PFUTSERO / GLORY PEAK

This township towers at an altitude of 2,233.60 meters in the Patkai range, the longest mountain range in the state.It is also the coldest and highest town in the state It is known for its green vegetables, such as cabbages, spring onions, chives, garlic and other organic vegetables and fruits. Apples are also grown around this area.

It is connected with Kohima by 70 Km on NH 150. Nagaland State Transport Buses and taxis ply on this road regularly. Situated at an altitude of above 2,600 Mts above sea level overlooking the whole surroundings is just 3 Km away from Pfutsero. Glory Peak is popularly known for the view that it provides. From here one can clearly view the highest mountain in the world - Mt. Everest in the West and the highest mountain in Nagaland – Mt. Saramati in the East. Of late, people have being making Glory Peak as an ideal picnic/weekend destination. Beside every tourist rarely crosses Pfutsero without visiting Glory peak, which offers a majestic view. Topographically, Pfutsero serves as a watershed flowing Eastward to the Chindwin River in Myanmar and to the Bramaputra in Assam on the West which is a unique feature. The blessings of nature, is thus, shared by two different world in a distinctive way. In response to this, the Department of Tourism has constructed an Eco- Lodge at the base of the Peak.
 

CHAKESANG CULTURAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE

 With a view to promoting and perpetuating the Chakesang culture, which was on the decline due to the influence of modern culture, a few culturally conscious Chakesangs got together and established the institute in 1992. This institute has been playing a pivotal role of a catalyst in research, celebration of the different festivals of the tribe and imparting training on the different aspects of culture. It is based at Chetheba Town – 56 km northeast of Kohima.
 

SHILLOI LAKE

 Locals call it Latsam, the British called her Shiloh but now it is officially known as Shilloi. Shilloi Lake lies on the lower slopes of the hill ranges running along the Myanmar ridges. Located 275 km away from Kohima, one has to travel east through roads lined with oak tree dressed in fresh foliage. The serpentine road spiraling downwards guarded by Rocky Mountains presents a mysterious and majestic sight. Surrounded by tall, striking and attractive hills, Shilloi Lake spreads over 0.25 to 0.30 sq. km., in the shape of a footprint. According to legend, one day a couple of a nearby village leaving their baby child and went to the paddy field. While working tirelessly, they heard the cry of a baby girl. Deeply disturbed with the continual cries, they rushed home only to find their baby missing.

The whole village generated a task force to find the missing girl and as if by some strange force within, they were drawn towards the direction from where the cry of the baby was initially heard. Much to their awe and amazement they found the baby lying on a big heavenly leaf of a tree in the middle of the lake!! Stranger still was the hand supporting the baby from underneath the water!! In an effort to rescue the baby girl, the villagers decided to drain away the water but in vain. That night the King had a strange dream. In his dream he heard a voice saying “if u drain me out, I will take along with me 10 young healthy strong men from your clan to be my pillow and another 10 to be my bed and another 10 to be my foot-rest”. Thus the idea of draining the lake was abandoned.

Having lost the baby girl in such a strange and bizarre manner, the following year the villagers decided to commemorate her loss in a special way. To honor her memory, the King ordered that a mature spotless buffalo be selected for the occasion. All the villagers witnessed the ceremonial killing. The buffalo’s head was placed on the branch of a tree. As ritual demanded, the meat was distributed, cooked and consumed in the same evening. The next morning, the villagers were horrified to find the same buffalo grazing near the lake. They took this as a sign that the girl child still lives and thus the social ritual of animal slaughter commemorating the dead was not accepted. Legend has it that the girl child became the Queen of the lake as was called Latsam to this day!
 

DZUDU LAKE/ ZANIBU PEAK:

 Zanibu is a mountain range, which is an extension of Patkai range, the longest mountain range in Nagaland. Around 10 Chakhesang villages encircle this mountain range. The mountain is ever green/virgin and with full of flora and fauna many of which are yet to be identified. There is one big lake (in fact it is a natural dam) which stretches nearly 1 km on the mountain range and these villagers call it as Dzudu Lake. There are lots of myths and legends behind this lake and for this, the villagers dare not enter this lake nor throw any dirt into this lake. This mountain range offers variety of potentials. One can even clearly view Mt. Everest and almost all parts of Nagaland. This is an ideal place for wild life conservation, eco-tourism projects as this is the most ideal place for nature lovers, trekkers, bird watching, etc. It takes only one hour trek from Thevopisumi village to the lake.
 

WATERFALLS & CAVES:

 There are many waterfalls or caves in and around Pfutsero town. Proper trekking routes to these natural places must be identified and maintained by creating more awareness and importance.  LODIRI (Rhododendron Trek) :  This one small mountain range with full of rhododendron flowers is an ideal place for the trekkers and nature lovers.
 

PERIPHERIES OF PFUTSERO TOWN:

A number of small village and towns surrounds Pfutsero, waiting to be explored and experienced. The villagers here still practice the traditional customs of the land and are more than happy to involve the visitors and give them a true experience of the land and its people.

The natural wealth around Pfutsero, as in most parts of Nagaland, is a nature lovers and adventurer's delight. lakes waterfalls and caves are dotted across the entire area, holding immense tourism potentials and a wealth of hidden treasures waiting to be explored by the independent traveler. Places such as Zuketsa town, Loho lake, Tchudoubo (legendary stone at Tsupfume village), Golden peak at Chizami Village, Thetsumi village, Mesulumi village, Khezakenoma village, Zhavame village can be approcahed by making Pfutsero the base camp.