Badimalika Culture Trek is one of the newly opened trekking areas in Nepal, under the initiative of the Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN). Badimalika Culture Trek is named after the Badimalika Temple in the Bajura district of Far Western region of Nepal. The temple and the surrounding areas is one of the least visited trekking areas in Nepal. Nevertheless, it is an important center for religious, historical, cultural and natural attractions. Badimalika Temple is dedicated to Goddess Bhagwati. It is during the annual festival of Ganga Dashahara held in the temple during the full moon in the month of August when pilgrims from Nepal and neighboring countries turn up in thousands to pray and worship.

About the Trek

The trekking area is also home to Khaptad National Park, one of Nepal’s smallest parks covering 225 sq. km. of rich, verdant forest. It is believed that an ascetic named Khaptad practiced yoga and spent his entire life meditating and discovering the spiritual and natural beauty of the place.The forest here is a mix of tropical and alpine vegetation ranging from 1000m up to 4000m in elevation. As many as 150 species of wild grassland flowers and berries and over 200 species of herb plants unique to the Himalayas have been recorded in the area. Likewise over 266 species of resident and migratory birds and 20 mammals such as musk deer, black bears, barking deer, Himalayan large cats, langur monkey and many others are also found in the region. To the north, one can see impressive Saipal Himalayan Ranges including the highest Mt. Saipal (7169m).

The trekking route is open throughout the year except for snowfall in the winter. The maximum altitude climb along this route is 4200m. The trail is yet to be fully developed as it lacks lodges and guest houses, notice board, signs and other information. However local guides are available to offer you a rich and exhilarating guided tour. The Badimalika Trek starts with a bus drive from Kathmandu to Dhangadhi and further to Saafebagar in Achham. Or you can also opt for a direct flight to Nepalgunj and from there to Bajura airport.

Day 1 Cultural Tour in Kathmandu

You will have a sightseeing tour around Kathmandu valley which takes in the key attractions in and around Kathmandu. Including AM: Visit 2000 years old Buddhist shrine Swayambhunath, situated on the top of the hill west of the city the most popular and instantly recognizable symbols of Nepal. The temple is colloquially known as the “Monkey Temple”. There are many small buildings and shrines down the hillside behind Swayambhunath. 

Explore the colorful Kathmandu Durbar Square – The Old Royal Palace of Kathmandu, Temple of living goddess Kumari, the Jagannath temple, and 17th century temple known for colorfully painted erotic carvings, Kasthmandap temple a three story temple built from a single tree in 12th century. Visit Pashupatinath temple, one of the most sacred Hindu shrines in the World. The holy river Bagmati and the burning Ghats and also visit one of the oldest and biggest stupa of Boudhanath.     

Day 2 Flight to Dhangadhi

You will take flight to Dhangadhi and four hours of drive takes you to Dadeldhura. It is a district with unique cultures, traditions and historical places. The area is surrounded with hills and you can see breathtaking views of mountains like Api and Saipal.

Day 3 Drive to Jadanga

After an early breakfast and warm greetings from the sunrise, you will take a drive to Sanfe , a beautiful town with hotels and restaurants in Achham district of Nepal. The drive offers us great views of Nepalese mountain peaks. From Sanfe, we take a short drive and reach Jadanga.

Day 4 Trek to Budha Krodh

We begin our official trek today. At the beginning, we feel a little uncomfortable, but after an hour or so, we begin to enjoy the trek. We walk uphill through beautiful landscape and arrive at the last settlement of the trail – Budha Krodh. Buffalo sheds is the thing you will see beyond this place.

Day 5 Trek to Bhitachhina

After breakfast, we trek through dense forest and gain altitude. The trail passes forests of rhododendron, pine and oak. We first reach Buffalo Kharka for lunch and continue our trek. We take extra caution (because of rapid altitude gain) as we climb and pass grasslands to arrive at Bhitachhina to call it a day. 

Day 6 Trek to Tribeni

We walk uphill via big grassland and cross waterfalls as well as murmuring water streams. We reach Tribeni, a place of religious significance. During big festivals you can see thousands of tents and this place gets a lot crowded. Mostly in Janai Purnima around 15000 pilgrims visit the site to worship this river. 

Day 7 Trek to Badimalika Temple

The best way to preserve the culture and experience true culture of this place is to bathe in the nearby river and head to the temple. But you can go straight to the temple if you want. We visit the temple and camp there. From here you can see mountains shining if the weather is clean. 

Day 8 Trek to Dhalpuri Pokhari

We go through Dharmaghar and to Dhalpuri Pokhari. The trail is pretty easy and you will see small forests as we trek to Dhalpuri Pokhari (Lake). Three hours from here, you can go to the famous Natyeshwori Temple.

Day 9 Trek to Bhansainkharka

Today is going to be a long walk to Bhansankharka. We pass Lamagada and Mourya and reach there overnight. The trek is strenuous and obviously an amazing green forest and stunning landscape surrounds us. 

Day 10 Trek to Laskechaur

We reach Laskechaur passing through an amazing landscape and this is a beautiful trek compared to yesterday’s long and strenuous journey. 

Day 11 Trek to Khaptad National Park

We pass through the dense forest of the National park. We walked across grasslands for a few hours to reach the headquarters of Khaptad National park. And visit khaptad’s popular place like Baba’s Ashram and Triveni. “Khaptad Baba” is very popular and is known as a great master having religious and social philosophy in the society. 

Day 12 Excursions around Khaptad National Park

We explored Khaptad National Park today. We visited the Museum, Khaptad Danda, Patan and Tower. Khaptad National Park was established in 1984 and houses a huge variety of vegetation. The park is rich with floras and faunas and preserves 224 species of medicinal herbs, 270 species of birds, different animals and it is estimated to house 11 percent of flowers available in Nepal. 

Day 13 Trek to Silgadhi

We trek to Silgadhi , a municipality and districts headquarter of Doti. This is the most developed city in the Doti district. You can get major services & facilities here. There is airport in Dipayal of Silgadhi.

Day 14 Fly to Kathmandu

We took an hour-long flight to Kathmandu. The flight is amazing with valleys below us and we get the opportunity to see mountains in the distance. After the arrival, you can do shopping or take a rest in the hotel.