Sirohi National Park

Sirohi National Park — also spelled Shirui, Shiroy, Siroy or Siroi, and known in Manipuri as Shirui Leipaakki Lampaak — protects the slopes of the Shirui (Siroy) hills near Ukhrul in northern Manipur. It was established as a national park in 1982. The park is small, high and famous worldwide for a single flower: the Shirui lily (Lilium mackliniae, Manipuri: Shirui Tharo), a delicate bell-shaped bloom found nowhere else on earth. Repeated attempts to cultivate it elsewhere have failed, which makes the upper slopes of Shirui Peak — one of the highest summits in northeast India — a place of genuine botanical pilgrimage.

The lily bursts into bloom for just a few weeks each year, and the park's calendar revolves around it: the best time to visit is the third or fourth week of May, when the slopes are carpeted with flowers and the annual Shirui Lily Festival takes place in nearby Ukhrul, blending the bloom with Tangkhul Naga music, dance and food. Beyond the lily, the park shelters tigers and leopards among the high ridges, and rare birds including Blyth's tragopan and Mrs Hume's pheasant (Manipuri: Nongin), the Manipur state bird. Local Tangkhul villagers take an active role in keeping the park clean and protected.

The climate of the Shirui hills is cold, often misty and sometimes snowy in the colder months, while summer brings strong, clear sunshine to the slopes. Aim for the dry months between October and May; late May for the lily, with the monsoon (June–September) best avoided for the slippery, leech-prone trails.

By Plane

The nearest airport is Imphal International Airport (IATA: IMF), about 103 km from the park. Imphal is connected by regular flights to Kolkata, Delhi, Guwahati, Agartala and Aizawl. From the airport, head to Ukhrul by shared taxi or private cab (roughly a three-hour hill drive via Imphal), then continue the short distance to the park.

By Car / Road

The park lies about 103 km from Imphal, reached by road via Ukhrul along State Highway 202 — a winding hill route, bumpy and slow, that turns muddy and landslide-prone in the rain; allow around three hours to Ukhrul plus a short final stretch. The park can also be reached from the Dimapur side. Shared taxis and minivans run from Imphal to Ukhrul; from Ukhrul, take a local taxi for the 10–15 km to the park. Adventure tourism firms in Manipur also run guided motorcycle tours.

There is no vehicle transport within the park — getting around Sirohi means hiking. Trails climb from the park entrance through the hill slopes toward Shirui Peak. Hire a local guide in Ukhrul, both for navigation and because Tangkhul villagers know the lily grounds and weather; conditions on the exposed ridge change quickly. There are no autorickshaws, metro or ride-hailing apps; arrange your taxi from Ukhrul in advance and agree the return time.

• Shirui lily (Lilium mackliniae) — the heroine of the park, a pale bell-shaped flower found wild nowhere else on earth. The upper slopes bloom for a short window, peaking in the third or fourth week of May.
• Shirui Peak (Shirui Kashong) — one of the highest peaks in northeast India, the climb rewarded with sweeping views over hills toward the Myanmar border; the slopes glow with flowers in season.
• Rare birds — Blyth's tragopan and Mrs Hume's pheasant (Nongin), the Manipur state bird, inhabit the park, alongside other hill species.
• Tigers and leopards — the high forest is said to shelter both, though sightings are rare; the park is more a place for flora and birds than big-cat watching.

A good pair of binoculars helps with both birds and distant flora. Flying drones are permitted within the park.

The single great activity here is hiking — climbing the green slopes of the Shirui hills, whether under cold mist or strong summer sun, up toward Shirui Peak and the lily grounds. Timing a visit to the Shirui Lily Festival in late May lets you pair the bloom with Tangkhul Naga culture in Ukhrul. The park is also rewarding for botany and nature photography, for birdwatching (tragopan, Nongin and more), and for camping, which is permitted in designated areas of the park.

Restaurants in and around the park run their own kitchens, serving local Tangkhul Naga hill cuisine — smoky and simple, built around rice, foraged greens, bamboo shoot, chillies and smoked or fresh meat. For a fuller choice of eateries, including the lodge restaurants and bazar stalls, head into nearby Ukhrul, about 10–15 km away. Vegetarian options exist but are limited, and meat and fermented flavourings are common — state dietary needs clearly when ordering.

There are liquor shops around the park selling locally made brews — the traditional rice beer of the hill communities. Because the Shirui hills are already cold, chilled bottled drinks are not usually sold. The everyday drink is hot tea. Treat stream and tap water as unsafe to drink; carry sealed bottled water or boiled and filtered water for the climb.

• Budget: Camping is permitted in designated areas of the park (some zones are restricted); arrange gear and permission locally or through an adventure operator. Basic guesthouses and lodges are available in nearby Ukhrul, such as the Oasis Hotel on the Imphal side of town.
• Mid-range: In Ukhrul, 25 Degree North Hotel (near Gandhi Circle) and Ngashan Inn Resto Lodge offer clean rooms with hot water and meals; the town is the practical base for visiting the park.
• Upscale / heritage: There are no upscale or heritage hotels at the park or in Ukhrul; lodging is simple throughout. The nearest higher-tier hotels are in Imphal.

Handloom and handicraft products and a range of local eatables are sold in and around the park. The most notable buys are traditional Tangkhul Naga shawls, handwoven in bold geometric patterns, along with local pottery and locally made brews. The Ukhrul bazar nearby has the widest selection. Prices for handlooms are fairly fixed; bargaining is light, and buying directly from weavers gives the best value.

• Ukhrul (Hunphun) (10–15 km, ~30–45 min) — the Tangkhul Naga hill town and base for the park, lively during the May Shirui Festival.
• Khangkhui Cave (near Ukhrul) — a large limestone cave for an easy half-day excursion.
• Imphal (~103 km, ~3 hr) — the state capital, with Kangla fort and the Ima Keithel market.
• Keibul Lamjao National Park (south of Imphal) — the world's only floating national park and last home of the Sangai deer.
• Dimapur (Nagaland, long road journey) — the nearest large transport hub, with onward rail and air links.