Khaptad National Park Guide 2026: Entry Fee, 5 Ways In and Best Time

In the 2019/20 fiscal year, only 11 non-SAARC foreigners entered Khaptad National Park. About 730 Nepalis did. That was a COVID year, but the point stands: this is one of the quietest protected areas in Nepal, and most foreign trekkers have never heard of it.

It is also confusing to plan. Entry fee numbers differ from site to site. Most guides send you through one gateway, Jhigrana, and skip the others. And nobody tells you that the pilgrim festivals can fill every bed on the plateau.

This guide fixes that. You will get the current entry fee, five ways into the park, the best months to go, the rules, and what to expect on the ground. Fees and routes were checked in October 2026, and older data is marked as older.

Khaptad National Park at a Glance

Khaptad National Park Entry Fee 2026

The park charges per entry. Children under 10 enter free.

Good to know:

• The fee went up. Older guides still list NPR 1,500 or even 1,000 for foreigners. Those numbers are out of date.

• Where to pay. Permits are sold at the Tourist Service Center in Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu, and at the park entry gate.

• Keep the permit with you. It is not refundable and not transferable.

• Filming and drones. A separate permit is needed from the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation. The 2019 fee for foreigners was US$ 1,500, and drones cost the same. Confirm the current rate before you plan a shoot.

• TIMS card. Public sources disagree on whether Khaptad needs one. Ask your trek operator to confirm before you travel.

• VAT. One site shows the foreign fee as NPR 3,000 plus 13% VAT. Others show a flat 3,000. Check at the counter.

How to Reach Khaptad National Park

There is no single road to the park. Every route ends with a walk. The trip has three parts: get to the Far West, get to a gateway village, then walk up to the plateau.

Step 1: Kathmandu to the Far West

• By air: Kathmandu to Dhangadhi takes about 1 hour 10 minutes. This is the only clearly scheduled flight link.

• By road: Kathmandu to Dhangadhi is about 680 km and takes around 16 hours by bus.

• Charter: Airstrips at Dipayal, Chainpur, Kolti and Sanphebagar are mentioned as charter options. Do not count on a scheduled flight to them.

Step 2: Dhangadhi to a gateway

The most used gateway is Silgadhi in Doti. It is about 200 km from Dhangadhi and takes 7 to 8 hours by bus. Buses to Silgadhi or Martadi from Dhangadhi cost roughly NPR 1,000 to 2,000 per person (2025 figure, expect changes).

Step 3: Five ways into the park

Which one should you pick?

• First time, want the easiest logistics: Jhigrana. It has the most lodges, jeeps and guides.

• Short on time: Lokhada or Unisaina can cut the walk, but jeep availability and trail conditions need a local check.

• Doing a longer far-west route: Chhanna and Kolti suit trekkers linking Khaptad with other trails.

Is there a road into Khaptad?

No. The motorable road ends at Jhigrana. A road to Khaptad was reported under construction in 2021, and a Khaptad road project on the Achham side returned about NPR 135 million unspent in the 2025/26 fiscal year after slow contractor progress. Plan for a walk.

Best Time to Visit Khaptad National Park

Watch the festival dates

Khaptad is a pilgrimage site. Fairs and prayers are held at Triveni and other holy spots during Ganga Dussehra (usually June), Janai Purnima (August) and Ananta Chaturdashi (September). Rooms are few, so these days can be crowded and booked out. If you want quiet, avoid them. If you want to see the pilgrimage, book early.

Is the Khaptad Trek Hard?

It is rated moderate. You do not need technical skills. Walking days are usually 5 to 7 hours, and the climb from the river valleys to the plateau is the hardest part. At about 3,000 m, altitude sickness is less likely than in the Everest region, but mild headaches can happen if you gain height fast.

Operators run Khaptad trips of about 6 to 11 days including travel from Kathmandu. For our day-by-day plan, see the Khaptad National Park Trek page.

What to See in Khaptad National Park

• Khaptad Baba Ashram: The hermitage of Swami Sachchidananda, who is said to have meditated here for about 50 years. The park is named after him.

• Triveni: A sacred meeting point of three streams with a pilgrim fair.

• Khaptad Daha: A small sacred lake near the plateau.

• Sahasralinga: A holy site with many stone lingas, near the highest point of the park.

• The patans: Around 22 open grasslands that look like a hill-top park, bright with flowers in spring and summer.

• Mountain views: The Api and Saipal Himalayan ranges on clear mornings.

• Birds and plants: 266 bird species and 567 plant species have been recorded, including many medicinal herbs.

Khaptad Park Rules: No Meat, Alcohol or Tobacco

Khaptad is a sacred area. Meat, alcohol and tobacco are not allowed in the park, so all food is vegetarian. Camp only in designated areas. Keep noise low near the ashram and shrines. Carry out your trash.

Where to Stay, Eat and Get a Signal

• Camping: The most common choice on the plateau. Most organised treks bring tents.

• Lodges: Basic guesthouses exist near the park headquarters and in villages like Jhigrana. Expect shared toilets and simple beds. Some homestay options have opened at Jhigrana and Unisaina.

• Food: Dal bhat and simple vegetarian meals. Bring your own snacks.

• Power and signal: Electricity is mostly solar. Mobile signal is weak and patchy, so download maps offline and tell someone your plan.

How Much Does a Khaptad Trip Cost?

Few operators publish clear prices. One public estimate for a 9-day guided trek was US$ 1,860 per person. Your cost depends on group size, flights or buses, camping or lodge, and trip length. Fixed costs to plan for:

• Park entry fee: NPR 3,000 for foreigners

• Kathmandu to Dhangadhi flight or bus

• Dhangadhi to Silgadhi and Jhigrana transport

• Guide, porter and camping support if you go with an operator

• A rest day on each end for delays on mountain roads

Khaptad vs Rara Lake

Both are in far western Nepal and both are quiet. Rara is about one big lake. Khaptad is about open meadows, forest and pilgrimage. If you have time, the two can be linked on a longer route. Read our guide on how to get to Rara Lake to compare the logistics.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is the Khaptad National Park entry fee for foreigners?

NPR 3,000 per person per entry in 2026. SAARC nationals pay NPR 1,500 and Nepali citizens pay NPR 100. Children under 10 are free.

Is Khaptad open in winter?

The park does not close, but heavy snow often blocks trails from December to February and some lodges shut. It is only suitable for well-equipped, experienced trekkers.

How long is the walk from Jhigrana to Khaptad?

DNPWC lists 6 to 7 hours to the park headquarters. Many operators say 8 to 9 hours. Most groups split it over two days with a night at Bichpani.

Can I eat meat or drink alcohol in Khaptad?

No. Meat, alcohol and tobacco are not allowed because the park is a sacred site.

Is there a mobile network in Khaptad?

Very limited. Signals may work on a few ridges near the headquarters. Expect to be offline most of the time.

Is the Khaptad trek good for beginners?

Yes, if you are reasonably fit. It is moderate, with no technical climbing and a lower altitude than the main Himalayan treks.

What is the best month to see flowers in Khaptad?

Late March to May, when the patans and rhododendron forests bloom.

How far is Khaptad from Kathmandu?

About 446 km by air in a straight line and close to 900 km by road. In practice, count on a flight to Dhangadhi, a long drive to the gateway, and a walk.

Plan Your Khaptad Trip

Khaptad rewards people who plan around its seasons and its logistics. If you want a guided trip with permits, transport and camping handled, see our Khaptad National Park Trek or explore the wider Far Western region.