Illam

A brisk stroll in a tea garden, tranquil picnic and sightseeing stops, holy websites, short treks along gentle slopes, a trudge into the nearby woods and a unique culture – all this and lots greater is offered by Ilam. Ilam has constantly been synonymous with tea, however it also produces splendid cheese and has extremely good perspectives of Mt. Kanchenjunga, eight,586 m, the third maximum mountain in the international. Ilam district is bordered with the aid of Panchthar to the north, Jhapa to the south, West Bengal (India) to the east and Morang and Dhankuta districts to the west. It lies to the south of the Mahabharat range and west of the Shinghalila variety. Elevations in Ilam district range among one hundred forty m to 3,636 m above sea degree and is every now and then known as Charkhol (vicinity of 4 rivers) due to the four major rivers - the Jogmai, Puwamai, Mai and Deumai - that go with the flow thru the district. Ilam is one of the richest districts in Nepal in phrases of its cultural variety, natural panorama and flourishing cash vegetation. Potato, cardamom, ginger, red round cold (akbare khursani), milk and broom grass are the essential cash crops. Many traffic also visit Ilam for botanical and anthropological research. Ilam is served by an awesome avenue which sees little traffic, making for a nice journey.

people:the principle ethnic companies residing in Ilam are the Brahmins and Chhetris. The Lepchas are also a major ethnic organization on this region. Ilam displays the wealthy social and cultural heritages of the humans dwelling in harmony. other essential ethnic groups living in Ilam include the Magars, Gurungs, Rais, Limbus and Sherpas. maximum parts of Ilam are hilly with farming as the primary career.

enjoy

ANTU DANDA: situated at an altitude of 2,328 m, Antu Danda is well-known for its fantastic perspectives of the sunrise and sundown over the jap Himalaya. From right here, marvelous views of the 8,586-m Kanchenjunga, the world’s third highest top, as well as Kumbhakarna and other snowy summits may be had. Antu Danda is surrounded via scenic terraces, slopes and plains covered via one-of-a-kind types of plants. On a clean day you could see the middle hills and plains of neighboring Darjeeling district in West Bengal, India. There are homestay centers at Antu Danda, which is about 35 km southeast of Ilam Bazaar, the district headquarters,

MAI POKHARI (2,121 m): A famous pilgrimage website, Mai Pokhari is a 9-cornered pristine lake considered the sacred domicile of Goddess Bhagawati. It lies 13 km north of Ilam Bazaar and is surrounded by dense forests of fir, juniper, birch, pine and medicinal flora. rare animals like the musk deer, leopard, porcupine, jackal as well as severa migratory birds and rare insects are discovered within the region. human beings from one of a kind components of Nepal visit Mai Pokhari in Ilam for an annual pageant on Kartik Ekadasi which falls in October-November. Mai Pokhari is about 1 ½ hours’ power from Ilam Bazaar.

KANYAM AND FIKKAL: at the way to Ilam Bazaar, Kanyam and Fikkal have huge tea estates that have made Ilam famous for extra than a hundred years. those tea gardens are famous amongst tourists for picnicking, sightseeing and images. Fikkal is a business center in eastern Ilam and lies at the Mechi motorway leading to Ilam. it is also the junction from wherein you could visit the japanese border town of Pashupatinagar adjoining to Darjeeling. Indian and Nepali nationals can pass over to the alternative side of the border with legitimate documents.

counseled Itinerary to Ilam (5-6 days)

Day        From-To               sports   Time      overnight           

Day 1     Kathmandu-Bhadrapur-Ilam or Kathmandu-Biratnagar-Ilam        Fly Kathmandu-Bhadrapur or Kathmandu-Biratnagar. force Bhadrapur-Ilam or Biratnagar-Ilam. See tea gardens on the way. Tea ruin and snacks at Fikkal. stop at tea manufacturing unit if time permits. stroll around Ilam Bazaar inside the evening.  Fly (1 hour) pressure from Bhadrapur (three-4 hours) pressure from Biratnagar (6-eight hours)       Ilam (inns, teashops, accommodations)

