Tezu travel guide: Lohit valley, Parashuram Kund and Glow Lake

Tezu is the headquarters of Lohit district in eastern Arunachal Pradesh, a river-valley town set on the broad Lohit river at about 185 metres (607 ft). It is the home of the Mishmi (Digaru and Kaman) and Khampti peoples, the staging point for the Makar Sankranti pilgrimage at Parashuram Kund, and the quiet gateway to Glow Lake and the Kamlang Tiger Reserve. Orange groves and paddy fields ring the town.

Tezu, in Lohit district, Arunachal Pradesh, is a small valley town on the Lohit river that works as a base for Parashuram Kund, Glow Lake and the Kamlang Tiger Reserve. The best months are October to April. Indian visitors from outside the state need an Inner Line Permit.

About Tezu and the Lohit valley

Tezu is the headquarters of Lohit district and the fifth-largest town in Arunachal Pradesh, set on the bank of the Lohit river at roughly 185 metres (607 ft), according to the Lohit district administration and census records. The Lohit, which flows down from the eastern Himalaya, is also known locally by other names and later joins the Dibang and Siang in Assam to form the Brahmaputra.

The valley around Tezu is Mishmi and Khampti country. The Lohit district administration lists the Digaru (Taraon) and Kaman (Miju) Mishmi, along with the Khampti and Singpho, among the communities of the district. The Mishmi are hill cultivators and weavers; the Khampti are Theravada Buddhists whose villages near Chongkham and Namsai keep ornate wooden vihars (monasteries). Please treat living culture with respect and ask before photographing people, homes or rituals.

The town itself is low-key: a bazaar, district offices, a craft centre and handloom displays, with orange groves, mustard and paddy on the slopes around it. Most travellers use Tezu as a comfortable base rather than a sight in itself, reaching out to Parashuram Kund, Glow Lake and the forest reserves nearby. Travellers who have done the western circuit around Tawang will find Tezu far quieter and far less developed for tourism.

Best time to visit Tezu

The best time to visit Tezu is October to April, when the weather is dry and the Lohit valley roads are at their most reliable. The monsoon from June to September brings heavy rain to eastern Arunachal, landslips and swollen rivers, so overland travel and treks are best avoided then. If your trip is built around the Parashuram Kund fair, plan for mid-January.

How to reach Tezu

You reach Tezu by air to its own airport under the UDAN scheme, or by road from upper Assam across the Bhupen Hazarika (Dhola–Sadiya) bridge, with the nearest major railheads and airport in Assam. There is no railway into Tezu itself.

By air. Tezu Airport, Arunachal’s first civilian airport, reopened after upgrades and was re-inaugurated on 24 September 2023. It is served under the regional-connectivity scheme (UDAN). As of October 2026, per Wikipedia citing the Airports Authority of India, Alliance Air operated Tezu links to Hollongi (Itanagar) and, on other days, to Guwahati, Jorhat and Imphal; the Ministry of Civil Aviation noted Tezu connections to Guwahati, Jorhat, Imphal and Itanagar in May 2025. Schedules on these thin routes change often, so reconfirm current flights and operators on the airline and AAI sites before you book.

By road. The usual overland approach is from Assam. Since 26 May 2017 the 9.15-km Bhupen Hazarika Setu (the Dhola–Sadiya bridge) has carried the road across the Lohit, cutting the long detour that vehicles once took. Arunachal Pradesh State Transport Services and shared sumos (shared SUVs) connect Tezu with Tinsukia and Dibrugarh in Assam.

By rail. The nearest convenient railheads are Tinsukia (NTSK) and Dibrugarh in Assam, from where you continue by road.

Things to see and do around Tezu

The main draws near Tezu are Parashuram Kund on the Lohit, Glow Lake and the Kamlang Tiger Reserve, the Mishmi hills towards Hayuliang and Walong, and the quiet town itself. Distances to the remote spots are long and roads are slow, so plan two or three day-trips rather than one rushed loop.

Parashuram Kund. Parashuram Kund is a riverside pilgrimage site about 25 km from Tezu on the bank of the Lohit, within the Kamlang reserve forest area, according to the Lohit district administration. Pilgrims descend a steep path to bathe in the river, especially during the Makar Sankranti fair in mid-January. Outside the mela it is a calm spot with strong currents, so stay well within marked areas.

Glow (Glaw) Lake. Glow Lake lies deep in the Kamlang reserve near Wakro, reached by a hill road and then a trek. It was announced on 3 August 2026 as India’s 101st Ramsar site and the first in Arunachal Pradesh, per Outlook Traveller and Wetlands International. The Mishmi regard the lake as sacred, so approach it with the same respect you would any shrine; go with a local guide and permits in hand.

