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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