Ilam Sightseeing tour
Ilam is a municipality and a renowned tea-producing town in Nepal, known for its natural beauty, scenic landscapes, tea cultivation, and spiritual sites. This 7-day tour offers a perfect retreat from city life, with opportunities to explore lush tea gardens, enjoy panoramic views, and experience unique Nepali tea culture.
Ilam is a municipality and a renowned tea-producing town in Nepal. It lies in the Ilam District, located in the hilly Eastern Region of Nepal, approximately 700 km east of Kathmandu. The town is well-known for its natural beauty and scenic landscapes, tea cultivation, spiritual sites, and a diverse agricultural economy. Ilam offers a perfect retreat from hectic city life — whether it's watching the sunrise and sunset, taking a peaceful walk through the tea gardens, enjoying a tranquil picnic and sightseeing stop, embarking on short treks along gentle slopes, or venturing into the nearby forests. For those drawn by spirituality, there are various sacred sites to explore in and around the area. Ilam is a highly sought-after travel destination for tourists of all types.
From an elevation of 5,500 ft, one can witness a panoramic view of the entire Ilam region, including Darjeeling and Kurseong across the border. The refreshing
Trip Facts
Group Size
Limiting group sizes to a maximum of 20.
Maximum Elevation
Approximately 5,500 ft (1,677 m) for panoramic views, Mai Pokhari at 2,438 m.
Location
Ilam District, hilly Eastern Region of Nepal, approximately 700 km east of Kathmandu.
Route
Kathmandu to Birtamod to Ilam via Mechi Highway.
Grade
Easy
Best Season
Autumn (September–November) and Spring (March–May) are best.
Accommodation
2-3 star hotels, Single/Twin-sharing room.
Transportation
Overnight night bus from Kathmandu, with options for private jeep or flight to Bhadrapur.
Marvel at the vast expanses of lush-green tea plantations, with hills draped in vibrant greenery year-round — a signature feature of Ilam’s captivating landscape.
From elevations around 5,500 ft, enjoy breathtaking views of the entire Ilam region, with distant glimpses of Darjeeling and Kurseong across the Indian border.
Experience the serene rhythm of Nepali tea culture, where the cool climate, gentle hills, and melodic voices of tea pickers create a setting ideal for tourism and relaxation.
Visit various holy and spiritual sites around Ilam that draw visitors seeking peace, reflection, and spiritual connection.
Ideal for those needing a break, Ilam offers a tranquil atmosphere perfect for sunrise and sunset views, nature walks, peaceful picnics, and short scenic treks.
Explore Ilam’s diverse agro-economy, which goes beyond tea to include cardamom, ginger, potatoes, and dairy farming, offering an insight into rural livelihoods.
Discover renowned estates like the Island Tea Garden near Ilam Bazaar and the Kenyan Tea Garden nestled between the Terai plains and the town center.
The gentle blend of fresh mountain air, green landscapes, and rural harmony offers visitors a profound sense of relaxation and contentment.
- Pick up / Drop Airport to Hotel.
- All land transport as itinerary.
- Accommodation during the tour: Single/Twin-sharing room as itinerary. Asian Hiking Team provide on cost 2-3 star hotel. If you want higher star, please add on option cost.
- Breakfast: All breakfast are includes on the cost with hot drinks Tea/Coffee (black, milk tea, or ginger lemon honey tea) etc.
- National Park permit /entrance fees.
- Conservation permit / Entrance fees.
- Entrance fees: Temple, Monastery, Durbar Square, Museum etc
- Tour Guide: A First Aid and Eco trained & Government licensed holder professional equipped English-speaking Tour guide.
- Tour Map /Itinerary: Asian Hiking Team provides free a copy of tour map /Tour Itinerary to our client.
- T-short: Asian Hiking Team provide the company T-short for a souvenir.
- Certificate: Asian Hiking Team provide tour success certificate for your memory and awardees.
- First Aid: First aid is the immediate assistance given to someone who is injured or ill until professional medical help is available. Its goal is to preserve life, prevent further harm, and promote recovery. Asian Hiking Team staff carry the basic first aid. You need to bring your own personal medicine with you.
- Farewell dinner: Asian Hiking Team provide a farewell dinner with Nepalese cultural programs the last day of the trip.
