Badimalika Trek, Nepal: Temple, Route, Best Time & Travel Tips

Ghumnajaau | Last updated October 2026

 

Badimalika is one of the most revered temples in Far West Nepal and one of the least-visited trekking destinations in the country. It sits at about 4,200 m in Bajura District, Sudurpashchim Province, on open alpine grassland where pilgrims, shepherds and a few trekkers share the same trail.

 

There are no big lodges and no crowded trail towns here. The trek runs from a remote roadhead through forest, high pasture and the sacred Triveni confluence, then up to the Badimalika shrine. If you want a pilgrimage, a camping trek and real local culture in one journey, this is a strong choice.

 

Ghumnajaau runs Badimalika as a guided 13-day trek with tented camping, local cultural stops and a full-board trekking section.

 

Badimalika at a Glance

Detail	Information
Location	Triveni area, Bajura District, Sudurpashchim Province, Far West Nepal
Main attraction	Badimalika Temple, dedicated to Goddess Bhagwati (Malika)
Temple elevation	About 4,200 m (13,780 ft); sources quote 4,200–4,219 m
Triveni Dham	About 3,870 m, the main stop before the temple
Trip length	13 days, including Kathmandu, flights, road transfers and trekking
Difficulty	Moderate to challenging (long drives, steep climbs, camping, altitude)
Trek style	Guided, tented camping, remote and basic
Start / end	Jadanga / Martadi (Ghumnajaau itinerary)
Best seasons	April–June and September–November
Festival	Janai Purnima pilgrimage (usually August)

 

Why Trek to Badimalika?

• A working pilgrimage, not a tourist attraction. Devotees from Bajura, Achham, Kalikot and beyond walk to the shrine for worship. You trek alongside them.
• Few other trekkers. Teahouse-style infrastructure is almost absent, so the trail stays quiet.
• Big open scenery. High pastures, ridgelines and seasonal wildflowers replace the forested valleys of the popular treks.
• Real cultural contact. Passing through Far West hill villages shows you farming life, local food and mountain hospitality.
• Good fit for first-time remote trekking. The grade is moderate, and the altitude is below the big passes of Annapurna or Everest.

 

Top Attractions in Badimalika

 

1. Badimalika Temple

The two-storey pagoda-style shrine stands on a hilltop near the meeting point of Bajura, Achham, Kalikot and Jumla. It is dedicated to the goddess Bhagwati, known locally as Malika, and is regarded as one of the major Shakti shrines of the Far West. Local belief describes Badimalika as the eldest of the region’s goddess sisters.

The final climb from Triveni is steep and often cold in the morning. Reaching the shrine at sunrise is the highlight of the trek.

 

2. Triveni Dham

Triveni is a high pasture and a sacred confluence of streams, and pilgrims traditionally bathe here before walking to the temple. It is also your main overnight stop before the shrine, at roughly 3,870 m. Sleeping here lets the body adjust before the final climb.

 

3. Alpine Meadows and Ridgelines

The grasslands around Triveni and the temple are the scenic centre of the trek. In the right season they are green and full of wildflowers, with wide views in every direction.

 

4. Western Himalayan Views

On clear days you can see snow peaks of the far western Himalaya from the higher sections. Visibility depends on season and weather, so plan for early mornings.

 

5. Hill Villages and Local Culture

The approach passes through farming settlements where life follows the agricultural calendar. Expect simple homes, local food, village temples and hospitality that is not set up for tourists.

 

6. Janai Purnima Festival

Thousands of pilgrims climb to Badimalika around Janai Purnima, which usually falls in August. The atmosphere is powerful, but it is also monsoon season. Trails can be wet and slippery, and transport and camping space are in short supply. Book early and expect crowds.

 

Badimalika Trek Route Overview

The Ghumnajaau trek follows this sequence:

1. Arrive in Kathmandu and prepare for the trip.
2. Fly Kathmandu to Dhangadhi (about 1 hour).
3. Drive Dhangadhi to Dadeldhura (about 4 hours) and overnight in a hotel.
4. Drive Dadeldhura to Jadanga, the trailhead (about 6 hours, road conditions permitting).
5. Trek from Jadanga through forest and farmland, camping on the way.
6. Overnight at Triveni Dham.
7. Climb to Badimalika Temple, visit the shrine and descend.
8. Continue the descent to Martadi, the district headquarters of Bajura.
9. Drive back to Dhangadhi and fly to Kathmandu.

Add the exact day-by-day schedule, daily walking hours and camp altitudes from the package itinerary here. Walking times and camp names should match what your guides actually use.

 

How to Reach Badimalika

Badimalika is remote, so the journey is part of the trip. The usual route combines a flight, long mountain drives and a multi-day walk.

• Kathmandu to Dhangadhi: about one hour by air.
• Dhangadhi to Dadeldhura: about 4 hours by road.
• Dadeldhura to Jadanga: about 6 hours by road. Jadanga is a small settlement and the start of the trek.
• Trek to the temple: several days on foot through forest and high pasture via Triveni.
• Return: the descent to Martadi, then a long road journey back to Dhangadhi.

