Ilam is a municipality
and tea-producing town in Nepal. It is in Ilam District which is in
hilly Eastern Region of Nepal. It is famous for its natural sceneries
and landscapes.
Ilam is a small hilly town with pristine landscapes of sloped tea gardens, thick natural forests, holy sites and unique culure. Ilam offers an excellent getaway from city life for romantic sunrise and sunset, a brisk walk in the tea garden, tranquil picnic and sightseeing spots, short treks along gentle slopes or a trudge into the nearby woods. If spiritual instinct calls there are several holy sites one can visit in and around the area. Thus, Ilam is a much sought after tourist destination for travelers of all kinds. It is also famous all over the world for its special brand Ilam Tea.
Access: Ilam Bazaar is in Ilam district Mechi Zone. It is approximately 700 kilometers and 18 hour-drive to east of Kathmandu. Daily bus services ply for Ilam from central Bus Station, Gongabu, in Kathmandu. Buses are also available from the major cities. There are flights from Kathmandu to Biratnagar and Bhadrapur from where Ilam can be driven to via Birtamod.
Ilam is a small hilly town with pristine landscapes of sloped tea gardens, thick natural forests, holy sites and unique culure. Ilam offers an excellent getaway from city life for romantic sunrise and sunset, a brisk walk in the tea garden, tranquil picnic and sightseeing spots, short treks along gentle slopes or a trudge into the nearby woods. If spiritual instinct calls there are several holy sites one can visit in and around the area. Thus, Ilam is a much sought after tourist destination for travelers of all kinds. It is also famous all over the world for its special brand Ilam Tea.
Access: Ilam Bazaar is in Ilam district Mechi Zone. It is approximately 700 kilometers and 18 hour-drive to east of Kathmandu. Daily bus services ply for Ilam from central Bus Station, Gongabu, in Kathmandu. Buses are also available from the major cities. There are flights from Kathmandu to Biratnagar and Bhadrapur from where Ilam can be driven to via Birtamod.
The famous Darjeeling city of India
isjust 2-hours drive from Pashupatinagar on the Nepal-India border of
Ilam district. Nepali nationals and Indians can commute by the land to
India from Pashupatinagar in Ilam. However, this entry/exit poin is for
local use and Indian tourists only. Entry and exit from the eastern
point for other travelers is allowed from Kakkarbhitta in Jhapa.
Food and Accomodations:
Good to moderate facilities are available for food and accommodation in
Ilam Bazaar. Besides home-stay facilities are also available in
selected areas; telephone, medical and other tourist facilities are also
available in Ilam Bazaar.
When to visit:
The subtropical climate of Ilam ensures good weather throughout the
year. The best time to visit Ilam is between October-December, or from
April-February. People from different parts of Nepal visit Maipokhari in
Ilam for an annual festival on Kartik Ekadasi which falls in October
or November. Thousands visit Mai Beni during Maghe Sankranti which
falls in January.
Predominant Culture:
The main groups residing in Ilam are Brahimins, Chhetris, and Lepchas.
A Lepchas is at initial stage at Antu and is in the process of being
extended.
Places to Visit:
Antu Danda offers
spectacular sunrise, sunset and views of the Himalayas. From 2,328
meters, Antu overlooks Terai flatlands, terraced hills of cash crops,
tea gardens and thick forests of pine trees. On a clear day one can see
views as far as Mirik, Kurseong and Darjeeling in the adjoining Indian
part. Antu Danda is an hour drive from Pashupatinagar and about 3-hours
drive from Ilam Bazaar. Home-stay facilities are available at Antu
Danda area.
Mai Pokhari is a
pristine lake amid natural forest. The pond surrounded by the thick
forest of fir, juniper, birch and pine is home to a variety of flora and
fauna. Various species of orchids, rhododendron, herbs; rare animals
like musk deer, leopard, porcupine, jackal; numerous migratory birds and
rare insects, are found in the region. The lake is also considered
holy as the abode of Goddess Bhagabati. An annual fair is held here
every autumn around the month of October or November. Mai Pokhari is
about 18 kilometers from Ilam Bazaar which is about 30-minute drive.
Sandakpur at 3,636
meters on the international Nepal-India borderline provides majestic
view of the Himalayas, Mt. Kanchenjunga, Mt. Kumbhakarna, Mt. Makalu,
and Mt Everest. Rare wildlife like red panda, musk deer, and wild bird
Danphe can be seen in the forest of this area. From Ilam Bazzar one can
go upto Maimajhua Khorsanitar via Mai Pokhari in a vehicle. From here
one has to trek for about 5 hours to reach sandakpur.
Kanyam and Fikkal have
large estates for which Ilam has been famous for the last 140 years.
These tea plantation areas are popular among tourists for picnicking,
sightseeing, and taking photographs. Fikkal is a business center in the
area. It falls on the Mechi highway on the way to Ilam.
Siddhi Thumka offers
good views of sunrise and sunset from its elevation of 1800 meters. One
can also see the Terai flatlands, the Mahabharat range and the Churia
mountain range from this area. Siddhi Thumka is 3 hour trek away from
Ilam Bazaar.
Chhintapu at 3,400
meters is the second highest peak in Ilam district. The area has
natural rich forests of rhododendron, herbal plants and various species
of birds. About 11 varieties of rhododendron are found in the area. In
addition are rare herb Yarcha Gumba, and wild animals like musk deer
and the rare red panda. Good views of the mountains can be seen from
different points of the trek. The peak can be reached by trekking for
three hours from Ilam Bazaar.
