Rara to Khaptad Combo Trek
Rara to Khaptad Combo Trek is a unique trek is crafted for those who are willing to experience the best of both Rara National Park and Khaptad National Park. This trek lasts for 17 days.
Khaptad national park is a remotely located protected area in far eastern Nepal, that is still pristine as very few local and foreign travelers embark on journeys in that direction. This park is a protected area that was established in 1984, stretching over the four districts of Bajhang, Bajura, Achham, and Doti. It covers an area of 225 sq. km and ranges in elevation from 1,400 m (4,600 ft) to 3,300 m (10,800 ft).
This place is also famous for Khaptad Baba, a religious figure who moved there during the 1940s and spent the rest of his life doing spiritual penances and meditations. He also mastered the knowledge of many Ayurvedic herbs and even the King of Nepal used to visit him when the royal family was camping in that area. Furthermore, a lot of local people visit this region for its religious significance.
Our hike starts with a couple of days of sightseeing at Rara National Park and then we proceed to Sirkot and Solte, which will finally lead us to Khaptad Campsite. This scenic journey will give you many panoramic views, and diverse types of landscapes that inhabit many different types of flora and faunas that are indigenous to this area.
There are 22 open patches of grasslands, 287 species of birds, 23 different species of mammals and reptiles each. Also, 224 species of medicinal herbs and more than 11 percent of plant species are found in this region, making this area one of the most diverse and important for ecological balance.
The most common tree species are chirpine (Pinus roxburghii), spruce (Picea smithiana), fir (Abies spectabilis), maple (Acer pictum), birch (Betula utilis), alder (Alnus nepalensis) and rhododendron (Rhododendron spp).
It is advised to travel during January, February, March, April, May, September, October, November and December for the best experience of this trek.
Rara to Khaptad Combo Trek is also considered is one of the best off the beat trek in Nepal.
Itinerary
Welcome to Kathmandu, an ancient city rich in cultural heritage, vibrant, and full of diversity in every sense of the word. Our guide will receive you at the gate of Tribhuvan International Airport(TIA) with your name on the board. He/she will brief you about your schedule and the information you might need the most while driving towards the hotel room. We make sure you are comfortable and leave the rest of the day to yourself to relax.
We start the day by visiting one of the most revered, ancient, and believed to have self-emerged atop green hillock west of Kathmandu, the great stupa of Swayambhunath, a site over 2,500 years old. The pilgrim’s approach to the shrine is through a wooded park up a steep flight of 300 stone steps, lined with stone sculptures of animals and birds, vehicles of gods. Our guide will brief you while exploring the sites.
Afterward, we drive east of Kathmandu valley to one of the important World Heritage Sites “Pashupatinath”, a renowned Hindu temple. The main deity is Lord Shiva, both destroyer and creator of the world according to the Hindu belief system. Throughout the year, Shiva is worshipped at Pashupatinath as a lingam(phallus) in his incarnation as the Lord Pashupati. The Bagmati River is lined with many dharmsalas and cremation ghats. There is usually cremation in progress on one of the platforms of the river. The ashes will be scattered in the river, regarded as holy as it flows into the sacred Ganges.
At the end of the day, we return back to the hotel and go through a pre-briefing about the next schedule. Our guide will assist you to prepare your necessary gear as per the need of the upcoming trek.
We will be picked up by private vehicle from our hotel. Our driver will drop us off at the domestic terminal and we will check in by gate security. We will wait for our boarding turn and we then check our baggage for our flight. Flight to Nepalgunj is comfortable and it takes around one hour. Nepalgunj is a low land area, and we can expect the temperature to be high. The place is the gateway to the west.
After landing in Nepalgunj, you will be guided to your hotel and you have spare time to explore this place.
After early breakfast, we check through boarding to our small twin otter aircraft. Flight from Nepalgunj to Talcha airport takes around 30 minutes and the views from the airplane are superb. Talcha airport is a small one lane airport. After landing at the airport, we will start our hike towards Rara Lake. Rara lake is a unique natural water lake that sits on top of the hill. It will take around 2-3 hours to reach at Rara lake hotel.
