Arunachal Pradesh, Northeast India
Discover Tezu — a pristine jewel in the Mishmi Hills, where ancient tribal heritage meets untouched wilderness, and every sunrise writes a new story.
Discover
Things to Do
Plan Your Trip
Where to Stay
"At the edge of India, where the Lohit River sings through mist-laden valleys, Tezu offers a silence so profound it becomes music."
Top Experiences
Curated for every kind of traveller — from soul-seekers to thrill-chasers
Wake to birdsong on the Digaru River, BBQ under the stars, soak in tea-garden stillness at Wakro, or go farm-to-table in bamboo cottages at Roing.
Sacred Hindu pilgrimage on the Lohit River where sage Parashuram cleansed his sins. 70,000+ devotees gather each Makar Sankranti.
Natural thermal pools on the Lohit riverbank near the Indo-China border. Vistors and pilgrims have soaked here for centuries.
Trek through dense jungle to reach a bioluminescent lake at 1,240 m that shimmers at dusk. Local guide recommended.
At 1,240 m on the tri-junction of India, China, and Myanmar — be the first person in the country to see the sun rise.
783 km² of Eastern Himalayan wilderness. Bengal tigers, clouded leopards, elephants, 500+ bird species in the Mishmi Hills.
Sleep in a tribal homestay, share rice beer by the fire, learn centuries-old weaving, and taste smoky Mishmi cooking.
Panoramic views from the Rocky Mountains. Breathtaking sunrise and sunset over the Lohit Valley. Ideal half-day picnic spot.
Cold beers at Nancy Bar, live guitar by the stream at Digaru, 1MB Lounge weekends. During Reh & Sangken — Tezu dances until dawn.
Ecotourism
Some of the last untouched ecosystems in the Eastern Himalayas. A bioluminescent lake that glows at dusk. Grasslands where migratory cranes arrive each winter. The last dipterocarp forests in Arunachal Pradesh. This is ecotourism at its purest.
23 hectares of rare flora & medicinal plants
8 km² bioluminescent wonder at Wakro
India's first sunrise at the tri-nation junction
Pristine waters through mist-covered valleys
Living Heritage
The Mishmi tribes have called these hills home since the age of the Mahabharata. Legend says Lord Krishna's queen Rukmini was born Mishmi. Today, their handloom, dance, and rituals remain alive — alongside a 2,000-strong Tibetan Buddhist community at Lama Camp, 6 km from town.
Feel the Rush
From untamed rapids to Himalayan treks — Tezu is where the wild calls
Water Adventure
Ride Grade III–IV rapids as the Lohit carves through ancient gorges. Basic swimming required.
Himalayan Treks
Dense jungle trek inside Kamlang Tiger Reserve to a bioluminescent lake at 1,240 m. Guide essential.
Wilderness
Camp beside the Lohit under star-filled Himalayan skies. Bonfire, birdsong, and untouched wilderness.
River Sport
Cast your line for golden mahseer in the pristine Lohit. Arrange through local guides or your homestay.
Sunrise Experience
Be the first person in India to see the sun rise. Tri-junction of India, China, and Myanmar at 1,240 m.
Wellness
Natural thermal pools on the Lohit riverbank, 5 km from Walong. Combine with Dong sunrise and War Memorial.
Scenic Drive
Rocky Mountain viewpoint at Tohangam with panoramic valley views. Stunning sunrise and sunset. Perfect picnic spot.
Wild at Heart
Nearly 1,000 km² of protected wilderness across two sanctuaries. The Mishmi Hills are a globally recognised birding hotspot — over 500 species recorded, including endemics found nowhere else on Earth. D'Ering's grasslands draw migratory cranes from Central Asia each winter. Kamlang's forests shelter Bengal tigers and clouded leopards.
Recommended Stays
Eco Resort · Digaru River
Riverside cottages on the Digaru River. Bonfire BBQ, beer bar, birdsong breakfasts. ₹3,000–5,000/night.
