Ilam Travel Guide

 bikasgrunge Says:  I know things have changed a lot and for good in the last nine years, I used to go to Illam during the festival, I would end up going to a 4 1/2 hour Hike to Mai Pokhari, its a beautiful nine cornered lake, along the way, there are plenty of small liquor places ( bhatti, to... 

 Rabbin Says:  I spend more than 25 years of my life in ilam as i it's my hometown. The best things in ilam is Furee Dai ko Tongba & Sukuti, I really miss it. I used to go to that Kanchanjanga Restaurant with my friends (Bombay, Chuke, Aslam Bhai, Pitre, Suke) i really miss you guys, and... 

 Saagar Says:  Ilam was the district of Nepal - apart from Mustang - that remained independent, or rather unoccupied by the forces of Gorkha that formed Nepal into a single kingdom toward the end of the 18th century.The dominant political and economic group at that time was the Limbu... 

 Saagar Says:  Mai Beni site is where the rivers Maikhola and Jog Maikhola meet, and it is a major site of pilgrimage, with thousands of pilgrims and devotees converging here once a year. In fequent use, the temple and site is worth a visit most days with local religious activities going... 

 Saagar Says:  Maipokhari is a small star-shaped lake (1.6 hectar) located in Sulubung VDC, 11 km from Ilam Bazaar and at 7200 ft altitude. This is a beautiful spot surrounded by very nice forests protected by religious belief and a smallish temple complex. The Maipokhari Lake has... 

 Saagar Says:  Sandakpur lies at the northern edge of Ilam District, and is Illam's highest point at 3636 meters. Sandakpur provides a fantastic view of the eastern Himalayas from Bhutan to Everest. But the main view of Kanchenjuga is what takes your breath away.Sandakpur straddles the... 

 Saagar Says:  The best teas in Nepal come from the Kanyam area. Most of the tea fields here are owned by the Kanyam Tea Estate, on private lease from the government.The tea fields are a popular picninc spot, scenic as it is. You are able to look into India toward Darjeeling.... 

 Saagar Says:  Ilam District (along with Jhapa and a few other eastern Nepal places) is a major tea producer. The tea quality here is just as good as Darjeeling's across the border to India. In fact, much tea is carried across the border and added to Darjeeling's production of "Darjeeling... 

 Saagar Says:  The darker side of Ilam? Perhaps not, but in the shadowy, soggy side valleys and foggy slopes of Ilam's huge hills the cardamom is a major cash crop. Under tree cover normally, you will find huge amount of these leaves (photo). Underneath are knobbly scaly roots, that are... 

 Saagar Says:  If you don't find space at Green View Hotel, you can proceed further along that side road (toward the college) where it is located, and you will find three more guest houses. They are said to be fine. In the middle of the tea fields, howling jackals at night... 

 Saagar Says:  I spend two-three nights here twice every year. That doesn't make me a fan of this place, but, hey! - it's the best in Ilam!They have a restaurant on the third floor that serves average food. If you order your breakfast the evening before you're assumed a veteran of this... 

 Saagar Says:  If you for some reason have to stay overnight in Fikkal, choose Shikar. Shikar is a decent place with good standard Nepali food and relatively sheltered (from the traffic) rooms. Like the momo-place here in Fikkal (see restaurant tip), Shikar is run by a Gurung family.Just... 

 Saagar Says:  Over the last year and a half maoists have by and large taken control of Ilam District outside the main roads and the two main bazaar areas and district headquarters. Every VDC has now a maoist secretary as the semi-functional control figure. However, the government forces... 

 Saagar Says:  This info is taken from Nepali Times online version on NepalNews.com on 21 November 04."From Kathmandu to the eastern hills and down to the tarai, there are increasing indications that all is not well with the Maoists’ legendary control and unity.Factionalism, desertions and...