We will wake up next to the beautiful Rara Lake. Breakfast at hotel and we will carry needed packed lunch for the day hike towards Murma top (2 hours). If it is not windy, we may experience boating in the clear blue lake and also if you are not a fan of hiking. Horse riding is available to the top and back. The view from Murma top covers the western mountain range, the full landscape of rara lake, and the surrounding valleys.
we will walk downhill to the Khaytad following the Khaytad River. After an hour, we reach to Majghat (2,374 m). After leaving Majghat, we further descend to Murma where there are big pasturelands. People are seemed in traditional attire, speaking native language and smoking homegrown tobacco in their hookah. From there, it takes about two hours to reach to Jhaudi Khola. We take our lunch there and continue our trek to Bapani (2,528 m). This is the small settlements of Brahmin and Chhetries. After passing village Jam (2,173 m) through Nibalbot (2,410 m) and Masane, we arrive at Serkot. Overnight at Serkot
Serkot to Jugala (1600 m), 5-6 hrs. O/N at Tented Camp
Our trek from Serkot continue to Ranakot and reach to Upper Kharka, Lower Kharka and Khadgi Mela to Majchaur (1,825 m). Majchaur has few hotels and tea shops. From Majhchaour, we reach to Paukipani (1,668 m) after an hour. From Paukipani, we arrive at Bira Bagar (1,527 m) which takes an hour from Paukipani. We take our lunch here and head towards Jamisera. After crossing many suspension bridges, and come across waterfalls cascading down the hills into the river. We walk about 2 hours through Ratapani and arrive at Ama Village. After half an hour walk from Ama village takes us to Rega Village. We can see the Karnali River from here. The khaytad Khola which we had followed for about 3 days meets Karnali River in this village. After an hour along the Karnali River, we arrive at Jugala. Overnight at Jugala
After breakfast, we cross the suspension bridge over the Karnali River and enter Bajura District. After an hour walk from Jugala, we reach to Chepi (1,209 m). Chepi is the small village situated on the bank of Karnali River. After 45 minutes from Chepi, we arrive at Kurane Jugala (1,119 m). After the trek of about 2 hours from Kurane Jugala, we arrive at Alange Chaur (1,082 m). After 45 minutes walk from Alage Chaur, we reach to Chulighat Badhu where we get our lunch. We continue our trek along the Karnali River through Chuli Gadh and Badhu Bagar (1,134). After Badhu Bagar, we walk 2 hours following the bank of Kundana River then arrive at Partola (1,208 m) via Badhu Metala (1,240 m) Pipal Dali (1,293 m), and Raut Badhu. It takes half an hour from Partola to reach to Kolti. Overnight at Kolti
Our trek continues after our breakfast at camp. We ascend passing through Kumarkot (1,466 m), Ser Katiya, Samal and Ananda Nagar. From Ananda Nagar, we arrive at Pandusen (2,044m) through Pirekot (1,936 m). Lunch time . Pirekot is the commercial center inhabited by Brahmins, Chhetris and Sherpas. After lunch at Pandursen, the trek passes through Chadi Pani (2,204 m) Angau Pani (2,302m ) and Paurekhe Khad (2,544 m). After an hour from Paurekhe Khad, we reach the Parekh Lekh hilltop (2700 m). Overnight at Parekhi Lekh
After breakfast, we ascend gradual uphill until we reach to Pugi Dami. The trail passes through dense forest downhill till Damkane (2,339 m). It is about 3 hours trek from Damkane to Chuti . After lunch, we trek downhill along the Budhi Nandi River to Martadi (1,897 m). Martadi is the main market for four districts – Bajura, Bajhang, Doti and Accham.Overnight at Martadi.
