Places to Visit in Eastern Nepal

From Ilam’s tea gardens to the peak of Kanchenjunga, Eastern Nepal is a part of Nepal that has something to provide for explorers, nature lovers, and culture hunters alike. Below is a selection of must-see attractions in Eastern Nepal:

1. Ilam 

Ilam is also famed for its rolling hills of tea plantations that render the area to be among the most scenic places to visit in Nepal. The soothing smell of the tea leaf and the quiet atmosphere are a relaxing refuge. Besides the tea gardens, you can also visit

• Antu Danda: Perfect location to view the sunrise of Mt Kanchenjunga & hills.
• Maipokhari: A quiet pilgrimage site of wetlands with dense forests that have quiet walking tracks.
• Kanyam: Ideal picnic area with scenic beauty and pleasing climatic conditions.

2. Dhankuta

Dhankuta is a small hill town that is rich with scenic beauty and culture. The town is well-equipped with

• Hile Bazar: Known for delicious traditional meals and a break to the treks of Arun Valley.
• Pakhribas: An experimental farming research center with beautiful gardens and hiking tracks.
• Bhedetar: A bird-eye vantage point of the Terai flats and the Himalayan range. Here is the famed Charles Point, so-called by the Prince of that name.

3. Taplejung

Taplejung is the gateway to the Kanchenjunga region, which hosts the world’s third-tallest peak. The prominent attractions are:

• Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek: A tough trek with awesome views of Mt. Kanchenjunga and other mountains.
• Pathibhara Devi: It is a Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims’ holy temple where it is said to fulfill the pilgrims’ wishes.
• Ghunsa Village: Charming Sherpa village with a touch of culture with stunning mountain views.

4. Biratnagar

Biratnagar, the country of Nepal’s second-largest city, is not merely an industrial town. It also has to provide

• Dharan: A town that is famed for clean streets, temples, and a Gurkha recruiting center of the British.
• Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve: It is a bird watcher’s delight with the Arna (wild water buffalo) that is rare inside the reserve among other bird species.
• Jatras and Festivals: Biratnagar is vibrant with festivals that are a mirror of the rich culture of the region.

5. Sankhuwasabha

This district is well known for its religious sites and scenic beauty. Tourist sites include

• Makalu Barun National Park: A rich diversity of unspoiled landscape treks and stunning scenery of Mt. Makalu, the fifth-tallest mountain in the world.
• Arun Valley: It is the deepest of the deepest valleys of the planet with unparalleled beauty and rich heritage to explore.
• Barun Valley: For the flora and fauna enthusiast, the valley is abuzz with serene treks to forests and waterfalls.

6. Bhojpur

Bhojpur is also well known for traditional craftsmanship of course the very well-known Bhojpure Khukuri (the traditional Nepali knife). Famous places to visit are

• Temke Danda: Panoramic view of the Himalayas with the best sunrise & sunset viewpoint.
• Taksar: Renowned metalsmiths of the khukuri.
• Hatuwa Gadi: Ancient fort associated with the country’s union

7. Khotang

Khotang is a prosperous district with religious pilgrimage destinations and scenic landscapes.

• Halesi Mahadev Temple: It is also called the Pashupatinath of eastern Nepal and is held sacred by Hindus, Buddhists, and the Kiratis.
• Digital Bazaar: Picturesque town that serves as a base for all the major treks.
• Aiselukharka: Offers beautiful scenes and a glimpse of the Indigenous culture.

Eastern Nepal is a lesser-told story with a ravishing landscape, religious moments of beauty, and rich culture. If you want to relax among the plantations of the teas of Ilam, finish the daunting treks of Kanchenjunga, or visit the sacred shrines of the Halesi Mahadev, the region is filled with memories to cherish. Visit the region and learn about the rich diversity the eastern side of Nepal can provide.