Khaptad National Park

Khaptad National Park is located in the far western region of Nepal. Covering the area of 225 squire kilometer, being remote place this national park is one of the non-touristic national parks in Nepal. It is the Home of Late Khaptad Swami ( Baba). Khaptad Baba spends his 50 years meditating and worshiping and became renowned spiritual saint. It is a religious value of Hindu people as well as its natural beauty. The park with rolling hills of grasslands and forests of subtropical, temperate and sub alpine vegetation is also a rich natural habitat. The park boasts of 224 species of medicinal herbs and offers excellent bird watching opportunities, with 270 species of birds, the common ones being different varieties of impheyan pheasant, partrides, flycatchers, bulbuls, cuckoos and eagles. Animals in the park are barking deer, wild boar, ghoral, Himalayan black bear, yellow-throated marten, rhesus monkey and langur monkey. The park offers other religious sightseeing at Tribeni on the way to its headquarters. There are several historical temples surrounding this area and an annual celebration of Ganga Dashhara is held here every Jestha Purnima. Another religious site is Sahashra Linga at 3200 m, the highest point of the park. Other religious areas in the park include Ganesh Temple, Nagdhunga, and Kedardhunga. These areas are ideal places for meditation. Towards the northeast of the park is Khaptad Lake where a festival is held every August and September. For the tourists, the festival is a great opportunity to see far western culture and lifestyle. March to May and October to November is pleasant season to visit Khaptad National Park.