@digaruecoresort ↗Eco Resort · Digaru River
Hanging bridge, island bar, bamboo cottages on the Digaru River. Seafood & tribal dishes. ₹2,500–4,500/night.
@td_resort ↗Homestay · Wakro · Top Rated
Tea gardens & orange orchards. Gateway to Glow Lake & Kamlang Tiger Reserve. Best Mishmi hospitality.
Eco Resort · Namsai
Riverside family cottages, glamping tents & dormitory. Lush landscapes near Chowkham. ₹2,000–5,000/night.
@7th_km_resort ↗Eco Camp · Anini · Off-Grid
Deep in Dibang Valley — pine forests, snow peaks, no mobile network. 9 deluxe cottages. ₹3,000–6,000/night.
@chigu_eco_camp ↗Eco Resort · Anini · Premium
VIP cottage, in-house restaurant, hot water. Breathtaking Dibang Valley scenery. ₹4,000–8,000/night.
@chigu_eco_camp ↗Eco Resort · Roing
Farm-to-table bamboo cottages amid ginger & mustard fields. Organic meals, village walks, craft workshops.
Heritage & Festivals
From 8th-century forts to tribal festivals that light up the valley — history here is not behind glass, it's alive
Archaeological Site
8th-century fort spanning 2,500 acres near Roing. Built during the Chutiya Kingdom, excavations revealed terracotta plaques, decorative tiles, and statues. Walls rise 4.5 m high — a window into medieval Northeast India.
War Memorial
Honours Indian soldiers who fought in the 1962 Sino-Indian War at one of the fiercest battle sites. A solemn, powerful place surrounded by mountains at India's eastern frontier. Combine with Dong sunrise and hot springs.
Museum & Crafts
Est. 1956. Houses tribal costumes, traditional weapons, manuscripts, and paintings. The attached Craft Centre sells artisan-made Mishmi shawls, bamboo crafts, and cane work. A perfect introduction to Lohit Valley culture.
Festival Calendar
Time your visit around the valley's vibrant festivals for an unforgettable cultural experience.
Jan 14 — Makar Sankranti at Parashuram Kund (70,000+ pilgrims)
Feb — Reh Festival (Idu Mishmi) & Tamladu Puja (Feb 15, Miju Mishmi)
Apr — Sangken Water Festival (Khamti New Year)
Oct — Solung Festival (Adi tribe celebrations)
Sacred Pilgrimage
On the banks of the Lohit, surrounded by sacred Rudraksha forest inside Kamlang Reserve. Sage Parashuram cleansed his sins here — recorded in the Kalika Purana and Mahabharata. Each Makar Sankranti (Jan 14), 70,000+ devotees take the holy dip. A vibrant fair transforms Tezu with tribal crafts, food stalls, and mountain traders.
Tibetan Settlement
Five camps at Tindolong housing 2,000 Tibetan refugees since 1960. A living monastery with prayer wheels, Buddhist school, and handicraft workshops. The community welcomes visitors warmly — buy handmade carpets, thangka paintings, and woollen goods. A peaceful, moving cultural experience.
Taste of the Hills
A culinary journey through tribal kitchens, fresh orchards, and spice-laden mountain fare
Mishmi Specialty
Traditional Mishmi smoked meats slow-cooked with fermented bamboo shoots, wild herbs, and the fiery king chilli — a bold earthy taste of the hills.
Khamti Tradition
Hand-brewed rice beer and fermented soybean paste — the essence of tribal community gatherings and celebrations since generations.
Street Favourite
Juicy hand-folded dumplings stuffed with minced pork or vegetables, steamed to perfection and served with fiery chilli chutney — the Northeast's most-loved comfort food.
The best restaurants and eateries in Tezu — from tribal cuisine to casual dining
Best for Tribal Cuisine
Authentic Mishmi cooking — smoked pork, bamboo shoot curry, wild herbs. The most genuine tribal flavours in town.
Best Multi-Cuisine
Comfortable ambience, music, weekend crowd. Indian, Chinese, Continental. Cocktails and cold beer.
