Ziro Festival of Music: Everything you need to know

Where to stay, what to eat and how to make the most of this beautiful festival of music
ZiroLead
Ziro Festival of Music. Photo: Ziro festival

After two long years, the Ziro Festival of Music—one of the coolest music festivals in the country—is back. From 29 September to 2 October, the scenic Ziro valley will come alive with musical artists from across India and attendees swaying to their tunes. Whether you’ve already booked your tickets or are planning to, here’s a guide to the festival and everything you need to know about it.

Why Ziro?

Ziro valley is the perfect place to connect with nature, revive the body, mind and soul, and feel alive. Spiel aside, though, it really is one of the most beautiful valleys in the country, with layered rice fields and impossibly blue skies, surrounded by a ring of deep green forests and the towering jagged Eastern Himalayan range in the distance. And hey, in the middle of all of this is one of the nicest music festivals in India. Ziro Festival of Music is also one of the few eco-friendly music festivals in the country—the infrastructure and stages are built almost entirely of locally sourced bamboo and the hosts are none other than members of the local Apatani tribe, who are known for their utmost respect for nature.

What is the festival all about?

The four-day Ziro Music festival from 29 September to 2 October 2022 that is set in the middle of this picturesque valley, began in 2012 and really should be considered as a template for outdoor music festivals in India. There is amazing music from across the country, cultural events from the region, yummy food and tons of other outdoor activities, including yoga and meditation sessions, dance workshops and more. This year, there will be an indigenous music workshop by a member of the local Apatani tribe and a mocktail workshop by ace mixologist and bartender from Sidecar in Delhi, Yangdup Lama. Under the Ziro Literary Festival—running simultaneously—you can also enjoy workshops on creative writing, filmmaking, poetry and storytelling.

What type of music do they have? Is it for everyone?

The music festival has two stages with over 40 bands and music acts performing. Expect everything from folk and classical to electronica, pop, jazz, rock, rap and blues. The festival will feature bands from across India, but there is an emphasis on bands from the region. If you’re attending Ziro, it’s best to be open to discovering new music and indie artists you may never have heard of before. This year, the lineup includes Shillong collective Da Minot whose music is inspired by Khasi music, Dr Declan Oppenheimer’s Polyphonic Experience—a four-piece band from Assam known for their mellow tunes, and David Angu and the Tribe, an Itanagar folk and rock blend band that reimagines folk songs from the Tani tribe. From across India, performers include Kochi rock band Motherjane, Pune-based Easy Wanderlings, Rabbi Shergill from Delhi and Rehman-e-Nusrat from Uttarakhand—there’s also a performance by 90s-star-turned-Instagram-sensation Baba Sehgal.

A concert at Ziro Festival of Music

The performances will take place across two stages—the Danyi Stage (folk, classical, jazz and singer-songwriters) and the Pwlo stage (independent rock and pop). The former is a great spot to enjoy the music while lying on picnic blankets in the grass. The festival ground is where you can regroup with your gang and enjoy nibbles from the many food stalls.

What else can I do when I’m in Ziro?

The beautiful Ziro valley is the perfect place to spend quality time with friends—both old and new, read a book with a bamboo mug of rice beer and take in the scenic surroundings. Performances usually begin at or after 1pm so mornings are completely free. Worry not, there’s a lot to see in and around Ziro. Visit the famous Talley Valley Wildlife Sanctuary to experience the incredible biodiversity of the Ziro Valley. Given the hilly terrain, there are several trekking and biking trails in the region. Dolo Mando is one of the most famous viewpoints in Ziro and offers sprawling views of Hapoli town and the old Ziro settlement. Other great viewpoints to trek to are Ziro Puto and Kile Pakho Ridge, where you can enjoy views of the Ziro Plateau and the snow-capped Himalayas. Visit the Tarin Fish Farm to learn about the various rice varieties grown in the vast paddy fields, and, if you’re craving something exciting, head to Himalayan Heritage Park for its botanical garden and amusement park. You can also always enquire about activities in the region at information booths on the festival grounds.

Are cameras allowed in the festival and other areas?

Yes, cameras are allowed in the festival, and while there are a few poles with charging options, it is advisable to carry a portable charger or battery pack. Professional recording devices and drones are strictly prohibited.

A music gig at a past edition Ziro Festival of Music

Photo: Instagram/@zirofestival

What do I need to know about the local Apatani tribe?

Arunachal Pradesh has over 26 major tribes and 100 sub-tribes, and the Ziro Valley is home to the Apatani tribe. The tribe is known for its vibrant festivals and skilled bamboo work. Their facial tattoos are among their best-known features. Legend has it that the women of the tribe were so beautiful that people from neighbouring tribes would kidnap them. The tattoos on women’s faces were meant to make them less appealing.

The festival is hosted by members of the Apatani tribe, who are warm and welcoming towards attendees. There are many Apatani villages near the festival grounds where you can walk to and learn more about the old tribe and their customs. Be respectful of their customs and culture. If you plan to take photographs, it is better to ask first, as many—especially the women—are very sensitive about their facial tattoos.

Is it safe?

Yes, Ziro is an incredibly safe place. The valley and main town of Hapoli is small and intimate, and the people are friendly and helpful. It is very safe to walk around the town and valley or cycle about by yourself.

What will the weather be like in Ziro valley?

The temperature is usually in the early 20s at this time of the year, though the nights can get a bit colder, especially if it rains. Carry a light jacket or sweater if you get cold easily.

Where can I stay?

