The Nepal Weekly 
May 2, 2023
On March 11, 2023, I visited Kanyam, a small village located in the Ilam district in Eastern part of Nepal. I was returning from my Sikkim trip with one of my friends and Ilam was just on the way; so we decided to visit Kanyam while we were there. We took a jeep from Charali bus stop and we reached Shree Antu in less than 3 hours. There, we stayed in a cozy little hotel situated near the Antu lake, which offered a picturesque view of the surrounding mountains.
Shree Antu is a small space filled with local tourists, where a small lake called the Antu is located. The lake was not too big but just enough for a nice view and boating purposes . The place was quiet and offered a good sunrise view too.
On the first day morning of the visit, we decided to hike up to Antu Danda, a popular vantage point that offers a panoramic view of the Kanyam valley. The hike was a bit steep, but the view from the top was worth every step. The sprawling tea gardens, dense green forests, and the view of snow-capped mountains in the distance created a picture-perfect landscape. There was also horse-riding services in Shree Antu. We were offered a ride back to our hotel on horse-back charging some money. However, we didn’t feel right about making the animal carry our weights like that.
Frankly, there aren’t many things to do at Shree Antu other than going to the view point. So after returning back to our hotel, we went to the bus stop and got a microbus straight to our next destination- the tea garden at Kanyam.
The tea garden, spread over a vast area, is a sight to behold. The tea bushes, neatly lined up in rows, create a sea of green colour that stretches as far as the eye can reach. The garden is surrounded by tall trees, which provide shade and keep the temperature cool and pleasant.
As I walked through the tea garden, I could see the workers plucking the tea leaves with great care and precision. It was fascinating to watch the entire process of tea making, from the plucking of the leaves to their drying and processing. I even got to taste some freshly brewed tea, which was refreshing and invigorating.
Apart from the tea garden and Antu Danda, Kanyam has a lot more to offer. The village is surrounded by numerous waterfalls. The locals are friendly and welcoming, and are always happy to share their culture and traditions with visitors.
Overall, my experience in Kanyam was decent. The beauty and tranquility of the place, combined with the warmth and hospitality of the locals, made it a nice trip. However, since the things you can do there are limited, I would recommend visiting Kanyam only as a detour from another trip; I personally wouldn’t want to travel all the way to near the Indian border just to look at the tea garden.
In conclusion, Kanyam is a nice little place in the Ilam district of Nepal, which offers a good blend of natural beauty, culture, and hospitality. A visit to Kanyam is good for anyone who wants to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and immerse themselves in the serenity of nature.
By Niraj Pradhan
