Ziro Valley
The high valley of the Apatani people, where rice fields double as fish farms and the silence is the friendliest you’ll find.
A valley of paddy fields, pine hills and a music festival your parents have never heard of.
Ziro is a wide green bowl in the hills of Arunachal, home to the Apatani people and their ingenious paddy-cum-fish farms. Bamboo houses, pine-covered ridges and a pace of life that makes you wonder what the rush was all about. Time it for late September and you’ll catch the Ziro Festival of Music, too.
- You want somewhere almost nobody you know has been
- You’re curious about how other people live, not just where they live
- Indie music and bonfires sound like a very good evening
A sneak peek
Day by day
Every day has built-in rest. Timings bend for weather and moods; sunsets don’t.
- Day 01
Arrive in Itanagar
Pick-up from Donyi Polo airport. A gentle afternoon, a visit to Ita Fort and a welcome dinner while we sort your permits.
- Day 02
Into the valley
About four hours of forest roads up to Ziro. In the afternoon, a walk through Hong, one of the largest Apatani villages.
- Day 03
Apatani life
Walk the paddy-cum-fish fields of Hari and Hija villages with a local host, learn how the system has worked for generations, and taste apong, the local rice beer.
- Day 04
Pine ridges and the forest shrine
A ridge walk through pine forest to valley viewpoints, and a visit to the forest shrine on Kardo hill. Afternoon free to do gloriously little.
- Day 05
Bamboo, food and a bonfire
A bamboo-craft session with local artisans, a cooking class (bamboo shoot features heavily) and a farewell bonfire with local music.
- Day 06
Departure
Drive back to Itanagar for your flight.
Your Field Guide, previewed.
A taste of what’s printed in your pocket Field Guide. The full edition comes with route maps, local phrases and your trip lead’s number.
Getting there
Fly into Donyi Polo Airport, Itanagar (or Lilabari in North Lakhimpur, Assam). Ziro is about four hours away by road.
When to go
March to October is mild (15–28°C). Late September is festival season. Winter nights get close to freezing.
Pack this
- Warm layers for evenings
- A rain jacket
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Cash — ATMs are limited
- A reusable cup for apong
Eat this
- Pike pila (bamboo-shoot pickle)
- Smoked pork
- Sticky rice
- Apong (rice beer)
- Anything with local millet
Know this
- Indian citizens need an Inner Line Permit — we apply for you; just send ID
- Always ask before photographing people, especially elders
- Homestays are family homes: be a good guest
- Network is decent in Ziro town, patchy elsewhere
Included
- 5 nights in a hotel and family homestays
- All meals in Ziro
- Inner Line Permit processing
- Private vehicle throughout
- Local Apatani hosts + your Pravaa trip lead
- Your printed Pravaa Field Guide
Not included
- Flights to and from Itanagar
- Festival tickets (if travelling in September)
- Personal expenses
- Anything not listed as included
Your trip lead
A Pravaa trip lead travels with the group from pick-up to drop: local, unflappable, and suspiciously good at finding the best chai on the route.
Want this one? Send us a postcard.
Tell us roughly when, and who’s coming. We’ll call back with dates, rooms and an honest answer to “will I manage the trek?”
