Ancient Nagas were scouting the area for agricultural purposes. The valley however could not support any form of agriculture. Soon they would find out that the land that lay in front of them simply refused to support agriculture. They called the land “dull and soul-less” or Dzukuo in their local dialect.
Straddling the two states of Nagaland and Manipur, the very famous Dzukou Valley is a sight to behold. The Angami and Mao tribes from both states hold the valley as a holy place as it is believed to be the abode of higher beings.
Treeless but unbelievably green and floral (summer season), the valley is located at an altitude of 2452 meters above sea level. Some sources also state that the name came from the local Angami and Mao dialect where Dzukou means “cold water”.
A trekker’s delight, Dzukou is an ideal offbeat adventure destination, a lot different than your usual treks in the rocky mountains up in the Himalayas. Here, the trek goes through some of the most dense forests you will come across.
A lot of sources like to call Dzukou trek "easy". It is anything but that. The challenging steep climb requires passing through a forest and climbing slippery tracks. But the hard work is definitely worth the view.
The trek is about nine kilometers long and can be completed in about five to six hours.
The Viswema trail, which is the commonly used trial, has the facility of a vehicle to take you till the point of start. Also, since the Viswema route is the most common one, the paths are well-trodden and marked so there is less chance of going off the track.
From Manipur’s side, it’s a six-hour trek from Mount Tempu in Senapati district. This is a new route and it's best to take local guide along.
Before entering the valley, you have to pay a security deposit for your plastic items. You will get the security deposit back only after you bring back all your plastic items. This is because Dzukou Valley is a plastic free zone.
The Dzukou trek is often done in two days' time (trek and stay). You can either stay in a dormitory, a private room or pitch your own tent. Dorms and private rooms often have food facilities.