Khaptad National Park

Khaptad National Park is a national park in the Far-Western Region, Nepal stretching over the four districts of Bajhang, Bajura, Achham and Doti. It covers an area of 225 km² (87 sq mi) and displays an altitude of 3,300 m (10,800 ft).Khaptad National Park was established in 1984 on the advice of the region’s holy man Khaptad Baba. The renowned Khaptad Baba Ashram, a religious site where Hindu pilgrims come to worship Shiva on the full moon of July-August each year, is located near the park headquarters. A buffer zone of 216 km² (83 sq mi) was declared in 2006.Khaptad Baba moved to the area in the 1940s to meditate and worship. He spent about 50 years as a hermit and became a renowned spiritual saint.

• Activities: Trekking
• Accommodation: Camping
• Access: Fly from Kathmandu-Nepalgunj (60 min.), then fly to Chainpur (Bajhang)20 min. and then a three-day walk; or fly Kathamndu-Dhangadi (1 hr 10 min.) 670 km by drive, then 10 hurs drive to Silgadi and then 1 day trek
• Wildlife: Wildlife include barking deer, wild boar, ghoral, Himalayan black bear, yellow-throated marten, rhesus monkey and langur monkey.
• Birds: 270 species of birds, the common ones being different varieties of impheyan pheasant, partridges, flycatchers, bulbuls, cuckoos and eagles.
• Vegetation: Grasslands and forests of subtropical, temperate and sub alpine vegetation; 224 species of medicinal herbs.
• Best Season: March-May and October-November (10-20 degrees Celsius); June-September (rainy), December-February (snow).
• Park Headquarters: Khaptad.
• Added Attraction: Ashram of Khaptad Swami, Khaptad Lake, Tribeni, Sahashra Linga (at 3,200 m, the highest point of the park), Ganesh Temple, Nagdhunga and Kedardhunga.
• Entrance Fee: Nepalis - Free, SAARC nationals - Rs. 100 per person per entry, foreigners - Rs. 1,000 per person per entry.