Kamlang Tiger Reserve. The Kamlang Wildlife Sanctuary, notified in 1989, became one of India’s tiger reserves and covers roughly 783 sq km in Lohit district, per Wikipedia; it adjoins Namdapha. It shelters tiger, clouded leopard, Asian elephant, red panda and the critically endangered white-bellied heron. Entry needs forest-department permission; arrange it through the sanctuary office and a registered guide.

Tezu town, Dong and Walong. In town, the district craft centre and handloom displays are worth an hour. Further east, towards Anjaw district, lie Dong valley (often called one of the first places in India to see the sunrise) and the Walong war memorial to the 1962 conflict. These involve long, slow drives and extra permits, so build in buffer days.

Festivals: Makar Sankranti, Tamladu and Sangken

Three festivals shape Tezu’s calendar: the Makar Sankranti mela at Parashuram Kund in mid-January, the Mishmi Tamladu in February, and the Khampti Sangken in April. All are living community events, so attend as a respectful guest.

Makar Sankranti at Parashuram Kund. Around 14 January every year, pilgrims gather at Parashuram Kund for a holy dip, and a mela (fair) runs over several days. The Lohit district administration organises registration and permits for the event; recent reports in the regional press put footfall in the tens of thousands, with one year citing officials’ expectations of up to 1.5 lakh (150,000) visitors. Treat these figures as year-specific and reconfirm dates and arrangements with the district administration.

Tamladu. Tamladu is a festival of the Digaru and Kaman (Miju) Mishmi, observed on 15 February, per the Lohit district administration. Prayers are offered to the gods of earth and water for protection from natural calamities.

Sangken. Sangken is the Khampti (and Singpho) New Year festival, observed from 14 April over three days, per the Lohit district administration. Images of the Buddha are ceremonially bathed, and people sprinkle water on one another.

A suggested four-day itinerary

Four days is enough to settle into Tezu and reach the two or three main sights at a sensible pace. Add days if you intend to go deep into Kamlang or out towards Walong.

• Day 1: Arrive in Tezu by air, or by road from Dibrugarh/Tinsukia across the Bhupen Hazarika bridge. Settle in, walk the bazaar and craft centre, and sort out any pending permits.
• Day 2: Day-trip to Parashuram Kund (about 25 km); time it for the January mela if that is your season. Return to Tezu for the night.
• Day 3: Head towards Wakro for the Kamlang reserve and, with a guide and permits, the trek towards Glow Lake. This is a long day; consider an overnight near Wakro if available.
• Day 4: A slow morning in town or a short Lohit-side walk, then depart. If you have extra days, extend east towards Hayuliang and Walong.

Where to stay in Tezu

Accommodation in Tezu is simple: government guest houses, a few private hotels and lodges in town, and growing homestay options run by local families. There are no luxury resorts, so set expectations accordingly and book ahead in the January mela season.

• Budget (indicative ₹800–₹1,500 a night, as of October 2026 — reconfirm): basic lodges and guest-house rooms in Tezu town; plain but functional.
• Mid-range (indicative ₹1,500–₹3,000 a night, as of October 2026 — reconfirm): better private hotels and well-run homestays with hot water and meals.
• Government and homestay options: circuit houses and inspection bungalows exist for official use and may be available on request; community homestays near Wakro and in Mishmi/Khampti villages give the most authentic stay.

These bands are planning estimates, not quoted tariffs; confirm directly with the property, as rates rise sharply around 14 January.

Food to try

Tezu’s food is Mishmi and Khampti home cooking: rice-based, lightly spiced, with river fish, local greens and herbs. Eat where locals eat and ask what is seasonal.

• Khampti rice dishes — sticky and plain rice are staples; Khampti households often serve khao (rice) with steamed or boiled sides.
• River fish from the Lohit, usually simply boiled or fried with local herbs.
• Bamboo shoot (fermented or fresh) used in curries and chutneys across the Mishmi and Khampti kitchens.
• Local greens and herbs gathered in season, boiled with minimal oil in the Arunachal hill style.
• Oranges from the groves around Tezu in the cool season.

Budget breakdown

A four-day Tezu trip costs roughly ₹9,000–₹20,000 per person excluding the long-distance journey to Assam, depending on whether you fly in and how remote you go. The figures below are planning estimates as of October 2026 and assume two people sharing, mid-range choices and local transport; reconfirm all of them.

Travel between Assam and Tezu (flights or the Dibrugarh/Tinsukia road leg) is extra and varies widely, so price it separately once your dates are set.

Permits and rules

Every Indian citizen from outside Arunachal Pradesh needs an Inner Line Permit (ILP) to enter the state, and foreign nationals need a Protected Area Permit (PAP) instead. This requirement flows from the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873; reconfirm the current process before you travel.

