Lake · 2,100 m
Mai Pokhari
A small forest-ringed lake north of Ilam bazaar, a Ramsar wetland and a pilgrimage site for Hindus and Buddhists.
Chitwan & Teraiइलाम
Ilam
Tea gardens, misty ridges and cloud forest in Nepal's far east.
This is Ilam in eastern Nepal, the tea-growing hill town and district in Koshi Province, not the city of Ilam in western Iran.
- Altitude
- 1,627 m*
- Best months
- Mar-Apr, Oct-Dec
- Type
- Town or village
- District
- Ilam, Koshi
- Suggested stay
- 2-3 days
- Budget per day
- about US$30-40 a day (indicative)
- Permit
- None needed
Why go
Ilam is the headquarters of Ilam district in the Mahabharat hills of eastern Nepal, a small town at about 1,600 m set among slopes covered in tea bushes. The district is Nepal's largest producer of tea, and the neat green rows of the gardens, along with cardamom, ginger, milk products and broom grass, give the area a distinctive working landscape. The climate is mild and often misty, and the hills feel very different from the high Himalaya further north.
Most visitors base themselves in Ilam bazaar or along the Mechi Highway at Kanyam and Fikkal, where tea gardens run right down to the road. Antu Danda, a ridge on the border with India, is known for sunrise views over Kanchenjunga and, on clear days, the sun rising over the plains. Further north, Sandakpur at about 3,636 m gives a panorama that includes Kanchenjunga, Everest, Lhotse and Makalu.
About 15 km north of the town lies Mai Pokhari, a wetland lake and pilgrimage site designated under the Ramsar Convention, covered as a separate page in this section. It makes an easy half-day or overnight trip from Ilam bazaar.
The story
Mai Pokhari, a lake in the forest above Ilam bazaar, is worshipped as the home of the goddess Bhagawati. It is a Ramsar-listed wetland, where prayer flags and rhododendrons line the shore.
Places in Ilam
History and culture
The hills of Ilam are part of the traditional homeland of the Limbu people, and the district is home to Limbu, Rai, Lepcha, Yakkha, Sunuwar, Gurung, Brahmin and Chhetri communities among others. Kirat, Hindu and Buddhist practices are all visible, and festivals such as Udhauli and Ubhauli, the Kirat seasonal festivals, are celebrated in the villages.
Commercial tea planting in Ilam dates back to the 19th century, when Nepal's first tea estate was established here, inspired by the neighbouring Darjeeling hills across the border. Ilam became a municipality in 1958. The town has a small old bazaar of wooden-balconied houses, and its tea factory and estates remain central to local life.
Things to do in Ilam
Tea garden walk and factory visitBookable locally
Walk the estates at Kanyam or Fikkal; factory visits in the plucking season can be arranged through estate offices.
indicative, about NPR 200-500
Antu Danda sunriseFree
Stay overnight in a homestay at Antu and walk up to the ridge before dawn for the view towards Kanchenjunga.
Walk through the tea gardens
The estates around Ilam bazaar and at Kanyam have paths among the tea bushes; ask before entering working areas and avoid picking leaves.
Sunrise at Antu Danda
Stay overnight near Antu Danda, about 1-2 hours by road from Ilam bazaar, and walk up before dawn for views of Kanchenjunga.
Visit Mai Pokhari
A drive of about 1-1.5 hours north to the sacred lake and its surrounding forest and botanical garden.
Hike or drive to Sandakpur
A high ridge at about 3,636 m on the border with India, reached by rough road or a 1-2 day hike; views of Kanchenjunga and the Everest group.
Weather and the best time to visit Ilam
Weather in Ilam
Forecast for 1,627 m. Conditions change fast in the mountains.
Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.
Best time to visit
Mar-Apr, Oct-Dec
- Jan
- Feb
- Good month: Mar
- Good month: Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Good month: Oct
- Good month: Nov
- Good month: Dec
- Autumn (Sep-Nov)
- October and November are clear and pleasant, with the best mountain views.
