Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve Trek - 15 Days

Dhorpatan · 15 Days

Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve Trek - 15 Days

· Moderate to Strenuous · Max altitude 3,700m (12,139 ft) at Phagune Phedi · Max group 2-12 people

Duration

15 Days

Max Altitude

3,700m (12,139 ft)

at Phagune Phedi

Grade

Moderate to Strenuous

Lodging

Tented camp / Homestay

Overview

The Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve Trek is a 15-day camping expedition through Nepal's only protected hunting reserve - 1,325 sq km of sub-alpine forest, high pastures and rolling ridges on the southern flank of the Dhaulagiri massif, spread across the districts of Rukum, Baglung and Myagdi. The reserve was gazetted in 1987 to permit regulated trophy hunting of blue sheep and tahr; for non-hunters it is one of Nepal's quietest wilderness trekking zones.

Our itinerary walks from Dharapani in the east, crosses the Jaljala Pass (3,430m) into the Dhorpatan plateau, explores Phagune Phedi (3,700m), continues to Gurjaghat and Patichaur, and exits via Darbang to Beni. The trek is camping-only - there are no permanent lodges past Dhorpatan village - and includes wildlife viewing of blue sheep, Himalayan tahr, ghoral, danphe pheasant and (with patience) musk deer. Mountain views are dominated by the Dhaulagiri-Gurja Himal-Churen Himal-Putha Himal wall.

Highlights

  • Walk Nepal's only official hunting reserve outside hunting season
  • Cross the Jaljala Pass (3,430m) onto the open Dhorpatan plateau
  • Daily encounters with blue sheep, Himalayan tahr and ghoral
  • Visit the 1959 Tibetan refugee settlement at Dhorpatan
  • Phagune Phedi viewpoint for the Dhaulagiri II to Churen Himal wall
  • See six species of pheasant including the iridescent Himalayan monal
  • Stay in tented camp under the stars - zero light pollution
  • Visit traditional Magar villages of Lulang, Gurjaghat and Patichaur
  • Soak in the natural hot springs at Beni on the descent
  • No flights required - all road access from Kathmandu via Pokhara

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival in Kathmandu (1,300m)

🍽 None included

Airport welcome and transfer to hotel.

Day 2

Kathmandu sightseeing and trek brief

🍽 Breakfast

Half-day heritage tour and final gear check.

Day 3

Drive Kathmandu to Pokhara (850m)

⏱ 6-7 hours 🍽 Breakfast

Tourist bus to the lakeside.

Day 4

Drive Pokhara to Dharapani (1,560m)

⏱ 6-7 hours 🍽 Breakfast

Jeep transfer to the trailhead. First night in tent.

Day 5

Trek Dharapani to Lumsung

⏱ 6-7 hours 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Walk through Magar villages and oak forest.

Day 6

Trek Lumsung to Jaljala Pass camp (3,430m)

⏱ 6-7 hours 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Climb to the pass camp with first blue sheep sightings.

Day 7

Trek to Dhorpatan (2,840m)

⏱ 5-6 hours 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Descend the pass onto the Dhorpatan plateau and visit the Tibetan settlement.

Day 8

Rest day and Phagune Phedi ascent (3,700m)

⏱ 5-6 hours 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Pre-dawn hike to the viewpoint for the Dhaulagiri-Churen wall.

Day 9

Explore Dhorpatan plateau

🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Wildlife day - walk the southern grasslands for blue sheep and pheasant.

Day 10

Trek Dhorpatan to Gurjaghat (3,000m)

⏱ 6-7 hours 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Cross the plateau to the western edge.

Day 11

Trek Gurjaghat to Patichaur (2,250m)

⏱ 6-7 hours 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Descend through forest to Magar villages.

Day 12

Trek Patichaur to Darbang, drive to Beni (830m)

🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Final walking section, then jeep transfer to the hot springs town of Beni.

Day 13

Drive Beni to Pokhara

⏱ 3 hours 🍽 Breakfast

Short transfer back to Pokhara. Afternoon free.

Day 14

Drive Pokhara to Kathmandu

⏱ 6-7 hours 🍽 Breakfast

Return tourist bus to Kathmandu. Farewell dinner.

Day 15

Departure

🍽 Breakfast

Airport transfer for your onward flight.

