Things to do · Ilam
Ilam's Tea Villages: Fikkal, Choyatar & Larumba
Bustling Fikkal, organic Choyatar and the Larumba gardens — Ilam's tea villages for rural hill life and homestays.
Beyond Ilam Bazaar and the famous Kanyam gardens, the tea district unfolds through a string of villages that show everyday hill life in Nepal's tea country. Fikkal buzzes at a crossroads on the road to the border, while smaller Choyatar and Larumba sit quietly among the gardens — good for slow walks, photography and a more rural, immersive side of Ilam.
The villages
Fikkal is a lively junction town on the main route through the hills, close to Kanyam and a gateway toward Pashupatinagar and the India border. It is a practical stop for transport, tea shops and a sense of busy hill-town life, and many tea-garden trips pass through it.
Choyatar is associated with organic tea farming, a small settlement among green slopes where the emphasis is on sustainable cultivation. It makes a peaceful contrast to the busier roadside spots.
Larumba lends its name to well-regarded gardens and is another quiet, scenic pocket of the tea hills — a place to wander, take in the views and meet the people who grow the leaf.
What to do
These villages are about atmosphere rather than ticking off sights: walk the lanes and garden paths, watch plucking in season, sip tea where it is grown, and stay in a simple homestay for a closer look at rural life. They pair naturally with an Ilam tea tour and a sunrise outing to Antu Danda.
A day spent moving slowly between the villages gives a fuller sense of how the tea district actually works — the small farms and cooperatives, the cycle of plucking and processing, and the everyday rhythm of hill communities whose livelihoods are tied to the leaf. It is a gentler, more human counterpoint to the headline viewpoints, and a good way to meet local people and support the growers directly by buying tea at source.
Getting around the villages
Fikkal, Choyatar and Larumba lie on or just off the main road that runs from Ilam Bazaar toward Pashupatinagar and the border, the same route that passes the Kanyam tea gardens. Shared jeeps and local buses serve the larger settlements, while a hired vehicle gives the freedom to stop wherever a view or a garden catches your eye. Allow more time than the short distances suggest, as the hill roads wind a great deal.
Good to know
- Combine with the gardens: Fikkal, Choyatar and Larumba sit on or near the main tea route, easily added to a Kanyam day.
- Homestays: Modest village stays exist; arrange ahead through a guesthouse where possible.
- Go in season: Spring to autumn brings active gardens and the greenest hills.
Plan it in
See how the villages fit with the rest of the district in the best things to do in Ilam, pick your dates with the best time to visit Ilam, and place Ilam among the best places to visit in Nepal. For the overview, start with the Ilam travel guide.
Frequently asked questions
What are Ilam's tea villages?+
Beyond Ilam Bazaar, the tea district is dotted with villages such as Fikkal, a busy crossroads on the road toward the India border, plus Choyatar and Larumba, smaller settlements among the gardens known for organic tea and quiet rural hill life.
Why visit Fikkal?+
Fikkal is a lively junction town on the main route through the tea hills, close to the Kanyam gardens and a gateway toward Pashupatinagar and the border. It is a handy stop for transport, tea shops and a feel for everyday hill-town life in Ilam.
What are Choyatar and Larumba known for?+
Choyatar is associated with organic tea farming, while Larumba lends its name to well-regarded gardens. Both are small, scenic settlements among the tea hills, good for a quiet walk, photography and a glimpse of rural Ilam away from the busier spots.
Can you stay in Ilam's tea villages?+
Yes, in places. Some villages and tea-garden areas offer simple homestays and guesthouses, giving an immersive, rural alternative to staying in Ilam Bazaar. Options are modest, so ask locally or arrange through a guesthouse in advance.
