Antu Danda
In Nepali: अन्तु डाँडा · Also known as: Shree Antu · Antudanda · अन्तुडाँडा
Shree Antu is a ridge at over 2,300 m in eastern Ilam, right on the border with Darjeeling. Visitors gather before dawn at the top to watch the sun rise over the hazy plains of the Terai to the south, while Kanchenjunga turns pink to the north.
The village has many homestays and small hotels, and tea gardens and a small sacred pond lie around it. Weekends and holidays can be busy with domestic tourists; weekdays are calmer.
What to see and do
Watch the sunrise from the viewpoint at the top of the ridge, with the sun rising over the plains and Kanchenjunga lit up to the north on clear winter mornings. Walk among the tea gardens of Shree Antu, visit the small sacred pond (Antu Pokhari), and look across the border into Darjeeling's hills.
Good to know
Arrive the evening before and stay in a homestay to be in place for dawn. It is often foggy in the monsoon; October to March gives the best chances. Winter nights are chilly. Fikkal and Pashupatinagar, on the way, are busy border markets.
Quick answers
- Where is Antu Danda?
- Antu Danda is in Ilam district, Koshi Province, in the Pahad belt of Nepal.
- What is the altitude of Antu Danda?
- About 2,328 m (7,638 ft) above sea level.
- How much does it cost to visit Antu Danda?
- For a 3-day trip from Biratnagar, about NPR 5,500 (≈ US$41) per person on a budget, or NPR 19,500 (≈ US$145) with standard hotels and private transport — for two foreign visitors sharing, including transport, stay, food. Nepali visitors on a budget: about NPR 5,500 per person. These are estimates; adjust them in the trip planner.
- How many days do I need for Antu Danda?
- Plan 1 night there; with travel from Biratnagar and back, about 3 days in all.
- Do I need a permit or ticket for Antu Danda?
- No special permit or ticket is normally needed.
- When is the best time to visit Antu Danda?
- October–March for clear sunrises
- How do I get to Antu Danda?
- About 2 hours by road from Ilam bazaar via Fikkal. It is about 98 km (straight line) from Biratnagar.
- What is Antu Danda called in Nepali?
- अन्तु डाँडा
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