There are no amusement parks, no flashy resorts, but what Ziro does have is depth: in its culture, in its landscapes, in its pace of life.
So if you’re heading to Ziro, especially during or around the Ziro Festival of Music, here’s a list of authentic, soul-filling things to do while you’re there.
Things to Do in Ziro Valley
1. Walk Through Apatani Villages
The Apatani people are the heart of Ziro. Their villages like Hong, Hari, and Hijo aren’t “tourist spots.” They’re living, breathing communities where:
- Bamboo stilt houses line narrow walking paths
- Facial tattoos and nose plugs still carry cultural meaning
- Sustainable farming isn't marketed, it's practiced
Wandering through these villages offers more than photo ops, it offers perspective.
Pro tip: Be respectful, ask before taking photos, and don’t be surprised if you get invited in for apong.
2. Soak in the Ziro Festival of Music (If You Time it Right)
If you’re planning to visit in September, don’t miss the Ziro Festival of Music, India’s most chill indie music fest.
Set in the open meadows, surrounded by pine trees, with bamboo stages and soulful tunes, this is Coachella’s grounded, barefoot cousin.
Expect:
- Indie, folk, and fusion acts from across India (and sometimes beyond)
- Local food, fire pits, and lots of dancing under the stars
- No VIP zones, no chaos, just good vibes
We’ve got exclusive ZFM 2025 packages that include passes, transport, and stay, so you won’t have to scramble for anything.
3. Trek to Dolo Mando for Sunrise
Ziro’s beauty isn’t loud, but it’s consistent. Misty mornings, golden rice fields, cloud-shifting skies, and pine-scented air, it’s the kind of place where “doing nothing” still feels like a full day.
You can:
- Take a sunrise walk to Dolo Mando hill for panoramic valley views
- Sit beside rice paddies and just listen to the wind
- Trek short forest trails that lead nowhere, but feel like something
Pro tip: Wear good shoes, it can get a little slippery post-monsoon.
4. Explore Talley Valley Wildlife Sanctuary
If nature is your happy place, head a bit off-route to Talley Valley Wildlife Sanctuary. It's not crowded or commercial. It's wild, dense, and full of flora you probably can’t pronounce (but will absolutely want to photograph).
Keep an eye out for orchids, birds, and maybe even a barking deer if you're lucky.
5. Eat the Food, The Real Food
Ziro’s cuisine isn’t fancy, it’s real. Meals here come with smoky flavors, bamboo ingredients, and an “I grew this myself” kind of pride.
Try:
- Pork with bamboo shoot
- Fish wrapped in leaves and cooked over fire
- Fermented chutneys that pack a punch
- Apong, the local rice beer made with love and firewood
The best meals aren’t in cafés, they’re in homes, cooked by people who don’t follow recipes, just instinct.
6. Try a Little Something Different
There are a few experiences in Ziro that aren’t exactly on every blog list, but they’re absolutely worth doing:
- Fishing in the paddy fields like the locals do
- Visiting a family-run winery to taste traditional fruit and rice wines
- Taking a guided walk through tribal settlements for deeper stories
- Spending a full day sightseeing across lesser-known parts of the valley
These aren’t staged “activities,” they’re windows into Ziro’s everyday magic. Also, everywhere here is ridiculously photogenic. You’re welcome, Instagram.
Want to Experience All of This Without the Stress?
Ziro is offbeat, and that’s its charm, but it also means limited infrastructure, complex routes, permits, and a lot of moving parts if you’re planning everything solo.
That’s where we come in.
We’ve been organizing trips to Ziro since the very beginning of the festival, and our team knows every back road, every homestay owner, and every shortcut the internet won’t tell you about.
Travel with Us and Unlock the Real Ziro
When you book one of our Ziro Valley travel packages, you don’t just get transport and accommodation, you get:
- Pick-up & drop from Guwahati, Holongi, or Naharlagun
- ILP assistance (so you don’t get stuck at the permit gate)
- Authentic local stays, whether in villages or camps
- Optional add-ons like sightseeing tours, village walks, winery visits & more
- Full support before, during, and after your trip
Planning to Visit for ZFM? Add These Post-Festival Tours
After the music fades and your tent’s packed, don’t rush home just yet. Extend the magic with our Post-ZFM 6N/7D tours to some of Northeast’s most spectacular destinations:
- Tawang (6N/7D) – For high-altitude monasteries, snow-kissed peaks, and road trip goals
- Anini (6N/7D) – For absolute remoteness and mountain serenity
These can be added right when you book your camping package.
Experience A Smoother, Better Ziro With Us
Ziro doesn’t need you to “do” a hundred things. It just asks you to be present. But when you do want to explore, really explore, having someone who knows the place makes all the difference.
Whether you’re chasing music, quiet, culture, or a little bit of all three, we’re here to make your Ziro trip as smooth as the apong you'll be sipping under the stars.