We will reach to Goatwall Bata from where we follow the Bauli River to reach Saleghat (1,362 m). It takes half an hour from Saleghat to Rapak (1,308 m). After an hour walk from Rapak, we can reach to Bire Khola (1,292 m). We can see the waterfall on the way to Jadanga (1,165m) after half an hour walk from Kurdali Ghat. Jadanga is a small valley surrounded by the hill around. From Jadanga, we cross the suspension bridge over the Budhi Ganga and reach to Tiphad Bazaar (1,118 m). We ascend about an hour to reach Amakhot (1,261m). From Amakhot, we walk about one and half an hour passing through beautiful village, then arrive at Dhralsen (1,625 m). Overnight at Dhuralsen
Our trek begins after breakfast as always. Today, we walk through dense forest and reach to Khudi Village after an hour after it we continue to trek to Surkha Bazaar, known as Atichaur which takes an hour from Khudi Village. We follow the trek along Dhane Bagar Khola and reach to Bade Bada (1,974 m) via Oli Gaun.We cross Dhane Bagar Khola and arrive at Chede Daha (2,159 m). After an hour walk from Chede Daha takes us to Dogadi Village. We take lunch here and continue the trek to Tham (2,183 m) through Rampur (2,053 m). Guliya Chaur is the pastureland, we reach passing through dense forest from Rampur. It is an hour trek from Guliya Chaur which takes us to Laske Chaurwhic h lies inside the Khaptad National Park. Overnight at Laske Chaur
It is the trek through the dense forest inside the Khaptad National Park. We get an opportunity to see many wild animals and species of birds. After climbing uphill an hour, we reach to Top (3,033 m). It takes 30 minutes to reach Bhalaune Patan (3,123 m), the big grassland. After an hour walk from Bhalaune Patan, we reach to Pulpule (3,173 m). After lunch, we continuously walk about 3 hours to reach the headquarters of the Khaptad National park through grasslands. Overnight at Khaptad.
Khaptad National Park is a protected area in the Far-Western Region, Nepal that was established in 1984. Stretching over the four districts of Bajhang, Bajura, Achham and Doti it covers an area of 225 km² and ranges in elevation from 1,400 m to 3,300 m.
We explore around Khaptad area and visit the Park headquarters. There is the famous Khaptad Baba Ashram and the temples of Shiva and Ganesh. The temples of Nagdhunga and Kedardhunga in Tribeni are worth visiting. Overnight at Khaptad.
After breakfast, we begin our trek from Khaptad to Simalpani. We walk through the dense forest about an hour and continue to trek to Lekhda (2,493 m) which takes about 2 hours from the headquarters. After an hour from Lekhda, we arrive at Lamtada via Meltadi (1,882 m). We take our lunch at Lamtada. After lunch, we cross Sunar Village following an irrigation canal. We arrive at Fulbari after one and half hours walk from Sunar Village via Jimkot (1,456 m). We finally reach to Simalpani. Overnight at Simalpani
After breakfast, we trek from Simalpani to Tamil. After 2 hours walk from Simalpani through Jadri Ghat, Aaucheli Bagar, Tala Bagar, Khati and Khairadi, we reach to Tamil. There is a regular bus service to different parts of the country. Overnight at Tamil
We drive from Tamil to Dhangadi. It takes about 10 hours to reach Dhangadi. Dhangadhi has number of good hotels and lodges. Overnight at Dhangadhi
We can fly from Dhangadi to Kathmandu. It is one hour 20 minutes flight from Dhangadhi to Kathmandu. There is a regular bus service as well. It is 723 km from Dhangadhi to Kathmandu which takes about 12 hours to drive. When we arrive in Kathmandu, we check in hotel and take rest for a while. We will be together for the dinner with Nepalese Cultural Show. Overnight at Kathmandu
We will drop you at Tribhuvan International Airport 3 hours before your scheduled flight. If you have enough time, you could go for shopping in the local market in Kathmandu. We wish you have safe and pleseant journey. Namaste!!!
