Mao

MAO: MOVES MAN’S MIND

Mao is an indispensable inclusion in your tour schedule of Manipur. Mao is one of those hill stations that have been drawing tourists since the British days.

MAO: LOCATION

Mao is located at an altitude of 5762.02 feet above the mean sea level. It is the national Highway 39 that takes to this place situated between the Manipur capital city of Imphal and Dimapur, one of the business hubs of Nagaland.

MAO: POPULATION

The majority of the population of Manipur and also Mao are the Meiteis.

The Mao Nagas besides the Meities constitute the chunk of population in Mao.

MAO: SIGNIFICANT ARCHITECTURE

In fact, a significant architecture of Mao is the century-old Mao Inspection Bungalow (IB).

It was constructed by the British way back in 1897.

This rest house was used by the officers of the Royal Military Engineers.

MAO: CULTURAL TREAT

However remember that your Mao visit will be made memorable only if you avail of the cultural tourism.

Mao’s cultural tourism includes a trip to some of the Mao-Naga hamlets.

Add to this the hospitality and warmth of the simple, fun-loving and quite straight-forward Mao Nagas.

The rich mosaic of the Mao Nagas, their culture and heritage added to their exotic dishes are the other important aspects that make your Mao visit worthwhile. The Mao-Naga dance performed by the Mao-Naga youths decked in their traditional costumes and typical adornments is a treat to the eyes.

MAO: SCENIC BEAUTY

The scenic beauty of Mao is characterized by the undulating hills and the colorful flower valleys and the streams and rivers.

Most of the tourists opt for jaunts among the enchanting natural spots. Many among them go for hiking. Besides the pollution-free environment rejuvenate you amidst Mother Nature.

MAO: BIO-DIVERSITY SPOT

Mao is a bio-diversity hot-spot. The verdant greenery is the habitat of many exotic flora and fauna.

Mao is an ideal research place for the naturalists.

OTHER INTERESTING SUBURBS

The suburbs of Mao have several other tourist destination spots. Mention may be made of the Dzuko valley, Mt. Isu, Ikhro Ikhro and Makhel among others.

DZUKO VALLEY

The Dzuko valley is a dale of varieties of multihued vegetation with blossoms. The Dzuko valley is world famous for the rare Siroy Lily.

Visitors from across the world flock to the Dzuko vale during the three-month period from May.

The ideal time to visit Manipur in general and the Dzuko valley in particular is from May to July.

The white and pinkish lily is integrally connected with the cultural heritage of the Meitis – the majority of the people of Manipur.

MAKHEL

Makhel is a historical place. An important attraction of Makhel is a pear tree. It is not only the oldest tree of the area but also a cenotaph.

Makhel marks the place of Naga dispersal.

What’s more, Makhel has a legend that connects the Nagas as a whole and the Meitis – this is particularly true about their origin which appears to be rather the same.

MT. ISU & IKHRO

Mt. Isu is the highest peak in Mao and the surrounding areas. On the other hand, Ikhoro refers to a steep drop.

The reason why we have tagged these places together in one section is that both can be viewed from one particular place.

This spot is one of the sure stops for all tour operators. It gives the customers the once-in-a lifetime experience to savor the beauty at one go.

The setting is near the premises of the Regional Potato farm – another place you can tour to witness the horticultural practices here.  It falls on the route to Mao, just a few minutes drive from National Highway-39.