Day 2     Ilam Bazaar (Ilam)-Mai Pokhari (Ilam)-Ilam Bazaar (Ilam)                power Ilam Bazaar-Mai Pokhari- Ilam Bazaar. look at Mai Pokhari location. taste clean domestic-made tea at Mai Pokhari. go to tea manufacturing facility on the way to Ilam Bazaar.         power to Mai Pokhari (1 ½ hours) examine the environment (2-three hours) power again (1 hour)     Ilam (hotels, teashops, accommodations)           

Day three            Ilam Bazaar (Ilam)-Shree Antu (Ilam)      power Ilam Bazaar- Shree Antu. Hike as much as Antu Danda. View the scenery. go to Lepcha Museum. visit tea gardens. flavor fresh domestic-made tea at Antu. engage with nearby network.              drive to Shree Antu (2 ½ -3 hours) Hike up to Antu Danda (30-45 minutes)            Shree Antu (Homestay)       

Day 4     Shree Antu (Ilam)-Bhadrapur or Shree Antu (Ilam)-Biratnagar    View Shree Antu sunrise. drive to Bhadrapur or Biratnagar. Tea and snacks at Fikkal. visit Bhadrapur or Biratnagar Bazaar inside the night. Take flight back to Kathmandu if to be had.               power from Shree Antu to Bhadrapur (4-5 hours) pressure from Shree Antu to Biratnagar (6-8 hours)    Bhadrapur or Biratnagar (lodges, teashops, motels)        

Day 5     Bhadrapur-Kathmandu or Biratnagar-Kathmandu             Fly Bhadrapur- Kathmandu or Biratnagar- Kathmandu.       Fly returned (1 hour)      Kathmandu       

SIDHI THUMKA (1,800 m) gives excellent views of the sunrise and sunset. you may additionally see the Terai flatlands and the Mahabharat range from the location. Siddhi Thumka is set a three-hour trek from Ilam Bazaar.

CHHINTAPU (three,353 m) is the second one highest height in Ilam district. almost 11 sorts of rhododendrons, rare herbs, endangered wildlife like the musk deer and red panda are observed in this area. Kanchenjunga and most elements of Ilam can be visible from here.

Pilgrimage websites

GAJUR MUKHI is an essential non secular website online, approximately 4 hours’ drive west of Ilam Bazaar. it's miles a stone tunnel with carved photographs of Hindu deities. It lies at the banks of the Deumai Khola - one of the 4 rivers of Ilam.

SANU PATHIBHARA is a shrine at the pinnacle of Kutidanda and Hanspokhari on the Mechi toll road. Sanu (smaller) Pathibhara is appeared as the younger sister of the larger Pathibhara Temple in Taplejung. The hill is blanketed with forests and offers perspectives of the Terai plains, the Mahabharat variety and Mt. Kanchenjunga.

MAI BENI homes the temple of Lord Shiva on the confluence of the Mai Khola and Jogmai Khola. it's miles placed about 3 km from Ilam Bazaar. heaps of devotees collect right here at the day of Maghe Sankranti, the primary day of the tenth Nepali month in January, for a holy dip.

in addition Afield

MANGMALUNG is an crucial spiritual web page of the Kiratis in the middle of a woodland at the higher part of Ibhang. The vicinity is the foundation of the Kirat religion. It has a number of photographs of snakes, lions and eagles. there is also a cave which houses the deity, Matrika Kirateswar, in which a festival is marked with high-quality pomp each year.

SANDAKPUR (three,636 m), at the Nepal-India border to the north of Ilam, is a large enchantment for tourists due to the lovely sunrise and sunset views over Mt. Kanchenjunga, and the adjacent peaks of Makalu and Mt. Everest. you could truly see all elements of Ilam district, maximum elements of the Terai plains, and components of Siliguri and Darjeeling in India. Animals consisting of the musk deer and red panda and birds which includes the pheasant can be seen right here.

weather

whilst the subtropical climate of Ilam ensures excellent climate in the course of the 12 months, the exceptional time to visit Ilam is between October-December or from April-February

access/ accommodation

There are day by day buses from Kathmandu for the 18-hour power to Ilam Bazaar. Buses also are available from different major towns inclusive of Pokhara, Biratnagar and Nepalgunj. Ilam can also be reached by way of taking one of the scheduled flights from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur or Biratnagar and then moving to a ordinary bus service or hiring a private automobile.suitable to mild centers are available for food and lodging in Ilam Bazaar. except, homestay facilities managed with the aid of network contributors are to be had in Shree Antu (Antu Danda).