ILAM, July 20: In Nepal's eastern hills, Ilam is almost synonymous with tea. While the district boasts a wealth of natural and cultural attractions, it is the endless stretches of emerald tea gardens that first come to mind for most visitors. From domestic holidaymakers and Indian tourists to tea enthusiasts and international buyers, Ilam's iconic tea estates continue to attract visitors in every season.
Kanyam remains Ilam's best-known tea destination, largely because of its location along the Mechi Highway. In recent years, however, several other tea estates have emerged as equally captivating attractions. Among them is the Panitar Tea Estate in Deumai Municipality, now regarded as one of Nepal's most picturesque tea gardens.
The historic Ilam Tea Estate—home to Nepal's first tea plantation—and the country's oldest tea-processing factory located beside it have also become must-visit destinations. Likewise, Sundarpani Tea Estate and Jasbire Tea Estate in Suryodaya Municipality-9 continue to draw large numbers of visitors.
Although Ilam receives relatively few overseas tourists, it remains a favorite destination for domestic travelers and visitors from India's West Bengal. Jorkalash on the Ilam-Jhapa border serves as the main gateway to the district, while tourists also arrive through border points such as Pashupatinagar and Sandakpur, as well as routes connecting Panchthar and the Kechana-Kanchenjunga road corridor.
The peak tourism seasons are from mid-September to mid-December and from mid-February to mid-May, when clear skies offer breathtaking views of the Himalayas, spectacular sunrises and mesmerizing sunsets. Yet Ilam never truly has an off-season. Even during the monsoon, the district's lush greenery and rich cultural heritage continue to draw travelers. After mid-April, freshly sprouting tea leaves blanket the hills in vibrant shades of green, transforming the landscape into a sea of emeralds.
Kanyam remains bustling with tourists almost throughout the year. Whether in winter or during the rainy season, visitors flock to its rolling tea gardens to take photographs, shoot videos and capture selfies. Many also dress in traditional attire—including the cultural costumes of the endangered indigenous Lepcha community and other ethnic groups—to pose against the stunning backdrop of the tea gardens.
"Kanyam is rarely without tourists," said local entrepreneur Tek Raj Giri. "Its location along the Mechi Highway has made it one of the district's most popular tourist destinations."
The moment travelers enter Ilam from Jhapa via the Mechi Highway, they are welcomed by rows of attractive homestays, resorts and hotels lining both sides of the road. The district's ever-changing weather further adds to its charm. Bright sunshine can quickly give way to dense fog and light rain before clearing again within minutes, creating a unique atmosphere that has become one of Ilam's defining features.
Lack of conservation area for rare tea plant
During the monsoon, Kanyam resembles a vast green carpet spread across the hills. Against a backdrop of snow-capped mountains and blue skies, rows of fresh tea shoots and workers plucking tender leaves create a picture-perfect landscape.
"Coming to Kanyam feels like heaven," said Ashim Chaudhary, a visitor from Morang. "The tea gardens look incredibly beautiful during this season."
When temperatures soar across the Tarai, tourists head to Kanyam and other parts of Ilam to enjoy the cool mountain air. Likewise, during winter, when dense fog engulfs the plains, the district's bright sunshine draws even more visitors. Easy road access and uninterrupted stretches of tea gardens have made Kanyam a year-round destination.
The tea gardens have also been enhanced with decorative railings and landscaped walkways, making them even more appealing to visitors. According to local businessman Prakash Bhattarai, winter brings a surge in picnic-goers. The presence of the endangered Lepcha community in Antu and Kanyam further enriches the visitor experience, allowing tourists to explore a unique culture alongside the district's natural beauty.
Until a few years ago, hotels in the area were few and far between. Today, however, Kanyam is lined with modern, well-equipped hotels built with investments exceeding Rs 100 million. Visitors can enjoy everything from locally produced Orthodox organic tea to a wide variety of traditional delicacies.
Tourists visiting Kanyam rarely miss the chance to stroll through the tea gardens, ride horses or admire panoramic views of the Himalayas, hills and Tarai from Love Danda.
