Kanyam, Antu packed with tourists in New Year

By Prem Adhikari,Pashupatinagar, Jan,1: Popular tourist destinations Kanyam and Antu in Ilam district have been overcrowded with both domestic and foreign tourists celebrating the English New Year 2026.

Kanyam and Antu, which attract visitors throughout the year, have once again witnessed a surge in tourist arrivals as people flock to the areas to welcome the New Year.  With a significant number of visitors arriving for the celebrations, major tourist spots in both destinations have become crowded.

Tourists visiting Kanyam and Antu have made advance bookings at hotels and homestays. Visitors from various parts of Nepal and abroad, particularly Indian tourists, have already reserved accommodation in advance. Similar crowds were recorded during the English New Year celebrations last year as well. According to Rudra Ghimire, President of the Antu Tourism Entrepreneurs’ Association, the pressure of tourists increases every year during the English New Year, making it difficult to find rooms without prior booking. He said most hotels, homestays and cottages in Antu have been fully booked from Tuesday till Saturday.

“About 65 per cent of the tourists visiting Antu for the English New Year this time are Indian nationals,” Ghimire said. Tourists from neighbouring Indian regions including Sikkim, Mirik, Siliguri, Darjeeling and West Bengal have already booked hotels in the area.  Antu currently has more than 64 community-based and private homestays, along with over 50 hotels and cottages of various sizes. In recent years, Bengali tourists in particular have shown a growing preference for Antu and Kanyam.

Antu attracts visitors mainly for its sunrise views. Tourists also enjoy boating at Antu pond, horse riding and walking through tea gardens. From Antu, visitors can view Himalayan peaks including Kanchenjunga and Kumbhakarna. 

According to homestay entrepreneur Dhan Kumar Ale, tourists are also drawn by well-decorated wooden houses within tea and flower gardens, as well as homestays offering local cuisines.

Gokul Kafle, a domestic tourist visiting Antu, said he keeps returning to Antu and Kanyam no matter how many times he visits.  Association president Ghimire said that between 3,500 and 4,000 tourists have already made advance bookings in Antu for the New Year. Kanyam, too, has been crowded with tourists.  

Tekeraj Giri, a hotel entrepreneur in Kanyam said accommodation facilities there are also fully occupied. “Tourists have made advance bookings fearing that they might not find rooms if they arrive late,” he said.

For the past five to six years, the English New Year has been celebrated almost like a festival in the area. Tourists from neighbouring countries are increasingly celebrating both the Nepali and English New Years with enthusiasm.

Kanyam receives a large number of visitors for sightseeing and picnics, with a notable presence of Bengali tourists as well. Visitors particularly enjoy spending time in tea gardens, wearing traditional attires of various ethnic groups, taking photographs and tasting local tea.

Suryodaya Municipality has developed several tourist attractions in Kanyam, including a selfie park, a TikTok park and a privately funded skywalk. Tourists are seen enjoying the area until late in the evening.

Following beautification initiatives by Suryodaya Municipality in Kanyam and Antu, tourist arrivals have increased significantly.

Mayor of Suryodaya Municipality Rana Bahadur Rai said Antu and Kanyam, already popular among domestic tourists, have recently seen a growing influx of Indian visitors as well.

Meanwhile, tourists celebrating the English New Year have also crowded Sandakpur, a high-altitude tourist destination in Ilam district.