Most visitors to Mizoram head for Aizawl and the ridgeline towns around it. Serlui B Lake sits in a quieter corner, in Kolasib district in the north of the state, where a river was dammed for hydroelectric power and the reservoir now fills a forested valley. It is a working piece of infrastructure first and a travel stop second, and it helps to arrive with that in mind.
This guide explains what Serlui B Lake is, where it sits, what official sources say about reaching it and staying nearby, and what you should confirm before you go. Where I could not find reliable information, such as on boating, entry arrangements or the best season, I say so and suggest what to ask. For the wider picture of the state, start with our Mizoram Travel Guide 2026: Best Places to Visit, Tribes, Culture & Itinerary.
Where Is Serlui B Lake?
Serlui B Lake is the reservoir behind Serlui B Dam, in Kolasib district, northern Mizoram. It is not a natural lake. The dam impounds the Serlui River, and the water you see is the result of that engineering, completed for a hydroelectric project.
Two sources give distances from different starting points, and both can be right. The Kolasib district website, an official government source, describes the dam as an earthfill and gravity dam on the Serlui River about 35 km from Kolasib town. Wikipedia, a secondary source, places it 12 km from Bilkhawthlir village. If you plan your route from either place, ask locally which road you will actually use.
According to Wikipedia, the Serlui River flows north toward Cachar in Assam, where it is known as the Rukni and joins the Sonai River. The same page lists approximate coordinates of 24.34° N, 92.77° E, which you can use for a map search. Treat the geography as a starting point and confirm the final approach with a local driver or the district tourism office.
For the wider district, see our Kolasib Travel Guide 2026.
What Makes Serlui B Lake Worth Considering?
It suits a particular kind of traveller. If you like quiet landscapes, forest hills and the sight of a large body of water in a place with few crowds, it may be worth a detour. If you want a developed leisure complex with a long list of activities, I cannot promise that, because I could not confirm one.
The district website lists the site under its tourist places and describes the surrounding area as thickly forested, and it says the Mizoram Tourism Department planned to develop tourist infrastructure there. A government tourist lodge was inaugurated at the site on 23 June 2018, which suggests that overnight visits are intended. That is the most reliable evidence of tourism use that I found.
A few honest limits. Much of the English-language information about Serlui B comes from aggregator sites, and some of it conflicts with official sources or cannot be traced to one. I have kept to official and well-referenced material, and I flag everything else.
Landscape and Surrounding Environment
The setting is hilly and densely forested, typical of northern Mizoram, with the reservoir lying in the middle of it. The district website describes the area as thickly forested around the water. Beyond that, I will not describe views I cannot verify.
Some facts about the dam help set expectations. According to Wikipedia, it is about 51 metres high and 293 metres long, with a 12 MW power station made up of three 4 MW units. Construction began in 2003. Treat these as reference figures from a secondary source, not as visitor information.
Reservoirs typically rise and fall with the seasons and with power operations, so the shoreline you see can differ from one visit to the next. Weather and cloud will shape the look of the hills as well.
A Note on Local History
According to Wikipedia, building the dam submerged the village of Builum, whose residents were rehabilitated at Bawktlang village. This is a reminder that the lake was made at a cost to a community. If you meet local people, treat the place as their home and history, not as a backdrop.
Things to Do Around Serlui B Lake
Take in the reservoir and the hills. Viewing the water and the forested surroundings is the most reliable reason to visit. The district website's photo captions mention a view of the reservoir from Rengtetlang. I could not confirm whether that is a public viewpoint, so ask locally before you plan around it.
Stay overnight at the tourist lodge. The district website says the government tourist lodge has rooms and dormitories. Booking arrangements are not stated, so confirm them in advance.
Photograph the landscape. Light and cloud change through the day. Be respectful near working facilities, and follow any signs.
Combine it with Kolasib. The district town is the practical base for services and local markets, and our Kolasib guide covers it.
Activities I Could Not Verify
Some online listings mention boating, fishing, picnics and guided tours at Serlui B, and a few quote ticket prices. I could not confirm any of these in an official source. Wikipedia says the reservoir has been developed as a pisciculture site, with fish released in 2009, which suggests managed fisheries, but that does not mean visitor fishing is permitted. Please do not assume that boating, fishing, swimming or camping is available or allowed. Ask the Kolasib district tourism office or the lodge before you plan around any of them.
The dam and power station are working facilities. Some areas may be restricted, so follow signs and staff instructions, and ask before using a drone near the dam.
How to Reach Serlui B Lake
The Kolasib district website gives these reference distances, and I have not converted them into travel times because I cannot verify road conditions.
- Kolasib town to Serlui B: about 35 km
- Lengpui Airport (Aizawl): about 96 km
- Bairabi Railway Station: about 58 km
Distances like these can change with the route used, and they are not the same as travel time on hill roads.
A sensible way to plan the journey:
- Choose your gateway. The district website lists Lengpui Airport and Bairabi Railway Station as the nearest air and rail points, and many travellers will also come by road. I could not verify how most visitors actually arrive, so check current flights, trains and road routes directly.
