Ilam is a beautiful hill station in eastern Nepal. It is popular for tea with many beautiful and lush tea gardens in the hills of Ilam. Besides the spectacular views of the tea gardens, there are many other places to visit in Ilam.The beautiful hill in the district, Antu Danda is one of the best places in Ilam to view the spectacular sight of sunrise, sunset and the Himalayas. This 2,328m high hill overlooks the Terai flatlands, terraced hills of cash crops, tea gardens and thick pine forests. One can also enjoy the views of Mirik, Kurseong and Darjeeling on a bright and clear day. About an hour drive from Pashupatinagar and about three hour drive from Ilam Bazaar takes you to Antu Danda where one can stay at the local homes that offer home-stay facilities in the area.
The pristine lake amidst the natural forest is surrounded by the thick forest of fir, juniper, birch and pine and accommodates various species of flora and fauna that includes different species of orchids, rhododendron, herbs and rare animals like musk deer, leopard, porcupine and jackal and various birds and rare insects. An annual fair is held every year around the month of October or November as it is considered as the holy abode of Goddess Bhagawati. Mai Pokhari is about half an hour drive from Illam Bazaar about 18km.The places with large tea estates in Ilam which has been famous for the last hundred and forty years are Kanyam and Fikkal. These estates are famous among the national and international tourists as a great place for picnic, sightseeing and taking photographs. Fikkal is also the business center in the area and falls on the Mechi highway on the way to Ilam.One of the wonderful places to enjoy the views of sunrise and sunset in Ilam, Siddhi Thumka is located at an altitude of 1800m. The three hour trek from the Ilam Bazaar takes you to this places which provides spectacular views of Terai flatland, the Mahabharat range and the Churia Mountain range.
