Khaptad Trek/ Khaptad Plateau Trek (KK)

Overview

Khaptad National Park located in Far Western Nepal is standing at an elevation from 2700m to 3300m. A great philosopher meditated here for long and recognized by the region as Khaptad Baba (Sage). The region is conserved to protect the rare herbal plants. This is a rare type of rolling plateau in the world where are many grasslands, hills and hillocks, dense temperate forests, flowering colorful carpeted ground, tranquil lake Khapare Daha, religious shrines, temples and shepherds' huts etc. Over 260 species of birds, yellow throated marten, marmot, porcupine, Himalayan black bear, wild boar, barking deer, Himalayan Thar (Ghoral), common langur, wolf, red monkey and occasionally snow leopard etc are found in the park. The nice view of the Far Western border Himalayas, garlands of mountains in the horizon, river valleys around the plateau is seen from the view point.

During winter (late December to early February), the snow covers the plateau that can be the real ski hub for the ski lovers. There are over 50 gentle hills and hillocks everywhere in the plateau. On the other hand, during the late spring we can see the colorful flowering ground as well as the blooming rhododendrons. Many people from different parts of surrounding territories come here to celebrate the festival in spring and summer. The plateau is famous for its rare type, gentle landscape, Khaptad Baba’s hermitage, rare flora (medicinal plants, special bamboo called Baghbutte Tingalo only found here) and fauna etc. Except the Khaptad National Park, we drive through traditional villages, farmlands, forests, river valleys and hills where we see typical lifestyle of mountain locals and several tribal people and can observe and experience their interesting lifestyle, classic culture and tribal culture programs.

Package Itineary

4 days trek plus vehicle tour

Day 01: Arrive Kathmandu (1310m), hotel

Arrive Kthmandu, transfer to hotel. Explore Kathmandu. Dinner and overnight.

Day 02: Explore Kathmandu, fly to Dhangadhi (190m), hotel

After breakfast, visit UNESCO culture heritage sites Pashupatinath and Bouddhanath in the morning. Have lunch then fly to Dhangadhi, transfer to hotel. Evening tour nearby in and around the agro market. Return to hotel. Dinner and overnight.

Day 03: Drive to Dadeldhura (1710m), 145km, approx. 5 hour, camp/tent

After having breakfast, drive to Sahukharka forested mountain through the biggest forest Tele Lekh in Far West Nepal, where can have pure fresh rice pudding and lunch. We can also observe wonderful Saipal-Surma-Shankhamala-Kanjirowa Himalaya panorama, beautiful mountain range and Seti River valley from there. Drive to Dadeldhura, camp at hostel ground by the old airport. We can visit historical place Amargadhi and Ugratara temple.. Dinner and overnight.

Day 04: Dadeldhura - Sirkholisain - Silgadhi (1345m) / approx 4/5 hours, camp/tent

After breakfast, drive to Silgadhi through beautiful fertile farmlands, village settlements and Bandugrisain valley. It is a exciting driving tour with picturesque nature scenery, beautiful landscape, traditional houses, hundreds of beautiful hay stock in the farmland along the river valley and people working in the field. On the way, you will have enough time to take pictures of women carrying compost fertilizer in bamboo baskets, men ploughing field and sowing wheat/barley, piles of rice straw, meandering Seti River and unique landscape etc. Crossing a suspension bridge over Seti River, we visit Sirkholisain traditional village then we will have pack lunch by the bridge. Drive to Silgadhi, camp at Tundikhel ground just below Shaileshwari Temple. Visit traditional Newari mountain village of Silgadhi. Today is the last camp of the trip. Dinner & overnight.

Day 05: Silgadhi – Bichpani (3020m) / stay in tent

Drive to Baglekh (1800m) then hike/drive to Jhinrana (2250m). Khaptad National park starts from here. After registering permits then hike up to Bichpani through the beautiful forests of rhododendron, oak, wild berries and special mountain bamboo only found in this park. During Spring (March-May), blooming rhododendron adds more beauty in nature. We camp in Bichpani; a beautiful meadow. Dinner and overnight.

