Ilam Tour Package: 8-Day East Nepal Sightseeing Tour

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Trip Overview

Eastern Nepal is one of the underrated regions of Nepal often overshadowed by Mount Everest an Annapurna region and this is very unfortunate. The Easter Side of Nepal has its own unique feature, and the Ilam tour offers a chance to experience it. From the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu to the tea garden of Ilam, you will have a chance to witness all that Eastern Nepal has to offer and not many people get the opportunity to visit.

This Ilam tour package combines cultural elements, natural attraction and some relaxation. This trip starts from Kathmandu and moves on to Dharan, a city serving as the gateway of Nepal tourism with strong connection to the Himalayas. In Bhedetar, you can catch up with beautiful vistas, and in Shree Antu located in Ilam, you get the reward for your early morning rise with sunrise views over green valleys. There is Kanyam waiting for you at last that will add the final touch – tea plantations in the hills.

This is not like other regular tour with mass crowd and major tourist destinations. This is about slow travel, real local life and experiencing the life in very personal way. Each day has a unique story, while the long journey offers interesting destination. The food, culture and even language change slowly and steadily as you travel toward east and the local are also very kind and hospitable.

This Ilam Sightseeing tour is perfect for tourist who value the experience of travelling to the destination as much as the destination itself. After eight days of traveling in eastern Nepal, travelers will return to Kathmandu with a better knowledge of Nepali life, which is far from any trekking trails. If you love tea gardens, mountain scenery or slow traveling, then you should definitely try Ilam tour at least once.

Route Overview of Ilam Tour

The Ilam tour itinerary begins from Kathmandu and gradually heads toward the east direction passing through the flatland and hilly region. All the places that you are going to visit unfold naturally, so you don’t feel like rushed to thrown together.

From Kathmandu, the route moves directly to Dharan which is a long trip as it passes through the Mahabharat range, many rivers and valleys. Dharan is lower place than Kathmandu and serves as the gateway to the eastern hills.

Next comes Bhedetar which is not far from Dharan. From the hilltop you can have an excellent view of Dharan valley and also see the distant peaks of Himalayas when the weather is good. This route takes us further to Shree Antu in Ilam which is longer than the last one and where the scenery also changes from dry plains to green hills famous for their tea plantations.

Once you arrive at Shree Antu, there is one thing that it provides above everything else and that is the sunrise view. The clouds rest in the valley below as you experience the sky turning into golden and orange over the ridgeline in the distance.

Following that, the next stop will be at Kanyam which doesn’t take too long to drive from Shree Antu. This place will not disappoint you as the tea garden provide some of the best view of the Ilam tour Package.

Lastly, the path goes down to Biratnagar, which is the southeastern city of Nepal that lies close to the Indian border. From here, one will have to travel back to Kathmandu by plane.

Overall, the combination of destinations for this route is great since all of them contribute something unique to this trip – from valley sights to tea gardens and the city life itself.

Why Choose Ilam Tour

Eastern Nepal offers a glimpse of the country that remains unknown to most of the visitors. Where the western part of Nepal attracts thousands of trekkers, the eastern part remains untouched and peaceful from the large crowds.

Ilam Sightseeing tour takes you away from the crowded trails and roads unlike Everest Base Camp or Annapurna Base Camp. There are no long lines of trekkers, no busy tea house, just you and the peaceful pathways.

In addition to above, the tea garden provides a great highlight. You can see beautiful green hills around and experience the peace they offer, as if time itself slows down. This region is also known for its cultural diversity. Local community living in this area have preserved their unique tradition allowing travelers to experience wonderful local culture while observing how local live their daily lives.

Trekkers who appreciate nature have a lot of opportunities to enjoy themselves in this Ilam Tour. The hills and jungles offer a perfect place for birdwatching and some wildlife along the way.

Over the entire trip, the scenery remains quite unchanged with the combination of river valleys, hill town and mountain viewpoint that sets peaceful atmosphere for comfortable travel.

Weather is also generally favorable for this trip. Sunrise views from Shree Antu and panoramic views from Bhedetar depend on timing and the weather conditions in the region usually cooperate well with the traveler’s plan.

In general, the Ilam sightseeing tour is a great choice form those who want to experience something real and different.

