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Basantapur

Further east from Hile, is the little settlement of Basantapur with a few lodges for tourists and local travelers. It lies on the route to the Kanchenjunga region which is one of the less traveled trekking destinations in Nepal. Being on an important route to the north-east, there are many travelers passing every day. The area is known for a large variety of rhododendrons and during spring, the upper regions are resplendent in many colored flowers that grace the hills. This region also boasts the most variety of rhododendrons in Nepal. Among the ethnic groups in this region, the Limbus predominate. The best times to visit are spring from February to April and the autumn from October to December. The climate is cool throughout the year.

Dhanushadham

Dhanushadham, a historical and religious site, dates back to the time of the great epic- Ramayana. The Dhanusha Temple here was constructed in 1939 A.D. Located 18 km north-east of Janakpur in the south-central region of Nepal, Dhanushadham is said to be the place where Lord Rama had broken Shiva's divine bow in order to win the hand of Sita in marriage. The epic describes how one of the three pieces of the bow fell in the present day Dhanushadham; hence its religious significance. There is a large pond here and lovely walks around this site.

Ilam

Talk of Nepali tea and you hear the name Ilam. Ilam has always been synonymous with tea, but it also produces excellent cheese and has great views of Mt. Kanchenjunga, the third highest mountain in the world. Ilam is a district in the far eastern part of Nepal and also has a town known as Ilam Bazaar. Close to the famous Indian hill station of Darjeeling, it shares a common topography of rolling hills and misty weather with its neighbor. Most of Ilam is covered in lush green tea bushes which are generally not allowed to grow over three feet for convenience of plucking. Ilam is served by a good road which sees little traffic making for a pleasant journey. Some tea estates have arrangements to give tourists a tour of their garden (as they are known) and the factory where the entire process of fermenting, roasting, rolling, cutting and sorting can be most interesting to watch. Ilam tea is gaining popularity around the world.

Principal Sights:

Antu Danda: Situated at an altitude of 1,677m Antu Danda in Ilam District, is famous for its unique views of Everest and Kanchenjunga. You can catch superb sunrise and sunset views from the hilltop (danda means hilltop). A motor road goes all the way from Ilam to Chhipitar at which point you have to set off on foot to Antu Danda. This is an exhilarating 3 hour trek along a stretch of road surrounded by greenery.

Mai Pokhari: A popular pilgrimage site, Mai Pokhari at 2438 m, also lies in Ilam district. 13 km north of Ilam Bazaar, this beautiful lake with a circumference slightly more than a kilometer is only one out of nine ponds in the area. Some of them are large enough for boating. Each year during 'Harisayam Ekadashi' Mai Pokhari comes alive with a fair that lasts only one night. You can reach Mai Pokhari, a popular picnic spot, in four hours from Ilam Bazaar by jeep.

Getting there

The road to Ilam leaves the Mahendra Highway at Charali and local buses to the border town, Pashupatinagar, leave from the Gongabu Bus Park in Kathmandu. Transport is also available from Biratnagar or Birtamod. The closest airport (45 minute flight from Kathmandu) is at Bhadrapur (actually Chandragiri Airport) from where cars or vans can be hired to go up to Ilam.

Accommodation:

There are a number of hotels and lodges in Ilam.

Khaptad

Khaptad has a diverse landscape which makes it attractive to tourists. From sub-tropical conditions, the climate changes to temperate and sub-alpine conditions. Covered with grassland and forests, the area is ideal for treks in the wilderness with mountain views. The major attraction is the Khaptad National Park (3000m) designated in 1984. It is known to have 224 species of herbs and about 567 species of flowers, 11 percent of all flowering plants of Nepal. The park harbors about 270 species of birds and is good for bird watching. The region has also gained religious significance as the home of the famous Khaptad Baba (Swami). His ashram in Tribeni is an important pilgrimage site. The best time to visit Khaptad is during spring from March to May or in autumn from October to November.