Badimalika Trek · Itineraries & routes
Kathmandu to the goddess at 4,200 metres — and back to the plains. Four routes, one destination — pick the pace that fits you, then walk it day by day.
Elevation profile
The featured route at a glance. Elevations are commonly cited figures — treat them as guides, not measurements, and verify conditions before travel.
Badimalika isn't one fixed route — budget, travel style and time available change the plan. Open the itinerary closest to yours for the full day-by-day breakdown. Distances and elevations are approximate: several upper-trail stops are remote, seasonal and inconsistently mapped, so confirm road access, shelter, food and weather conditions locally before departure.
The longer Dadeldhura → Jadanga → Budha Krodh → Bhito → Triveni → Badimalika approach — our featured day-by-day story below is a faster-paced take on this same route.
Day by day, in photos
Kathmandu → Dhangadhi → Dadeldhura
An hour in the air trades Kathmandu for the warm plains of Dhangadhi, gateway of the Far-West. From there the road does the first climbing — four hours of bends through farmland and terraces to Dadeldhura, a hill town watched over by the old stone fort of Amargadhi. First night at altitude, and the trek has quietly begun.
Dadeldhura → Sanfe → Jadanga
Wake early — Dadeldhura and its temples are best in first light. Then the longest driving day of the trip: down to Sanfe with the Budhiganga for company, and up again on a rough mountain road that keeps opening views of the ranges. It ends in Jadanga, a small, clean village where the air already tastes thin. You sleep at 3,820 metres.
Jadanga → Budha Krodh
Sunrise first, then the first true walking day. The trail drops out of Jadanga through forest loud with birdlife into Budha Krodh — a green bowl of pasture and waterfalls where local families graze their buffalo. From the hill above camp, snow-capped peaks line the evening horizon.
Budha Krodh → Bhoti → Triveni Patan
Start before the light gets warm — this is the longest trail day. Three hours of climbing reach Bhoti hill at 3,800 metres; beyond it the forest thins into open country of grasslands, waterfalls and murmuring streams. Then Triveni appears: a sacred meadow where, at Janai Purnima, close to a thousand tents crowd in around the shrine.
The day it was all for. From Triveni the trail climbs through a final forest full of birds until the temple of Malika Bhagwati stands on its open ridge — stone, bells and wind, with the Triveni river threading the valleys far below. Rituals, silence, and a night at the base of the shrine.
Badimalika → Dhawalpur Lake
Morning belongs to the hill. The old way is to bathe in the river below and walk up to the goddess once more before leaving — then the long green descent begins, out of the meadows and down through forest alive with wildlife, to a quiet camp on the shore of Dhawalpur Lake.
Dhawalpur → Natyashwori → Lamagadh
A slow morning by the water at 2,556 metres, then three easy hours to the Natyashwori temple — local belief says a Badimalika pilgrimage is complete only once you have prayed here too. Half an hour more puts you on Lamagadh hill in time for one of the finest sunsets of the trek.
Lamagadh → Silgadhi → Mahendranagar
Sunrise, then down — nearly all day. The route passes the meeting of the Budhiganga and Malagadh rivers and reaches Silgadhi, home of the revered Shaileshwori Temple. After breakfast the road takes over: lunch back in Dadeldhura, and a night in Mahendranagar on the plains.
Mahendranagar → Dhangadhi
A gentle day to let the trek settle. Explore Mahendranagar — the second-largest city of Sudurpashchim — in the morning, then roll east through farmland to Dhangadhi. Nine days ago these plains were the start of everything; now they read differently.
Dhangadhi → Kathmandu
One last walk on Dhangadhi's hill before the airport, then an hour eastward in the air — back over everything you crossed by road and on foot. In Kathmandu there is a small farewell, and the trek becomes a story you tell.
The best itinerary for foreign nationals — slower, safer, and more honest about the remoteness of Badimalika.
The cheapest way from Kathmandu — road all the way, no flights. Cheaper because it skips flights, but physically more tiring than it looks.
Day by day
Kathmandu (approx. 1,400 m) → Dhangadhi (109 m)
approx. 680–750 km, 16–20+ hrs by busVery long road journey. Budget-friendly but less comfortable — overnight bus is common.
Arrive / rest in Dhangadhi (109 m)
Local movement onlyEasy. Rest after the road journey. Buy food, rain gear, cash, basic medicine, and confirm transport to Martadi.
Dhangadhi (109 m) → Martadi (approx. 2,030 m)
approx. 327 km, 10–12 hrs by roadHard road day climbing from Terai to the far-western hills. Stay in Martadi.
Martadi (approx. 2,030 m) → Sota Patan (approx. 3,200–3,400 m)
approx. 10–13 km, 5–7 hrs trekHard uphill on a constructed trekking route. Camp / basic shelter.
Sota Patan (approx. 3,200–3,400 m) → Triveni Patan (approx. 3,840–3,870 m)
approx. 8–12 km, 6–7 hrs trekModerate to hard. Open patan terrain, wind and weather exposure, fewer facilities. Camp at Triveni.
Triveni (approx. 3,840–3,870 m) → Badimalika Temple (approx. 4,200 m) → Triveni
approx. 8–12 km round trip, 6–7 hrsHard. Main temple day — start early. Return to Triveni unless temple-area shelter is confirmed.
