Town or village · 1,627 m
Ilam
A hill town in Nepal's far east, surrounded by tea gardens, with sunrise viewpoints towards Kanchenjunga and a sacred wetland lake.
Ilamमाई पोखरी
Mai Pokhari
A small forest-ringed lake north of Ilam bazaar, a Ramsar wetland and a pilgrimage site for Hindus and Buddhists.
- Altitude
- 2,100 m
- Best months
- Mar-Apr, Oct-Nov
- Type
- Lake
- District
- Ilam, Koshi
- Permit
- Entry fee
Why go
Mai Pokhari is a wetland of about 90 hectares in the hills about 15 km north of Ilam bazaar, at around 2,100 m. At its centre is a lake roughly 1 km around, with dark, still water, surrounded by dense forest of chestnut, schima, oak and rhododendron. It is the best-known excursion from the town of Ilam and is easily combined with the tea gardens and viewpoints of the district.
The wetland formed through ground subsidence and is fed by springs and rain; it is also a source of drinking water for nearby villages. It was designated a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention in October 2008, and around 300 bird species have been recorded in the area. A botanical garden on the edge of the lake has a rock garden, an orchid house and plants collected from across eastern Nepal.
A walk around the shore takes about an hour, past small shrines and prayer flags. Mornings are often misty and quiet, while festival days bring crowds of pilgrims.
History and culture
The lake is regarded as the dwelling of a mother goddess, and Mai, in its name, refers to her. Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims come to worship at the temple on the shore, and a fair is held at the lake during the autumn festival season, when devotees light lamps around the water. Local people traditionally describe the lake as having nine corners. Swimming, fishing and boating for fun are discouraged because of the site's religious and ecological importance; a conservation code of conduct is in place and community forest user groups help manage the surrounding forest.
Things to do in Mai Pokhari
Walk around the lake
A path circles the shore in about an hour, passing shrines and viewpoints over the water.
Botanical garden
Visit the garden beside the lake for its orchid house and plants from eastern Nepal.
Birdwatching
Early mornings in the forest around the lake are good for hill birds; bring binoculars.
Weather and the best time to visit Mai Pokhari
Weather in Mai Pokhari
Forecast for 2,100 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-Nov
- Jan
- Feb
- Good month: Mar
- Good month: Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Good month: Oct
- Good month: Nov
- Dec
- Autumn (Sep-Nov)
- October and November are clear and the festival season brings pilgrims to the lake.
- Winter (Dec-Feb)
- December to February is cold and often foggy in the mornings, with frost at night.
- Spring (Mar-May)
- March and April bring rhododendrons and birdlife in the forest.
- Monsoon (Jun-Aug)
- June to August is very wet and misty, with leeches in the forest and slippery roads.
Where to stay
HomestaysGuesthouses
A few simple guesthouses and homestays near the lake; most visitors stay in Ilam bazaar.
No partner stays are listed here yet. List a property.
Getting there
Mai Pokhari is reached by road from Ilam bazaar, about 15 km to the north.
Nearest hub: Ilam
- roadIlam bazaar to Mai Pokhari by jeep or local bus, about 1-1.5 hours on a winding hill road.
- walkDay hikers can walk sections of old trails from villages below; ask locally for the route.
Permits and fees
Entry fee
No permit is needed. A small local entry fee has been collected at the site; check on arrival.
- Local entry fee: Collected by the local management committee; check the current amount on site.
Verify before travel: permit rules and fees change. Checked 2026-10-06 against Mai Pokhari, Wikipedia.
Practical tips
- Do not swim in or throw anything into the lake; it is sacred and protected.
- Remove shoes at the temple and ask before photographing worship.
- Mornings are cold and misty; bring a warm layer.
- Mobile signal is generally available; there is no ATM at the lake.
Questions about Mai Pokhari
How do I get to Mai Pokhari from Ilam?
Take a jeep or local bus about 15 km north from Ilam bazaar, usually 1-1.5 hours.
Why is Mai Pokhari a Ramsar site?
It is a spring-fed wetland with rich forest and birdlife, and it was listed under the Ramsar Convention in 2008.
When is the best time to visit Mai Pokhari?
October to November and March to April; the monsoon is very wet and misty.
Can you swim or go boating at Mai Pokhari?
Swimming is not appropriate because the lake is sacred and protected; check locally whether any boating is permitted.
Nearby
National park or conservation area
Kanchenjunga Region
A remote trekking region below the world's third-highest mountain, with Limbu and Sherpa villages, two base camps and a restricted-area permit.
Town or village · 310 m
Dharan
A lively foothill city where the plains meet the Mahabharat hills, with hilltop temples, Gurkha heritage and the road up to Bhedetar.
Editorial draft: facts are being checked against the sources below. Last checked 2026-10-06. Sources: Mai Pokhari, Wikipedia, Mai Pokhari, OpenStreetMap