Gufapatal in full bloom of Azelea draws crowds of tourists

By Prem Adhikari,Pashupatinagar (Ilam), Apr. 26: Nestled amid dense pine forests, Gufapatal has been transformed into a vibrant landscape as Azalea flowers burst into full bloom. 

With the flowering season in progress, the area is now blanketed in colourful blossoms, attracting a surge of visitors.

Located near the Nepal–India border, close to Mechi Bazaar in Suryodaya–4, Gufapatal sees a significant influx of tourists during this period. 

According to Bijay Lawati, Secretary of the Gufapatal Tourism Committee, the site becomes especially crowded when the flowers are in full bloom.

Situated at an altitude of approximately 2,024 metres above sea level, Gufapatal is currently bustling with both Nepali and Indian tourists. 

Visitors are drawn to the area for leisure and to enjoy the scenic beauty enhanced by the seasonal flowers.

The Tourism Committee has developed a park with a view tower and flower garden across seven ropanis of land at Gufapatal hill. 

The Azalea flowers begin blooming from mid-April and typically last for about a month. 

“This is the peak season when most tourists visit. At present, around 4,000 to 5,000 visitors arrive daily,” said Lawati.

With support from various organisations, the Koshi Province Government and the local ward office, infrastructure development in the area has improved, leading to the establishment of over a dozen homestays and hotels. Gufapatal also offers panoramic views of sunrise and sunset, along with distant mountains including Kangchenjunga. 

Ward chairperson Saran Rai informed that the site attracts visitors primarily for sightseeing. The area is also home to diverse species of butterflies and birds.

Tourists visiting nearby destinations such as Kanyam and Antudanda often extend their trip to Gufapatal during the flower season. 

The site can be reached via a roughly seven kilometre journey from Antu Chhabise, involving both paved and unpaved roads. Alternatively, it is about six kilometres from Pashupatinagar via the Indian route.

However, Rai acknowledged that road conditions still pose challenge for visitors, although expansion work is ongoing. “Despite the access issues, the beauty of this place ensures that those who visit once tend to return,” he said.

The committee reports that a majority of tourists come from West Bengal, India. 

Gufapatal has also become an increasingly popular destination for couples, as well as for music video production and film shooting. 

Nearby attractions, including a cave with a Buddhist monastery, a park, the source of the Mechi River, Mechi Bazaar, tea gardens, and serene pine forests, along with views extending to Mirik and Darjeeling, continue to lure visitors to this scenic destination.