Destination
Dhaulagiri Region, Nepal
Region
Dhaulagiri Region
Trip Grade
Grade 2: Moderate
Accommodation
Tea House
Total Distance
90 km/ 55 miles
Start / End Point
Kathmandu/Kathmandu
Durations
13 days
Max. Altitude
3850 m/ 12613 ft.
Meals Included
Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Group Size
above 1 pax
Best Season
Autumn (September to November) and Spring (March to May)
Activity per day
6 hrs
Transportation
Private Jeep /Trekking
Trip Highlights
Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve, Nepal's only hunting reserve, is a significant destination for wildlife enthusiasts and trophy hunters, particularly for blue sheep and Himalayan tahr. Located in the Baglung district, it spans 1325 sq. km and boasts a diverse landscape ranging from alpine meadows to dense forests. The reserve is known for its rich biodiversity, including numerous endemic plant species, diverse mammal and bird populations, and the presence of endangered species like musk deer and snow leopards.
Controlled Hunting: Dhorpatan is specifically designated for controlled hunting activities, primarily targeting blue sheep and Himalayan tahr.
Diverse Landscape: The reserve encompasses a range of habitats, including alpine meadows, dense forests, and marshlands (known as "ḍhor"), creating a diverse environment for various wildlife.
Explore and hunt in the only legal hunting ground of Nepal.
Witness over 80,000 animals living within the grazing land of Dhorpatan.
Rich Biodiversity: Dhorpatan is a biodiversity hotspot, home to 36 endemic plant species, 18 mammal species (including snow leopard, musk deer, and blue sheep), and 137 bird species, including several endangered pheasants.
Explore many villages on all sides of the hunting reserve for the rich cultural experience of Nepal.
Explore three distinct forest types: alpine, sub-alpine, and high-temperate vegetation.
It is a great bird-watching experience with over 137 species of birds, all rare and distinct to Nepal.
Cultural Significance: The reserve is surrounded by villages where local people, including Magar, Thakali, and Gurung communities, reside and depend on the reserve for resources.
Visit a Hindu temple named Dhorbaraha that lies on the banks of the Uttarganga River.
Hunting Blocks: The reserve is divided into six blocks for hunting management purposes, ensuring sustainable resource use.
A naturalist guide to help recognize the wildlife and hunt them down.
Trekker and Wildlife Enthusiast Destination: Beyond hunting, Dhorpatan is also an attractive destination for trekkers and wildlife enthusiasts, offering stunning vistas and opportunities for wildlife encounters.
The crew of GOOD KARMA Trekking shall arrange all permits and documents.
Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve was established to fulfill the needs of those who want to enjoy Hunting. The reserve has alpine, subalpine, and temperate vegetation. The fir, pine, birch, rhododendron, hemlock, oak, juniper, and spruce are the most found trees in this area.
Trip Overview
Are you crazy about wildlife, and the thought of hunting crazy animals in the wild excites you? If it does excite you, then a hunting tour to Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve, the only legal hunting ground in Nepal, can be a thrilling experience for you
Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve is one of Nepal’s historically most significant conservation areas. It was established in 1983, was finally gazetted in 1987 to protect from illegal poaching activities and is spread over districts Rukum, Myagdi and Baglung in the western part of Nepal.
The Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve area is about 1,325 square kilometres, and it is the sole hunting reserve in Nepal and a special place for hunters and nature lovers.
The Dhorpatan Reserve has a diverse landscape that includes alpine meadows, dense forests, and marshlands known as “ḍhor,” which provide habitats for various wildlife. This area contains 36 endemic plant species, 18 mammal species, and 137 bird species, and thus is a valuable biodiversity hotspot.
The Dhorpatan valley is best known for its beautiful optics on the Dhaulagiri range and Gurja Himal. Trekkers can enjoy stunning vistas and wildlife encounters with blue sheep, musk deer, snow leopards, and many pheasants.
The trip usually starts in Kathmandu, and then a beautiful drive to Beni and then to Darbang starts the trek. The trek normally lasts for 13 days and involves overnighting at several different camps on the route. Besides the natural scenery, trekkers can also experience local cultures such as Magar and Tibetan living there.
Not only is Dhorpatan a hunters’ paradise, but it is a natural attraction where environmentally conscious tourists can enjoy the virgin setting, walking and looking for wildlife. Ideal times to go are spring and autumn when the weather is most agreeable for hiking. Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve generally provides an adventure and cultural experience off the beaten track in one of Nepal’s most scenic areas.