Nearby Phikkal serves as the district's main shopping hub for souvenirs and local specialties. Visitors can purchase chhurpi (hard cheese), bombayson, lollipops, ghee, Ilam's famous akbare chillies and many other locally produced items. Many also climb the steps of Kutidanda to visit the Pathibhara Temple, making Tuesdays and Saturdays particularly busy days for visitors arriving from the Tarai.
Kanyam is not Ilam's only tea destination. Antu, renowned for its spectacular sunrise and sunset views, is equally famous for its scenic tea gardens. Located about 13 kilometers from Chhipitar along the Mechi Highway, Antu Pokhari and the surrounding tea estates attract visitors throughout the year.
From Antu, visitors can enjoy sweeping views of the Himalayan range, emerald tea gardens, pine forests, lush cardamom plantations, seasonal fruit orchards and surrounding farmlands. The viewpoint also overlooks Jhapa, Kanyam and Indian towns such as Darjeeling, Mirik and Siliguri.
For tourists escaping the scorching summer heat of districts such as Jhapa, Morang and Sunsari, Antu offers a refreshing natural retreat. Hundreds of visitors from India's West Bengal also travel here every year, many staying for several days. During the hottest months in the Tarai, Antu's naturally cool climate becomes a major attraction. Visitors also arrive from western Nepal, while school groups frequently choose the area for educational excursions.
"Antu is rarely without tourists," said Rudra Ghimire, president of the Antu Tourism Entrepreneurs Association. "During the peak season, the number of visitors is overwhelming, but even during the off-season, tourist arrivals never drop to zero."
The monsoon also marks the tea-processing season, attracting domestic and international visitors, including overseas tea buyers.
"Foreign visitors come not only to tour the tea gardens but also to observe and learn the Orthodox tea-processing method," said Sharad Subba of Jasbire Tea Industry. "Some international tea enthusiasts stay at the factory for two to three months, process tea themselves and later purchase those batches to take home."
The historic Ilam Tea Estate near the district headquarters is another major attraction. Home to Nepal's first tea plantation and oldest tea-processing factory, it holds immense historical significance.
Tea saplings gifted by the Qing Emperor of China were planted in Ilam in 1863, laying the foundation for Nepal's tea industry. Historical records state that following the Betrawati Treaty, the saplings presented to Prime Minister Jung Bahadur Rana were planted by the then Badahakim (Governor) of Ilam, Gajraj Singh Thapa. The treaty, signed on August 22, 1792, established diplomatic exchanges between Nepal and China, including the exchange of gifts. The tea factory established at Ilam Tea Estate in 187 remains Nepal's oldest tea-processing factory, and efforts are now underway to preserve the site as part of the country's tea heritage.
Panitar Tea Estate in Deumai Municipality has also emerged as one of Ilam's fastest-growing tourist destinations. Once relatively unknown, it now attracts large numbers of visitors for picnics, sightseeing and film shoots.
"The tea estate is exceptionally beautiful, and tourists even from the Tarai are visiting in large numbers," said Deumai Municipality Mayor Surya Pokhrel. "The municipality has also been increasing investment in tourism infrastructure."
According to local officials, domestic tourists outnumber foreign visitors by more than two to one among those who travel to Ilam primarily to explore its tea gardens.
According to the Jorkalash Tourism Information Centre, 131,915 tourists entered Ilam through the route between Shrawan and the end of Jestha in the previous fiscal year. Information Officer Gagan Ghimire said the total included 92,947 domestic tourists and 38,968 foreign visitors.
However, he clarified that the figures do not represent Ilam's total tourist arrivals, as they include only visitors who voluntarily registered at the information center. Many others enter through the same route without registering, while others arrive via different entry points.
Major tourist destinations across the district—including Kanyam, Ilam Bazar, Antu Danda, Sandakpur, Maipokhari, Phikkal, Pashupatinagar, Jaubari, Tumling, Meghma, Kalpokhari, Gajurmukhi and Larumba—have become much more accessible in recent years following improvements in road infrastructure. However, repair work currently underway at Rajduwali along the Mechi Highway has caused temporary traffic disruptions, creating minor inconvenience for travelers until reconstruction is completed.
