Ziro Voyage Tips and guide

Ziro, also spelt Zero, is a picturesque town in Arunachal Pradesh, India. It is known for a four-season tourist place and gives a pleasant feel in every season with variant colours in different seasons. It is included the Tentative List for UNESCO's World Heritage Site for the Apatani cultural landscape.

The part of the town which is the centre of economic activities and where the

Ziro Valley is surrounded by green rice fields, thick pine forests, and small traditional villages. The weather here is cool and pleasant throughout the year, making it a perfect place to relax and enjoy nature. Ziro stands at an altitude of approximately 1,500 meters (4,921 feet), giving it a year-round pleasant climate. Its distinct charm comes from its terraced rice fields, bamboo huts, ancient rituals, and sustainable tribal farming practices.

Ziro Valley is also known for being calm and less crowded, which makes it great for backpackers, nature lovers, and people who like quiet places. The valley is listed in the UNESCO World Heritage tentative list because of its natural beauty and cultural importance. Many Bollywood and documentary films have been shot in Ziro because of its rustic beauty.

Ziro is home to the Apatani people who have a different culture from other tribes in Arunachal Pradesh with traditional crafts and festivals. They practice wet rice cultivation and are careful in land management, which allowed sustainable agriculture for several centuries. The resulting cultural landscape reflects the ability of the tribe to make the adverse environment habitable.

The cold weather season is from December to February. March to May is the pre-monsoon season of thunderstorms. The southwest monsoon from June to about the middle of October. The second half of October to November, which constitutes the post-monsoon or the retreating monsoon period and is a period of transition.

Ziro is 115 km from Itanagar, 123 km from Lilabari, and 96 km from Naharlagun railway station.

Foreign and Indian tourists (except those from Arunachal) need an Inner Line Permit (ILP) to enter Arunachal Pradesh. It can be obtained online at Arunachal ILP portal.

• 27.58833393.8280561 Ziro Airport (ZER  ^IATA, Zero Airport). Alliance Air operates flights three times a week from Guwahati Airport (GAU). (updated Jul 2025)
• Lilabari Airport (IXI) in Assam, is about 100 km away. From Lilabari, you can hire a private taxi or take a shared cab to reach Ziro. The journey takes 4-5 hours, depending on road conditions.
• Itanagar Airport (also called Hollongi Airport), is around 120 km from Ziro. This airport has regular flights from Guwahati and Kolkata, making it easier for travellers to reach Arunachal Pradesh by air. From the airport, you can take a taxi or shared vehicle to Ziro, which takes 4–5 hours.

It is a good idea to book a taxi in advance, especially during the rainy season or festival times like the Ziro Music Festival, when demand is high.

The nearest railhead is Naharlagun Railway Station, about 100 km from Ziro. Trains from Guwahati and other major cities in Assam stop here.

Ziro is accessible via daily buses and shared taxis from Itanagar, Naharlagun, and North Lakhimpur. Roads are scenic but can be rough in monsoon season.

Map of Ziro

Shared taxis and small rental cars are available, though limited. Cycling or walking are the best ways to explore the valley’s villages and fields. Local guides can be hired from homestays or the Ziro tourism office.

• Paddy fields: Intricate irrigation systems and fish-rice farming make the rice fields of Ziro a model of sustainable agriculture. They are best seen during the cultivation and harvest seasons (June–October).
• Meghna Cave Temple: a 5000-year-old cave temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, perched atop a hill with panoramic views.

The real charm of Ziro lies in its traditional Apatani tribal villages, which are spread across the valley and offer a close look at the local culture, lifestyle, and customs. Some of the largest and oldest villages in Ziro Valley include:

• Hong – one of the biggest and most famous Apatani villages.
• Hari, Bamin, Dutta – These villages are known for their unique layout, with closely packed wooden houses built from bamboo, pinewood, and cane, using eco-friendly construction techniques.

Apatani women used to be easily recognized by their large nose plugs (yaping hullo) and facial tattoos, which were once symbols of beauty and identity. Although younger generations no longer follow this tradition, you may still see elderly women wearing them today.

The villagers are skilled in sustainable farming. They grow rice in neatly arranged terraced fields, often with fish farming in the same fields—a practice that is admired worldwide for its harmony with nature.

Visitors can walk through the narrow village paths, observe daily activities, and interact with friendly locals who are happy to share stories about their traditions, festivals, and beliefs.

Most homes have a firewood hearth in the centre for cooking and warmth, and you may even be invited for a cup of millet beer (apong) or to taste bamboo-cooked food. Always ask for permission before taking photos of people, especially elders, as a sign of respect.

• Ziro Festival of Music. Late Sep-early Oct. An annual outdoor music festival held over four days every September. The festival features about 40 independent music acts from around the world, and has infrastructure built almost completely of locally sourced bamboo and a heavy emphasis on eco-friendly practices. (updated Jan 2023)
• Talley Valley Wildlife Sanctuary: about 32 km from Ziro, this dense forest reserve is home to clouded leopards, mithun (a local bovine species), and many rare birds. Great for trekking and birdwatching.
• Walk or cycle through pine forests and farmland
• Attend tribal festivals like Myoko (March) or Dree (July)
• Try bamboo cooking and Apatani millet beer
• Interact with locals through eco-tourism homestays
• Explore Talley Valley’s hiking trails and orchids

• Bamboo crafts and handmade textiles
• Traditional tribal jewellery
• Local organic honey and herbs

Ziro’s cuisine is rooted in Apatani traditions:

• Pike Pila – fermented bamboo and pork fat
• Rice beer or Apong – locally brewed, mildly alcoholic
• Smoked pork, bamboo shoot curry, and sticky rice are staples
• Try local eateries or eat at homestays for authentic meals

• 27.543693.81051 7th Heaven Ziro, Pai Road. Daily 9AM-7PM. Bakery and hot dishes. (updated Jan 2023)

Budget

• Ziro Valley Resort – basic amenities with wooden cottages
• Pine Ridge Homestay – friendly hosts and valley views

Mid-range

• 27.544793.81971 Ziro Palace Inn, Salang Road (NH13) in the centre of town. In-house restaurant, 24-hour front desk, internet access, power back-up and parking. From ₹3,800. (updated Jan 2023)
• Siiro Resort – nice location near Siiro village, with mountain-facing cottages
• Danyi Pilo Guest House – good food and warm hospitality

Luxury

• Stay in curated homestays with traditional Apatani design and guided village tours

• Carry warm clothes even in summer—it can get chilly at night.
• Pack power banks—electricity is not always reliable.
• Avoid venturing into forests alone.
• Respect tribal customs—ask before photographing people or ceremonies.

• Itanagar – capital city with Gompa temples and state museum (5–6 hr)
• Majuli – world’s largest river island in Assam (~7 hr via ferry and road)
• Tawang – famous for Tawang Monastery (2–3 days drive)
• Dibrugarh or Tezpur – urban towns for onward connectivity to Northeast India