The Solung Festival Experience is a slow, community-based cultural journey in Pangin, located in Siang District of Arunachal Pradesh.
Centred around Solung, one of the most important festivals of the Adi community, this 5-night experience offers a grounded introduction to Adi village life, festival preparations, oral traditions, Ponung, local food, farming landscapes, rivers, weaving, and the wider cultural world of Siang.
Siang remains one of Arunachal Pradesh’s lesser-known regions for tourism. The landscape is shaped by the mighty Siang River, green mountains, farmlands, traditional Adi houses, forested slopes, and river valleys.
This is not a staged tourist event. It is a respectful cultural immersion shaped by the rhythm of the festival, local permissions, weather, and community decisions.
THE EXPERIENCE
An Immersive journey into the valley of Siang.
HOW YOU'LL EXPLORE
The Shape of Your Days
Each moment is rooted in the land, the rituals, and the community around you.
Solung Festival
Witness one of the most important festivals of the Adi people, centred around paddy, Mithun, rituals, Ponung, Abang, and community life.
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Ponung & Oral Traditions
Experience Ponung, the women-led ritual dance, and learn about Abang, the oral narratives recited by the Miri Abu (shaman)
Village Life & Homestay
Stay with local families in Pangin and experience everyday Adi hospitality, food, homes, and community spaces.
Farms, Food & Apong
Walk through farming landscapes, learn about seasonal crops and paddy, and taste local Adi food. Apong may be part of the cultural context.
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Rivers & Landscapes of Siang
Explore the river valleys, farmlands, green mountains, and the natural landscape shaped by the Siang River.
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Villages & Local Stories
Visit nearby villages such as Kebang Sole and Komsing, and understand the wider cultural and historical landscape of Siang.
THE LAND
About Siang and Pangin
Siang is one of Arunachal Pradesh’s lesser-known regions, shaped by the mighty Siang River, lush green mountains, farmlands, forested slopes, river valleys, and traditional Adi villages.
Pangin is located in Siang District and is known for its striking river landscape, including the confluence of the Siyom and Siang rivers. It is also an important cultural centre for the Adi community and the host location for this Solung Festival Experience.
ELEVATION
~1,821
DISTRICT
Siang
STATE
Arunachal Pradesh
THE COMMUNITY
About the Adis
The Adis are one of the major indigenous communities of Arunachal Pradesh, living across Siang, East Siang, Upper Siang, West Siang, Dibang Valley, and nearby regions.
Adi society has strong community systems, with the Kebang or village council playing an important role in village decisions, social matters, and cultural events. Farming, Mithun rearing, weaving, oral traditions, ritual practices, food, and community gatherings remain central to Adi life.
In Pangin, Solung is upheld with immense pride and collective participation. At a time when many age-old traditions are slowly fading, this experience offers a rare opportunity to witness how cultural memory continues to live through people, land, ritual, and community.
THE FESTIVAL
Solung Gidi
Solung is one of the most important agricultural and cultural festivals of the Adi people of Arunachal Pradesh. Celebrated after the sowing season, it is deeply connected with paddy, Mithun, prosperity, protection, harvest, and village well-being.
The name Solung is understood to be linked with Eso, meaning Mithun, and Lung or Alung, referring to a herd or group of Mithuns. This reflects the central place of Mithun in Adi ritual life, economy, identity, and community relations.
The festival dates are traditionally decided by the Kebang, or village council. Once announced, families begin preparing Kala Apong, food, and ritual materials.
A central part of Solung is Ponung, a women-led ritual dance, accompanied by Abang, oral narratives recited by the Miri Abu. These stories carry Adi memories of Mithun, paddy, origin, human struggle, ancestors, and the relationship between people, animals, nature, and the spiritual world.
Solung is more than a festival. It is a living expression of Adi identity, agricultural knowledge, oral tradition, spirituality, and the deep bond between people and nature.
