Ziro Valley

Photos

Photos from Wikimedia Commons. Select a photo for its author and licence.

Best time to go

Sights and activities

Getting there

By bus

Arunachal state transport (APSTS) buses run from Itanagar to Ziro, reported as twice daily, for about Rs 100 to 200. Shared Tata Sumo taxis run from Naharlagun and North Lakhimpur. A night bus is reported from Guwahati, and a private taxi from Guwahati takes most of a day.

By train

Ziro has no railway station. The nearest is Naharlagun, near Itanagar, about 89 to 100 km away (about 4 hours by road). North Lakhimpur in Assam is about 112 to 117 km away. Overnight trains run from Guwahati to Naharlagun in about 8 hours.

By air

Ziro has no airport. Lilabari (North Lakhimpur) is about 123 km away and Jorhat is about 98 to 188 km away depending on the source. Itanagar's airport is also nearby. Most visitors fly into Guwahati and continue by road or rail.

Where to base yourself

Stay in Hapoli town for hotels and the market, or in a homestay in Apatani villages such as Hong, Hari or Siiro for village life.

Getting around

• Shared Tata Sumo taxis are the main way around; They leave the Hapoli market stand when full and mostly stop around sunset. Fares are fixed and low
• A taxi hired for the day is the easiest way to cover the villages, Kile Pakho and Talley Valley; agree the price before setting off.
• Auto-rickshaws serve short trips around Hapoli.

Often combined with

Places people usually visit on the same trip, and how long it takes to get between them.

• Majuli: Road via North Lakhimpur, about 6 to 7 hours. See the Guwahati, Tawang, Kaziranga, Majuli and Ziro trip

Where to stay

Food

Hapoli has small eateries and stalls serving momos, noodles and rice meals. Homestays usually cook for guests. One travel site advises eating at hotel or resort kitchens rather than street stalls.

Try these

• Momo (steamed dumplings)
• Thukpa (noodle soup)
• Rice platter (rice with local side dishes)
• Apong (local rice beer)

Local cooking leans heavily on meat and fish, so vegetarians should tell their homestay in advance.

Daily costs

Per day. Travel to and from your city is added in the planner above.

Permits and documents

Indian citizens who are not from Arunachal Pradesh need an Inner Line Permit (ILP). Apply online at eilp.arunachal.gov.in; a tourist eILP covers stays of up to 14 days and children under 14 do not need their own if travelling with an adult. ILPs are also issued at Arunachal government offices in Guwahati, Kolkata, Delhi and elsewhere, and at facilitation centres such as Naharlagun railway station and Itanagar airport. Foreign nationals need a Protected Area Permit (PAP).

Safety

By day

Generally calm. Finish outdoor trips by about 4 pm, as it gets dark early in this part of India.

At night

Little transport runs after sunset; plan to be back at your stay before dark.

Solo women

Staying with a registered homestay family is a sensible choice.

Roads

Hill roads from the plains are narrow and winding; in the monsoon they turn slippery and landslides can close them for a time.

Emergency numbers

112 (all emergencies), Deputy Commissioner office, Ziro: +91-3788-224255

Practical

Mobile network

BSNL usually gives the best coverage; other networks can be weak, especially in the villages. Download offline maps.

ATMs and cash

There are ATMs in Hapoli, but they often run out of cash or lose connection. Carry enough cash, as most homestays and shops do not take cards.

Fuel

Fill up in Itanagar or North Lakhimpur before the climb.

Medical

Ziro has general medical services, chemists, doctors and ambulances. For serious care, Itanagar or Guwahati is the nearest larger centre.

Coverage maps: Jio · Airtel · Vi · BSNL. Report a problem

Accessibility

Seniors

The valley floor is fairly flat, so village walks are manageable, but the long winding road trip and cold nights can be tiring.

Children

Suitable; children under 14 do not need their own ILP if with an adult. Pack warm clothes.

Wheelchair users

Difficult. Village paths, hill viewpoints and most homestays are not built for wheelchairs.

Unless a sight is described as accessible, assume it is not step-free.

Culture and responsible travel

• Ziro is the home of the Apatani tribe, known for wet-rice farming with fish in the paddies, cane and bamboo craft, handloom weaving and village councils.
• Older Apatani women may have facial tattoos and nose plugs, a custom stopped in the 1970s. Ask before taking anyone's photo.
• Festivals include Myoko (mid-March), which marks friendship between villages, and Dree (July), held for a good harvest.
• Buy local bamboo items and Apatani handloom, for example at the District Industries Centre in Hapoli.
• Stay on paths at the edges of paddy fields and do not leave litter; the music festival itself promotes low-waste practice.

What to pack

• Photo ID (Aadhaar, passport or driving licence); hotels and permits ask for it
• Printed copies of your permit, with a few passport-size photos
• Proper winter wear: a heavy jacket, thermals, gloves and a cap
• Walking shoes with a good grip, a small daypack and a refillable water bottle
• Clothes in earthy colours, a cap and binoculars for safaris
• Some cash in small notes for autos, stalls and tips
• Your regular medicines, plus basics for stomach upsets, headaches and cuts

Multi-stop trips that include Ziro Valley

• Guwahati, Tawang, Kaziranga, Majuli and Ziro, 12 nights