With the onset of the peak tourism season, hotels in northeastern frontier towns are packed with Indian tourists who enter Nepal overland.
More than two dozen hotels in Santapur, Kalpokhari, Tumling, Meghma and Jaubari are reporting full occupancy due to the inflow of Indian vacationers.

"We depend mainly on Indian tourists to fill our hotels as Nepali sightseers rarely come here," said Mingma Tamang, a hotelier in Kalpokhari. He said at least 100 Indian holidaymakers were arriving daily to visit the local tourist spots.

Tourism entrepreneurs complain that the government has been ignoring developing infrastructure despite the area's great tourism potential.

"Hotels are fully booked up to next month," said Keshari Gurung, a hotelier in Tumling. According to her, September to October is the peak season for Indian tourists who come mainly from the state of West Bengal.

Rare wildlife like the red panda and spiny babbler, and visual treats like the sunrise over the Himalaya are the major attractions for thrill