Khaptad National Park

Khaptad National Park is a protected area at the elevation ranging from 1,400m to 3,300m in the western part of Nepal. The National Park was established in 1984 covering the area of 225 square kilometers touching four districts as Bajhang, Bajura, Achham, and Doti. The park was established with the advice of holy man Khaptad Baba and is believed that he moved to this area in the 1940s for meditating and worshipping spending about 50 years as a loner and finally become a spiritual saint. The national park houses many species of flora and fauna as 567 species of flora, 23 mammals, 287 birds, and 23 amphibians and reptiles. There is an Ashram near the park headquarter named as Khaptad Baba Ashram which is the religious site of Hindus and each year on the full moon pilgrims come here to worship lord, Shiva.

Khaptad National Park trek is considered as best trekking destination and research center with lots of offerings because Natural Beauty of this area and peacefulness gives the intense way of thinking of innovation ideas. The journey can be started from Kathmandu valley taking a flight to Dhangadhi. From Dhangadhi, drive towards Silgadhi (1,330 meters) from Buditola. The actual trek starts from here. From Silgadhi, the trail follows the way through Jhigrana (2,300 meters), Bukipani (3,080 meters) and towards Khaptad at the elevation of 3,010 meters from sea level. You can enjoy the beauty of the national park and explore the surrounding areas. From the national park, the trail leads towards Jhigrana, Silgadi via Uditola (1,790 meters). From here, you can drive to Dhangadhi and take a flight to Kathmandu valley. However, Khaptad Lake and the wonderful view of API and Saipal Himal range are of special attraction for the tourists to visit this park.

However, trekking in Khaptad National park offers great opportunities for bird watching and much other flora and fauna. The main things to do in this area are especially trekking, bird watching, mountain viewing, and meditation. Moreover, on the way to Khaptad from Kailali, Saileswori is one of the most famous religious sites dedicated to Goddess Saileswori. Badimallika is located in Bajura district known as the temple of Millika Devi and is believed that Goddess Sati (Lord Shiva’s Wife) was reborn as Parvati in this holy area and have its religious importance and also this place offers the magnificent views of Himalayas. The best time to trek in this area is from March to May and from October to November because they pleasant month with the favorable climatic condition to visit Khaptad.