Khaptad National Park Trekking

Trip Overview

The Khaptad Trek, also known as the Khaptad National Park Trek, is one of Nepal's least popular and isolated treks. This trek begins out easy, but as you progress, it becomes increasingly difficult. Khaptad National Park was formed in 1984 and is home to a diverse range of plants. The Park is rich in flora and wildlife, with 224 types of medicinal herbs, 270 species of birds, and a variety of animals, and it is estimated to house 11% of Nepal's flowers.

Trekking in the Khaptad Region is a hidden Shangri-La in Nepal's western region. This Khaptad region covers 225 km2 and is located within the Khaptad national park. This national park is located in the Seti Zone and spans Doti, Accham, Bajhang, and Bajura. The word Khaptad comes from a spiritual person who has spent many years in this region doing meditation and study. As a result of his fame, the national park was named after him. As a result, this region is well-known not just among trekkers, but also among pilgrims, researchers, and followers of Khaptad Baba.

Tourists come to see Khaptad Lake and the breathtaking views of the Api and Saipal Himal ranges. The Ganga Dashahara Carnival is conducted in Khaptad on the 14th Jestha of the Nepali month, which falls in the last week of May. The carnival provides guests with a unique opportunity to experience far western culture and lifestyle. Butchering, drinking and smoking are all prohibited in his area.

The journey begins with a flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj. The flight will be fantastic and you will be able to see that Nepalgunj has a more Indian-style lifestyle. As we leave Nepalgunj's rush and bustle, we will see colorful people. However, we will drive from Nepalgunj to Buditola and then another trip the next day to the famed town of Silgadhi. It's a long journey from Silgadhi to Jhigrana via Baglek and then to Bukipani via Bichpani. Along the trek, we will also reach Dharamsala (3020 m). We will arrive in Khaptad and visit Khaptad Baba's Ashram and Triveni after resting for a while. Similarly, the following day, we will spend the entire day exploring Khaptad National Park. We will go to the Museum, Khaptad Danda, Patan (Meadow) and Tower. Finally, the road back to Silgadhi passes through Jhigrana. After going via Silgadhi, we alter our route to Nepalgunj, from where we will fly back to KTM.

The best part of Khaptad is that it can be visited all year round. Each season has its own set of benefits. You can appreciate the beauty of wild flowers during the monsoon season of Jestha - Ashadh, but you can view the splendor of the Himalayas if you visit Khaptad during the fall season of Ashoj - Kartik. Khaptad is covered in snow throughout the winter season of Poush-Magh, but when you arrive during Chaitra-Baishakh, the rhododendrons bloom, enchanting the traveler's heart. The views of Api and Saipal mountains can be enjoyed from the crest of Khaptad.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu

You will be greeted upon your arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport by our staff and then will drive you to your accommodation. The tour manager from our organization will come to your lodging to give you an outline of the trip.

Day 2: Sightseeing around Kathmandu

Our tour guide will take you on a full-day sightseeing tour of Kathmandu's ancient monuments following breakfast. The sites include Swayambhunath (monkey temple), Bouddhanath, Patan durbar plaza and Pashupatinath (biggest Hindu temple). The very same hotel will be your residence for today's night.

Day 3: Flight from Kathmandu – Nepalgunj then drive to Buditola

Our journey begins on the first day with a lovely flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj, which takes about an hour. We will arrive in Nepalgunj and then drive along the Karnali River, Nepal's longest river, to Buditola. We will arrive in Buditola after a four-hour drive from Nepalgunj, where we will spend the night.

Day 4: Drive from Buditola – Silgadhi

After our morning breakfast, we will travel to Silgadhi, the region's most famous city. After a six-hour drive, we will arrive in Silgadhi, where we will spend the night.

Day 5: Trek from Silgadhi – Jhigrana

We will begin our trek from Silgadhi to Jhigrana through Baglek (2160m) on the third day. After breakfast, we will set out on a three-and-a-half-hour trek to Baglek, where we will halt for lunch. The trip to Jhigrana will still take about 3 and half hours after lunch, depending on our speed. We will spend the night at Jhigrana.

Day 6: Trek from Jhigrana – Bukipani

We will start our trek from Jhigrana and walk for four hours to get to Bichpani Dharamsala (3020m). After lunch in Bichpani, we will trek for two and a half hours to Bukipani, where we will spend the night.

Day 7: Trek from Bukipani – Khaptad

Today is our trek's shortest day. We will trek for two hours after breakfast to reach Khaptad. We will have lunch upon our arrival and then visit Khaptad, including Khaptad Baba's Ashram and Triveni. This area is also recognized as the birthplace of “Khaptad Baba,” a great social master with religious and social philosophy. We will spend the night tonight at Khaptad.

Day 8: Exploration Day

Today, we'll visit Khaptad National Park. Museum, Khaptad Danda, Patan and the tower will all be included in our tour. The National Park founded in 1984, has a unique eco system with a wide range of vegetation, ranging from sub-tropical forests at lower elevations to temperate forests on the Khaptad plateau. The Park has a diverse range of vegetation and animals, including oak and rhododendron in the upper elevations. There are about 224 species of medicinal herbs, about 11% of Nepal's flowering plants, 270 bird species, and a variety of animal species.

Day 9: Trek from Khaptad – Jhigrana

We'll retrace our steps back to Jhigrana, passing through the same track. Trekking from Khaptad to Bichpani and finally to Jhigrana which will take around four hours.

Day 10: Drive from Jhigrana - Nepalgunj

Early in the morning, after our breakfast, we will drive from Jhigrana to Nepalgunj. It will take around 8-9 hours to reach Nepalgunj depending upon the conditions of the road. After a long drive, we will arrive at Nepalgunj and stay overnight over there.

Day 11: Flight from Nepalgunj – Kathmandu

Today we will take a flight back to Kathmandu. We can take flight early in the morning as well as in the evening, it will depend upon your decision whether you want to stroll around Nepalgunj or Kathmandu.

Day 12: Departure

It will be your final day in Nepal. You will be departing for your homeland. You can stay and choose for another trekking location, if you want to, we will help you with that. You will need to arrive in Tribhuvan International Airport before three hours of your scheduled flight time. We will drop you to the airport and we'll bid you farewell and say our goodbyes, leaving you with happy memories and beautiful images to share with your family and friends.

Cost Includes

Pick-up and drop service by a private vehicle
Twin sharing accommodation with breakfast in a star category hotel in Kathmandu
Kathmandu-Dhangadhi-Kathmandu transportation by private vehicle / flight
Other ground transportation to and from trekking destination
Necessary documents and permits including Permit and TIMS card
Experienced English-speaking trekking guide, assistant guide and porters and the expenses for their flights, food, accommodation, insurance, salary, equipment and so on
Breakfast, lunch and dinner during the trek(with tea and coffee)
First aid Medical kit
All government and local taxes (including 13% VAT and 10 % service charge)
Transportation on private vehicle as agreed on the itinerary

Cost Excludes

Your Nepal entry visa fee
All kinds of beverages (soft/hard)
Travel insurance and emergency evacuation expenses
Additional days accommodation expenses
All personal expenses
Tips for guides and porters

Accommodation

Firante Treks and Expedition Manages for best and comfortable accommodation and also provides you hygienic food. Standard (3 Star) are booked in the cities such as Kathmandu and Pokhara, whereas a tyical trek lodge will be booked on remote areas.

Luxurious rooms from 5 Star hotels are also made avaiable on demand in the cities on additional cost but remote regionss dont have such facilities.