After walking more than 250 kilometres through the Himalayan foothills, one can witness four extraordinary destinations in a single journey. A team from Wild Bajura, an initiative working to unveil Nepal’s hidden travel gems to the world, recently completed this remarkable expedition.

The 18-day trek from Ramaroshan to Badimalika and Budhinanda, ending at the eastern base camp of Saipal Himal—known as Ranisain—offered the team a rare chance to immerse themselves in the unique blend of nature, culture, and daily life that define this remote region.

The journey began at Martadi, the district headquarters of Bajura. The first destination was Ramaroshan in Achham, famously known as the land of ‘12 lakes and 18 meadows’.

Home to a rich collection of aquatic and terrestrial biodiversity, Ramaroshan offered breathtaking landscapes that filled the trekkers with joy, said team member Manoj Regmi.

To link major destinations of Sudurpaschim in a single trek, the team climbed the 4,000-metre-high Gahategadhi and reached Badimalika on the second day.

Though it lies in a Himalayan zone, Badimalika becomes even more vibrant during the monsoon, when lush green meadows and hills are lit up by sunlight playing hide-and-seek with drifting mist.

“The sun would warm our hearts before our bodies,” said Regmi. “The changing light, rain, and fog throughout the day were truly magical.”

Every day of the 18-day journey was filled with adventure, the team said. “From alpine caves to vast pastures, soaked to the bone and shivering at times—we were always welcomed warmly in sheep herder huts,” said another team member, Rohit Roka of Dadeldhura. “We came across lakes hidden in clouds and quenched our thirst with icy glacier water,” he added.

Roka said the moment they reached Budhinanda at 4,723 metres after ascending from Badimalika (4,200 metres) was unforgettable.

After charting the route from Budhinanda, the team walked another five days to reach Ranisain, considered the most beautiful among Saipal’s four base camps.

With its glacial lakes and herds of sheep and yaks, the area looks more stunning in the monsoon than in winter. Trekkers can also reach the western base camp (Raidhungi) and the southern base camp (Aulagadh) of Saipal Himal.

According to Wild Bajura, the expedition was also an effort to explore Sudurpaschim’s tourism potential. The team concluded that this route is ideal for those seeking to explore multiple destinations quickly and for lovers of adventurous trekking.

“This was more than just a trek,” said Regmi. “It was a journey to rediscover a lost paradise and the tourism future of Sudurpaschim, and we believe we succeeded.”

Throughout their 261-kilometre walk, the team also gathered valuable insights to help make this trail more accessible and enjoyable. Regmi said they plan to work with the Nepal Tourism Board and other agencies to formally develop the route.

Here are some photos by Manoj Regmi captured during the trek.