Where is Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve located?
Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve is located in the west of Nepal. It borders three districts, namely Rukum, Myagdi, and Baglung. It lies just before the majestic Dhaulagiri Himal range, standing proudly in the west while other smaller mountains such as Patha, Churen, and Gurja border the North.
The reserve is a diverse landscape, ranging from alpine meadows through dense forests to high-altitude peaks, and therefore offers a one-of-a-kind focal point for wildlife fans and adventurers.
Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve Experience
The Dhorpatan experience usually starts with a scenic ride from Kathmandu to Beni and then a trekking experience in beautiful villages and forests with evergreen rhododendron trees.
As Nepal’s only legal hunting area, it is made available to fully licensed hunters to shoot species, including blue sheep and Himalayan tahr, in a closed area. The reserve is a rich ecosystem with various wildlife species, including blue sheep, musk deer, goral, black bear, and 137 bird species.
Trekkers can experience guided botanical, bird, nature, or fauna walks to learn about their flora and fauna and the calming atmosphere. The spectacular vistas of the hills and valleys surrounding the area add to the pleasure. Cultural exchanges with local communities offer evidence of their way of life and their habits.
Detailed Itinerary
Drive Route: Kathmandu → Naubise → Mugling → Pokhara → Beni
Kathmandu to Beni Distance: 294 km (182 miles)
Lunch Stop: Mugling
Overnight: Beni
Early in the morning, we will took a breakfast then we get up tourist luxury Jeep. We drive west of Kathmandu, along the bank of Trishuli River. We will stop for lunch along the way and reach Pokhara about midday. A 3/4 hrs ride from Pokhara takes us to Beni. Beni is also the starting point of many other important treks, such as Mustang Trek. There are some good guest houses for us to go into at night.
About Beni:
Beni, the main town in Myagdi. It is the starting point for treks into the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri regions. The town has basic services for trekkers preparing for the adventure ahead.
Drive Route: Beni → Tatopani → Darbang
Trek Route: Darbang → Phedi → Dharapani
Ending Point: Dharapani (1860 m / 6102 ft.)
Total Ascent: 961 m (3152 ft.)
Lunch Stop: Darbang
Overnight: Dharapani
From Beni, Darbang is about 3 hours of ride on an off-road. This ride in a private jeep is going to be rather exciting. Then, we reach Dharapani to make a quick stop. After a short break, we prepare our bags and commence the trip.The next part of the trip is a rather relaxing walk on a mostly levelled path. Since it’s your first trekking day, the couple of hours of trek feels quite easy today. We will stay at a small homestay in Dharapani and enjoy our dinner.
About Dharapani:
Dharapani is a small, peaceful village surrounded by terraced fields and forested hills. It’s a popular resting
Trek Route: Dharapani → Mattim → Lamsung
Ending Point: Lamsung (2431 m / 7975 ft.)
Total Ascent: 571 m (2263 ft.)
Lunch Stop: En Route
Overnight: Lamsung
From Dharapani, we trek along the streams and waterfalls on a level path. We stop at midday for our packed lunch and then walk to Lamsung. Lamsung will be reached in the early evening, giving us enough time to take a rest. Today’s trail leads uphill from Dharapani through scenic terraced fields, charming villages, and forested paths. You’ll pass through Sibang and Mattim, stopping along the way to enjoy views of the Dhaulagiri range.
The trail has a mix of steady climbs and flat stretches. This provides you with a glimpse of rural life in the mountains. The final ascent to Lamsung is steeper, but the view is rewarding as you reach this quiet mountain village.
About Lamsung Village in Brief:
Lamsung is a small, traditional village surrounded by dense forests and mountain vistas. Lamsung is famous for its peaceful environment.
Trek Route: Lamsung → Tallo Jaljale
Ending Point: Tallo Jaljale (3,400 m / 11,155 ft.)
Total Ascent: 1025 m (3362 ft.)
Lunch Stop: Along the forest trail
Overnight: Tallo Jaljale
This is a difficult day for walking as we gain a lot of altitude. Although the ascent is difficult, the beautiful landscape takes our hearts away. This area is mostly covered in tropical forest and the chances of spotting the rear wildlife are great. In between the forest, you can see a glimpse of Dhaulagiri, Chure, and Putha.
As you ascend, the views open up to showcase surrounding peaks and ridges. This part of the trek is quiet and isolated, providing a peaceful experience away from more populated routes.
