This photo spread is about a trek we embarked on recently in August to Khaptad National Park. The overall trip was immensely satisfying but we faced many hindrances along the way as we trekked during the rainy season. Walking through dense forests with no trace of life, following litters as signs of the pathway was daunting at first but the effort was worth it in the end.

My friend and I left for Markhu village located in Makwanpur District in the Narayani Zone of southern Nepal on our scooters on a rainy Thursday despite me being hounded by bad memories of roads with lots of puddles and dirt from my last trip to the place a while back. Even back then, the roads till Pharping were pretty good but after we took a right to get to Markhu, the ride got bumpy and uncomfortable. This time around, however, I was surprised to see that the roads were all black-topped and riding the scooter was fairly easy.