Dzukou Valley in Nagaland takes on a colourful radiance between April and September when wildflowers graze the vast, open valley. You can catch sight of blue aconitums, euphorbias, multicoloured rhododendrons, and the famed pink Dzukou Lilies in large clusters.
Most people do the Dzukou Valley trek to view the Dzukou Lily, a rare and protected species found only in this valley. July is the ideal time to view them though they start to flower much earlier but sparsely. There have been many hits and misses with the Dzukou Lily by trekkers due to bad weather, so a sighting is considered a victory of sorts.
Dzukou Valley, Nagaland
TREK ROUTE
Start with the most opted Viswema route. Once you reach Viswema, head to the trekking point. You can walk it (a couple of hours) or take a cab (less than an hour, though it will cost you anywhere close to 1500). If you’re doing the trek for the first time, we suggest you save your energy and take a cab.
The Dzukou Guesthouse marks the beginning of the trail. Here, the caretaker collects the entry fee for the trek. From here, Dzukou Valley is a couple of kilometers hike down. It takes 30 min to reach the open valley and stream (Dzukou River).
You can start spotting the Dzukou Lily from this trail. Scant scatterings turn into a carpet of flowers as you make your way through the trail and onto the valley floor.
Wildflowers aglow in the setting sun in Dzukou Valley
Dzukou Valley Guesthouse
VISIT BEFORE IT DISAPPEARS
The Dzukou Lily is prized by botanists and held in awe by nature lovers but it could all come to an end.
The blooming of the Dzukou Lily has decreased over the years due to 2 reasons: (1) The valley, which borders a region of old-growth forest, is often threatened by forest fires. A forest fire in 2006 destroyed 200 acres of forest land and with it significant flora and (2) The rapid growth of a bamboo variety in the valley has caused some interference.
If you’ve been putting off the Dzukou Valley trek till now, take this article as a sign to get your bags packed and head to Dzukou Valley. The timing couldn’t be more perfect.