Ilam

Ilam is the tea capital of Nepal, located in the far eastern hills of Koshi Province near the Indian border with Darjeeling. At 1,200 metres, the town is surrounded by manicured tea gardens producing some of Nepal's finest first-flush teas. The Mai Pokhari wetland, a Ramsar-listed sacred lake surrounded by forest, is a short drive from town. The Antu Hill viewpoint provides sunrise views of Kanchenjunga, the world's third-highest peak. Ilam is part of the eastern tea trail — a walking route through tea gardens, cardamom farms, and traditional Rai and Limbu villages. The town is 35 km from the Panitanki–Kakarbhitta border crossing.