Hey, I noticed you were looking for information on the Ziro Festival of Music. However, you are unable to find any accurate information on the tour. So, don’t worry, when your travel guide is here, providing you with all of the information you need to know before visiting Ziro Valley.
Ziro Valley is not just a paradise for nature enthusiasts and adventure junkies, but also for music lovers. The Ziro Festival of Music Festival is an outdoor music festival that promotes the creativity of independent performers from across India. It takes place in the heart of the green valley of Arunachal Pradesh. This festival brings together some of India’s most remarkable musical talents, as well as a diverse audience to witness it.
Warning: Don’t go back, otherwise you will miss the exciting thing about the Ziro Tourism and the year’s most awaited Ziro music festival.
Table of content
- About Ziro Valley
- About Ziro Festival of Music
- Book Your Tickets
- Get a permit, before you visit the Music Festival
- How to visit Ziro Valley?
- Where you can stay?
- What you can eat?
- Things to do
- Must-Visit Places
- FAQ’s
About Ziro Valley
Hidden in Arunachal Pradesh’s forbidding mountain-scape, Ziro Valley is an enticing tourist destination in North East India that attracts visitors with its hypnotic natural beauty. Ziro is a picturesque town located 115 kilometers from Itanagar, the capital city of Arunachal Pradesh. This exotic hill hamlet is one of India’s most attractive valleys, with terraced rice fields, lush bamboo forests, and stunning footpaths bordered with magnificent blue and green pines. This town’s beauty has attracted the attention of many, and it has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as a result.
While the tranquilly of this delightful little town attracts many peace seekers, its exceptional scenic beauty also draws a large number of nature enthusiasts and photographers who come from far and wide to immerse themselves in the place’s ethereal natural splendour. Ziro is also a must-see for sociologists and anthropologists for its distinct tribal heritage; The “Apatanis,” as the people of this North-East Indian state’s oldest tribe are affectionately known, have lived in the region for generations and are known globally for their women’s massive nose rings and large dark face tattoos that cover their forehead, nose, and chin.
Ziro Valley is one of Arunachal’s relatively unexplored regions, but it is quickly becoming one of the best tourist destinations in the state for one of the most exciting reasons, the Ziro Festival of Music. It’s a must-visit destination the music lover and explorer too.
About Ziro Festival of Music
The ZIRO Festival of Music, one of India’s largest music festivals, is a much-anticipated annual event that brings music lovers deep into a hitherto unexplored region, the Ziro Valley. Since its inception in 2012, the Ziro Festival of Music has celebrated the best in the independent music scene both in India and across the world. This music festival takes place every year in late September and lasts for 4 days.
The Sun Stage and the Moon Stage are the two stages. The sun stage performances begin at 12 p.m. and last until 1 p.m., giving you a true music festival experience. After that, you’ll head to the moon stage, which opens at 5 p.m., for a concert experience and around 10 p.m., the concert comes to an end. This will continue for the next two days, with the festival concluding with a standout performance on the fourth day. And you’ll have a good time at Ziro’s party last night.
Here you’ll end up rocking to some truly surprising sounds, ranging from classical to hip hop to rock. Bands and independent musicians from all around India, as well as the rest of the world, are performing here. This is a fantastic way to discover new artists and add their music to your playlists.
Another reason Ziro Music Festival is so popular is that it is one of India’s most eco-friendly festivals. They really build the festival infrastructure out of bamboos which they buy locally. The festival stages, the Sun (Donyi) and Moon (Polo), are primarily made of bamboo. All of the stalls are also made of bamboo. Even at the entrance, they won’t let you bring your plastic bottles in because it’s a no-plastic zone.
Book your tickets for the festival
You can purchase tickets for the Music Festival on the internet. You can purchase it at the Ziro Festival of Music’s official website or from some other websites and tour operators. There are other travel companies that provide a complete Ziro Valley tour package that includes camping, dining, and festival tickets. Depending on the features and services you have chosen, the price can easily range from 10,000 INR to 25,000 INR.