There are three campsites available at the Ziro Festival of Music, organised by Kite Manja, Stay High Adventures and Camp Zingaros. Each campsite has worked with ZFM for several years, so you can trust them to provide comfortable facilities. Each campsite comes with its own advantages. Kite Manja offers dome and alpine tents, with jam sessions and bonfires even after the festival is over. Stay High Adventures offers camping packages that include travel from Guwahati to Ziro and back, while Camp Zingaros provides concrete toilets and showers in the woods, with tents on higher ground to avoid muddy grounds after it rains. Many of the campsites also allow a BYOT—bring your own tent—option.

If you prefer to not camp, Hapoli town has a couple of budget hotels and lodges such as the Blue Pine Hotel (book here) and the Siiro Resort (book here)(not to be confused with the Ziro Valley Resort, which is located right by the festival grounds). This is usually taken over by the organisers for the bands and so it is better to look at other options. A good alternative is a homestay in one of the many smaller villages around Ziro.

What should I pack?

While the weather is great, there is a slight chance of rain at this time of the year. Almost every edition of Ziro has seen some rainfall and it is best to be prepared. If it rains, the festival venue can get really slushy, so definitely carry some rain gear, including gumboots, a poncho or raincoat, and a couple of pieces of warm clothing for the evening. But if you are packing light, the market in Hapoli does a brisk sale for rainwear.

If you are camping on the festival grounds, carry sleeping bags and any gear you are partial towards. If you book a tent on the festival campground, the organisers send you a list of things you need to bring and what they will provide. You can also bring your own tent, in which case you need to carry all your gear. Carry a few essential items such as a torch or headlamp, toilet paper, hiking boots if you fancy a few hikes, mosquito repellent, a good book for those off-music hours, and any regular meds you may require.

What are my food options at the festival?

There’s something for everyone at the festival. You can expect several local delicacies, including local preparations of pork, fish, chicken and prawns, ramen, roast vegetables and beverages like millet wine, fruit wine and apong (rice beer)—a local favourite. If you would rather stick to tried and tested food, there will also be burgers, thalis, noodles, thukpa and more on offer. Outside alcohol is not allowed in the festival, but everything is pretty reasonable, so you don't need to carry stuff in.

Expect yummy local food, including silkworms and banana-leaf-steamed chicken.

Photo: Hoshner Reporter

What are some meals I should not miss in Arunachal Pradesh?

Apong is one of the region's most famous beverages and is a must-try while you’re there. Try the many preparations of bamboo shoots—pickles like pika pila, chutneys, bamboo chicken and more. Smoked meats and rice are a common delicacy in the region. Try the chura sabji—a kind of soup made with fermented cheese, yak or cow’s milk and spicy bhut jolokia chillies—and lukter, a spicy dried beef preparation. And steaming hot delicious momos abound at street shops across the region.

I’m a vegetarian. Will there be enough options for me to eat?

The stalls at the festival will offer a mix of vegetarian and non-vegetarian food, so you will have plenty of options to choose from. There will be salads, vegetarian thalis and burgers as well as local delicacies.

What mode of payment is most common there?

This year, the festival is going completely cashless. All payments on the site will be done online. If you’re exploring the region beyond the festival grounds, keep cash handy—it’s the most common mode of payment there. There are several ATMs available at the festival grounds.

What's connectivity like?

While all network providers are available in the region, internet connectivity is limited in some areas—so if you plan to work on your trip, carry your own dongle.

Ok, I'm sold. How do I get there?

Excellent! Getting to Ziro is an adventure and part of the overall journey. One option is to fly to Guwahati, which has flights from most major Indian cities. From Guwahati, take the overnight Intercity Express, which arrives at 5am, to Naharlagun station. From there, take a bus or taxi to Ziro. This is a 4–5hr journey. It sounds long and arduous but is completely worth the effort. Alternatively, a simpler option could be to take a flight to the Jorhat or Lilabari airport which are significantly closer to Ziro and then take a shared cab to the venue. You could also take a night bus from Guwahati to Ziro. The bus, operated by the Arunachal Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation runs four days a week. One could also travel to North Lakhimpur or Itanagar and take a taxi to Ziro from there.

Campsites offer packages that include travel to and from Ziro and you can even get in touch with fellow festival goers to travel in a bigger group.

Ziro Valley

Photo: Instagram/@zirofestival

Do I need an Inner Line Permit?

Arunachal Pradesh is a protected state, and everyone—including Indians—need a permit to enter the state. This is not a complicated process, so don't sweat it. You simply need to fill out the required form (available here) and get it verified at a Processing Office close to you. The document then needs to be presented to authorities when you enter the state (in Naharlagun). Keep it with you at all times till you leave. Foreign nationals can find more information on the process for permits here.

As I'm going all the way to Arunachal, what else can I do?

There is plenty to do in the state as well as other parts of the region, depending on the amount of time you have. Assuming you have 4–5 extra days after the concert, you could visit the western region of Arunachal and go up to Tawang, which has the second largest Buddhist monastery in the world, and Bum La, which shares the border with China. Alternatively, you could go down to Shillong, which is an hour's drive from Guwahati, for more great music or visit Cherrapunji's incredible living root bridges.

Anything else I need to know?

The festival does not allow any single-use plastic, so carry your own water bottle and you can refill it at water stations on the festival grounds. Respect the pristine surroundings—littering is strictly prohibited. You're all set for the one of the most beautiful places in India and the fun Ziro Festival of Music. Just book those tickets for this year and make some amazing memories.

All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.