Best Tibetan
Run by the Tibetan community. Steaming thukpa, momos, tingmo, and butter tea. Soul food on cold evenings.
Best Local Bar
The local hangout. Cold beer, pork ribs, chowmein. Open late. Where everyone ends up after dark.
Best Thali
Hearty Nepali-style thalis, dal bhat, and home-cooked vegetarian options. Budget-friendly and reliable.
Best for Bonfires
BBQ by the river, live guitar, rice beer, and bonfire nights under the stars. Call ahead to book.
Cafe · Community Space
Community Convention Cafe — good coffee, light bites, and a relaxed gathering space. Tezu's growing cafe culture starts here.
Cafe · Cheesecake Specialist
Cosy basement cafe known for cheesecakes, coffees, and comfort food. Popular with Tezu's younger crowd. Perfect lazy afternoon spot.
Tezu's nightlife is intimate and social — bars, bonfires, and festival nights that run until dawn
Bar & Restaurant · Open Late
The town's favourite watering hole. Cold beer, pork chops, chowmein, and live conversation. Where everyone ends up after dark. Open late every night.
Bonfire · Live Music
Riverside BBQ, beer bar, live guitar by the stream. The best evening in the Lohit Valley. Book ahead for weekends.
Cultural · Seasonal
Makar Sankranti (Jan), Reh (Feb), Sangken (Apr) — all-night drumming, tribal dancing, community feasts until dawn. Ask your homestay host for dates.
Tezu's top-rated lounge bar. Polished ambience, wide drinks menu, Indian-Chinese-Continental food. Great for a special evening out. Rated 4.1★
The Heart of Tezu
The Mishmi, Khamti, Digaru, and Miju tribes — their warmth, resilience, and joy are the true treasures of this land
Mishmi Elder
Innocence
Festival Joy
The Weaver
The Fisher
Where in the World
Tucked into India's far northeast — where the Eastern Himalayas meet the Lohit River
27.9°N, 96.2°E · Elevation 185 m
Nearest Airport: Tezu (TEI) — 5 km
From Guwahati: 560 km · From Dibrugarh: 173 km
Navigate the Valley
Click any location to learn more — distances, drive times, and what awaits you
When to Visit
Plan Your Days
Whether you have one day or three — here's how to make every moment count in this remote paradise
Perfect for transit travellers or a quick taste of Lohit Valley
Pro tip: Hire a local taxi from Tezu main market (~₹2,000/day). The museum closes early — go before 11 AM. ATM availability varies, so it helps to carry cash.
Deep dive into tribal heritage, wildlife, and the untouched Lohit Valley
Pro tip: Book Ninashi Homestay in advance (+91-8132889099). Carry binoculars for Kamlang. The Wakro road is scenic — don't rush it. Pack layers; mornings are cold even in October.
The ultimate journey — from tribal villages to India's first sunrise at Dong Valley
Pro tip: The Dong Valley trek requires advance planning. Road to Walong is long — consider breaking journey at Hayuliang overnight. You need a separate permit for Anjaw district (Dong/Kibithoo). Hire a local guide — essential for navigation and safety. Best months: October–April.
Getting Around
Tezu is remote — here's everything you need to navigate the Lohit Valley with confidence
Tezu has its own airport with FlyBig operating ATR flights. Flights are highly weather-dependent — always confirm before travel.
Route: Guwahati ↔ Tezu (4 flights/week)
Duration: ~2 hours
Airport taxis: ~₹7/km to Tezu town
Tip: Book early. Carry 1-2 days buffer for weather delays.
Nearest major airport with daily flights from Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati, and Imphal.
Distance to Tezu: 173 km (~5–6 hrs by road)
Airlines: IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet
Route: Dibrugarh → Tinsukia → Dhola-Sadiya Bridge → Tezu
Prepaid taxis: ₹3,500–5,000 to Tezu
Multiple overland options from Assam into the Lohit Valley.
Train: New Tinsukia Junction (~150 km). Trains from Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati.
APST Bus: Tinsukia–Tezu daily (₹600–800, 5–6 hrs). Night Volvo to Itanagar.