Get a permit, before you visit the Music Festival
Arunachal Pradesh is a restricted area, and entering the state requires an official permission. The permit is issued as a matter of course for tourists, so it does not stop any tourist from visiting Arunachal Pradesh. The permission includes:
- For the Indians: Apart from inhabitants of Arunachal Pradesh, Indian travellers require an ILP to enter any part of the state. The ILP can be obtained online through the Arunachal Pradesh Inner Line Permit Management System or at the Arunachal Pradesh Government Authorities, who have offices in Delhi, Kolkata, Tezpur, Guwahati, Shillong, Dibrugarh and Itanagar.
- For the Foreigners: All foreigners entering Arunachal Pradesh must have a Restricted Area Permit (RAP). You can obtain the RAP from The Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, Delhi. If you are a group of at least four (four) tourist then you can obtain RAP from all F.R.R.O (at Calcutta, Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai)/ Chief Immigration Officer, Chennai/ the Commissioner Home Government of Arunachal Pradesh, Itanagar.
How to reach the Ziro Festival of Music?
Now the main question arrives in your mind that “How do I get to Ziro Valley”. So, here is your answer.
By Plane
- The nearest airport is at Jorhat in Assam, which is 98km away from Ziro.
- Another airport is Lilabari, which is at a distance of 123 km from Ziro.
- Tezpur airport is the closest airport and it is 280 km from Ziro. There are no direct flights from Delhi or Kolkata to Tezpur, and getting there takes a long time. Most of the flights are via Guwahati.
- At a distance of around 449 kilometres, the nearest international airport to Ziro is Guwahati. Guwahati is connected to all major cities, so you can book a flight there.
By Train
- Naharlagun, about 100 kilometres (approximately 3 hours) from Ziro, is the nearest railhead. A regular intercity train departs from Guwahati (you can take an overnight train), and a train departs from New Delhi once a week for Naharalagun.
- The very next closest railway station to Ziro is North Lakhimpur, which is around 117 kilometres away (approx. 4 hrs). A regular intercity train runs from Guwahati to North Lakhimpur.
By Road
- Take a taxi from Guwahati or Jorhat (approx. 470 Km). Taking the NH27 and NH15 will take you 7 hours to get there. You can choose between a private or shared taxi.
- You can travel to Itanagar or North Lakhimpur and then take a taxi to Ziro, which is approximately 117 kilometres away and takes approximately 4.5 hours to reach. Furthermore, you might take a private taxi or a shared taxi.
- Government buses run from Itanagar to Ziro, which is 109 km away and takes about 4 hours to reach. The bus ticket ranges from INR 100 to INR 200, which is quite reasonable.
- A night bus runs from Guwahati to Ziro, which is 437 kilometres away and takes about 11 hours. The Arunachal Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation operates the bus four days a week.
Where you can stay?
You have reached the destination and now you need to book your stay. For the stay you have a range of options to pick from:
Campsites
There are campsites nearby where you can book a tent. You can stay in a tent provided by the organizers or book a tent through a travel company that has its own campsite for Ziro.
For two persons, these camps might cost somewhere around 3000 to 6000 INR per night. It also covers breakfast and dinner. This is also a perfect opportunity for all the travellers to meet up with one another.
Bring your own tent
Getting your own tent is one of the coolest and cheapest ways to stay. You must buy BYOT passes from the Ziro Festival of Music website in order to camp there. A BYOT pass may cost 4000 INR, although this can vary based on sales.
If you are getting the BYOT passes, you’ll need to bring the following camping equipment with you:
- Tent: For camping at the Ziro Festival, you will undoubtedly need a high-quality tent. Make sure you determine the most suitable option.
- Rain cover for the tent: The Ziro Festival is usually celebrated in September when Ziro is in the midst of its monsoon season. As a result, it is possible that it will rain at any time. This is why you should bring a rain cover for your tent to keep it dry and warm.
- Sleeping Bag: You’ll need a good sleeping bag to keep you warm and comfortable throughout the night.
- Sleeping Pad: To sleep comfortably, you’ll also require a sleeping pad. When sleeping in a sleeping bag, the ground is usually hard and uncomfortable. As a result, don’t forget to bring a sleeping pad or mattress.
