Ziro Valley, at about 1,500 metres in Lower Subansiri district of Arunachal Pradesh, is home to the Apatani people. Their system of wet rice cultivation, in which fish are raised in the same flooded fields, and their managed bamboo and pine groves have been studied as a model of sustainable land use, and the landscape is on India's tentative list for UNESCO World Heritage status.
The things to do in Ziro are about walking through villages and fields, learning about Apatani culture, and enjoying the valley's cool climate. Many people come in late September for the Ziro Music Festival, an independent music festival in the fields.
Plan three to four days, given the long journey in. An Inner Line Permit is required for Indian nationals.
For how to get there, when to go and where to stay, see our Ziro travel guide.
Quick answer: best things to do in Ziro
- Walk through Hong, one of the largest Apatani villages
- See rice-fish paddy fields
- Visit Hari and Hija villages
- Visit Talley Valley Wildlife Sanctuary
- Hike to Kile Pakho ridge
- See the Siddheshwar Nath temple
- Attend the Ziro Music Festival
- See the Myoko or Dree festival
- Try Apatani food and rice beer
Love the outdoors? See our guide to valleys in India.
Comparing hill stations? See our guide to hill stations in Northeast India.
Interested in the history? See our guide to responsible tribal tourism.
Apatani villages
Walk through Hong
Hong is one of the largest Apatani villages, with rows of bamboo-and-wood houses on stilts, ceremonial poles (babo) and platforms (lapang) where village councils meet. A local guide can explain clan structure, beliefs and customs.
Some older Apatani women have facial tattoos and nose plugs, a practice discontinued decades ago. Treat people with respect: ask before photographing anyone, and do not treat people as a spectacle.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Good for
- Culture seekers
- Good to know
- Ask before taking photos
See the rice-fish fields
Apatani fields are irrigated through a network of channels, and fish are raised in the paddy water, feeding on insects and fertilising the soil. Millet is grown on the bunds. Walking along the field paths shows how carefully the system is managed.
- Best time
- June to September for green fields; September to October for harvest
Visit Hari and Hija
Hari and Hija are other Apatani villages with similar architecture and fields, and are often quieter than Hong. Homestays in these villages offer home-cooked meals and conversations about Apatani life.
Nature and walks
Visit Talley Valley
Talley Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, about 30 km from Ziro, protects subtropical and temperate forest with rich birdlife and wildlife, including the clouded leopard. Permits are needed from the forest department, and the road is rough.
- Time needed
- Full day
- Good for
- Nature lovers
Hike to Kile Pakho
Kile Pakho is a ridge above the valley with views of Ziro on one side and the hills on the other. It makes a pleasant half-day hike through pine forest.
- Best time
- Clear mornings
See the Siddheshwar Nath temple
The Siddheshwar Nath temple, in the Kardo forest, houses a large natural lingam discovered in 2004. It draws pilgrims especially at Mahashivratri.
Walk through the pine and bamboo groves
The Apatani manage pine and bamboo groves around the villages for timber and building material. Walks through them are cool and quiet, with birdsong.
Cycle or walk between villages
Ziro's valley floor is fairly flat, and the roads and paths between Hong, Hari, Hija, Bamin and Michi Bamin are pleasant to walk or cycle. Some homestays can arrange bicycles and local guides.
- Best time
- Morning
Festivals and food
Attend the Ziro Music Festival
Held in late September, the Ziro Music Festival brings independent bands from India and abroad to an open-air stage in the fields. Campsites and homestays fill up fast; book early, and bring rain gear.
- Best time
- Late September
- Good to know
- Book stays months ahead
See Myoko and Dree
Myoko, in March, is the main Apatani festival of friendship and prosperity, with rituals by village priests. Dree, in July, is an agricultural festival with prayers for a good harvest.
Try Apatani food
Local food includes smoked meats, bamboo shoot dishes, sticky rice and apong (rice beer). Homestays are the best place to try it.
- Good for
- Food lovers
Ziro by season
Spring (March to May)
Green fields, Myoko celebrations in March and mild weather. A good time for quieter visits.
Monsoon and harvest (June to October)
The fields are lush in the monsoon, though rain can disrupt roads. By September and October, the rice turns golden and the Music Festival takes place.
Winter (November to February)
Cold, clear days and frosty mornings. Fields are bare after the harvest, but skies are clear and the valley is very quiet.
Things to do in Ziro by type of traveller
Music lovers: Plan around the Ziro Music Festival and add a day or two to explore villages.
Culture seekers: Stay in a village homestay, walk with a local guide and visit during Myoko.
Nature lovers: Talley Valley and the ridge walks.
What to do in Ziro with one day
Walk through Hong village with a local guide in the morning, then along the paddy fields to Hari. After lunch in a homestay, visit the Siddheshwar Nath temple and hike to a viewpoint for sunset.
Practical tips for Ziro
- Apply for the Arunachal ILP online before you travel.
- The nearest railway station is Naharlagun, about four hours away; Ziro has a small airport with limited flights.
- Carry cash; ATMs are few.
- Nights are cool; carry a jacket even in summer.
- Respect village customs: ask before entering homes or photographing rituals, and follow your guide's advice at sacred sites.
Plan the rest of your Ziro trip
Ziro things to do: FAQs
What are the best things to do in Ziro?
Walk through Apatani villages such as Hong, Hari and Hija, see rice-fish fields, visit Talley Valley and Kile Pakho, see the Siddheshwar Nath temple and attend the Ziro Music Festival.
When is the Ziro Music Festival?
Usually in late September.
Do I need a permit for Ziro?
Yes. Indian nationals need an Inner Line Permit; foreign nationals need a Protected Area Permit.
How many days are needed for Ziro?
Three to four days, given the long journey.
How do I reach Ziro?
The nearest railway station is Naharlagun, near Itanagar, about four hours by road. Ziro has a small airport with limited flights, and Guwahati is a long day's drive away.
Things to do near Ziro
- Things to do in Tawang: monasteries and high passes
- Mechuka: a remote valley further east
- Things to do in Guwahati: the gateway city
More things to do in Arunachal Pradesh
Published by the Kudozz Club editorial team Β· Last updated Β· How we research our guides
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