How hard is the Khaptad National Park trek?

It is graded Easy to Moderate. The plateau itself is gentle rolling grassland with no high passes, and the maximum altitude is only around 3,300 m at Sahasra Linga, so altitude sickness is rarely a concern. The main challenges are the long road days, the remoteness and the basic facilities rather than the walking itself. Reasonable fitness is enough.

What is the best time of year to trek Khaptad?

March to June and October to November are ideal. Spring and early summer bring the meadows alive with wildflowers and medicinal herbs, while October and November offer the clearest skies and best mountain views of Saipal and Api. The monsoon (July–August) turns the patans lush and green but trails are muddy and leech-prone, and winter brings snow and cold to the plateau.

What permits do I need for Khaptad?

You need the Khaptad National Park entry permit (NPR 3,000 per person per entry for foreign nationals, NPR 1,500 for SAARC nationals, NPR 100 for Nepali citizens, free under 10), arranged through the park or the Department of National Parks. A licensed trekking guide is also required. Khaptad is not a restricted area, so no special Restricted Area Permit (RAP) is needed. We arrange all permits for you.

How do I get to the trailhead?

The standard approach is a flight from Kathmandu to Dhangadhi in the far-western Terai, then a long drive (about 8–9 hours) up into the hills to Silgadhi in Doti district, where the walking begins. Far-west flights can be subject to weather and schedule changes, so we build in flexibility.

What are the accommodation and food like?

Khaptad is remote, so accommodation is a mix of simple tea houses, guesthouses in Silgadhi and the trail towns, and tented camps on the plateau where lodging is sparse. Meals are freshly cooked Nepali and simple Western dishes — dal bhat, noodles, eggs and seasonal vegetables. Standards are basic but the hospitality is genuine.

Will I see other trekkers on the route?

Almost certainly not many. Khaptad receives only a tiny fraction of the visitors who go to Everest or Annapurna, so for long stretches you will have the meadows, forests and viewpoints entirely to yourself. This solitude is the trek's greatest reward for travellers seeking genuine off-the-beaten-path wilderness.

TrekModerate

Khaptad National Park Trek — 8 Days

8 days3,300 mFrom Silgadhi, Doti (fly Kathmandu–Dhangadhi)Best: Mar–Jun, Oct–Nov

Photo by Sksnepal on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

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Fixed departures

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Khaptad National Park Trek — 8 Days

Nov16

Nov 16 → Nov 23

0 going12 left

$1,650

Dec3

Dec 3 → Dec 10

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$1,650

Dec17

Dec 17 → Dec 24

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$1,650

Prefer your own dates? Book a private trek.

Duration

8 days

From

$1,650/person

Max Altitude

3,300 m

Difficulty

Moderate

Starts

Silgadhi, Doti (fly Kathmandu–Dhangadhi)

Group Size

2–10 People

Stay

Tea House / Camp

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Best Season

Mar–Jun, Oct–Nov

4.9 NMA-licensed guides Secure Stripe checkout Reserve now, pay later

Trip Highlights

Walk the 22 patans — Khaptad's flower-strewn grassland meadows at ~3,000 m

Visit the ashram of the revered hermit-saint Khaptad Baba

Tribeni — the sacred three-river confluence and temple complex

Climb Sahasra Linga (~3,300 m) for Saipal and Api panoramas

Carpets of wildflowers and rare medicinal herbs in spring and monsoon

Rich birdlife and wildlife in a little-visited national park

Total solitude — one of Nepal's least-trodden trekking regions

Authentic far-west culture in Doti, Bajhang and Achham

Walk the grassland plateau of far-west Nepal — 22 flower-strewn meadows, the Khaptad Baba ashram, Tribeni and Sahasra Linga, with total solitude and Saipal–Api views.

Day-by-Day Itinerary(8 days)

Altitude Profile

Peak: 3,300 m · Day 6

Arrive in Kathmandu and transfer to your hotel. Evening briefing on the far-west logistics — the Dhangadhi flight, the drive to Silgadhi and the Khaptad National Park entry permit. Khaptad is one of Nepal's most remote and tranquil parks, so expect a real wilderness adventure rather than a busy teahouse circuit.

1,400 m–––Hotel

A full day to explore Khaptad's 22 patans and pilgrimage sites. We visit Tribeni, the sacred three-river confluence and temple complex, and climb to Sahasra Linga at around 3,300 m — the park's highest point and best viewpoint, where on clear mornings the snow peaks of Saipal and Api stand on the northern horizon. Birdlife and total solitude are the rewards.

3,300 m~4–5 hrs exploring–Breakfast, Lunch & DinnerTea House / Camp

Hidden in the far-western corner of Nepal, Khaptad National Park is one of the country's most serene and least-trodden trekking destinations. Spread across the districts of Bajhang, Bajura, Achham and Doti, the park is built around a rolling grassland plateau sitting at roughly 3,000 metres — a landscape utterly unlike the rocky high passes of the Everest and Annapurna regions. Here the trail rises gently through oak and rhododendron forest onto open meadows the locals call patans, where wild horses graze and medicinal herbs and wildflowers carpet the ground each spring and monsoon.

