By Kokila Dhakal
Ilam, Oct. 30: With the end of the monsoon season, Ilam, a district known for its stunning tourist attractions, has seen an increase in the number of visitors arriving from India.
The number of Indian tourists visiting attractions from Kanyam and Shree Antu to Sandakpur via Ilam has steadily increased. Other attractions for tourists are Sandakpur, Kaalpokhari, Tumling, Meghma, Manebhanjyang and Pashupatinagar.
According to the Tourism Information Centre in Pashupatinagar, there is also a notable presence of tourists from West Bengal, India, who often visit Darjeeling and cross over to Pashupatinagar on their return trip.
Grishma Subba, Chairperson of the Eastern Jeep and Taxi Business Association in Ilam, said that he guided 38 Indian tourists on motorcycles through Ilam’s route to Sandakpur and bid farewell there. He said, “The road from Ilam to Sandakpur via Maipokhari is in better condition now.
Even though it is unpaved, the journey is smooth. We escorted the tourists to Sandakpur on motorcycles and other Indian travellers are also reaching out for similar trips through Ilam.”
As part of their journey to Sandakpur, tourists are welcomed and bid farewell with complimentary tea at the Jaribire Tea Industry’s sales centre in Ilam’s Biblyate.
From Sandakpur, located at an altitude of 3,636 metres, visitors can enjoy close-up views of the Kanchenjunga and Kumbhakarna mountains, as well as the plains stretching to Bangladesh. Sandakpur also offers attractions like sunrise views, encounters with local yak and sheep herding and opportunities to explore red panda habitats.
Shree Antu, another popular spot, has also seen a surge of tourists. Even with less clear weather, many are coming to enjoy the area, said Dipen Pulami Magar, a staff member at the ticket counter of the Suryodaya Municipality in Antu.
With schools closed for Dashain, Tihar and Chhath festivals, a larger number of students are making the most of the long break, said Rudra Ghimire, Chairperson of the Shree Antu Tourism Business Association. “This year, the daily number of visitors has been quite high, and the homestays, hotels and cottages here are fully booked. Indian tourists have been particularly drawn to Shree Antu as a favourite destination,” Ghimire said.
Currently, around 500 to 1,000 tourists spend the night in Shree Antu each day. This year, there has been a significant influx of Indian tourists from places like Sikkim, Darjeeling, Gangtok, Kolkata, Guwahati and Assam, many arriving with their own vehicles.
According to Ghimire, tourists enter Nepal via Kakarbhitta in Jhapa, visit Kanyam and Antu, worship at the Pathibhara Temple and return through Pashupatinagar. Tourists from the Tarai region are especially charmed by the tea-picking experience and the sunrise views in Shree Antu. The boating experience in Antu Pokhari (lake) is another popular attraction.
In addition to well-maintained hotels and cottages among the tea gardens, homestays have become an appealing option for visitors who wish to understand the local lifestyle and experience a true sense of Ilam’s hospitality.
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