Highlights of Ilam Tour

Eight-day guided tour of the eastern Nepal tea region starting from Kathmandu
Watch the morning sun rise over the valleys from Shree Antu
Enter the scenic tea estates of Kanyam and Ilam
Witness UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu
Enjoy the gorgeous views from the relaxing town of Bhedetar
Easy hike to Antu Danda
Enjoy local culture with the Rai and Limbu ethnic groups
Taste authentic Nepali food that consists of healthy dal bhat made of locally sourced ingredients

Ilam Tour - Distance, Duration, and Altitude

Trekking Route	Distance (Kilometers)	Duration (Hours)	Altitude (Meters)
Drive to Dharan	490 KM	Drive (11 to 12 hours)	305 m.
Dharan Tour and Bhedetar	17 KM	Explore Dharan and Drive (1 hr)	1420 m.
Drive to Shree Antu, Ilam	150 KM	Drive (5 to 6 hours)	1567 m.
Antu Danda Hike and Kanyam	15 KM	1 hr hike and 45 min drive	1633 m.

Itinerary of Ilam Tour

Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu

When you arrive at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, one of our representatives will welcome you then take you to your hotel.

After checking in hotel, you can spend rest of the day resting and relaxing to adjust to new time zone.

If you have energy left, you can take a short walk around the lively street of Thamel.

Activity: Arrival

Max. Altitude: 1400m./4,593ft.

Accommodation: 3 Star Hotel

Day 2: Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing

Today is all about visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites located in Kathmandu valley. You will visit temple, stupas and historic squares like Swyambhunath, Pashupatinath, and Boudhanath which are the major highlight of the day.

All this creates a perfect cultural background before going eastward. In the evening, your guide will give a short brief about the tour and some additional information.

Activity: Full day sightseeing

Max. Altitude: 1400m./4,593ft.

Meal: Breakfast

Accommodation: 3 Star Hotel

Day 3: Drive to Dharan

This will be the longest drive of your journey which can take around 11 to 12 hours from Kathmandu to Dharan, so prepare yourself.

On the way, you will pass through different geographical landscapes; hills, river valleys, and finally flat lower elevations of eastern Himalayas. Therefore, you can still have a magnificent drive.

After you reach Dharan and get welcomed with a warmer climate of a little town, you will spend the night in a local hotel, where you can rest after a long journey.

Activity: Drive (11 to 12 hours)

Max. Altitude: 305m./1,001ft.

Meal: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel

Day 4: Dharan Tour and Bhedetar

From the very early morning, you will begin your exploration in Dharan, a city renowned for its Gurkha heritage.

After that you will take a one-hour drive to Namaste Jharana and Bhedetar. This place is a bit cooler with beautiful valley view.

Bhedetar is a good starting point for the hilly part of Ilam Sightseeing Tour. You will spend the night in a local lodge in the lap of nature.

Activity: Explore Dharan and Drive (1 hr)

Max. Altitude: 1420m./4,659ft.

Meal: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel

Day 5: Drive to Shree Antu, Ilam

It is another traveling day, so it would take around 5 to 6 hours to reach Shree Antu in Ilam which is the heart of Nepal tea country.

The route takes you up hills from dry lowlands to lush green hills of tea plantations, and it would not take long to feel the cold air of mountains in place of the warmth of Dharan.

The area is famous for its sunrise view over the valleys, and you will spend the night in a lodge.

Activity: Drive (5 to 6 hours)

Max. Altitude: 1567m./5,141ft.

Meal: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel

Day 6: Antu Danda Hike and Kanyam

The day start with a morning trek to Antu Danda which take an hour. The sunrise views from the top point are the best in the entire Ilam Tour.

The clouds appear below the mountains while sky shines bright orange above, giving a remarkable experience to the day’s beginning.

After the breakfast, the trek ends and the journey to Kanyam begins which takes only a 45 min drive. This place is known for its tea plantations in the total hillside greatly admired for being in the middle of green hills.

Activity: 1 hr hike and 45 min drive

Max. Altitude: 1633m./5,358ft.

Meal: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel

Day 7: Drive to Biratnagar and Fly or Drive to Kathmandu

On this day, the traveling will be done by both road and air, starting with a journey from Kanyam to Biratnagar. It’s a journey of about 4 to 5 hours.

Biratnagar is located at a lower height giving a different environment of warmer and plain areas compared to the hills of Illam tour.

Finally, you either take a short flight of about 40 minutes that will get you back to Kathmandu the same day or another drive on the next day depending on the time and preference.

Activity: Drive (4 to 5 hours) and Flight (40 min)

Max. Altitude: 1400m./4,593ft.

Meal: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel

Day 8: Departure

The last day completes your itinerary in Ilam as you are transferred back to Tribhuvan International Airport to catch your flight.

This marks the conclusion of your eight-day trip through eastern Nepal’s hills, tea estates, and cultural heartland, thus ending the Illam Sightseeing Tour.

Activity: Departure

Meal: Breakfast

If you are traveling in a private group, we can arrange a fully customized trip based on your preferences, group size, and travel dates, available any day you choose.

