Hornbill International Motorcycle Rally revs up Nagaland’s off-season

The roar of 120 motorcycles filled Kohima’s Secretariat Road as the Hornbill International Motorcycle Rally set off on its 700-kilometre circuit through the Naga hills.

The rally, which began as a curiosity a decade ago, is now a fixture of the festival’s second week, drawing riders from across India and Southeast Asia.

For the villages along the route, the rally means home-cooked meals, overnight homestays and a place in the story.