- Head for Kolasib. The town is the logical staging point. The district website suggests this is where the 35 km figure starts.
- Arrange the final stretch locally. A driver who knows the road is worth having. I could not find a reliable public transport schedule to the site, and I will not invent one.
- Confirm access on the day. Ask the lodge, the district tourism office or your driver whether the road and the site are open.
Permits. Mizoram regulates entry. Indian citizens from outside the state generally need an Inner Line Permit, and the Government of India services portal lists a temporary permit application for Mizoram. Foreign nationals have separate rules. I have not quoted fees or processing times, since these change. Check the official Mizoram government source before you travel.
Best Time to Visit
I could not find an official recommendation for the best season at Serlui B, and I would rather say that than guess. A few general points apply to hill travel in this part of India.
- Heavy rain can bring landslides and slow roads, so allow extra time in wet weather.
- Cloud and mist can hide views.
- Drier, clearer periods tend to be easier for travel, but conditions vary from year to year.
Check a current forecast and ask locally about road conditions before you set out, and keep your plans flexible.
Where to Stay and What to Prepare
Accommodation. The Serlui B tourist lodge, with rooms and dormitories, is the on-site option named on the district website. Separately, the district's "where to stay" page lists a Tourist Lodge in Vengthar, Kolasib, and a government Circuit House at Banglakawn in Kolasib. Availability, booking procedures and eligibility for each are not stated, so contact them directly. I have not named other properties or quoted prices.
Food and supplies. I could not verify food services at the lake. Carry water and snacks, and plan to eat in Kolasib town if you are unsure.
Connectivity. Mobile coverage near the reservoir is unverified. Download offline maps and tell someone your plans.
Cash and basics. Carry some cash, a first-aid kit, personal medication, a rain jacket and shoes with good grip for wet ground.
Suggested Visit Plan
I cannot give reliable journey times, so this is a flexible outline, not a timed itinerary.
A day visit from Kolasib. Confirm access with your driver or the tourism office, travel in the morning, spend time at the viewing areas the site allows and return in good light. Leave generous margins for the road.
An overnight stay. If you book the tourist lodge, you can spend the evening and early morning by the water, when conditions are often quieter. Confirm the booking, meals and power arrangements beforehand.
Adding other lakes. Mizoram has other lakes that suit travellers interested in water and landscapes. Our Tamdil Lake Travel Guide 2026 and Palak Lake Travel Guide 2026 cover two of them. They are in different parts of the state, so plan them as separate legs of a longer trip and not as a single day with Serlui B.
Responsible Travel Tips
- Respect local people. Treat nearby villages as homes. Ask before photographing people or private property.
- Take your rubbish with you. Waste collection in remote areas is limited, and plastic left near water is hard to remove.
- Protect the water. Keep soap, detergent and food waste out of the reservoir and streams.
- Stay safe near water and the dam. Reservoir edges can be slippery and deep, and conditions change with the weather. Do not swim or enter the water unless local staff say it is allowed.
- Follow local guidance. Obey signs, staff instructions and any restrictions around the dam and power facilities.
- Do not disturb wildlife or forest. Do not remove plants, feed animals or make fires.
- Support local businesses. Buy food and supplies in Kolasib or from local sellers where you can.
Practical Things to Check Before You Go
Confirm each of these with a current, reliable source:
- Whether the site is open to visitors and which areas are accessible
- Current road conditions, including after rain
- Whether any entry fee, permission or registration applies
- Whether boating, fishing or other activities are offered and permitted
- Booking and availability at the tourist lodge, and what is included
- Food, water and electricity arrangements
- Mobile coverage along the route and at the site
- Permit requirements for your nationality and travel dates
- Any local restrictions near the dam and power facilities
- Weather and forecasts
The Kolasib district tourism office and the Mizoram Tourism Department are the best places to ask.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Serlui B Lake a natural lake?
No. It is the reservoir created by Serlui B Dam on the Serlui River in Kolasib district.
Where is Serlui B Lake?
In Kolasib district, northern Mizoram. The Kolasib district website says the dam is about 35 km from Kolasib town.
How do I reach Serlui B Lake?
Most visitors go via Kolasib town. The district website lists Lengpui Airport about 96 km and Bairabi Railway Station about 58 km away. Arrange the final road stretch locally.
Can I stay near Serlui B Lake?
The district website describes a government tourist lodge at the dam with rooms and dormitories. Confirm availability and booking before you travel.
Is boating or fishing available at Serlui B Lake?
Some online listings say so, but I could not confirm it in official sources. Ask the Kolasib district tourism office or the lodge, and do not assume it is permitted.
Do I need a permit to visit?
Indian citizens from outside Mizoram generally need an Inner Line Permit, and foreign nationals have separate rules. Verify the current requirements on the official government source.
Conclusion
Serlui B Lake rewards visitors who come with modest expectations: a reservoir in forested hills, a government lodge, a quiet corner of northern Mizoram and plenty of questions to ask before you go. Confirm access, permits and activities, keep your plans flexible, and treat the place and its neighbours with care.