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Includes/Excludes

What is included?

Airport transfer services for international and domestic airports in a private vehicle.
Guided tours by qualified English-Speaking tour guides during sightseeing and visits to different places inside and around the city.
Entrance and visiting fees during visit to Monasteries, Palaces and Museums as per the program.
A basic first aid kit is provided.
Government Official taxes

What is not included?

International airfare to and from Nepal is not included.
Travel insurance that covers emergency rescue, evacuation, and medical treatment is not included, and you will be expected to have your own.
No meals are included in this tour package.
Expenses for extra meals, drinks, snacks, charging devices, hot showers, Wi-Fi, laundry, and other personal costs are not included.
Entry visa fees for Nepal are not included.
If you choose to extend your stay in Nepal, the cost of additional accommodation and meals will not be included.
Tips for guides and porters are not included and are left to your discretion.

Trip Information

How difficult is Ilam Tour?

This Ilam tour is relatively easy on the body when compared to other high-altitude treks. Most of the days consist of driving instead of trekking, keeping the difficult level low. That doesn’t mean it will be hassle free travel. The journey from Kathmandu to Dharan is 11 to 12 hours long, and such long travel time, with the road twisting and turning, is very tiring even form well- experienced travelers.

The quality of the road will also vary along the course of travel. There will be smooth road in the beginning and there will also be section that are bumpy and narrow, particularly in the hills between Dharan and Ilam.

The only time, when travelers have to walk will be on day 6, on the one-hour hike to Antu Danda which is very easy even for first timer.

You don’t even have to worry about altitude on the Ilam Tour package, with the highest altitude being Kanyam, which is only at 1,600 m, much lower than the altitude that might cause altitude sickness.

The climate can sometimes be tricky, especially near Shree Antu. Fog, rain and chilly morning can lower visibility, but these generally do not affect the entire Ilam Sightseeing Tour too much.

As a whole, this trip is appropriate for most types of travelers and is a great option for families, older tourists, and Nepal novices. The only real difficulty is keeping calm during long hours spent driving.

Those who feel comfortable with car journeys and rugged terrain can complete the Ilam Sightseeing Tour without trouble. This makes it a safe and simple journey compared to the average trek in the Himalayas.

Preparation for Ilam Tour

There is particular training needed to prepare for this Ilam tour. Just basic fitness and some planning is enough to complete this tour successfully.

One thing you need to consider is to bring layer clothes suitable for dry land and colder mountains, as temperature can drop drastically from Dhara to Bhedetar and Ilam.

A light jacket will definitely help during early morning at Shree Antu where early morning gives you some cold weather before the sun warm the valley. Also, it is necessary to wear comfortable shoes since it is not a trekking, so no need for heavy boots.

Be ready for long travel days. Bring some snacks, water and something to entertain yourself when you are on the road.

Do check the latest weather updates before preparing the itinerary of your Ilam tour. The weather is important for seeing the sunrise view and mountain.

Lastly, try to keep an open mind. Some unexpected event can alter the itinerary a bit, but this Ilam Sightseeing Tour offers the best experience to those travelers flexible with their schedule.

Best time for Ilam Tour

Spring (March to May)

The spring month is the most suitable time which bring warm temperatures and rhododendron flower blooming across hills. Skies are usually clear making this one of the best seasons for mountain views.

Autumn (September to November)

The autumn is the best time to visit the place as the sky become very clear after the monsoon rain and Shree Antu and Bhedetar gives a very stunning view of the surrounding and mountains.

Winter (December to February)

In winter the temperature drops significantly and become very chilly in the hill terrain like Ilam and Kanyam. Morning is usually cold during the winter, but the daytimes sky is usually bright and clear which also make it great for taking photography.

Monsoon (June to August)

Monsoon is a bit troublesome for people on the Ilam tour package. Rain occurs heavily during the monsoon which make the road muddy and thick cloud often blocks the sunrise view that Shree Antu is famous for.

Accommodation and Meal on Ilam Tour Package

Accommodation during the Ilam tour is simple and comfortable without any luxury. In Kathmandu, you will stay in standard 3 Star Hotel with usual facilities. As you move toward Dharan, Bhedetar and Ilam, you will stay in a standard hotel or guest house managed by families living in the area.

These hotels are perfectly in tune with the nature of this tour. The rooms are basic but sill clean and provide beautiful views from the windows. Kanyam follows the same facilities with all the hotels located with the tea garden. Staying in Kanyam is peaceful due to peaceful nature without the noise of the city.

Meals during the journey consist of a combination of both traditional and modern preparations. Most of the time, you will have dal bhat, a major dish in Nepal, with other items like noodles, eggs and standard western foods.

