KHAPTAD: Nestled at the head of Achham, Khaptad stands as the meeting point of Bajura, Doti, Bajhang, and Achham. Recognized as the ‘Earthly Paradise,’ Khaptad sits majestically at an altitude of 3200 meters, spanning across 225 square kilometers. Despite its breathtaking beauty, this haven is not easily accessible, and its potential for tourism remains largely […]
A three-day spiritual conference is going to be held in Khaptad, a major tourism destination in the Sudurpashchim Province, this week. Scheduled to begin on Tuesday and conclude
If everything goes as planned, Khaptad will be hosting its first international spiritual conclave in this famed tourism destination of Sudurpaschim Province.
KATHMANDU: A proposal has been sought for conducting the feasibility study of Khaptad integrated tourism project and its long-term plan. The office of the Investment Board on Wednesday issued a 15-day notice seeking the proposal. The office said that one could submit the proposal online. Once the proposal is selected, one year will be given […]
Marathon, volleyball and Deuda singing completion were held for tourism promotion, according to Khemraj Bhandari, vice-chair of the Doti chamber of commerce and industry.
Construction of a model temple of Khaptad area has begun at Ghodadaun of Patan, the main tourism site of Sudurpaschim Province.
Khaptad Chhanna Rural Municipality has begun the construction of Bhawani Mai temple in Pagoda style at the entry point of Khaptad.
The construction work has begun with an intention to show that a beautiful structure could be built even in a small investment at a time when rampant corruption has resulted in the construction of weak structures despite a huge investment from the government.
Khaptad, in Sudur Paschim Province in the far west Nepal, is one of the best destinations to freshen yourself during the vacation.
The tourism site lies in a meeting point of Bajura, Doti, Bajhang and Achham districts at the altitude ranging from 1,262 to 3,276 from the sea level.
One can pay a visit to religious sites including Tribeni Dham, Sahastr Linga, Kedar Dhunga and Khaptad Baba Ashram when in Khaptad Area.
Thulthula Patan, Daha, flora and fauna and enchanting view of mountains add beauty to this site.
Khaptad area is adorned by wild flowers during May-June, view of mountains during September-October, snow during December-January and rhododendron flowers during March-April.
One can have a sight of not only Api and Saipal mountains but also some of the snow-clad mountains located in India.
Accessibility
One has to travel 650 kilometers from Kathmandu on a bus to reach Dhangadhi. Another 200-km bus journey from Dahngadi to Silgadhi (Doti) followed by the first round of Silgadhi-Jhigrana trekking and eight-hour trekking from Jhigrana take you to the Khaptad area.
Another route is via Bajhang. One can cross a river at Taimul of Bajhang, take a local jeep to reach Daru village and trek for about seven hours to reach Khaptad.
A local hotel there can host a maximum of 15 people. Therefore, pre-booking is preferable.
One can spend nights at local homestay services which offer the visitors with local Marsi rice and spinach along with radish, and cucumber pickle.
DOTI, August 15: The Khaptad National Park (KNP) has received encouraging number of domestic and foreign visitors after COVID-19 infection rate in the district has subsided significantly, said the authorities.
The park and surrounding areas have turned green and the lakes full with the monsoon which are also the pull factors.
Approximately 3,000 tourists, both domestic and foreign, visited the KNP amid the infection, said the park. "The infection in the district has dropped to zero. Many tourists have visited the KNP and other tourist destinations. Now the area is beautiful and charming which has attracted tourists."
There is a home stay facility and a resting place constructed at Jhigrana and Baglek, an entrance to the KNP, which has added to the incoming tourists, said Hariwan Saud, a resident of Purbichauki Rural Municipality.
The park is focal point of tourism, said Rajendra Shahi, president of the Hotel Entrepreneurs Association, Doti. "Now, Khaptad is main choice for tourists. The area could attract more tourists had there transportation and other infrastructures developed in place," he said.
Khaptad receives around 90 tourists on a daily basis, said the park.
Most of the domestic tourists visiting the KNP are from Bajura, Achham, Bajhang and Doti districts, said Karka Bahadur Singh, chairperson of the Khaptad Tourism Development Committee.
Tribeni Dham, Nagdhunga, Ashram of Khaptad Swami and 22 meadows are among tourist destinations of the area.
Besides, Ganga Dashahara Fair and a jatra on the occasion of Janai Purnima that have been organised in the area in the Nepali month of Jestha have attracted tourists, said Dinesh Thakulla, a resident of Baglek. "In previous years, hundreds of people came here to see jatras. Many people have visited here to observe cultural festivals and pageants this year too," he said. Standing 3,500 meters above sea level, the KNP is a home to 567 types of vegetation, invaluable medicinal herbs and 260 species of birds and other wild animals including musk deer, deer, wild boar, lophophorus, swamp deer, leopard and bear.
Rich in biodiversity, the area spanning in 225 square kilometers was made the Park in 2040 BS.
