After watching ‘Lord of the Rings’ we all have a hidden dream to watch those Hobbit homes in reality. In New Zealand’s Hobbiton Movie set tour, very few of us can fulfill our dreams. It is too much expensive.
How will it be if you get the opportunity to experience and stay in those Hobbit homes in India? Now in the Khonoma village of Nagaland, you can see this Hobbit Home, which is inspired by the mythical series. This is the first of its kind in Nagaland. Whether you are a fan of Lord of The Rings or not, this dreamy hobbit home of Khonoma village will surely amaze you.
Location :
Khonoma is an Angami Naga village located about 20 km west of the state capital, Kohima. This Hobbit Home is located few miles away from Khonoma Village of Nagaland. It is just 50 m from the main road and nestled in the jungle.
How to reach:
Khonoma is easily accessible by road from Kohima. The nearest Airport or Railway station to Kohima is Dimapur. The distance between Dimapur and Kohima is 74 km, and it will take nearly 2.5 hours to reach there by car.
About the property:
Till date, only one hobbit home is there with a kitchen. This will easily accommodate a group of 5 to 7 people. Soon it will be extended. The owner of this property is Mr. Asakho Chase. He is very friendly in nature. By profession, he is a physical education teacher of Charis High Academy. He constructed this Hobbit Home with the help of his friends.
During our discussion, Mr. Asakho mentioned, “The main intention to build this property is not for money or commercial. I am a man who likes adventure and wants to explore new places. I built this to spend my holidays. But now many people have shown their interest to come here.”
Nagaland has plenty of villages with its indigenous tribes spread across the state. Among them, Khonoma is the most beautiful one. The people here are very much concerned about nature. Their ingenious efforts on sustainable tourism, the sight of wildflowers across the village all deserve admiration and praise. From our discussion with Mr. Asakho, I understand how Khonoma with its natural beauty is maintained exceptionally well by its residents.
The property is built in the midst of nature. However, all types of basic facilities like toilets, water and electricity are available. Network for both Jio and Airtel is available from the property.
Ideal for:
The place is ideal for a group of friends. Also, it is suitable for a family who wants to spend few times in the lap of nature. This place is heaven for nature lovers adventurous people. However, please note, the facilities available here are very basic in nature. So, for those who are searching for a luxurious stay, this property is not for them.
Activities in Hobbit Home:
You can camp inside the jungle. Around the property, one can find lots of organic vegetables which you can pluck and cook. There is a place near to the home, where you can pitch out the tent and spend the night. Also, you can do a bonfire, barbeque night there. A badminton court is being made where visitors can play. You can also go for the Dzukou Valley trek, known as the ‘Valley of Flowers of the North East.’
Reservation:
As the property is very new, the owner has not yet decided on the tariff for staying at Hobbit Home. However, you can always visit this place any time and spend few hours with the host and with his friends and family. For availability and tariff, you can directly contact Mr. Asakho at his mobile number: 9862274684.
Instagram link for the property : Hobbit Home Khonoma
Nearby places to visit in Khonoma:
If you want to experience the Naga lifestyle closely, Khonoma is ideal for you. The village walk is a popular tourist activity in Khonoma. It is recommended that a local guide be hired. Without his help, it will be difficult for a visitor to understand the intricacies of the local culture.
Once you are in Khonoma, you can also visit War cemetery, Wokha, Dzuleke.
Best time to visit:
One can visit Khonoma village any time of the year. The village which is surrounded by mountains all around and is situated at the base is beautiful and provides a lot of amazing landscapes to wonder at all throughout the year. The winters can get very cold. So, make sure you have adequate woolens.
How to travel responsibly in Khonoma?
The people of Khonoma love to host responsible tourists/travelers. They are very friendly in nature, and their lifestyle is also very simple. Mr. Asakho mentioned, ‘Nowadays, a large number of travelers who visit Khonoma become very irresponsible towards nature. They come and enjoy the place. But in return, they throw the garbage here and there.’ However, the village has plenty of green wastebaskets installed. Please support their campaigns on cleanliness and do not litter.
There is a complete ban on plastic in the village. Do not carry eatables in plastic containers or use plastic water bottles.
"Look deep into nature and then you will understand everything better" - Albert Einstein. So, if you are a nature lover, spending times in Hobbit Home will be a lifetime memory for you.