Tucked in the lush hills of Arunachal Pradesh, Ziro Valley is a nature’s wonderland. This part of northeast India is full of breathtaking landscapes featuring pine forests, rice field and traditional Apatani villages. The Apatani are the Primary indigenous tribe of Ziro Valley.
Though the place remains untouched by mass tourism, it can get crowded during the Ziro Music Festival that takes place each year in September.
We visited in May which felt like an ideal time to explore Ziro Valley. There were very few tourists and the weather was nice and cool.
The toughest part of our trip planning was to get the right information about the places to visit, where to stay, and how many days to spend there.
With our first-hand experience, we decided to create this Ziro Valley travel guide and itinerary to help you. Let’s get started without further ado.
Where is Ziro Valley
Ziro Valley is located 105 km north of Itanagar, the state capital of Arunachal Pradesh. The elevation of the place ranges from 5,538 feet (1,688 metres) to 8,000 feet (2,438 metres).
It has two main towns – Old Ziro and Hapoli, also known as New Ziro. Besides this, numerous tribal villages are scattered all throughout the valley. Ziro serves as the district headquarter of Lower Subansiri district.
How To Get There
The fastest way to reach Ziro Valley is by taking a flight to Donyi Polo Airport in Itanagar and then onward journey by road to your hotel.
Itanagar Airport has direct flights from Kolkata and Guwahati. It takes approximately 3.5 hours to get to Ziro from Itanagar Airport by a cab.
Distance between Ziro Valley and:
- Donyi Polo Airport, Itanagar – 123 km
- Jorhat Airport – 184 km
- Dibrugarh Airport – 240 km
Another way is to take a train to Naharlagun which is the nearest railhead to Ziro. Donyi Polo Express runs daily from Guwahati to Naharlagun and takes about 7.5 hours. From there, Ziro is 90 km away, roughly a 2.5-hour drive.
Where To Stay
Unlike some touristy hill towns offering a range of hotels, Ziro Valley has relatively limited accommodation options. There are mainly 3-star hotels and budget homestays.
We stayed in Ziro Palace Inn which is in Old Ziro. The hotel is centrally located and offers spacious, well-furnished rooms.
Check availability and book a room at Ziro Palace Inn.
2-Day Ziro Valley Itinerary
We recommend spending at least 2 full days in Ziro Valley. Follow this itinerary to make the most of your Ziro trip.
Day 1
Shivalinga at Kardo Hill
Rising 25 feet from the base, the Shivalinga at Kardo Hills is one of the largest naturally formed Shivalingas in the world. It was discovered in 2004 by a local woodcutter when he was cutting woods in the Kardo forests.
The Shivlinga is accompanied by two smaller rock formations, the one behind the lingam is worshipped as Goddess Parvati and the smallest one is revered as Lord Ganesha.
When we got here, there was no one around other than the priest. The place is scenic and filled with serene vibes.
Apatani Village
Our next stop was an Apatani village, roughly 30-minute drive away from Kardo Hills.
The Apatani tribe is the most prominent ethnic group residing in Ziro Valley. We took a short walk in the village to learn more about the Apatani lifestyle and culture.
Apatanis are known for their sustainable farming practices like wet rice cultivation where they grow rice and fish together.
A typical Apatani house is built using wood and bamboo. Almost every house featured a wooden pole with a white flag and red sun printed on it. The sun (Donyi) and the moon (Polo) are central to their faith.
Naara Aaba Winery
The winery visit wasn’t part of our plan but we decided to check this out as it was very close to the Apatani village we just saw.
It is a small winery that uses traditional methods of wine making. They source locally grown organic fruits like kiwi, pear, and guava to produce wine.
If you are a connoisseur of wine, you will surely enjoy this place. We are not too much into wine, so the visit was educational for us.
They explained the wine making process and showed us different types of wines produced there. At the end, guests were given various flavours of wine for tasting. You can buy if you want.
Ziro Aqua Museum
Located about 4 km away from Hapoli, Aqua Museum is a new addition to the list of attractions in Ziro Valley. It was inaugurated and opened for visitors in 2024.