Home Stay and Guest Houses
If you don’t want to camp, you can choose another reasonable option. In the town, there are a few homestays and guest houses. These accommodations with a great view of the valley can be available for 1000 – 2000 INR per night. To book a homestay or a guest house, you’ll need to travel down to Ziro. The festival is the busiest time of year in this town, so, there is a possibility that you won’t be able to find a vacant guesthouse.
Hotels and Resorts
Finally, Ziro offers a variety of hotels and Ziro Valley resorts. Accommodations here, on the other hand, may cost something between 2500 and 3500 INR a night. You will, however, find good facilities here.
If you wish to stay in a Ziro Valley hotel, make a reservation ahead of time because the Ziro Festival is the busiest period of the year. As a result, there is a possibility of non-availability. Reservations can be made online or by calling the hotel directly.
Also Read: Destinations For ‘work from mountains’ in India
What you can eat?
Now that you’ve found a place to stay, it’s time to eat.
If you have taken a package, you may have your breakfast, lunch, and dinner at your campsite. But, if you’re camping with a BYOT pass, you’ll need to get your own meals.
In the music festival area, there are also food and drink stalls. You’ll find everything from French Fries to Barbeque here. These dishes cost between 150 and 400 INR. Also, expect to pay between 100 and 300 INR for the beverages.
At the festival, the black tea on a bamboo stick is a huge hit. It not only tastes good, but it also keeps your hands warm.
It’s not a good idea to visit Ziro without trying the local cuisine. As a result, eat the traditional meal of Ziro, Arunachal; it will send your taste senses on a traditional journey. Rice, bamboo shoots (a staple of Arunachal Pradesh cuisine), Pika pila (a popular type of pickle prepared mostly by the Apatani tribe), fish or meat (Arunachal Pradesh’s major delicacy), and a variety of green vegetables are all popular options.
The bamboo chicken (a light and flavorful local delicacy) and Apong (one of the most important traditional drink of Arunachal) and peach wine are other must-tries.
Apart from these, you must try the local agriculture, which is quite different from what you’ll find in other parts of India.
Things to do
The music will not be played for the whole day, so, instead of getting bored, there are many other things to do in Ziro Valley. So, here are a few fun activities that you can indulge in.
Fishing
Take a fishing trip to one of Ziro’s villages. You will not only learn how to fish, but you will also get to try your hand at it. Walking in muddy water while being surrounded by rice fields and enchanting pine trees is a lot of pleasure. It’s one of the exciting experience that you must go for. Also, you will learn more about fish cultivation over there.
Bicycle Ride
There are many other things to do in Ziro Valley besides the Ziro Festival of Music. Here are a few fun activities to indulge in. You can rent a bicycle and tour the Ziro Valley from here. Riding while surrounded by the rice fields is a thrilling experience. You are free to explore everything and go to the nearby villages. Because the town is only 4-5 kms away, you can simply travel there for food, drinks, and other necessities.
It will be an amazing experience to ride through rice fields and enchanting pine trees while learning about the local villagers.
Hot Air Balloon Ride
At the Festival, you can take a hot air balloon ride. Even though the journey was just around 10-15 minutes long, it is an incredible experience. A stunning, panoramic view of the entire Ziro Valley will be seen from a hot air balloon. Also, at 1000 INR, the cost of the ride was reasonable. Give it a go if you have the chance.
Find out more about Apatani culture.
In Ziro, learn about the Apatani Tribe, who live in Apatani Village, Asia’s second-largest village. The Apatani tribe is famous for its unique culture and ecological practices. They demonstrate to the rest of the world that by adhering to their traditional beliefs and rituals, man and the environment can coexist together. Their unique handloom designs, cane, and bamboo crafts are very well-known.
The women wearing big nose rings and big dark face tattoos that cover their forehead, nose, and chin will also fascinate you.
Enjoy a Short Hike
If you enjoy hiking or trekking, Ziro is a must-see destination. There are numerous fantastic trails here that can easily be completed in a half or full-day. Hiking along a pathway in the forest with pine trees all around you and fresh air is an unforgettable experience. You can say that Ziro Valley is also a perfect destination for all the people who love adventure.
If possible, then would recommend to definitely go for hiking. I’m you will love it. Aside from this, rafting on the Kameng River is an interesting activities.
