Ilam Tea Gardens and Antu Danda

The Ilam Tea Gardens and Antu Danda trek is a three-day walk through the tea country of eastern Nepal: a morning down through the Kanyam estates to Fikkal, then the road walk from Fikkal to the Antu Danda watchtower (about 2,000 m), a night near the viewpoint, and the return at sunrise. On our map the three days are 5.3 km, 16.7 km and 16.7 km, with about 610 m of climbing on the two long days, and almost all of it on village roads and tea-estate lanes. An operator gives 11 km and 3 to 4 hours up and 5 to 6 hours back, so we allow 4 to 6 hours each way. No permit, no flight inside the route and no altitude are involved, and the best months are March to June and September to November.

What the walk is like

Day one is a gentle descent from Kanyam, the best-known tea garden in the district, to the bazaar town of Fikkal. Day two follows village roads east to Shree Antu, past tea, cardamom and forest, and ends at Antu Danda, where you sleep close to the watchtower. Day three starts before dawn for the view of Kanchenjunga, Makalu and Everest, then returns to Fikkal by the same road or by a vehicle from Shree Antu. The walking is easy but long, mostly on roads, so it suits people who like to take the days slowly.

Day by day

Day one is 5.3 km down from Kanyam to Fikkal, 1.5 to 2 hours, mostly on tea-estate roads. Day two is the long walk to Antu Danda, 16.7 km on our map and 4 to 6 hours with stops, sleeping close to the watchtower. Day three is the sunrise and the return to Fikkal, another 16.7 km, with the option of a vehicle from Shree Antu. Mai Pokhari is not on the walking route, since it lies in a different part of the district, but it makes an easy extra morning if you have a vehicle.

Getting there and away

Most visitors fly to Bhadrapur or Chandragadhi in Jhapa and drive north to Fikkal, which is about 700 km from Kathmandu by road. Kanyam is a short ride from Fikkal. A vehicle can pick you up from Shree Antu on day two or three.

Permits, guides and costs

No trekking permit or TIMS card is needed, and Ilam lies outside any national park, conservation area or restricted area, so no guide is required; one is optional. Costs are two nights of lodging, the transfers and any guide; see the cost section for ranges.

Season and safety

Spring and autumn are best, and autumn is clearest for the Himalayan view. The roads are muddy in the monsoon and mist can hide the sunrise, so build in a spare morning. See our guide rule page for the rule in full.