrete boundaries and pine trees. We met a few locals visiting from nearby areas with their Church group.
Compared to my earlier climbing experiences of Mt. Saramati and Mt. Japfu in Nagaland, Kapamodzu blessed me with a clearest view of all.
To rest a while after the hike in the heat, we chose a spot in the shade of a small tree.
The village you see in the photo above is Zhavame at the foot hills of Kapamodzü. It is home to the the Chakesang Naga tribe with historical ties to the Poumai Naga tribe of neighboring Manipur.
In Poula dialect, the village name “Zhavame” refers to people of the enchanted lake, signifying the flat land surface area of the village despite being surrounded by hills and mountains.
You can read this article by Lu Chi about Zhavame published in 2025. She has meticulously shared about the culture, practices, and history of both the village and Kapamodzu in her researched article.
In 2020, Zhavame was also declared as the “Vegetable Village” based on their production of organic vegetables particlarly cabbage and potatoes.
Looking at the hills adjacent to each other each higher than the earlier, standing taller than the rest, I saw Mount Saramati – the highest peak of Nagaland. The memories of climbing it in 2016 instantly flashed back in my mind.
We spent the best 2 hours of our lives. It was cold though! But we were the happiest.
Conversing with a few locals there, Kezha found out that we could actually enter the hills opposite to the peak entering Manipur and travel to Nagaland again via Khuzama. Our adventure through Manipur thus began.
During my recent visit in September 2025 to Gaziphema also known as Laii Village, I saw a route that heads to Kapadmozu. Hardly did I know that was the same route through we entered Manipur from Kapamodzu.
Laii Village in Manipur opposite to Kapamodzu Peak and Zhavame Village of Nagaland
I have a habit of feeling asleep in the car, haha! After watching far away river down the green valley which Kezha pointed as the Barak river, I napped in the back seat.
But I do remember narrow village roads, villagers getting walking towards a wedding, and woke up right before sunset at Mao town. The sun hid behind the clouds above Mt. Iso (Tempii).
Summing it Up
Since my visit in 2021, Kapamodzü has gained greater recognition as a destination in Nagaland, attracting visitors from beyond the local community.
Journalist Vishü Rita Krocha noted this growing interest in her editorial on the mountain in 2023, describing how visitors ranging from students and adventure groups to families and independent travellers have increasingly made their way here.
While visitors only go to the peak, it is important to also understand a place through the local culture and the people living there.
So Next time you visit, give Zhavame village a visit too.
I am looking forward to visit Kapamodzu again and stay at Zhavame village for a few days to learn more about the community and work together meaningfully through experiential travel.
Kindly travel responsibly and respect the local culture.
Found this Kapamodzu blog post helpful? Share it with your friends with whom you want to visit.
1 thought on “Kapamodzu Peak, Nagaland – How To Reach, Road Trip and Tips”