The vegetable used for eating are different kind of vegetable grown in area like Ilam and Kanyam. As result, the customer is able to eat fresh meal that is prepared at home, not like a factory made.

Tea is also very important here. It is very popular when coming to Ilam and Kanyam, as it is served with meals nearly everywhere.

Usually, breakfast is provided at hotels or guesthouses, while lunch is normally eaten in local cafes on the road. Dinner is normally served back at the place where the night is going to be spent. In general, food has average quality, but you will have to remember that it is not a business trip to enjoy five-star dining experiences.

Language and Communication

For foreigners’ language is not a major problem during the Ilam tour. The national language of the Nepal is Nepali, but cities like Kathmandu and Dharan and many other town popular for tourist destination, English language is widely spoken.

When you move into smaller towns or communities in rural area, English become less common. In this area most people use Nepali to communicate while other language like Lumbu and Rai are also used by local. If you can learn some Nepali phrases, it greatly helps build a connection with the locals.

In case you are having difficulty in communication, you guide during your travel will help you to overcome this problem in the process of interaction with the locals. Your guide will also assist you with everything from ordering food to explaining cultural customs to you.

Cultural Experience

Easter Nepal is very unique in terms of culture. The people who travel to Ilam will have an opportunity to understand the cultural depth and history of their culture that not many people get.

The Rai’s culture continues their legacy in the hills around Dharan and Bhedetar. Traditional music, dress and rituals taking place in this part of Nepal are still part of everyday life instead of being a tourist attraction.

One more culture that contributes to this area is that of the Limbu. Limbu communities are known for their kind behavior towards guests and their unique rituals and traditions which is very similar to Rai.

Food is also an important aspect of culture. There is food like Kinema, gundruk and local varieties of Dal Bhat in this part of the place have their own cultural history. These meals reflect some ancient ways of farming and production.

One of the major activities that make this Ilam Sightseeing Tour popular is the tea farming. Here, you can walk through the tea garden and see how people cultivate this tea.

There are even those places where tourists learn the process of tea-making from drying to rolling. It gives an opportunity to see for themselves the process of making tea that is popular in Nepal.

Transportation

The mode of transportation used in Ilam tour package is the combination of private vehicle, road travel and a short flight after completing the tour successfully.

For most part of the journey, private vehicle is used which include traveling from Kathmandu to Dharan, Bhedetar, Shree Antu and Kanyam. During this travel, you can make stop as you like to take some photos along your journey.

The final part of the tour consists of air travel from Biratnagar to Kathmandu which take only 40 minutes. It actually saves you from lots of days that need to travel on the same road twice in a week.

Packing List

Light clothing for the higher temperature in Kathmandu and Dharan
Warm jacket for chilly morning in places like Bhedetar, Shree Antu and Kanyam
Comfortable shoes for the easy Antu Danda climb
Wear waterproof clothing such as raincoat in case of wet weather
Sunscreen and sunglasses for travelling and visiting
Bring a reusable water bottle with you to avoid plastic waste
Take a power bank and an adaptor for using your devices while travelling
Carry a small first-aid kit with essential medicines and foot blister prevention
Pack the comfortable backpack to keep your essentials with you
Your documents, passport grants you permission to travel.
Don’t forget a camera or a smartphone with enough memory
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Frequently Asked Questions

This tour takes about 8 days starting from Kathmandu, with visiting places like Dharan, Bhedetar, Shree Antu and Kanyam.

Yes, this tour mostly involves driving and light walking, which even a beginner can easily handle it.

The best season is Autumn (September to November) and Spring (March to May) which offers clear skies and stunning mountain views.

No, you don’t need to acquire any permit for your Ilam tour.

No, it is not that hard. It takes about an hour to complete which is considered beginner level hike.

Accommodation in Kathmandu and Dharan will be Standard hotels, and you will stay in simple family-run lodges in Bhedetar, Shree Antu, and Kanyam.

Generally speaking, yes. There is a good network coverage in the cities Kathmandu and Dharan, while in the remote areas of Shree Antu and Kanyam we can get signal, but much slower than in other places.

Definitely. Ilam tour package can be modified and turned into a longer tour, relaxed experience or anything else, depending on individual preferences of the traveler.

Yes, solo travelers can do this trek without any problem. Just like private tour, solo traveler can enjoy as much as possible.

Yes, but sometimes there may be slight delay due to weather conditions.