Booking: apsts.arunachal.gov.in · +91-8256924090
Shared Sumos are the lifeline of local travel. Book from Tezu main market early morning.
Shared Sumo: Wakro ₹200, Namsai ₹200, Tinsukia ₹500–600
Private hire: ~₹2,000–3,500/day for sightseeing
Local guide: ₹800–1,500/day. Essential for Glow Lake & Dong Valley.
Tezu moves at its own pace — unhurried, authentic, and refreshingly off-grid.
Cash: ₹10,000–15,000 min. SBI ATM in Tezu market. Most places cash-only.
Mobile: Airtel & Jio in town. Coverage thins beyond Wakro.
Hospital: Tezu General — +91-3804-222260
Pack: Layers (8–10°C mornings), first aid, power bank, reusable water bottle.
Tezu has no direct international flights. The nearest international airport is Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (GAU) in Guwahati, Assam — the gateway to all of Northeast India.
Option 1 · Fly via Guwahati (Recommended)
International connections: Bangkok (Thai Smile/IndiGo), Dhaka (various), Singapore (seasonal), and connecting flights via Delhi, Mumbai, or Kolkata from all major global hubs.
Guwahati → Tezu by air: FlyBig operates Guwahati–Tezu flights (4x/week, ~2 hrs). Weather-dependent — always confirm.
Guwahati → Tezu by road: ~550 km, 12–14 hrs via NH-15. Not recommended in one stretch. Break journey at Tinsukia or Dibrugarh.
Option 2 · Fly via Delhi / Kolkata + Dibrugarh
Route: International flight → Delhi (DEL) or Kolkata (CCU) → Domestic flight to Dibrugarh (DIB) → Road to Tezu (173 km, 5–6 hrs).
Delhi–Dibrugarh: Daily flights on IndiGo, Air India (~3 hrs).
Kolkata–Dibrugarh: Daily flights on IndiGo, SpiceJet (~2 hrs).
Important for Foreign Nationals
Protected Area Permit (PAP): Foreign nationals require a PAP to enter Arunachal Pradesh. Apply through the Ministry of Home Affairs or your tour operator at least 4 weeks in advance. A minimum group of 2 is typically required.
Visa: Standard Indian tourist visa (e-Visa available for 150+ countries). PAP is in addition to your visa.
Tour operator: Strongly recommended for foreign visitors — they handle PAP applications, local transport, guides, and accommodation in areas with limited English signage.
Currency: Indian Rupee (₹). Exchange at Guwahati, Delhi, or Kolkata airport before heading to Tezu. No forex in Tezu.
Essential Information
You cannot enter Arunachal Pradesh without a permit. Plan this before anything else.
Mandatory for all Indian citizens. Without it you will be turned back at the Arunachal border.
How to Apply
Online at arunachalilp.com (recommended) or in person at Arunachal Bhawan offices in Guwahati, Delhi, Kolkata, Shillong.
Processing Time
1–3 working days online. Carry multiple photocopies. Hotels and tour operators can assist.
Foreign Tourists
Protected Area Permit (PAP) required — apply through a registered tour operator or Indian embassy.
Dong / Kibithoo
Separate Anjaw district permit required in addition to ILP. Arrange through your tour operator.
Plan Smart
By Air: Tezu Airport (TEI) — FlyBig 4x/week to Guwahati. Nearest major airport: Mohanbari, Dibrugarh (173 km). By Road: Taxi or APST bus from Tinsukia via the spectacular 9.15 km Dhola-Sadiya Bridge.
Yes — mandatory. Indian citizens need an Inner Line Permit (ILP) — apply online at arunachalilp.com or at Arunachal Bhawan offices. Foreign tourists need a Protected Area Permit (PAP) via a registered tour operator. Allow 2–3 days.
October–March (10°C–25°C). January brings Makar Sankranti at Parashuram Kund. February has the Mishmi Festival. Avoid July–September — monsoon landslides close roads.