• ILP for Indians: apply online through the Arunachal government’s e-ILP service or at designated counters. A nominal fee applies; reconfirm the current amount and validity on the official portal, as the state has been overhauling the system (the Chief Minister announced a fuller digital ILP rollout in late 2025).
• Foreign nationals: need a PAP, usually arranged through a registered tour operator; rules are stricter near the border.
• Forest and wildlife: entry to the Kamlang Tiger Reserve and towards Glow Lake needs forest-department permission and, in practice, a registered guide.
• Border areas: routes towards Walong, Kibithu and the China frontier can need additional permissions; check locally before setting out.
• Respect and eco rules: avoid single-use plastic, do not photograph people or rituals without consent, and follow any mela or sanctuary guidelines.

Practical tips

Tezu is remote, so plan for thin connectivity and limited services, and carry cash. A little preparation makes the trip smooth.

• Network and internet: mobile coverage is patchy outside town and drops on remote roads; download maps and permits offline.
• Cash and UPI: ATMs exist in Tezu but can be unreliable; carry enough cash, as UPI and card acceptance thin out beyond the town.
• Health: Tezu has a district hospital; for anything serious, the better-equipped hospitals are across the border in Dibrugarh/Tinsukia, Assam. Carry a basic kit and any personal medicines.
• Altitude: Tezu town is low (about 185 m), so altitude is not a concern there; some hill excursions go higher, so pace yourself.
• Solo women: the region is generally calm, but services are sparse and distances long; travel by day, keep someone informed of your plans, and prefer reputable homestays.
• Packing: warm layers for October–February nights, rain protection in the shoulder months, sturdy shoes for the Kund descent and forest trails, a torch and a power bank.

Nearby places

Tezu pairs well with the pilgrimage, lake and forest sites close by, and with longer runs east into Anjaw district. Distances are long and roads slow, so treat the far ones as separate trips.

For a very different side of Arunachal, pair this trip with the high western circuit in our Tawang travel guide.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a permit to visit Tezu, Arunachal Pradesh?

Yes. Every Indian citizen from outside Arunachal Pradesh needs an Inner Line Permit (ILP) to enter the state, including Tezu, under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873. Apply online through the state e-ILP service or at a counter. Foreign nationals need a Protected Area Permit instead; reconfirm the current process before you travel.

What is the best time to visit Tezu?

The best time to visit Tezu is October to April, when the Lohit valley is dry and roads are most reliable. Avoid the June–September monsoon, which brings heavy rain and landslips to eastern Arunachal. For the Parashuram Kund holy dip and fair, plan for mid-January, around Makar Sankranti on 14 January.

How do I reach Tezu?

Tezu has its own airport served under the UDAN scheme, with links to places like Itanagar, Guwahati, Jorhat and Imphal as of 2025–26; reconfirm current flights. By road, you come from upper Assam across the Bhupen Hazarika (Dhola–Sadiya) bridge over the Lohit. The nearest railheads are Tinsukia and Dibrugarh in Assam.

What is Parashuram Kund and when is the main festival?

Parashuram Kund is a riverside pilgrimage site about 25 km from Tezu on the Lohit, within the Kamlang reserve forest area, per the Lohit district administration. Its main event is the Makar Sankranti holy dip and fair in mid-January, around 14 January, which draws tens of thousands of pilgrims and tourists in recent years.

Is Glow Lake worth visiting, and is it protected?

Glow (Glaw) Lake, in the Kamlang reserve near Wakro, was announced on 3 August 2026 as India’s 101st Ramsar site and Arunachal’s first, per Outlook Traveller. It is a sacred lake for the Mishmi, reached by hill road and a trek. Go with a registered guide and forest permission, and treat the site with respect.

What languages and communities will I meet around Tezu?

Tezu sits in Mishmi and Khampti country. The Lohit district administration lists the Digaru and Kaman (Miju) Mishmi, along with the Khampti and Singpho Buddhists, among the district’s communities. Hindi and English are widely understood in town. Treat local culture, homes and festivals with respect and seek consent before photographing people.

Last updated and sources

Tezu suits travellers who want a quiet, culturally rich corner of the eastern Himalaya rather than polished tourism, and who are comfortable with long drives and simple stays. Go between October and April, carry your ILP, and give the remote sights the time they need.

Last updated: 23 October 2026. Fees, timings and permits change — reconfirm with official sources before you travel.

Sources: Lohit district administration (lohit.nic.in) tourism and culture pages; Airports Authority of India and Ministry of Civil Aviation on Tezu Airport and UDAN, via Wikipedia: Tezu Airport; Wikipedia: Tezu (town, river, distances); Wikipedia: Kamlang Wildlife Sanctuary; Outlook Traveller and Wetlands International on the Glaw Lake Ramsar listing; regional press (The Arunachal Times, The Assam Tribune) on the Parashuram Kund mela; Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873, and the Arunachal Pradesh e-ILP service on permits. Accessed October 2026.