About Tallo Jaljale:
Tallo Jaljale is a high-altitude resting point. It gives trekkers a closer view of the Himalayan landscape. It’s a remote area, so accommodations are basic, focusing more on shelter and warmth.
Trek Route: Tallo Jaljale → Dhorpatan
Ending Point: Dhorpatan (2,860 m / 9,383 ft.)
Total Descent: 540 m (2,228 ft.)
Lunch Stop: Along the trail
Overnight: Dhorpatan
Today’s trail begins with a gradual descent from Tallo Jaljale and leads through beautiful open meadows and dense pine forests, eventually bringing you to the unique landscape of Dhorpatan.
This scenic area is home to Nepal’s only hunting reserve, known for its rich biodiversity and the presence of rare species like blue sheep and Himalayan tahr.
The descent is relatively gentle, allowing time to enjoy the changing scenery as you approach Dhorpatan.
About Dhorpatan:
Dhorpatan is a beautiful village surrounded by rolling hills and a popular spot for high-altitude hunting. It’s also known for its cultural diversity, as the area is inhabited by various ethnic groups, including the Magar and Tibetan communities.
Now, we plan to stay quiet and go hunting. We set our camps and practised some hunting skills. As per the restriction, you can only hunt one animal at a time. We cover as many blocks as possible. Make sure you capture some exciting pictures of the wildlife and yourself.
Alternatively, we can plan a trek to Phagune Phedi on the 1st or the 2nd rest day. If you are bored of waiting for animals or hunting, this tour to Phagune Phedi can be quite exciting. The risk of attitude fitness is also high. So, instead of completing the trek in a single day, we can camp around Phagune Phedi for one more night.
After a good sum of leisure time, we walk to the Jungle camp in the evening of the 3rd day. This makes our trek to Gurjaghat on the other day easier.
Trek Route: Jungle Camp → Gurjaghat
Ending Point: Gurjaghat (3019 m /9904 ft.)
Lunch Stop: Along the forest trail
Overnight: Gurjaghat
Today’s route includes slight ascents and descents, making it moderately challenging but quite rewarding with its panoramic forest and mountain views. Following a gradual climb, you’ll arrive at Gurjaghat, a peaceful settlement that serves as a rest stop for trekkers exploring the Dhaulagiri region.
Trek Route: Gurjaghat → Patichaur
Ending Point: Patichaur (1,800 m / 5,906 ft.)
Total Descent: 1,370 m (4,495 ft.)
Lunch Stop: On the trail
Overnight: Patichaur
On this day, the trek starts with a descent through forested ridges, gradually elevating as you leave the highlands behind. The trail becomes steeper as you approach Patichaur, passing through traditional villages and farming areas.As you descend, you’ll see the stunning views of the surrounding hills and valleys and the warmer climate as you move lower in altitude.
About Patichaur:
Patichaur is a small settlement, a peaceful stop in the middle of the trek. It gives trekkers a chance to rest after a long descent. Lush green fields and beautiful scenery surround the village. The climate here is more temperate.
Trek Route: Patichaur → Darbang → Drive to Beni
Ending Point: Beni (899 m / 2959 ft.)
Total Descent: 900 m (2952 ft.)
Lunch Stop: Darbang
Overnight: Beni
On this day, we begin the hike early in the morning. After 2 hours of walking in the forest in the morning, we will reach Darbang.From here, the town of Beni is about 3 hours drive. Back in the city, you can enjoy a good hot shower.
Route: Beni → Trisuli → Kathmandu
Ending Point: Kathmandu (1,400 m / 4,593 ft.)
Beni to Kathamandu Distance: 294 km (182 miles)
Total Ascent: 570 m (1,870 ft.)
It’s a long drive back to Kathmandu. This is the same route we took at the beginning of the trip. The return journey by privateJeep. We shall stop at places like Pokhara and the banks of the Trishuli River. The views of rivers and hills shall keep you company back to Kathmandu.
Cost Includes
- International Airport Pickup by private car.
- Dhorpatan Entry Permits.
- Kathmandu to trek start point private tourist Jeep.
- Tre ending point to Kathmandu by private tourist Jeep
- Breakfast,lunch and dinner, and tea and coffee on the trek.
- The best available tea house accommodation is available during the trekking days.
- A professional English speaking Trekking guide during the trek including his all expenses.
- Full Insurance of staff.
- Seasonal fruits.
Cost Excludes
- International Flight Ticket.
- Nepal visa fees.
- Private transportation.
- Tips for guide.
- Hunting Fees.