Trip Reviews

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I had a wonderful experience with Epic trek for my Kathmandu day tour, and our group was genuinely satisfied with the entire service from beginning to end. Everything was very well organized, and the communication before and during the tour was clear and professional. Our guide was friendly, knowledgeable, and very attentive, and he explained the history, culture, and significance of each place in a way that made the experience much more interesting and enjoyable. The itinerary was also well planned, so we were able to visit the main attractions without feeling rushed, while still having enough time to explore and take photos. I especially appreciated how flexible and accommodating the team was whenever we had questions or needed a little extra time at a certain location. The transportation was comfortable, the schedule was managed efficiently, and overall the whole day felt smooth and stress-free. It was a great way to experience Kathmandu in a short amount of time, and I felt that the service was well worth the price. I would definitely recommend this tour company to anyone visiting Kathmandu, especially if you want a reliable, comfortable, and enjoyable day tour with a friendly and professional team. I would be very happy to use their service again in the future!
  
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I had an amazing experience on the Annapurna Circuit Trek. Epic Trek gave me such a memorable adventure from start to finish. I especially want to thank the Bhanubhakta, who accompanied me throughout the entire trek. He was incredibly helpful, kind, and always made sure everyone was safe and comfortable. I truly appreciate his support and highly recommend Epic Trek to anyone planning a trekking adventure in Nepal!
  
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   Quoc Huy N 
 
 
 
 
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Awesome experience. They were very knowledgeable people about the paths, the altitude adaptation and the best pace to keep. They were always nice and accommodating to my needs. It's been one of the best experiences in my life. I fully recommend it.
  
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   Andrés S 
 
 
 
 
     Verified The joy of walking on two feet, the scenery is dumb!
A visit to the Himalayas in early May at 4 Willmal was one of the long-awaited bucket lists. He took steps hoping that both health and luck could walk along. Although it rained frequently in early May due to the unpleasant weather, the cluster that could be seen throughout the walk was a great consolation for the tired footsteps of the dandelions. More than 10 meters tall are called the national trees of Nepal. For the first time in the Himalayas, the large and colourful flower feathers of the Himalayas seem to emerge in a dream. Trekking here seems to be more difficult as you become aware of your destination. With a sense of putting everything down, I had to step one step and move forward. Like the careless jacks here. Finally arrived at the Base Camp Lodge and fell asleep in the expectation of tomorrow's Everest panorama. At 3 o'clock in the morning, we left for approximately two hours to reach the view peak. The sunrise expected was difficult to see in a dark shade, but the magnificent and breathtaking Mount Everest mountain ranges showed a wind-like look. After completing the base camp trip with a cut 'Chalkock' photographed on the background, we travelled through Shambeshi, the area of Solunabou, and visited the nearby Tibetan Buddhist temple 'Keten Kuling' to see the sherpa people and the village that lived as a group around it. The purity and integrity of these mountainous people may come from a life of conformity to nature and religion. He helped us complete this journey safely. Mr. Thank you very much to Bhanu and Porter. Next I think to visit another course. Recommended!!
  
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     Verified Nepal Himalaya and Langtan Valley Tracking Course
The 17 days of Himalayan tracking were completed as planned with the help of a competent guide and Porter. Nankang Valley tracking can be done with the same guide for eight days. It was good. Next year Annapurna Circuit Tracking with a guide Looking forward to a good time.
  
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     Verified In any situation, you are a superb guide and representative.
From March 31 to April 28, I visited Bangfujimalaja with my husband. Thank you very much to Mr. Banuza and Mr. Porter who have been together for a long time. I was a little embarrassed by the agency's representative being guided directly, but the young 28-year-old representative saw how he dealt with the show passionately and calmly. I was able to finish Langtang Belly safely thanks to you and Porter. In particular, he has lived in Korea for six years and is well-known in Korean and has a very good understanding of Korean culture and Korean orientation. Thank you for always caring and caring about our elderly couple. If you go back to Nepal, you will be with Mr. Banu. I hope the air season flourishes every day. Thank you. Thank you.
  
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     Verified The Epic Track that made the best time of life
I visited Langtan Trail through Epic Trek travel agency. Thank you very much to the president of Epic Trek Travel and Bk for creating the best time of my life. Especially thanks to Bk we were able to visit safely and pleasantly! I felt good from start to finish and was able to trekk happily
  
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Our itinerary was action packed involving a combination of business and pleasure. Epic did an amazing job on dealing with the complexities of our itinerary. Really friendly, helpful, flexible and customer focused. I highly recommend Epic
  
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   Peter G 
 
 
 
 
     Verified Pleasant and friendly Manua trip to Nepal
Thanks to the kind and warm lady, I was able to make unforgettable memories. There are many Korean-speaking guides in Nepal, but few can trust them. I recommend Mom's epik trek to those who want to spend valuable time without regrets!
  
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