Triveni (approx. 3,840–3,870 m) → Sota Patan (approx. 3,200–3,400 m)
approx. 8–12 km, 5–6 hrsModerate descent. Camp / basic shelter. Watch knees on wet grass and muddy trails.
Sota Patan → Martadi (approx. 2,030 m)
approx. 10–13 km, 5–7 hrsLong descent. Martadi is the first proper hotel/lodge stop after the upper trail.
Martadi (approx. 2,030 m) → Dhangadhi (109 m)
approx. 327 km, 10–12 hrs roadVery tiring road return. Stay in Dhangadhi.
Rest / contingency day in Dhangadhi
Local onlyUseful buffer for road delays, tiredness, or missed bus schedules.
Dhangadhi (109 m) → Kathmandu (approx. 1,400 m) by road
approx. 680–750 km, 16–20+ hrsLong overnight bus / private vehicle journey.
Arrive Kathmandu
–Recovery / buffer day. Add one more day in monsoon or festival season.
Best labelled a budget-friendly itinerary by road — not an easy one.
The most practical version of the commonly promoted Dhangadhi → Martadi → Sota Patan → Triveni → Badimalika route.
Day by day
Kathmandu (approx. 1,400 m) → Dhangadhi (109 m)
Flight, approx. 1 hr 10 minEasy. Stay in Dhangadhi. Prepare cash, food, warm layers and rain protection.
Dhangadhi (109 m) → Martadi (approx. 2,030 m)
approx. 327 km, 10–12 hrs roadHard road day. Stay in Martadi; do not start trekking the same day.
Martadi (approx. 2,030 m) → Sota Patan (approx. 3,200–3,400 m)
approx. 10–13 km, 5–7 hrsHard climb through forest, hill trail and grazing areas. Camp / basic shelter.
Sota Patan (approx. 3,200–3,400 m) → Triveni Patan (approx. 3,840–3,870 m)
approx. 8–12 km, 6–7 hrsModerate to hard. Altitude gain and open meadows slow the pace. Camp at Triveni.
Rest / acclimatization at Triveni (approx. 3,840–3,870 m)
0–3 km short walksEasy. A safety improvement over rushed agency-style plans — rest, check weather, short exploration.
Triveni → Badimalika Temple (approx. 4,200 m) → Triveni or temple-area camp
approx. 8–12 km round trip, 6–7 hrsHard. Sacred temple day. Return to Triveni if shelter near the temple is uncertain.
Triveni → Sota Patan
approx. 8–12 km, 5–6 hrsModerate descent. Camp / basic shelter.
Sota Patan → Martadi (approx. 2,030 m)
approx. 10–13 km, 5–7 hrsLong downhill. Stay in Martadi hotel / basic lodge.
Martadi (approx. 2,030 m) → Dhangadhi (109 m)
approx. 327 km, 10–12 hrs roadLong return drive. Stay in Dhangadhi.
Dhangadhi (109 m) → Kathmandu (approx. 1,400 m)
Flight, approx. 1 hr 10 minEasy return day.
The main normal-traveler itinerary — follows the popular route without pretending it's as easy as a central-Nepal lodge trek.
Pilgrims traditionally bathe at Triveni Dham before ascending to Badimalika. A large fair is held during Janai Purnima, when temporary food and shelter appear along the route.
Day by day
Kathmandu (approx. 1,400 m) → Dhangadhi (109 m)
Flight, approx. 1 hr 10 minEasy. Stay in Dhangadhi. Confirm jeep, guide, food, tents/shelter and festival conditions.
Dhangadhi (109 m) → Martadi (approx. 2,030 m)
approx. 327 km, 10–12 hrs roadHard road day. Stay in Martadi.
Martadi (approx. 2,030 m) → Sota Patan (approx. 3,200–3,400 m)
approx. 10–13 km, 5–7 hrs trekHard uphill. Pilgrims may move fast, but the altitude gain is serious. Camp / basic shelter.
Sota Patan (approx. 3,200–3,400 m) → Triveni Patan (approx. 3,840–3,870 m)
approx. 8–12 km, 6–7 hrs trekHard. Triveni is the key sacred stop before Badimalika. Camp or festival shelter.
Triveni → Badimalika Temple (approx. 4,200 m) → Triveni or temple-area shelter
approx. 8–12 km round trip, 6–7 hrsHard. Main darshan day — start before sunrise. Return to Triveni unless shelter near the temple is confirmed.
Triveni / Badimalika side → Natyashwari side or lower camp
approx. 12–18 km, 7–9 hrs depending on routeVery hard if starting from the temple. Include Natyashwari only with local route confirmation and guide support.
Natyashwari side / lower camp → nearest roadhead or Martadi-side connection
approx. 5–7 hrs trek/road mixModerate to hard — depends heavily on road condition and local jeep access. Add a day if roads are blocked.
Roadhead / Martadi side → Dhangadhi (109 m)
approx. 10–12 hrs roadLong road return. Stay in Dhangadhi.
Dhangadhi (109 m) → Kathmandu (approx. 1,400 m)
Flight, approx. 1 hr 10 minReturn day.
The best pilgrim-focused itinerary — prioritizes Triveni, Badimalika darshan and Natyashwari-side continuity. Requires confirmed shelter, guide support and road access.
Dates, fitness, road conditions, festival timing — ask before you commit. Bajura changes with every season, and this itinerary should bend with it.