The road between Dhangadhi and Martadi is long, often 10 to 12 hours, and can be slower after rain or landslides. Another option for travellers is a flight from Nepalgunj to Bajura, followed by a walk to Martadi. Mention flexibility in the itinerary and always keep a spare day before your international departure.

 

Best Time to Visit Badimalika

 

Spring (April to June)

One of the two best seasons. Days are warmer, hills turn green and wildflowers begin to appear. Nights at Triveni and the temple remain cold.

Best for: trekking, scenery, photography.

 

Monsoon (July to August)

The landscape is lush and the Janai Purnima pilgrimage takes place in this window. But heavy rain brings leeches, slippery trails, landslides and road delays.

Best for: pilgrims and experienced travellers who accept the risks.

 

Autumn (September to November)

The other prime season. Skies are clearer after the monsoon, the air is crisp and mountain visibility is at its best.

Best for: views, photography and stable trekking weather.

 

Winter (December to March)

Heavy snow and freezing temperatures can cover the upper trail and the temple area. Camping is hard and some sections may be impassable.

Best for: very experienced winter trekkers only. We do not recommend regular departures in this season.

 

Permits and Fees

Permit rules and fees for this area can change, so confirm them before you book.

• Ghumnajaau arranges the required trekking permits and lists Khaptad National Park entry fees in the package inclusions. [Confirm with the operations team which permits and park fees apply to the final route, and add current fee figures here.]
• Carry your passport and keep permit copies where your guide can reach them.
• Bring cash for personal expenses. ATMs are not available once you leave the road towns.

 

Accommodation and Food

Accommodation

Expect hotel stays in Kathmandu and Dadeldhura and tented camping during the trek. Facilities on the trail are basic: limited electricity, patchy mobile signal, simple washing and cold nights at height. Your team carries tents, sleeping mats and cooking equipment.

Food

The trekking section is full board, prepared by the camp kitchen team. Meals are simple and filling:

• Dal bhat (rice, lentils and vegetables)
• Noodles, soup and potatoes
• Eggs and seasonal vegetables
• Tea, coffee and hot drinks

Breakfast is included in Kathmandu. Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu are not included. Please tell us about allergies or dietary needs before departure, since choices are limited in the mountains.

 

Difficulty and Fitness

Badimalika is a moderate-to-challenging trek. The difficulty comes less from technical terrain and more from the combination of long road transfers, steep sustained climbs, camping and altitude over 3,800 m. You do not need climbing experience, but you should be comfortable walking 5 to 7 hours a day with a daypack over several days. Start regular hiking, stairs or cardio training four to six weeks before departure.

 

Safety Tips

• Altitude: Triveni is about 3,870 m and the temple about 4,200 m. Walk slowly, drink plenty of water and follow your guide’s advice. Tell the guide about headaches, nausea or breathlessness immediately. Do not climb higher with symptoms; if they get worse, descend.
• Weather: Pack for cold, wind and rain at any time of year.
• Insurance: Buy travel insurance covering trekking to 4,500 m and emergency evacuation.
• Guides: Trails are lightly marked and remote. Travel with an experienced local guide.
• Facilities: Carry personal medicine, a headlamp, power bank, water purification and basic first aid.
• Road travel: Allow buffer days. Mountain roads in the Far West are long and slow, especially in monsoon.

 

What to Pack

• Warm down jacket, thermal layers and waterproof shell
• Sturdy, broken-in trekking boots and warm socks
• Gloves, warm hat and sun protection
• Sleeping bag rated for freezing nights
• Trekking poles, headlamp and reusable water bottle
• Personal medication and a small first-aid kit

 

Temple Etiquette and Responsible Travel

• Remove shoes where required and dress modestly at the shrine.
• Ask before photographing people and ritual activity.
• Do not litter on the trail or near water sources.
• Support local communities by buying locally where possible.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

How high is Badimalika Temple?

About 4,200 m (13,780 ft). Some sources quote up to 4,219 m.

 

Where is Badimalika?

In the Triveni area of Bajura District, Sudurpashchim Province, Far West Nepal.

 

How difficult is the Badimalika Trek?

Moderate to challenging. The route is not technical, but the road journeys, steep climbs and camping make it demanding.

 

How many days do I need?

Ghumnajaau’s itinerary takes 13 days, including Kathmandu, flights and road transfers.

 

When is the best time to go?

April to June and September to November. Janai Purnima in August is a pilgrim season with large crowds and monsoon conditions.

 

Can I trek Badimalika without a guide?

We do not recommend it. The area is remote, routes are lightly marked and support is limited.

 

Trek Badimalika with Ghumnajaau

Ghumnajaau has been organising treks and tours in Nepal since 2013. Our Badimalika Trek covers all transport, permits, guides, camping support and meals on the trek, and we can adapt departure dates for groups, families and pilgrim parties.

 

Contact Ghumnajaau for the latest price, departure dates and custom options.