Kiphire is a small town, situated at an elevation of 896 m (2,940 ft) above sea level and is the headquarters of Kiphire district. Kiphire is about 254 km from Kohima, the capital of Nagaland.
It is the place where the Naga tribes of Sangtam (Eastern), Yimchunger and Sumi tribes meet. The town is the nearest district headquarters to Mt. Saramati (3841 m or 12,602 ft), Nagaland's highest peak.
Kiphire is the newly formed ninth district of Nagaland which was carved out of Tuensang district. As of 2011 it is the second least populous district of Nagaland (out of 11), after Longleng.
Geography
It is bounded by Tuensang District in the north, Phek district in the west and Myanmar in the east. It is headquartered at Kiphire, which is at an altitude of 896 m above sea level. The major towns of this district are Seyochung, Sitimi, Pungro and Kiphire. Nagaland's highest peak, Mount Saramati (3840 metres) is located in this district. Kiphire also has an earth station. Kisatong village is another tourist destination in the district.
Demographics
According to the 2011 census Kiphire district has a population of 74,033, roughly equal to the nation of Dominica. This gives it a ranking of 625th in India (out of a total of 640). Kiphire has a sex ratio of 961 females for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate of 71.1%.
Sangtam(Eastern), Yimchunger and Sema are the predominant tribes.
Kiphire is one of the small towns of Nagaland that is located in an exotic location overlooking the Saramati Mountain, the highest mountain peak of Nagaland. Kiphire is also the name of a newly-formed district that was carved out of the Tuensang district in 2004.
It is the ninth district of Nagaland. The Tuensang district bounds the Kiphire district in the north, Phek district is on the west while the Kiphire district shares an international border with Myanmar in the east.
Kiphire is 239 km from Kohima, the capital of Nagaland. Kiphire is home to a few Naga tribes, namely, Yimchungers, Khiamniungan, Phom, Sangtams and Sumis. According to folklore, the Yimchungers originated from the nearby place called Kemephu near the Waphur village.
Kiphire & Saramati, An Enthralling Combination
Any traveller would delight in the picturesque surrounding of Kiphire overlooking the Saramati Mountain which is 3841 meters above sea level and is the highest peak of Nagaland. The mountain stays snow-clad throughout the winters, adding to the exotic beauty of the place.
The town of Kiphire overlooks the mountain and many would say that Saramati guards the small, picturesque town.
Sightseeing In Kiphire
The popular places to visit near Kiphire include the Fakim Wildlife Sanctuary, the caves of Salomi and Mimi. The ‘Lover’s Paradise’, the Sukhayap Rock Cliff is also a popular tourist destination. While visiting Simi village near Kiphire, tourists can also enjoy the cascading water of the Wawade Waterfall and check out the Twin Stones which are also known as the Competing Stones.
A glimpse of an old Sangtam tribal village can be experienced in Siphi or Sangphure where an old monolith called Ningthsalong is famously installed.
Best Time To Visit
Kiphire The best time to visit Kiphire is between October and March.
How To Reach Kiphire
Kiphire Is Well Connected To The Rest Of Nagaland By The National Highway 155. The National Highway Connects Kiphire To Kohima, Meluri, Dimapur, And Mokochung. Regular State Transport Buses And Private Taxis Are Available From Anywhere In Nagaland To Kiphire. The State Highway Also Connects Tuensang-Kiphire-Meluri Together.
source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiphire_district
