Khaptad-Badimalika Trek

Welcome to Nepal. After completing immigration formalities, meet our representative outside the arrival lounge who will transfer you to your hotel. In the evening, meet your guide and attend trek briefing session.

After breakfast, do some last minute shopping, if need be, as our flight is in the afternoon. A flight of about an hour will take you to Dhangadhi – the commercial center of far-western Nepal. Upon arrival in Nepalgunj, get transferred to your hotel. Remaining time is free for independent activities.

After early breakfast, start driving toward Dipayal Silgadhi – the district headquarters of Doti district. The drive is pleasing as the narrow roads snakes through southern plains of Tarai initially and climbs up the hills. After a drive of around two hours, you will stop at Khandanda hill station for lunch. A drive of another four hours from here will take you to Silgadhi. Silgadhi is a small mountain bazaar that sits on a ridge across Seti River which originates in Saipal Himal.

Today, you will drive to your trek starting at Jhingrana. The off-road drive takes around two hours. Jhingrana is a small settlement in Doti district. Take lunch here and show permits at the Khaptad Naitonal Park Office. Meet your support staff, arrange your loads and start your trek toward Khaptad National Park. The trail is steep and makes a vertical climb of about 900 meters. After a walk of about four hours from Jhingrana, you will reach Bichpani.

Start from your camp early. Although the trail is not as steep as yesterday, the beautiful meadows of Khaptad are still far away. After a walk of some three hours from Bichpani, cross a stream on a wooden bridge and climb the stone trail right ahead of you. After a short walk, the meadows start appearing before you. When you reach Tribeni – literally the confluence of three rivers, take the left trail to reach the headquarters of Khaptad National park. The trail to the national park headquarters is through the beautiful meadows. There is an army camp near the park headquarters.

You will explore the beautiful meadows of Khpaptad today. Sub-alpine forests cover most of the part of Khaptad. However, there are 22 beautiful meadows here. There are also beautiful temples like Triveni, Sahasralinga, Khapardaha, Nagdhunga and Ganeshsthan. Places not to be missed are Khaptad Lake which is about an hour’s walk from the headquarters.The Khaptad Tower is another landmark worth visiting. Similarly, another attraction that you should not miss is the Khaptad Baba Ashram – the hut of the sage Khpatad. Attracted by the natural and spiritual beauty of the place, the sage is believed to have lived here for 50 years. The hut lies about half an hour’s walk away from the park headquarters seated on a small ridge. You can see even beautiful meadows with some Buddhist memorials behind the ridge. The meadows of Khaptad are spread over four districts – Bajhang, Bajura, Doti and Achham.

Today, leave Khaptad by catching trial to Rara Lake. The trail initially climbs upward to Chede Daha where you can take a tea break. From here, the trail is mostly level. The trail offers scenic view of Aati Valley with its terraced fields and well-preserved community forest. Further ahead lies, Oli village where you take a lunch break. After lunch, an easy walk of couple of hours will take you to Naini.

Leave the camp after early breakfast. The trail is mostly uphill. You can see sparse settlements along the trail also on slopes of the hills far in the horizon. A walk of some five or six hours will take you to Jadanga where you will stop for the night. Lunch will be prepared and service on the way.

After a pleasing stay at Jadanga, resume walk toward Krodh. The trail is mostly uphill and through beautiful landscape. A hike of about three hours from Jandanga, you will reach a small village named Krodh. Stop here for lunch and continue your walk toward Budha Krodh. Budha Krodh is the last settlement on this trail. You will be in complete wilderness beyond this point.

Resume your walk after breakfast at your camp. The trail passes through rhododendron, pine and oak forests signaling that you are gradually climbing up toward higher altitude. After having lunch at Bhainsi Kharka, which translates into pastureland for water buffaloes, climb further until you reach another pasture area. Cross this pastureland, and continue your walk to Bhitachhina where your camp will be set up.

The trail is uphill today as well as with occasional grasslands. You pass by beautiful waterfalls and cross murmuring brooks. Chirping of birds and chilly alpine weather make the walk refreshing. Your campsite at Tribeni can be reached after a walk of four hours. Tribeni literally translates into a confluence of three rivers. The place wears festive look during Janai Poornima festival when thousands of pilgrims heading to Badi Malika set up their tents here.