The aquarium is well-kept and houses a huge variety of fish. There is a fish spa too inside the aquarium building. It is a fun place to visit for kids as well as grown-ups.
Right behind the aqua museum is Tarin fish farm where high-altitude fish are bred and reared.
The surroundings are picturesque but there was no one at the fish farm to explain anything. We spent some time soaking in the lovely vistas before heading to the next spot.
Heritage Park And Botanical Garden
The Park and Botanical Garden is situated within the Himalayan Heritage Complex in Ziro.
By the time we got here, it was past lunch time and we were starving. Fortunately, the complex also hosts some eateries and coffee shops. After a hearty meal, we were ready to explore the park and botanical garden.
The place is dotted with towering pine trees and quaint vantage points, tucked between foliage. There are short nature trails that finish at an Indo-China war bunker.
It also offers adventure activities like artificial wall climbing, horse riding, camping, and more.
We spent rest of the afternoon enjoying the views and the activities. This spot is popular among tourists and locals alike, so it can get a bit crowded on weekends.
Day 2
Seeh Lake
Seeh Lake is a man-made reservoir which was created as part of the water conservation project in Ziro Valley.
The lake is flanked by stunning scenery and landscapes encompassing pine-clad lush hills. We strolled around the lake to take in the panoramic views and also did zipline adventure.
Siikhe Lake
Siikhe Lake, the first artificial lake of Ziro Valley, is just 2.5 km from Old Ziro. Since its inauguration in 2019, the lake has become a major tourist attraction in Ziro.
There is a boating point as well as a charming butterfly garden on the side of the lake. We went paddle boating and loved chasing colourful butterflies through the garden.
District Museum Ziro
Situated smack in the heart of Hapoli town, this tribal museum offers a peek into the lives of indigenous tribes of Arunachal Pradesh.
The museum is a fantastic repository of tribal artifacts, tools, and artworks. It is divided into sections with each section showcasing a unique aspect of the tribal lifestyle. Photography is not permitted in some sections.
Ziro Puttu Hillock Viewpoint
Our last stop for the day was a scenic viewpoint affording sweeping views of Ziro Valley.
It is a small hillock that is accessible via a short hike. We spent some time absorbing the tranquil surroundings before returning to our hotel.
Best Time To Visit
The ideal time to visit Ziro Valley is during from March to May or from October to November as the weather is mild and pleasant.
Winter starts from November and lasts till early March. December and January are the coldest months with temperature dropping as low as 4°C.
The monsoon arrives in July and it continues to rain till September. In June, there are pre-monsoon showers. If you want to explore the outdoors, rainy season is not a great time to visit Ziro Valley.
For those who want to attend the Ziro Festival of Music, September is the month to go. A 4-day music concert held annually in September is the major draw for music lovers.
Tips For Ziro Valley Trip
Travel Permit
- A permit is required for all non-residents visiting Arunachal Pradesh. Indian Citizens need an Inner Line Permit (ILP) whereas foreign nationals need a protected area permit (PAP).
- You can apply for permit on Arunachal Pradesh eILP website. A photograph, an identity proof and an address proof are required to apply online.
Packing
- Pack some warm clothes to keep yourself comfortable in Ziro’s cold weather. In Summer, a light jacket or a sweater will do. For winter, pack layered clothing including jackets and thermal innerwear.
- Get a pair of sturdy walking shoes or snickers as they offer good grip and support in hilly terrain.
Further Reading
You can read these blogposts for more inspiration and tips to visit northeast India.
7 Places to Visit in Meghalaya That Will Wow You
6 Most Beautiful Waterfalls in Cherrapunji
Caving in Meghalaya: Experience of A Lifetime
Krang Suri Falls – Truly A Sight To Behold
Mawlynnong Village – 8 Things To Know Before You Visit
Over To You Now…
We hope you found this travel guide to Ziro Valley helpful.
Have you seen this part of Arunachal Pradesh earlier? Please share your thoughts and experiences with us in the comments below.