Places to Visit
Apart from things to do, you can visit some of the places in Ziro. There are numerous places to visit in Ziro, but here are a handful that are must-sees.
Meghna Cave Temple
The Meghna Cave Temple is a must-see attraction in Ziro Valley. It is dedicated to Lord Lakulisha, the 28th manifestation of Lord Shiva, and contains intricate carvings of Sanskrit literature as well as spectacular and impressive architecture. This tourist attraction is an old cave temple that dates back more than 5000 years and was found in 1962.
This is without a doubt the best place to go, with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, dense evergreen forests, and swiftly flowing rivers.
Talley Valley Wildlife Sanctuary
Talley Valley is a prominent wildlife reserve in Arunachal Pradesh, covering 337 sq km. It is situated at a high elevation and is surrounded by rivers such as the Pange, Sipu, Karing, and Subansiri. Talley Valley is 32 kms to the east of Ziro Valley. Silver fir trees, ferns, orchids, bamboo, and rhododendron can all be found in the subtropical and alpine forests.
One of its kind of bamboo, Pleioblastus simone, can only be found in Talley Valley. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to witness clouded leopards. Aside from that, the location is ideal for trekking.
Tipi Orchid Research Centre
The Tipi Orchid Research Centre is a popular tourist site in the district since it holds a great variety of orchid species. It consists of an orchidarium, tissue culture lab, museum, herbarium, garden, and office buildings spread across ten hectares of land. The orchid glasshouse, which features a display gallery, a central pond with a fountain, and around 1000 varieties of orchids in pots and hanging baskets, is one of the centre’s main attractions.
Between October and February, at the daytime when Ziro Valley temperature is as low as 20 degrees Celsius, is the best time to visit Tipi.
Kile Pakho
Kile Pakho, located in the Ziro Valley, is a ridge that offers amazing views of the contrasting landscapes. The gorgeous Ziro Plateau is on one side, while the magnificent snow-capped Himalayan Mountains are on the other. Because trekking is the only method to see Ziro’s gorgeous location, one must also trek to the peak. Indulge in plenty of trekking trips and take in the panoramic vistas. Here, photography is something that can be enjoyed the most.
The months of February and April are the best months to visit this destination. During this time, the sky remains clear, and the best views are available.
Tarin Fish Farm
The Apatani tribes live in the Bulla town, which includes Tarin Fish Farms. The best part about this site is that you can see how the Apatanis tribes raise two rice crops (Mipya and Emoh) and a fish breed (Ngihi) together. The farm was established in 1985-86 under the NEC and covers a total area of 7.4 hectares. Tarin Fish Farm is around 3.5 kilometers from Hapoli and only accessible by trekking.
The best time to visit the Tarin Fish Farm is during the spring season (February and March).
Apart from the above tourist places you can also visit Midey, Ziro Puto, Dolo Mando, Hapoli, Dilopolyang Maniipolyang, Pine Grove and Bamboo Grove.
FAQ’s
1. What is Ziro famous for?
Rice fields, pine trees, Apong, and the Ziro Festival of Music are all well-known. Its major attractions in the summer is the cool temperature and the Apatani tribe who lives in Ziro.
2. Is Ziro Valley worth visiting?
Yes, Ziro Valley is worth visiting because it is more than simply a place; it is a heaven for nature lovers, adventure seekers, and music lovers.
3. What is the best time to visit Ziro Valley?
You are welcome to come at any time of the year. However, if you want to witness the most exciting outdoor music festival, the Ziro Festival of Music, which takes place in September, is the best time to go.
4. Does Ziro have snow?
In the months of October and November, it does snow in Ziro.
5. Why is Ziro Festival of Music celebrated?
The Ziro Music Festival is an outdoor music festival in India that encourages the performance of independent musicians. This festival brings together India’s most outstanding musical artists as well as a broad audience to see them perform.
6. What happens in the Ziro Festival?
A festival that brings together some of India’s top musical artists to perform for a varied audience looking for unique, cool music. Ziro Festival is now a “go to” destination for all music enthusiasts who want to get high on music, especially from its dynamic combination of art, music, and culture.
7. In which state the annual festival of music take place?
The annual music festival is held in Ziro Valley, Arunachal Pradesh. It’s a music festival held in the outdoors.