After breakfast at your camp, start walk toward an amazing place called Khetibeti which serves as your base camp for Badimalika. Pilgrims take a dip at Tribeni before starting their walk toward Badimalika as they believe it will cleanse their sins. Some also pay homage to their departed family members as they believe it will open gateway to heaven for the departed souls. Khetibeti, your destination of the day, is only about an hour’s walk from here. You can see long grass resembling paddy here, which locals believe, brings good omen.

Start your trek early, as you will be climbing to the Badimalika top today. You can enjoy breathtaking views of surrounding areas as we make an ascent toward Badimalika temple. Midway to the top, you come across the temple of Lodibinayak – a temple dedicated to Lord Ganesh. You can get breathtaking view of the Badimalika temple as well as Triveni far below. A final push from here will take you to the temple premises where your camp will be set up.

Wake up early in the morning to watch sunrise and get breathtaking views of Api and Saipal mountains far in the horizon. You can see sea of clouds rising up from the valley. It’s a heavenly feeling. After early lunch, we start our trek to Dhawalpur Lake. The walk is easy as most of the trail is forested. A walk of some three hours will take you to Dhawalpur Lake. The peaceful environment of the lake will make you feel rejuvenated.

We trek in wilderness in these two days toward Ramaorshan – a popular tourist destination of Achham district. The trail is mostly through dense forests of the mid-hills and we cross numerous rivers and rivulets, huts of shepherds and few settlements. Your camp will be set up between Dhawalpur Lake and Ramaroshan on the first day. Next day, your camp will be set up near one of the lakes of Ramaroshan. Ramaroshan is known as the land of 12 lakes and 18 meadows. These lakes and meadows are surrounded by lush forests rich in diverse flora and fauna.

Today, you will have a full day to explore Ramaroshan area. Of the 12 lakes, the biggest is Jigale Lake while the smallest one is Taune Lake. Similarly, of the 18 meadows, the largest one is Kinemine Patan. North of these meadows and lakes are series of cliffs where you can see hives of wild honey bees. Locals of the area climb these to harvest this valued product. The place also offers views of Api and Saipal mountains far in the horizon. Similarly, the view of Budiganga basin toward south is also impressive. Wild boars and bears are some of the species that can be seen in Ramaroshan area.

Make a short walk to the road head and board a waiting car for a drive to Jogbudha. The journey takes some eight hours. The drive is off-drive for about one and half hours. After that, the ride is easy on a blacktopped road. After lunch at Dipayal Silgadhi, continue your drive toward Jogbudha. Today, you will camp near the settlement of the nomadic Raute community. Observe up close the activity of possibly the last nomadic community of Nepal. Rautes hunt monkeys and collect wild fruits and tubers for their square meal. They also make wooden utensils and exchange them with whatever they need from other people.

Today, you will drive to the plains after successful completion of your trek. The drive is mostly downhill and passes through the beautiful countryside of far-western Nepal. You will be drive straight to Shuklaphanta National Park. Check into your lodge. After lunch, embark on jungle safari with our experienced naturalist. Spread over 305 square kilometers, Shuklaphanta National Park is one of the best preserved protected areas in western Nepal. The national park is known as the home of swamp deer. However, other wild species like hog deer, wild dog, Nilgai, elephants and tiger, among others. Similarly, bird species like heron, water fowls, ducks, storks, kingfishers and egrets are found aplenty in this national park. Enjoy jeep safari in the national park. Climb up machans (viewpoints) to watch hundreds of swamp deer grazing in the grasslands. Rani Tal, which translates into Queen Pond, is another attraction in the national park. Accommodation is in a jungle lodge.

After breakfast, you will be driven to Dhangadhi Airport for a flight to Kathmandu. The drive takes around two hours, while the flight is of a little above an hour. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, get transferred to your hotel. In the evening, we will organize a typical Nepali dinner in your honor to celebrate successful completion of your trek.