PACKAGE COST
Be a part of the experience
5 NIGHTS / 6 DAYS
17th - 22nd August
Solung Festival Experience
This is a slow, community-based journey for travellers who want to experience Siang through its people, festival, food, farms, rivers, and everyday life. Expect simple homestays, local meals, village walks, festival gatherings, and a flexible itinerary shaped by the rhythm of Solung and the host community.
It is best suited for those interested in indigenous cultures, oral traditions, agriculture, local food, and lesser-known Himalayan landscapes, and who are comfortable travelling with respect, patience, and openness.
Shared
₹ 30,000
**Travel to and from Pangin is not included, but transport support can be arranged on request at an additional cost.
DAY BY DAY
What each day holds.
DAY 1 | 17TH AUGUST
Arrival & Settling In
Arrive at Pangin and settle in. In the evening, there will be an orientation by the team introducing the place, host community, cultural context of Solung, and guidelines for participating respectfully. A short village walk may be included depending on arrival time.
DAY 2 | 18TH AUGUST
Festival Preparation & Village Life
The day will focus on understanding how Solung is prepared within the village. Depending on the local schedule, participants may observe or take part in simple preparatory activities with community members. This may include walking with local women, learning about Ridin fibre used for ritual ribbons, spending time around the Irgin's house, and understanding the role of women in festival preparation. Later, visit Kebang Sole, a small nearby village surrounded by natural landscapes and clear river waters.
DAY 3 | 19TH AUGUST
Start of Solung & Visit to Komsing
The morning may include a short guided walk to see Mithun up close and understand their relationship with Adi life and ritual identity. Later, visit Komsing, a historically significant village in Siang connected to the Anglo-Abor War and the wider history of the Adi people. The evening will be spent around the Solung gathering in Pangin, depending on the local festival schedule. This may include Ponung, Abang narration, food, Apong, and community participation.
DAY 4 | 20TH AUGUST
Binnyat Binam & The River
Depending on local permissions and timing, participants may be able to observe aspects of Binnyat Binam, connected with offerings for harvest and agricultural prosperity. The day will also include a river-based or fishing experience with local guidance, introducing participants to the rivers of Siang and everyday ecological knowledge connected with fishing, water, and food. In the evening, return to Pangin for the festival gathering.
DAY 5 | 21ST AUGUST
Farms, Food & Community Knowledge
The day will focus on the farming landscape and local food culture. Participants may join a guided farm walk with local women to learn about seasonal crops, food plants, and paddy. This may be followed by a traditional outdoor lunch prepared using local ingredients, depending on weather and community arrangements. The evening will be dedicated to the final Solung gathering, subject to the local festival schedule.
DAY 6 | 22ND AUGUST
Departure
Depart from Pangin after breakfast.
What's included.
5 nights' Homestay accommodation in Pangin
Meals from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 6
Festival orientation and cultural interpretation
Guided village and farm experiences
Local transport for planned itinerary movements
Local guide and coordination support
Visits to nearby cultural and natural sites as per the final route plan
Community-based Solung Festival experience, subject to local permissions and festival schedule
Inner Line Permit for domestic travellers
Muhaan coordination throughout
What's not.
Travel to and from Pangin (can be arranged at additional cost)
Flights, trains, or long-distance road transfers
Permits for foreign nationals
Personal shopping and expenses
Travel Insurance and medical costs
Meals or beverages not mentioned in the itinerary
Any activity not listed in the itinerary
Costs due to weather, roadblocks, landslides, political disturbance, medical emergency, or other unforeseen circumstances
GOOD TO KNOW
Before you arrive.
Expect rain
It is monsoon. The sky has its own plans. Embrace it.
Homestays are simple
Homestays are simple and clean, not luxury.
Plans may shift with weather
Roads, hikes and timings adjust gracefully.
Carry a reusable bottle
Carry a reusable water bottle. Refill, don't buy.
Avoid single-use plastic
Solung is a Zero-Waste festival. Bring cloth.
Respect local customs and rituals