Day 06: Bichpani – Khaptad National Park (3060m) / stay in tent

Hike to Khaptad National Park through beautiful forests, grasslands and hills and hillocks. We camp by the Park headquarters. Have lunch then visit the Khaptad Baba hermitage.

Day 07: Explore the rolling plateau / stay in tent

Visit the holy sites Nagdhunga Sahashralinga and Triveni where the Ganga Dashara religious fair/festival is celebrated with lots of interesting activities during May-June. Many pilgrims from surrounding territories come here to celebrate it. Nowadays foreign visitors are also joining the festival. Then we also visit Ghoda Hauna Patan, Khapare Lake and the view point. We can visit this wonderful land throughout the year. Different time of the year gives us different experience of nature and culture aspects.

Day 08: Khaptad National park – Jhinrana (2245m) / stay in tent

Hike back to Jhinrana on the same way. Walking down hill is much faster.

Day 09: Jhinrana – Dadeldhura (1890m) / stay in tent

Hike down to Baglek then drive to Dadeldhura. It’s a wonderful drive to Dadeldhura through Seti River flood terrain Bandudrisain beautiful valley.

Day 10: Dadeldhura - Dhangadhi (190m) / stay in hotel

Explore cultural monument sites in Dadeldhura like Ugratara Temple, Amargadhi fort and Ajaymerukot then drive to Dhangadhi. It’s a adventure scenic drive through Budar valley, ridgeline bazaar Sahajpur and Khanidanda, beautiful lush green Godawari valley.

Day 11: Explore Tharu village / stay in hotel

Drive to Dangaura Tharu villages to have wonderful experience on their clay dung plastered colorful traditional houses with clay tile roof, classic culture and typical lifestyle. Observe their culture programs. We’ll have great chance to taste their local food and Raksi; the local home made liquor. Drive back to Dhangadhi.

Day 12: Dhangadhi-Kathmandu (1310m), hotel

Morning is dedicated to explore Rana Tharu tribal culture. Visit traditional village and observe their interesting culture programs and lifestyle. Return to hotel. Have lunch, transfer to airport. Fly back to Kathmandu. Drive back to hotel.

Day 13: Cultural heritage site tour in Kathmandu valley, hotel

Visit UNESCO culture heritage sites in Kathmandu valley Bhaktapur Durbar Square and Swoyambhunath Stupa complex. Explore and experience the true Newari culture and lifestyle, medieval era interesting traditional monuments with exotic architecture in Bhaktapur. Then drive to Swoyambhunath. Have lunch then visit the stupa complex; a beautiful Buddhist monument site and the view point of the Kathmandu valley. Watch Royal Mustang nature and culture documentary produced by National Geographic Expeditions. Farewell snacks in Raniban. Return to hotel, dinner and overnight.

Day 14: Fly back home or open for next program

Detailed Trip Cost

Entire trip cost per person (USD): $2,699

1pax complimentary in every 11 paid guests in group.

Trip cost includes:
All accommodation (twin sharing basis) & food; three meals a day -breakfast, lunch and dinner (except bar bill), insured crew (guide, porters, donkeys, dzopa, yaks and necessary kitchen crew for camping trek), all essential permits, all domestic transportation as per the itinerary, service charge and government taxes.

Trip cost does not include:
Personal expenses (like laundry, communication, alcohol, cold drinks and bottled water during trekking), gratuity to serving crew, emergency evacuation, international airfare, visa, your travel insurance and any kind of gifts and donation.

Payment system

80% of total trip budget must be paid in advance (the amount should be appeared to our account just two weeks before the trips) for domestic airline tickets, permits, hotel bookings reconfirmation and essential preparations.
Balance can be paid before or during/after the trip.

Refund system
In case of trip cancellation in the last 10 days of group arrival, 50% of the deposited amount will be deducted. If the trip cancels 10 days before the group arrival, we settle the full amount in next trip.

Special Feature

Exotic nature and classic culture, wildlife, rare rolling plateau, rare floral species with medicinal properties, Khaptad Baba hermitage, traditional villages, farmlands, forests, river valleys and hills, typical lifestyle of mountain locals and several tribal people, interesting lifestyle, classic culture and culture programs of some Tharu tribal groups.