- Winter (Dec-Feb)
- December to February is cool and mostly dry; mornings can be foggy and the high ridges are cold.
- Spring (Mar-May)
- March and April bring new tea leaves and rhododendrons on the higher ridges, with some haze.
- Monsoon (Jun-Aug)
- June to August is wet and misty, with landslides on hill roads and leeches in the forests, though the tea gardens are at their greenest.
Where to stay
HotelsHomestaysGuesthousesResorts
Ilam bazaar has hotels and guesthouses. Some tea estates and villages near Kanyam and Antu Danda offer homestays.
Ilam bazaar has hotels and guesthouses; homestays operate in tea villages and near Antu Danda and Kanyam, and a few small resorts sit among the gardens.
No partner stays are listed here yet. List a property.
Eat and drink
Fresh Ilam tea, of course. Try churpi (a hard cheese made from yak or cow milk), and the local akabare round-chilli pickle, which is very hot.
Getting there
Fly from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur and drive up into the hills, or take an overnight bus from Kathmandu. The Mechi Highway connects Ilam with the East-West Highway at Charali near Birtamod.
Nearest hub: Bhadrapur (Chandragadhi airport)
- flightKathmandu to Bhadrapur, about 50-60 minutes, then about 3-4 hours by road to Ilam bazaar.
- roadKathmandu to Ilam by bus, roughly 590-620 km and 14-17 hours, usually overnight.
- roadFrom Birtamod or Charali on the East-West Highway, about 70-80 km up the Mechi Highway, 2.5-3.5 hours.
Permits and fees
None needed
No permit is needed to visit Ilam. Some viewpoints and gardens may charge small local entry fees.
Verify before travel: permit rules and fees change. Checked 2026-10-06 against Nepal Tourism Board.
Practical tips
- Mobile signal and ATMs are available in Ilam bazaar; carry cash for villages and viewpoints.
- Mornings and evenings are cool year-round; bring a warm layer.
- Respect working tea gardens: stay on paths and do not pluck leaves.
- Hill roads are winding and can be blocked in the monsoon; allow extra time.
- Sandakpur and Antu Danda are on the border with India; carry your passport.
Safety
Hill roads are winding and can be closed by landslides in the monsoon. Mist often hides the views in summer.Treks through Ilam
A three-week restricted-area trek in far eastern Nepal that reaches both Kanchenjunga base camps, Pangpema in the north and Oktang in the south, joined by the Sele La pass crossing.
- Days
- 20 days
- Maximum altitude
- 5,143 m
- Difficulty
- Challenging
Questions about Ilam
How do I get to Ilam from Kathmandu?
Fly to Bhadrapur and drive about 3-4 hours, or take an overnight bus of about 14-17 hours.
What is Ilam known for?
Tea gardens, sunrise viewpoints such as Antu Danda, the Mai Pokhari wetland, and its mild hill climate.
When is the best time to visit Ilam?
October to December and March to April are clearest for mountain views; the monsoon is wet but very green.
Do I need a permit to visit Ilam?
No permit is required; some viewpoints and gardens may charge a small entry fee.
When is the tea season?
Plucking runs from spring through autumn, with the first flush in spring. The gardens are greenest after the monsoon.
Can I see Kanchenjunga from Ilam?
On clear mornings, from Antu Danda and other high ridges. October to December gives the best chance.
Nearby
Temple, monastery or heritage site · 74 m
Janakpur
The capital of Madhesh Province and a centre of Mithila culture, built around the white marble Janaki Mandir and dozens of sacred ponds.
National park or conservation area
Chitwan National Park
Nepal's first national park, in the inner Terai lowlands: sal forest, tall grassland and rivers home to one-horned rhinoceros, tigers and gharials.
Editorial draft: facts are being checked against the sources below. Last checked 2026-10-06. Sources: Ilam Municipality, Wikipedia, Mai Pokhari, Wikipedia, Wikipedia: Ilam