Ziro is a small town located in the Lower Subansiri district in the northeastern Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. It's one of the oldest towns in the state and is situated on a plateau surrounded by pine-covered hills. Ziro is home to the Apatani tribe and is famous for its unique system of wet rice cultivation. The town is also renowned for its natural beauty, mild climate, and the annual Ziro Music Festival, which attracts musicians and tourists from around the world. The region has been proposed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its stunning landscapes and rich cultural history.
An often-preferred option by air is the Holongi/Itanagar airport in Arunachal Pradesh. This airport is roughly 100 kilometers (4 hr drive) away from Ziro but is served by only one airines from major cities across India. Lilabari airport is an option for some but this airport also has very low service. Dibrugarh (Assam) airport is a 5 hour drive from Ziro. Guwahati airport is a 9 hour drive from the venue. Please note that foreigners traveling to Arunachal Pradesh need a Protected Area Permit (PAP), and Indians need an Inner Line Permit (ILP), which you should arrange prior to your journey.
There is an overnight train from Guwahati to Naharlagun (Donyi Polo Express).
From Naharlagun, there are shared taxis to Ziro (3 hours away).
Ziro is usually a 3 hour drive from Naharlagun station, 4 hours from Holongi airport and about 3.5 hours from Lilabari airport. The roads, usually fine, can be bumpy depending on the weather and landslides are common during the rains so prepare accordingly. There are a few agencies that offer cars on hire listed below.
| No. | Fleet / Car Agency | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sahara Tour & Travels Naharlagun |
+91 93947 40565 +91 80766 05121 |
| 2 | Ziro Tour | +91 87319 61414 |
| 3 | Rakhe ponio |
+91 93627 27172 +91 70050 87144 |
| 4 | Hemen Kuwar | +91 70026 11716 |
| 5 | Manoj Das | +91 84149 43019 |
| 6 | Dreams Tour and travels | +91 87210 88214 |
| 7 | Bolin Borah | +91 87299 69048 |
| 8 | Hazarika Travels | +91 99547 51120 |
