National park · India
Nongmaiching ChingNongmaiching Ching National Park
Visit Nongmaiching Ching: buy a modest entry ticket (check), hike the summit trail (2‑3 h round‑trip) in the dry season, and stay in Imphal; avoid monsoon months for safety.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
approximate
Established
2020
Best months
Apr–May
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
At a glance
- Country
- India
- Area
- 1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
- Small protected area around the mountain; exact figure not published (check).
- Established
- 2020
- Best months
- Apr–May
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Imphal
Nongmaiching Ching rises to 1,565 m on the eastern edge of Imphal, a sacred pilgrimage mountain for the Meitei people. The hill hosts the Sanamahi Kiyong temple at its base and offers panoramic views of the Imphal valley from the summit. Visitors can hike the marked trail (2–3 h round‑trip) without a guide in the dry season, purchase a modest entry ticket at the foothill gate, and stay in Imphal or nearby guesthouses. The area is culturally sensitive, so respect religious ceremonies and follow park rules.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2020.
Size and age
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²) · national park since 2020
Small protected area around the mountain; exact figure not published (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Imphal.
Why go
- Sacred pilgrimage mountain for the Meitei people.
- Panoramic views over the Imphal valley from the summit.
- Cultural sites such as Sanamahi Kiyong temple near the base.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanCool, dry; good for hiking.
- FebCool, dry; low crowd.
- MarEarly dry season, pleasant.
- AprDry, clear skies.
- MayDry, warm; best visibility.
- JunStart of monsoon, occasional rain.
- JulHeavy rain, slippery trails.
- AugPeak monsoon, landslide risk.
- SepRain tapers, but trails still wet.
- OctPost‑monsoon, cooler.
- NovDry, comfortable temperature.
- DecCool, dry.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forest birds and small mammalsMar–Sep · Typical subtropical hill fauna. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Foothill access points | Gate and parking near Andro and Thoubal. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Summit trail | Marked path to the 1,565 m peak. | Open; no guide required. |
| Sanamahi Kiyong area | Temple complex near the base. | Open to pilgrims and visitors. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from Wikidata; summit position approximate.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry ticket | INR 50–100 (≈ US$1–2) | person | Standard entry fee for visitors (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Entry ticket permit or guide
Park rules
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; bins are limited.
- Fires
- Open fires prohibited in the forest.
- Pilgrimage respect
- Do not disturb ceremonies; dress modestly.
- Guides
- Not required for summit hike, but recommended for unfamiliar routes.
- Pets
- Leashed dogs only on the foothill area.
Where to stay
Near the park
Imphal city hotels
Range of budget to mid‑range hotels, 20 km (12 mi) from the gate.Range of budget to mid‑range hotels, 12 mi (20 km) from the gate.
Near the park
Andro guesthouses
Simple rooms close to the trailhead.
Safety
Slippery rocks medium
Monsoon landslides high
Limited mobile signal low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Foothill parking reachable by car; short walk to trailhead.
- Summit trail steep, not suitable for wheelchairs.
Visiting lightly
- Support local Meitei communities by buying food in Imphal.
- Avoid buying souvenirs that exploit sacred symbols.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Nongmaiching Ching?
A standard entry ticket costs about ₹50‑₹100 per person (official fee not published, check locally).
What are the best hikes in Nongmaiching Ching?
The main summit trail (2‑3 h round‑trip) is the most popular; shorter walks to Sanamahi Kiyong temple are also easy options.
When is the best time to visit Nongmaiching Ching?
The dry months January to May and October to December give clear weather and safe trails.
Can I visit the Sanamahi Kiyong temple without a guide?
Yes, the temple is open to all visitors; no guide required.
Is camping allowed on the mountain?
Camping is not permitted in the protected forest area; stay in Imphal or nearby guesthouses.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Nongmaiching Ching
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