The plateau's spiritual heart is the ashram of the late Khaptad Baba, a revered hermit who meditated here for decades, and the nearby pilgrimage sites of Tribeni — a sacred river confluence — and Sahasra Linga, the park's highest point at around 3,300 metres. On clear mornings the snow walls of Saipal and Api rise to the north. Wildlife includes Himalayan black bear, leopard, barking deer and more than 270 bird species. Because Khaptad sees only a trickle of visitors, you can walk for hours without meeting another trekker.

The Route

The trek begins with a flight from Kathmandu to Dhangadhi in the Terai, followed by a long drive up to Silgadhi, the hill town that serves as the trailhead in Doti. From Silgadhi the path climbs through Jhigrana and Bichpani to reach the plateau and the Khaptad Baba ashram, with a full day to explore the patans, temples and viewpoints before retracing the route down to Silgadhi and flying back. Trails and exact altitudes in this remote region vary between operators and seasons; the figures here are approximate and confirmed locally before departure.

Who It Suits

Graded Easy to Moderate, Khaptad is ideal for trekkers who want genuine wilderness and cultural depth without the demands of high-altitude passes. The walking is gentle but the region is remote, with basic camping and simple lodges, so a sense of adventure and self-sufficiency goes a long way.

What's Included

Included

Airport transfers in Kathmandu and Dhangadhi
Domestic flights Kathmandu–Dhangadhi–Kathmandu
All ground transport (Dhangadhi–Silgadhi return by private vehicle)
Khaptad National Park entry permit
Licensed, English-speaking trekking guide
Porters to carry main baggage
All accommodation — hotels, guesthouses and tented camps on trek
All meals on trek (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Camping and kitchen crew and equipment where required
Government taxes and service charges

Not Included

International airfare to and from Nepal
Nepal entry visa fee
Travel and medical insurance (mandatory)
Meals in Kathmandu and Dhangadhi not specified
Personal trekking gear and equipment
Drinks, snacks, hot showers and battery charging on trek
Tips for guide, porters and crew
Personal expenses and anything not listed under Included
Costs arising from flight delays, weather or events beyond our control

Pickup

Pokhara or Kathmandu: where should we pick you up?

This trip begins in Kathmandu. If you are already in Pokhara, we can bring you across (Pokhara and Kathmandu are about 200 km apart: 25 minutes by plane or 6 to 8 hours by tourist bus).

Pickup in Kathmandu

Trip starts here

Landing in Kathmandu? We meet you at the airport or your hotel and get you to the start.

Kathmandu international airport (on arrival)Included
Kathmandu domestic airportIncluded
Kathmandu hotel pickupWe quote
Kathmandu tourist bus park pickupWe quote

Pickup in Pokhara

Staying in Pokhara? We can bring you to Kathmandu for the start.

Pokhara hotel pickupIncludes getting you to Kathmandu by tourist bus or flight. We confirm the price with you.We quote
Pokhara airport pickupWe quote
Pokhara tourist bus park pickupWe quote

Hotel in the city

No hotel, I will book my own$0
Kathmandu: tourist standard guest houseWe quote
Kathmandu: 3-star hotel (bed & breakfast)We quote
Kathmandu: 4-star hotel (bed & breakfast)We quote
Kathmandu: 5-star hotel (bed & breakfast)We quote

Prices are per person and added to the trip price when you book. “We quote” means the price depends on your flight time and hotel, so our team confirms it with you before the trip. It is never added to your payment without asking.

Best Time to Go

Spring (Mar–May)

Excellent. The patans bloom with wildflowers and medicinal herbs, rhododendron forests are in colour, and skies are generally clear for Saipal and Api views. One of the two best windows.

Low: 2°C High: 18°C Lingering patches on the plateau early in March

Summer / Monsoon (Jun–Sep)

Lush and intensely green as the meadows flush with growth, but trails are muddy, leeches are active and clouds often hide the peaks. Early June (pre-monsoon) is still pleasant; July–August is wet.

Low: 8°C High: 20°C None

Autumn (Oct–Nov)

Best season for clarity. Crisp, dry air, stable weather and the sharpest mountain views of the year. Ideal for photography and comfortable plateau walking.

Low: 0°C High: 15°C Possible dustings late November

Winter (Dec–Feb)

Cold and quiet, with snow on the plateau and freezing nights. Trails can be blocked and lodges shut; only for well-equipped, experienced trekkers seeking solitude.

Low: -9°C High: 8°C Regular snowfall on the plateau

Permits Required

Khaptad National Park Entry Permit

NPR 3,000 (about US$23)

Foreign nationals NPR 3,000; SAARC nationals NPR 1,500; Nepali citizens NPR 100; children under 10 free. Fees are subject to change — confirmed at booking.

Licensed Trekking Guide

Included in package

A licensed guide is mandatory in Nepal's national parks. Khaptad is not a restricted area, so no Restricted Area Permit is required.

All permits are arranged and included in your package price. Nothing to organise yourself.

What to Pack

Merino or synthetic base layers — two sets, one worn one drying

Fleece or light insulated mid-layer

Waterproof shell jacket

Trekking trousers (not jeans, not cotton)

Sun hat and sunglasses — UV is fierce above the treeline

Warm hat and gloves for early starts and evenings

A detailed packing list will be sent with your booking confirmation. Gear rental available in Kathmandu and Pokhara.

Frequently Asked Questions

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