Illam is the beautiful town in Nepal which is popular for the production of tea.Illam District is situated in hilly Eastern Region of Nepal .It is popular for its natural sceneries, landscapes,holy sites and unique culture. Illam offers an excellent view of sunrise and sunset, a walk in the tea garden,picnic and sightseeing spots,
trekking along the green tea garden 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, Illam is a best destination for travelers of all kinds.
Illam Bazaar is situated in Illam district Mechi Zone. It is approximately 700 kilometers and 18 hour drive to east of Kathmandu. Daily bus services are available for Illam from central bus Station, Gongabu, in Kathmandu.There are flights from Kathmandu to Biratnagar and Bhadrapur from where Illam can be driven vai local transpotation.
There are lots of place to visit in Illam.Some of them are:
Antu Danda: It if famous for spectacular sunrise, sunset and views of the Himalayas. From 2,328 meters, Antu overlooks Terai flat-lands, terraced hills of cash crops, tea gardens and thick forests of pine trees. Antu Danda is an hour drive from Pashupatinagar and about Three-hours drive from Illam Bazaar. Home-stay facilities are available at Antu Danda area.
Mai Pokhari: It is a pristine lake amid natural forest. The pond surrounded by the thick forest of juniper, birch and pin. Various species of orchids, rhododendron, herbs; rare animals like musk deer, leopard, porcupine, jackal; numerous migratory birds and rare insects, are found in this 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 eighteen kilometers from Illam Bazaar which is about thirty-minute drive.
Sandakpur: it is situated 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 Danphe can be seen in the forest of this area. From Illam Bazzar one can go upto Maimajhua Khorsanitar via Mai Pokhari in a vehicle. From here one has to trek for about five hours to reach sandakpur.
Kanyam and Fikkal: Illam has been famous for the last 150 years for tea garden of Kanyam and Fikkal. 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 Illam.
Siddhi Thumka: It offers good views of sunrise and sunset from its elevation of eighteen hundred meters. We can also see the Terai flatlands, the Mahabharat range and the Churia mountain range from here. Siddhi Thumka is three hour trek away from Illam Bazaar.It is the best place for the people who are intrested in trekking.
Chhintapu : It is the second highest peak in Illam district which 3,400 meters high. 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 there 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 3 hours from Illam Bazaar.