- Accommodation: If you stay an additional day, you need to pay an extra cost.
- Meals: Lunch and Dinner are not includes.
- Personal tour gears & clothing (some of the equipment is possible to rent in Kathmandu): please check in check list for equipment list
- Internet / Wi-Fi/Telephone: There are almost all tour area are internet/ Wi-Fi service. It is also possible to buy the NCAL or NTC Sim card for telephone or use data.
- Insurance: Medical evacuation in case of emergency, expenses incurred due to mishaps, landslide, strikes, political unrest etc. in such case extra will be charged as per actual.
- Hot, cold drinks and snacks: Pack energy bars, nuts, chocolate, or local chyura (beaten rice) for quick energy boosts between meals.
- The tips for Tour guide or hotel: It's a way to show appreciation for good service and is often left as a small present or in addition. Tips are a common practice in many cultures and are often expected for services. It is not fix amount, so you can own decide. For those who wish to contribute to schools or charitable organizations.
If you are looking your own language tour guide, yes it is possible, but you need to pay extra so add on option cost.
Tailored add-ons in Nepal trips refer to customizable essentials that enhance and personalize your travel experience, allowing you to align your journey with specific interests, preferences, and schedules. These add-ons can be combined into various types of trips, including trekking, expedition, climbing, cultural tours, wildlife safaris, and adventure activities.
Customized Accommodations: Choose from a range of lodging options, from luxury hotels to homestays, to match your comfort and budget preferences. Upgrade your stay to accommodation featuring attached bathrooms during your trek. Enjoy additional comfort at select stops (start extra cost US$30/night during the tour).
Helicopter/mountain flight: if you have short time frame, we recommended you that one hour Mountain flight or helicopter flight to visit Everest base camp or Annapurna base camp or Langtang (Kyanjin Gomaba) or Gosaikunda, Muktinath. The cost depends on number of members, destination etc.
Adventure Activities: Incorporate thrilling experiences such as paragliding in Pokhara, bungee jumping over the...
Routing via Bhadrapur flight
Duration: Kathmandu to Bhadrapur: Daily flights (45 minutes) by Buddha Air, Yeti Air, Sita Air (many flight and possible) then 8-10 hours road transfer (bus or jeep) from Bhadrapur to Taplejung.
Recommend: If reliability is top priority, consider fly to Bhadrapur + drive—more predictable timing, but much longer total journey time.
Cost: Every season all cost are changeable, so please check by email or WhatsApp for recent cost.
By Local Bus/Tourist Bus
Kathmandu to Ilam (fikal) by local/Deluxe night/Day bus
Route: Kathmandu to Birtamod to Ilam.
Distance: approx. 480 km via Mechi Highway.
Total Duration: 12–14 hours, depending on road/weather.
Private Jeep (Comfort + Faster)
Route: Kathmandu to BP Highway to Birtamod to Ilam
Travel Time: 12–14 hours total with breaks.
Optional Route
Kathmandu to Birtamod by Micro bus (Minibus) and share Jeep to Ilam.
Route: Kathmandu to BP Highway to Birtamod and Share Jeep to Ilam
Travel Time: 12–15 hours total with breaks.
Cost: Every season all cost...
General Climate Overview
Nepal's climate is incredibly diverse due to its dramatic range in altitude—from the lowland Terai plains (around 60 meters above sea level) to the Himalayan peaks above 8,000 meters. The country experiences five main seasons: spring, summer, monsoon, autumn, and winter.
Terai Region (Southern Plains)
Climate: Subtropical
Summer (May–June): Hot and humid, temperatures often exceed 37°C
Winter (Dec–Feb): Mild, temperatures range between 7°C to 23°C
Receives significant rainfall during the monsoon (June–September)
Hilly Region (Mid-Hills & Valleys)
Climate: Mild and temperate
Cities like Kathmandu and Pokhara experience:
Summer: 19°C – 35°C
Winter: 2°C – 12°C
Pleasant weather year-round, with occasional winter chills and summer showers
Mountain Region (High Himalayas)
Climate: Alpine to Arctic
Summer: Cool to cold, depending on altitude
Winter: Severe cold with frequent snowfall
Temperatures can drop below -20°C at high passes and base camps
Monsoon rains are lighter, but weather remains unpredictable
Nepal experiences four distinct seasons, each offering different trekking experiences:
Autumn (September–November)
Best trekking season clear skies, excellent...
