Staying true to its tea and taal theme, Ilam District has another location worthy to mention- the Mai Pokhari. Its merely 5 hours drive from Shree Antu Homestay and you have to pass through Fidim - the headquarter of Illam. If mountains do not excite you and you’re seeking more depth in your travels, Mai Pokhari may just be the one for you! With its luscious jungles- habitat to the adorable and rare Red Pandas, Mai Pokhari is sure to give you an experience you’ll never forget.

ABOUT THE HOMESTAY

Mai Pokhari Community Homestays in Deurali (around 3,200m) is a remote village where you can truly experience a community life. In this unmarked destination you can hardly find a single tourist. The community lives in serenity and helps each other in every way. Currently, there are 9 homes that hosts travelers and features wooden style houses surrounded by beautiful gardens.

For your meals, aside from the obligatory dal bhat tarkari (lentils, rice and vegetable curry), you may enjoy their beloved "Wachipa" – chicken fried rice with powder made of burnt chicken feather (believed to cure body aches), or potato fries, or even some fresh kiwis!

HIGHLIGHTS

Visit MaiPokhari lake & the Temple of Goddess Bhagwati

Slightly bigger than Antu, the beautiful Mai Pokhari awaits you, and is available for visit round the year.This lake is shaped with 9 corners and each corner represents a tribute to a different god. The Bhagwati temple lies next to the lake.

Trip to Todke Falls

A 3 hours drive and 30 minutes walk from the the main market, takes you to one of the best and the second longest waterfalls in Nepal. The fall is in Maimajhuwa and captures attention of many travelers.

Churpi treats

A unique treat that you have to try is the Churpi, often hoarded by the pounds and always demanded by people in the cities, who unfortunately don’t have much access to these delicious and rich milk chews.

Visit to the Local Cheese Factory

If you’re free of the curse known as lactose intolerance, feel free to indulge yourself in the locally manufactured cheese- a guaranteed hit amongst cheese fans, and a creamy/tangy taste that you will want more of.

Sunset

If you prefer wind down as you enjoy the sunset, signaling the end of the day and filling you with excitement for the next day, then the Mai Pokhari sunset is sure to do the trick.

Hike or take a Jeep to Sandakpur

The hike  to Sandakpur (forth or back) takes around 8 hours. From Sandakpur you can see four of the five highest peaks in the world, Everest, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse and Makalu. It is also the highest point of Ilam and home to Red Panda.

For more information about activities, you can contact our travel experts.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

Because the environment is so pleasant, even a short visit right after Shree Antu during Bhadra may be a good choice, but the place is generally available around the year.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Climate and weather

The climate in Nepal is almost moderate, with a few sultry months. Normally, the people would say the best time to visit Nepal is from October to April. But since the harvesting season of the tea and other agricultural activities are during June, July and August we would recommend visit these places during the monsoon.