Every year in late September, one of India’s most exciting music festivals happens in a place most people have never been. Ziro Valley in Arunachal Pradesh sits at 1,500 metres, surrounded by pine forests and terraced paddy fields. For four days, bamboo stages host indie, folk, rock, and electronic acts from across India and the world. Here is everything you need to plan the trip properly.
About the Ziro Festival of Music
Founded in 2012 by Bobby Zune and Anup Kutty, the Ziro Festival of Music is India’s largest non-pilgrimage tourist event in the northeast. Three bamboo stages set in Ziro’s paddy fields host over 40 independent acts across four days. Past performers include Prateek Kuhad, Lucky Ali, Soulmate, Nubya Garcia, Lee Ranaldo, and Lou Majaw. The festival is hosted and staffed by the indigenous Apatani community, built almost entirely from locally sourced bamboo, and runs on a genuine eco-friendly mandate. It takes place annually in the last week of September.
Permits: Sort these before anything else
Arunachal Pradesh is a restricted state. No documentation means no entry, festival or otherwise.
Inner Line Permit for Indian Citizens
The Inner Line Permit (ILP) can be applied for online or obtained from an Arunachal Bhawan office located in either Delhi, Guwahati or Kolkata. The ILP is only valid for 30 days and cannot be renewed. You should apply at least two weeks before you travel to Ziro and bring a printed copy of the ILP with you when entering Ziro.
Protected Area Permit for Foreign Nationals
In order to get a Protected Area Permit (PAP) as a foreign citizen, you are required to book through a travel agent (who must be registered with the State of Arunachal Pradesh), and you cannot book it directly. You should apply at least one month before you travel to the Ziro Festival. Write to [email protected] if you need instructions on how to obtain your PAP.
Getting to Ziro
Ziro has no direct rail or air connection. The journey is a two-leg trip from any starting point in India.
By air: Guwahati or Lilabari
Fly into Guwahati and take a drive to Itanagar via National Highway 27. Limited flights operate into Lilabari Airport (IXI) from Guwahati/Kolkata four days of the week. Once in Itanagar, tourists can take a shared jeep or taxi to travel to Ziro.
By rail: Naharlagun
The closest rail line serving Naharlagun is the Arunachal Express, which connects to Delhi. Shared jeeps are available to travel to Ziro over a three-hour trip on mountain roads. The Shatabdi Express from Guwahati runs to Naharlagun three times a week.
Festival tickets
Tickets are available exclusively through authorised partners. A four-day pass is the best option for anyone travelling specifically for the festival. Single-day passes are available at varying price points. Book your hotels in Ziro the moment you secure your tickets.
Where to stay in Ziro
Accommodation in Ziro is genuinely limited. Book the moment festival dates are announced.
Homestays in the Apatani villages
These are considered the most rewarding options in Ziro. Local Apatani families offer well-furnished rooms and vegetarian meals, including bamboo shoot curry and pila petta. Book through festival organisers or local contacts as these fill within days of the announcement.
Festival camping packages by WanderOn
Camping packages are also available, comprising tents, bedding, shared bathrooms, local meals, and ground transfers. Camping places you closest to the stages and is the most practical option available.
Hotel Blue Pine and Hotel Dree Holiday
Both are among the most consistently reviewed properties in Ziro town near Hapoli market. Comfortable rooms, hot water, and in-house dining options make reliable choices for travellers seeking a fixed base over camping.
Weather in Ziro during the festival
Late September marks the end of the monsoon season. Temperatures are generally cooler, which is comfortable for outdoor music. Evenings drop further after sunset. However, early planning is important because of occasional rain.
What to pack for Ziro
It is important to plan and pack with precaution. The weather, the terrain, and the limited facilities on the ground all require specific preparation.
For the weather and terrain:
- Waterproof raincoat and gumboots
- Fleece or a light down jacket for evenings
- Dry bag for cameras, phones, and electronics
For the days at the festival:
- Comfortable neutral clothing in breathable fabrics
- Wide-brimmed hat and high SPF sunscreen for the open paddy field stages
Practical essentials:
- Portable power bank as charging points are limited on the grounds
- Sufficient cash, since ATMs in Ziro may be unreliable during the festival week
- Hapoli market also stocks basic rain gear for emergencies
Food and culture at the festival
The festival grounds serve Apatani food alongside more familiar options at multiple stalls. Make sure to try bamboo shoot curry and local rice dishes wherever possible. The Apatani tribe runs workshops on traditional arts, crafts, and the indigenous elu flute made from paddy straw.
Conclusion
Four days of independent music in one of India’s most beautiful valleys is a genuinely rare thing. Get permits sorted early and remember to book accommodation promptly for an exciting experience.