Arunachal Pradesh, North East
Ziro Valley – A walk back into time
The Quaint Ziro Valley
The Ziro Valley, covered by the verdure of pine and bamboo, is as scenic as a postcard. Standing beneath the watery blue sky and breathing in a lungful of fresh mountain air does something for my soul.
The destination more than makes up for the unexpectedly long journey from Itanagar. Theoretically 4 hours away from the capital city, the actual journey can take almost twice as much time, depending on the roads and weather conditions. After an unsparing passage through the winding roads of the state, with incessant rain for company, I almost overlook the sights as I rush to grab a cup of tea inside my homestay.
But when I do look up and embrace the sight that Ziro valley presents, I am struck by its virgin beauty.
Layers of rice fields form an amphitheatre that crown over the flowing river. Tiny villages dot the ambit and I am overcome by an urge to hike to a hilltop and spend the day lying under the azure sky. It is no wonder that the town has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The terraced rice fields
It is impossible to talk about the Ziro Valley without mentioning the people that make it up. Ziro Valley is home to the Apatani tribe who live in harmony with nature, practicing age-old traditions. Most tribes in Arunachal have distinguishing features such as headgears, jewellery or markings on their body.
However, Apatani women stand apart due to their distinctly plugged noses and tattooed faces. This practice was started to discourage other tribes from stealing them away because these women were said to be so beautiful!
Apatani women
The town of Hapoli, known locally as Hao-Polyang, has a busy small-town life with small markets and a couple of banks. Local delicacies include adventurous items like mithun and rat meat. If you’re not up for the exotic, try the bamboo chicken or the luscious momos. The couple running the homestay I stayed at served me some mouth-watering local food, all fresh from their garden or the local market.
The delectable local food
Walking through the Apatani villages is like a walk back in time. The houses sit on low stilts and it is common to see young children running about outside their houses, or a group of women huddled together sipping on the local brew. The people work in tandem with nature on their paddy fields, without new age machinery of any kind. They have settled in the Ziro Valley for years and co-exist peacefully with its ecosystem.
The Apatani homes stand on stilts
Despite being largely sequestered from the rest of the country, Ziro Valley has been gaining popularity not just for its stunning vistas, but also for the Ziro Music Festival. Held every year in September, this festival draws music lovers in throngs. The festival is an eclectic mix of Indian and international music, for both rock as well as folk music lovers. Tourists camp on the green hillsides and it is a time for laughter and friendship. Perched atop one of the rolling green hills, with the pleasant breeze in your hair and the warm sun on your face, mingling with new people while sipping on rice beer, this is an experience that must be undertaken. Rarely will one find views as stunning in a music festival like this.
The Ziro Music Festival is one of its kind in the country
While there are some famous temples and even the Talley Valley Wildlife Sanctuary close by, what truly stands out about Ziro Valley are the astounding views of unspoiled nature. Go here for a walk back into time, the thrill of waking up to lush greenery and singing birds and the warmth of its people. I went to Ziro Valley with little expectation and came back with big memories.
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Absolute Networks, Mumbai
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Friends from SriLanka
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Clifford Chance, Delhi
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KPMG, Bangalore
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Great to see the know-how of the Unwind Outdoor team regarding every aspect of the Srinagar - Leh - Chandigarh self drive trip. From weather conditions, to road conditions, to health/clothing requirements, and also driving instructions - Sunil and Manpreet are warm, meticulous and knowledgable. Villa Himalaya in Sonamarg surpassed all our expectations and ensured that our expected standards for the rest of the trip were extremely high.
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Symbiosis Law School, Mumbai
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Singapore
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Assistant Director, Jurong Town Corporation, Singapore
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We travelled as a couple & completed a self drive trip from Delhi-Jammu-Srinagar-Kargil-Leh-Nubra-Pangong-Tso Moriri-Sarchu-Manali-Delhi. Itinerary was meticulously designed to be a mix of adventure and comfort. Hotel choices were best. Support was available at all points in case of emergency.Vehicle provided was top notch. Thanks to Mr. Sunil Kapoor for personally putting in efforts to maintain such high standards.
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Barclays Bank, Bangalore
