Glistening paddy fields, untamed mountains, sprawling rivers, scenic villages – with its utterly green landscape Ziro valley offers the right kind of refuge from the city life. I dreamt of visiting this place since my college days. I spent my college days hearing the stories of Ziro from my hostel mates. Just one day before Ziro music festival I got a surprise invitation from my friends to visit the Festival. I did not want to miss any chance of visiting Ziro and pack all my essentials quickly. From clothes to mosquito repellent to sports shoes I pack my bag and spend the night in excitement. Read my blog to know about the most exciting ways to spend few days in Ziro valley and Music Festival in Ziro.
The next day we started early morning from Guwahati at around 6 am. We planned to reach Ziro valley the same day. After having our breakfast at Amani we started driving through NH 37 and NH 415. Reaching Ziro on the same day from Guwahati is very difficult but my friend was determined to do it.
The road to Ziro Valley start from Nirjuli but we take another road which bifurcating near Lilabari airport(Laxkimpur airport). At the time of our tour both the roads are not in good shape. So we take the shortest road.
Though the road terrible in some part, however, we reached our campground at Ziro at around 9 pm.
How to reach Ziro valley from Guwahati
By Road: From Guwahati, it takes around 7-8 hrs to reach Itanagar from their another 4-5 hrs to reach Ziro. Government buses are also available from Guwahati to Ziro which starts at around 6 PM in the evening. Government-run buses and shared taxis are also available to Ziro from Itanagar.
By Air: Lilabari (North Lakhimpur)and Tezpur is the closest airport from Ziro. But in terms of connectivity with major airports in India Guwhati is best.
By Rail: The closest railhead is located at Naharlagun in Arunachal Pradesh. It takes around 4 hours to reach Ziro.
Entry ticket for Ziro Music Festival
This festival takes place for 4 days and started in mid of September every year. Ziro Music festival was very popular among the youth.
An entry ticket is needed to visit this festival. The cost of the ticket starts from Rs 4500. Early bird offer for the ticket is also available for booking.
Camping at Ziro
Staying in camp is an unmissable experience at this festival. Camps are placed in an organised way with some portable toilets in the corner. Various local agencies offer camping at the festival. Camp rates start from Rs 2,000 per person per night including breakfast. Camps are most convenient options for the youngster but it is not very convenient for families.
Many hotels and homestays are available in Ziro. One can find a suitable stay there if booked in advance. During ZFM many tourist folks to Ziro make it difficult to find hotels during that time.
Ziro Music festival and around
The small town Ziro is quite pleasing. I felt surprised to see the alluring beauty of the place. Surrounded by mountains, it offers breathtaking views of landscapes, rivers and ricefields. The festival takes places in Hong village – a traditional village of Aptani tribe.
The main set is located in an open field where the winds blowing strongly and the sound of music echoed from distance. The festival is a mash-up of different styles and musical traditions of India. All famous artist from Northeast India and other states participate in the festival.
Everyone could enjoy this place at their own pace. People from different parts of the world came and gather here. They can dance, sing, or play music or just listen to music by sitting in an open. Everyone can enjoy the festival according to their wish and do whatever they like to do.
The main stage looks more dazzling at night which is a sight to behold. Various colourful light sparkle everywhere and the sound of loud music echoed the valley. I hardly get a chance to go closer to the stage but I enjoyed it from distance.
Food stalls offering traditional food, roasted chicken, eggs to rice beer and wine were available in the venue. There was also a stall to do a tattoo in Aptani style.
Every year the festival goes bigger and bigger and each year organizer decorated the ground very tactfully in a traditional way using locally available items.
Locals also participate in this festival. Dance and song of Aptani, Nishi and other tribes are some of the most enjoyable events in this festival. The colourful costumes and traditional dress of the locals make the event more enthralling. The Women of Aptnai tribes were their traditional khaki Chawl with black colour top and Nishi women were Red and Blue skirt with white top.
What to do in Ziro
Ziro is mainly divided into old Ziro and new Ziro. Hapoli is the town area of Ziro where modern building and marketplaces are available. We saw a mix of different building from house made of cane& bamboo to concrete and brick building in Napoli.
Old ZIro is the traditional village of Aptani tribes where you can meet the old tribal man and see their facial tattoos. Check Ziro valley travel guide.
Places to visit in Ziro
There’s plenty to see around town. Some of the most exciting places in Ziro are:
1. Old helipad:
The old helipad of the valley is located near the campground. From where you can observe the helicopters.
2. Shiva Temple:
Shiva temple is located in a small hillock which is the best option to enjoy short trekking. Walking through the muddy roads amidst green trees we see the stairs taking to the Shiva temple. It is a giant natural rock worshipped as Shiva linga located at the top of a hillock.
3. Hari village:
Hari village is the traditional village of Aptani tribes located in Old Ziro. Where you can go for a walk in the small alleys cornered with the traditional bamboo house. You can also go for a guided tour in the villages and have chat with locals. You can also go for a guided tour in Bulla village and Hong village to meet the tribes and enjoy an exhilarating evening tasting traditional food and locally made rice beer. Culinary tour in Northeast India offers lots of delicious food to .. your taste bud.
4. Lush paddy fields:
Ziro valley is acclaimed for its paddy and fish cultivation method worldwide. This valley is surrounded by across of paddy fields and which was in full-grown during September. The colour of paddy fields is turned into golden yellow during the time of the music festival. Go for a walk in the paddy fields and see the locals at work is an unmissable experience in this valley.
5. Bamboo Groove:
Bamboo Groove is another scenic place where a small forest of bamboo can be seen.
6. Sikhe Lake:
It’s a beautiful and big man-made lake surrounded by scenic hills and deodorant forest. The landscape is so amazing where you can see the blue colour water surrounded by green forest. From the viewpoint of this lake panoramic view of a widespread, paddy field can be seen.
7. Kasa Resort and the heritage park:
It’s a beautiful park located in the centre of Haploi town there you can have some fun time doing various activities and observing traditional objects. A kids park, Zipline and a botanical garden are also located in that park.
8. Talley Valley Wildlife Sanctuary:
Located 32 kilometres away from Ziro the sanctuary offers a large number of wildlife species including clouded Leopard, all 4 species of cats, sloth bear etc. Trekking inside the forest is the best way to explore large wildlife varieties, wonderful landscape and discover varieties of bamboo and mushroom grown here. It’s better to accompany a guide to see the sanctuary closely. Check wildlife tour in Arunachal Pradesh to know more about the most exciting wildlife sanctuaries.
If you like this pristine valley in remote location of Northeastern Indian then you can check 5 Reasons Why You Must Choose Ziro In Arunachal Pradesh Over The Scottish Pastures.
Entry formalities to enter Arunachal Pradesh
Since Arunachal Pradesh comes under a protected area, official permission is required to enter this state.
- ILP and PAP– Inline Permit: Indian Nationals (domestic travellers) need ILP to enter any place Arunachal Pradesh. The ILP can be obtained online or can be issued by the Government Authorities at the ILP offices in Delhi, Kolkata, Tezpur, Guwahati, Shillong etc.
- PAP – Protected Area Permit: All foreigners need to have a Protection Area Permit or PAP for entering into Arunachal Pradesh. They can obtain from All Foreigners Regional Registration Officers (FRRO) at Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chief Immigration Officer, Chennai, Home Ministry, Govt. of India and Home Commissioner, Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh, Itanagar.
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