Very safe. Warm, welcoming people. Good Airtel/Jio coverage, hospital, SBI ATM. For remote treks (Glow Lake, Dong Valley) hire a local guide — essential for navigation and cultural richness.
Indian, Chinese, Tibetan, and local Arunachali cuisine. Must-try: thukpa, momos, smoked pork with bamboo shoot, apong (rice beer). Vegetarian options widely available — just mention when booking. Homestays serve the best home-cooked meals.
Where to Stay
From riverside ecolodges to comfortable town hotels — find your perfect base in the Lohit Valley
Riverside retreats and sustainable stays that put you inside the landscape, not behind glass.
Comfortable hotels in Tezu town — all within walking distance of the main market, restaurants, and taxi stand.
Live Like a Local
Stay with local families for the most authentic Tezu experience — home-cooked meals, cultural immersion, and stories by the fire
Where to Eat
From smoky Mishmi kitchens to Tibetan momos and local lounges — Tezu's food scene punches well above its weight for a town of 18,000
Get Around & Shop
Local transport, handloom souvenirs, and everything else you need on the ground
Taxis run on a local system here — hail from the main market or airport, or call ahead. Agree on the fare before you set off.
Take a piece of the Lohit Valley home — Mishmi handloom textiles, bamboo crafts, tribal jewellery, and wild honey.
Book Your Trip
Trusted operators who know the Lohit Valley — from permits to guides to custom itineraries
Tezu, Arunachal Pradesh
Curated Lohit Valley tours with deep local expertise. Car rentals, homestay bookings, ILP assistance, and custom itineraries for Tezu, Roing, Anini, and Namsai.
+91-8415076121Guwahati, Assam (since 2011)
Boutique eco-tours, tribal immersions, wildlife expeditions, and Namdapha treks. Expert English-speaking guides. PAP assistance for foreign travellers.
Recognized by Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India
Comprehensive Arunachal packages — Tezu, Tawang, Ziro, Pasighat. Large fleet, professional guides, all permits handled.
+91-9717300203Northeast India
Budget to luxury packages, group tours. 24/7 phone support. All Arunachal permits handled.
+91-8811909095Our Commitment
A pledge from every traveller to care for this land, its people, and its wilderness
Ask before photographing. Listen to local stories. Buy handloom directly from artisans. Every interaction is a cultural exchange.
Carry out all waste. Stay on marked trails. Avoid single-use plastics. The Kamlang forests and Glow Lake are irreplaceable.
Stay in homestays. Hire local guides. Eat local food. Your rupee directly feeds a family and preserves a tradition.
"I promise to travel gently through the Lohit Valley — to respect its people, protect its wilderness, support its economy, and carry its stories with honesty and love."
Real Voices
From those who made the journey — and left a piece of their heart in the Lohit Valley
After 9 hours of trekking through dense jungle, my guide Aino pointed through the trees. The lake was shimmering — actually shimmering with its own light. I stood there for twenty minutes without speaking. No photograph can capture Glow Lake. You have to earn it with your feet and feel it with your soul.
Read Full Story →
We crossed the suspension bridge in darkness, headlamps bobbing. At 4:47 AM, the first orange sliver hit the snow peaks. The Meyor family who hosted us served butter tea as the valley filled with gold. I have photographed sunrises in 30 countries. This one made me cry.
Read Full Story →
I came for the wildlife but stayed for the people. Ninashi auntie's tea garden homestay in Wakro served us rice beer and smoked pork while her grandchildren taught us Mishmi songs. No resort in the world can manufacture that kind of warmth. I've been back three times now.
Read Full Story →Begin Your Journey
Tezu has its own airport (TEI) with FlyBig flights 4x weekly to Guwahati, or fly into Mohanbari, Dibrugarh (173 km). A scenic drive through Assam and across the spectacular Dhola-Sadiya Bridge brings you to India's best-kept secret. We'll help you with permits, guides, and local stays.
Follow the Journey
#VisitTezu
Real moments from real travellers, local creators, and the people who call the Lohit Valley home. Tag #VisitTezu to be featured.