Asian Hiking Team’s tour Guides are professionals with recognized records of honesty and personal integrity, committed to environmentally responsible trekking practices that minimize ecological impact.
Asian Hiking team tour guide has licensed by the Government of Nepal through the Nepal Academy of Tourism and Hotel Management (NATHM) and Nepal Mountain Academic. They have several years of experience in the field, especially in cultural, religion, heritage, and adventure tours. Skilled in storytelling, sharing legends, myths, and spiritual meanings behind temples, mountains, and rituals. Experts in UNESCO sites (e.g., Kathmandu, Bhaktapur), fluent in history, architecture, and local customs. All certified guides speak fluent English and additional languages as your request. Friendly, professional, and well-mannered. Our guide are friendly, professional, and well-mannered. Trained in customer service, problem-solving, and group handling. Skilled in storytelling, sharing legends, myths, and spiritual meanings behind temples, mountains, and rituals.
We provide to all tour guide:
Insurance: Mandatory coverage for medical...
Credit cards like American Express, Master and Visa are accepted at major hotels, shops, Travel Company and restaurants. 3.5 to 4 percent of the total amount may be converted by the bank. ATMs are widely in use such as Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan-Sauraha, Bhairahawa, Namche, Lukla, Jomsom, Nepaljung, Biratnagar, Lumbini and other major cities and district head office.
All major cities or touristic place have money changer or Exchanger counter or Bank exchange counter. Tribhuwan International Airport (TIA) provide service for exchanging foreign currency too.
At Asian Hiking Team, we believe that every journey should be both transformative for the traveler and respectful to the host environment and communities. Responsible tourism isn’t just a practice—it’s a core value that shapes how we operate, lead tours, and engage with people and places.
Environmental Responsibility
We are committed to minimizing the environmental impact of our operations while encouraging a greener way of traveling.
Our eco-conscious practices include:
Limiting group sizes to a maximum of 20 to reduce environmental pressure.
Using stainless steel mugs for tea/coffee to reduce single-use waste.
Relying on gas for cooking instead of wood fires, preserving forests.
Carrying out waste from high altitudes for proper city disposal.
Avoiding the use of soap near natural water sources.
Using reusable containers and encouraging travelers to bring their own refillable water bottles.
Leaving campsites cleaner than we found them.
Encouraging minimal water usage, especially in high-altitude regions.
Preventing trail damage by staying on established routes and avoiding switchback...
On Arrival' visa procedure is very quick and simple. You can expect some queues during peak Tourist season. If you wish to skip those queues, you can also consider getting Visa from Nepalese Diplomatic Missions stationed abroad prior to your arrival. Choice is yours. Visas obtained on Arrival at the Entry and Exit points are 'Tourist Visas'. They bear multiple Re-entry facility. Tourist Visa 'On Arrival' is the only entry visa to Nepal.
For visa information -
Online visa procedure - https://nepaliport.immigration.gov.np/
Please follow these simple procedures for Tourist Visa on Arrival at the airport (TIA)
1st Step
Fill in ' Arrival Card’
Fill in Online Tourist visa Form http://online.nepalimmigration.gov.np/tourist-visa (you can fill it up prior to your arrival visiting our official website Department of Immigration / fill it up using Kiosk machines upon your arrival at the airport). If you fill it from the website, you will get submission Receipt with barcode, please...
Daypack or backpack (suitcase for all gears) :
Comfortable walking shoes :
Light jacket or sweater :
Some pair of T-shirts and Shirts :
Bathing clothes :
Sun hat or cap :
Lightweight scarf or shawl (for temple visits) :
Sunglasses with UV protection :
Neutral-colored clothing (avoid red/bright) : if you are planning to do jungle safari trip
Comfortable sandals :
Sunscreen and lip balm :
Water bottle (refillable) :
Travel umbrella or raincoat : if travel in monsoon
Power bank and adapters : Nepal uses 230V, Type C/D/M plugs
Travel documents : passeport, permit, insurance, visa/master car etc.
Personal medications and first aid kit :
Camera or phone with charger :
Small notebook and pen :
Hand sanitizer and face mask :
Torchlight or headlamp : if travel in outside of Kathmandu and Bokhara
