Administrative headquarter of the Lower Subansiri district of Arunachal Pradesh and perched at an elevation of 5500 ft. above sea level, Ziro is paradise for every nature enthusiast and adventure freak. The bewitching scenic beauty of this exotic hill hamlet dotted with terraced rice fields, lush bamboo forests and picturesque trails lined with tall blue & green pines, makes it one of the most photogenic valleys across India. Ziro is also known for its striking wildlife treasures; the ‘Talley Wildlife Sanctuary’ which is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the town serves home to the elusive clouded leopards and provides for an enthralling time to all the wildlife enthusiasts.
Besides an unmatched scenic and wildlife grandeur, the serene little town of Ziro is also famed for its unique tribal heritage which definitely makes it a must visit destination for sociologists and anthropologists; the “Apatanis”, as fondly referred to the people belonging to the oldest tribe of this North East Indian state have been inhabiting the region for past many centuries and are acknowledged worldwide especially for their women adorning massive nose rings and huge dark facial tattoos that cover their forehead, nose and chin. While this is just one fascinating aspect of the Apatani Tribe, what makes them even more interesting is their unusual religious, cultural and agri practices; their agro-farming methods that combine high altitude fish farming are considered to be amongst the most advanced and have grabbed quite an attention from the agro-fishing community world over.Their festivals, customs and traditions are also as distinctive as the tribe itself; animistic ceremonies, murung rituals, colourful dances and unending feasts are common amongst all celebrations and provide for an enchanting treat to all the travellers seeking an insight into varied offbeat cultures. The people of this tribe are very hospitable; do spend a day with them and experience their own ways of living and leading a happy and contented life. While Ziro Valley is one of the relatively unexplored regions of Arunachal, it is now gradually taking up as one of the best tourism places in the state.
The launch of the ‘Ziro Music Festival’ in 2012 has also greatly contributed in positioning this entrancing hill town on an avid traveller’s map. Numerous music lovers, top national & international music bands and folk artists from every corners of the world now travel here during this festival which is celebrated in September, and leave this beautiful place with some unforgettable memories not only of the vibrancy of the fest but, also of the warm hospitality, the delicious local food and off-course a hypnotic scenery that can leave anyone and everyone charmed for their entire lives.
In case one is looking for some travel instructions as to how to get to Ziro, be informed that the nearest airport lies in Tezpur in Assam and several domestic Indian Airlines and NEPC Airlines flights ply to/from this airport on regular basis. For those travelling by trains, must get down at the North Lakhimpur railway station which is the nearest railhead, again located in Assam. To travel further to Ziro, board a government bus or hire a taxi which will take a total of 4-5 hours depending on road and weather conditions. Not to explicitly mention, Arunachal being a restricted zone, all domestic tourists travelling here need to have an Inner Line Permit (ILP) and all foreigners are required to produce a Protected Area Pass (PAP). These permits can be well arranged from offices of Resident Commissioner located in all major cities across India like New Delhi, Kolkata and Guwahati. For those travelling on a tour package by Tour My India, need not worry about arranging these permits. We, apart from organizing for sightseeing tours, accommodations and other travel needs for our guests during their holidays with us, also take care of such additional requirements, which sometimes can prove to be great hassles for them.
For those seeking a consolidated travel guide on Ziro, are welcome to browse through the detailed sections below which provides an information on the town’s best things to do, ideal places to visit and top hotels to stay.
