A quaint little village, hidden in the lap of mountains, by the river Subansiri, Ziro has all that you need to refresh your body and mind. Drink and dine with the Apa Tani tribes, walk through the bamboo groves and trek through the pine hills.
Ziro is one of the oldest towns of Arunachal Pradesh. It is the home of the unique tribes called Apa Tanis who are known for their facial tattoos. Unlike other tribes, they engage in wet land farming. Their cuisine is a treat out of the ordinary, and their fermented drink made of rice water and served in bamboo stems is better than the world’s best beers.
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You can also visit the Talley Valley Wildlife Sanctuary. A rich biodiversity zone, this region has some of the best orchids, birds and coloured ferns. It will remind you of a scene from Avatar.
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The Meghna Cave Temple dates back to 5000 years ago. The temple offers a stunning view of the surrounding vista, and the panorama is one of the best you will witness in the world. Trekking over the Dolo Mando hill or the Ziro Puto hillock is also refreshing, and the climb is easy for any hiker.
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Shopping in the city centre, Hapoli is also a rare travel experience, as you move among the tribes and learn about their unique wares. You can fish with them among the groves at the Tarin Fish Farm.
A great time to visit Ziro is during the Music festival which draws crowds from around the world. It is hosted by the tribes, and began in 2012. It has now acquired a cult status, and a must on every music lover’s bucket list.
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You can reach Ziro by road via Tezpur or Guwahati. Both have airports, and require half a day’s journey to reach the idyllic tribal village.
