Home of the Rarest Lily on Earth
Shirui Hills (also known by its peak, Shirui Kashong) rises near Ukhrul town in Manipur, and is the only place in the world where the Shirui Lily (Lilium mackliniae) grows wild. The flower's scientific name honors the wife of botanist Frank Kingdon-Ward, who first documented it here — and it's now recognized as Manipur's official state flower.
Shirui National Park was established specifically to protect the lily's fragile habitat, and Shirui Kashong peak, at roughly 2,835 m, is the main trekking destination — reached via a moderate climb from the Ukhrul side.
Every year, usually in May, Manipur Tourism organizes the Shirui Lily Festival, combining cultural programs with organized viewing of the bloom — a genuinely worthwhile reason to time a visit around this specific window.
🌸 Shirui Hills at a Glance
Best Time to Visit Shirui Hills
Unlike many treks with a broad "best season," Shirui Hills has one narrow, non-negotiable window if the lily is the goal.
The strict bloom window for the Shirui Lily, coinciding with the annual Shirui Lily Festival. This is the only time to see the flower in the wild.
Some blooms may linger into early June, but this isn't guaranteed — May remains the safer bet.
Clear, cooler trekking weather with good visibility — a fine window for the hike and views, just without the flower.
Heavy rain makes trail conditions difficult — best avoided for this trek.
Our pick: May, without exception, if seeing the Shirui Lily is the point of your trip — plan around the Shirui Lily Festival dates for the best combined experience.
How to Reach Shirui Hills
- Via Ukhrul: The standard approach is through Ukhrul town, which sits close to the trailhead — almost every visitor bases themselves there before and after the trek.
- From Imphal: Reach Ukhrul first, via NH150 (~84 km from Imphal), then continue to the Shirui Hills trailhead by local vehicle.
- On foot: The trek to Shirui Kashong peak is a moderate climb — manageable for reasonably fit trekkers, ideally with a local guide given limited trail markers.
The Trek & the Lily
The Climb to Shirui Kashong
A moderate trek from the Ukhrul side, gaining elevation steadily toward the roughly 2,835 m summit. No technical skills are needed, but the terrain and distance call for reasonable fitness.
Spotting the Shirui Lily
Within its short May bloom window, the lily appears scattered across the hillside inside Shirui National Park — a genuinely rare sight found nowhere else on Earth, and worth taking time to appreciate rather than rushing past.
Summit Views
From the top, the surrounding Naga hill country unfolds in every direction — a worthwhile reward even for trekkers visiting outside the lily season.
The Shirui Lily Festival
Manipur Tourism's annual festival, typically held in May, combines cultural performances from local communities with organized lily viewing — a good way to experience both the flower and the region's culture together.
Where to Stay
There's no meaningful accommodation within Shirui Hills or Shirui National Park itself — everyone bases themselves in Ukhrul town instead.
- → Local guesthouses
- → Homestays
- → Circuit house (where available)
- → Better-appointed guesthouses
- → Most visitors complete it as a day trip from Ukhrul
Base yourself in Ukhrul and treat Shirui Hills as a (long) day trek — there's genuinely nowhere to stay within the park itself.
Suggested Visit Plan (2 Days)
Arrive in Ukhrul
- ✓Travel from Imphal to Ukhrul via NH150
- ✓Arrange a local guide for the next day's trek
- ✓Rest ahead of an early start
Shirui Hills Trek
- ✓Early morning drive/hike to the trailhead
- ✓Trek to Shirui Kashong peak
- ✓Lily viewing (May) and summit views
- ✓Return to Ukhrul by evening
Food on the Trek
- Carry your own supplies: There are minimal facilities on the trail itself — pack enough food and water for a full day trek.
- Local guides can advise on arrangements: If trekking with a guide from Ukhrul, ask in advance about any simple meal arrangements.
- Eat well in Ukhrul before/after: Tangkhul cuisine in Ukhrul town is worth enjoying properly once back from the trek.
Budget Breakdown
| Expense | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local guide (per day) | ₹1,000 | ₹1,800 | ₹3,000 |
| Ukhrul accommodation/night | ₹600 | ₹1,500 | ₹2,500 |
| Local transport to trailhead | ₹500 | ₹1,000 | ₹2,000 |
| Food/day | ₹350 | ₹700 | ₹1,200 |
* A local guide is genuinely worth the cost — beyond navigation, they know where the lily is currently blooming within the protected area.
Essential Tips for Shirui Hills
- Time your visit strictly around May: There's no flexibility here if seeing the Shirui Lily is your goal.
- Don't pick or trample the lily: It's an endemic, protected species found nowhere else on Earth — admire it in place.
- Hire a local guide from Ukhrul: Especially valuable given limited trail signage and changing bloom locations year to year.
- Check current travel advisories: Parts of Manipur have periodically seen security-related travel advisories, so check current conditions before finalizing plans, travel via well-established routes, and consider a local guide or operator in these hill districts.
- Carry rain gear even in May: Hill weather can turn quickly regardless of the calendar.
✅ Do
- →Plan the trip strictly around the May bloom window
- →Hire a local guide from Ukhrul
- →Carry rain gear and warm layers
- →Start the trek early in the day
- →Check current advisories before finalizing plans
- →Pack out all your trash
❌ Don't
- →Pick or trample the Shirui Lily if you spot it
- →Expect any accommodation within the park itself
- →Visit outside May and expect to see the lily
- →Attempt the trek without a guide on a first visit
- →Skip warm/rain layers thinking May guarantees sun
- →Leave litter on the trail
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Shirui Lily and why is it so rare?
The Shirui Lily (Lilium mackliniae) is a flower that grows wild only on Shirui Hills in Manipur, found nowhere else on Earth. It's named for the wife of botanist Frank Kingdon-Ward, who first documented it, and it's Manipur's official state flower.
When does the Shirui Lily bloom?
Roughly May to June, in a short window. Manipur Tourism typically organizes the Shirui Lily Festival in May, timed to coincide with the bloom.
How difficult is the trek to Shirui Hills?
It's a moderate trek from the Ukhrul side, reaching Shirui Kashong Peak at roughly 2,835 m. No technical climbing is required, but reasonable fitness helps, and a local guide is recommended given limited trail infrastructure.
Can I visit Shirui Hills outside the lily bloom season?
Yes — you'll miss the lily itself, but the hills still offer scenic trekking and views. If seeing the Shirui Lily specifically is your goal, plan strictly around the May bloom window.
Where do I base myself to trek Shirui Hills?
Ukhrul town is the standard base — see our Ukhrul travel guide for how to get there and where to stay. There's no real accommodation within Shirui Hills or Shirui National Park itself.
Published by the Kudozz Club editorial team · Last updated · How we research our guides
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