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What's included

Included

  • Tourist bus and private jeep transfers Kathmandu-Pokhara-Dharapani and return
  • Airport pickups in Kathmandu
  • 3 nights twin-share 3-star Kathmandu hotel
  • 2 nights twin-share Pokhara hotel
  • Full tented camp setup - sleeping tents, mess tent, kitchen tent, toilet tent
  • All sleeping mats, dining furniture and camp kitchen equipment
  • All three meals plus tea/coffee during the trek
  • Trek leader, assistant guide, cook, kitchen team and porters
  • Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve permit and TIMS card
  • Half-day Kathmandu sightseeing
  • All applicable taxes
  • Company duffel bag and first-aid kit

Not included

  • International airfare
  • Nepal visa
  • Travel and rescue insurance (compulsory)
  • Lunches and dinners in cities
  • Bottled drinks, alcohol
  • Personal trekking gear
  • Sleeping bag (rental available)
  • Tips for the trek crew

Trek guide

What "Hunting Reserve" Means

Dhorpatan is the only protected area in Nepal that permits regulated trophy hunting under the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act. Permits are tightly controlled (4-6 blue sheep and 4-6 tahr per season) and run roughly October to December. For the other 9-10 months of the year the reserve operates like a national park - wildlife is unhunted and visible, foreign trekkers walk freely, and the staff focus on anti-poaching.

Wildlife You Will See

  • Blue sheep (bharal) - common above 3,000m, often grazing in herds visible from the trail
  • Himalayan tahr - on the steeper north-facing slopes
  • Ghoral - in the lower oak forest
  • Himalayan monal (danphe) - iridescent national bird, often seen in the forest at dawn
  • Cheer pheasant and kalij pheasant - both endangered, both present
  • Musk deer - rare and shy

Snow leopard and Himalayan wolf are present but very rarely seen.

The Tibetan Settlement

Roughly 100 families resettled at Dhorpatan in 1959 after the Chinese annexation of Tibet. The Snow Leopard Carpet Co-operative still runs from the original buildings. Visitors are welcome to walk through and purchase carpets directly.

Phagune Phedi

The viewpoint above Dhorpatan at 3,700m gives an unobstructed wall view of Dhaulagiri II (7,751m), Dhaulagiri III, Dhaulagiri IV, Churen Himal and Gurja Himal. Best at first light.

Permits

  • Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve Entry Permit (US$30 per person for non-hunters)
  • TIMS card

Best Season

  • March-May: Rhododendrons in bloom, wildlife active
  • September-November: Driest, clearest mountain views
  • Avoid the hunting window (mid-October to December) if you specifically want to avoid hunters
  • Monsoon (June-August) brings heavy rain and leeches

Fitness

Moderate-to-strenuous. 5-7 hours daily, multiple consecutive walking days on rough trails. Camping comfort with foam mattresses. Prior multi-day trekking experience helpful.

Packing list

Clothing: -15C down jacket, fleece, waterproof shell, 3 trekking shirts, 2 trousers, thermals, 5 pairs socks, beanie, sun hat, gloves

Footwear: Sturdy mid-cut waterproof boots, camp shoes

Accessories: 35L daypack, 60L duffel for porter, -15C sleeping bag (rental option), trekking poles, headlamp, polarised sunglasses, 2L water bottles, purification, binoculars (recommended for wildlife)

Documents: Passport with Nepal visa, insurance certificate, 4 passport photos

Medical: Diamox optional, painkillers, blister care, SPF 50+, lip balm

Frequently asked questions

Will I see hunters?
Not on this itinerary - we run outside the October-December hunting window.

Is camping really necessary?
Past Dhorpatan village there are no lodges. The plateau and Phagune sections require tents.

How cold do nights get?
-5 to -15C at the highest camps in autumn. A -15C bag is recommended.

How likely am I to see snow leopard?
Very unlikely - they exist but sightings are exceptional. The reserve does have a confirmed breeding population.

Is the food good on a camping trek?
Our cooks prepare fresh dal-bhat, pasta, soups and bread daily. Most clients eat better here than on teahouse routes.

How basic are toilets?
Dedicated toilet tent with portable pit dug fresh at each camp.

Is there phone signal?
Patchy on the Dhorpatan plateau. None at higher camps.

What about leeches?
Only an issue during monsoon. Spring and autumn trips are leech-free.

Can the route be cut short?
Yes - a 10-day version exits via Dhorpatan-Darbang without the Gurjaghat-Patichaur loop. Speak to the office.

How does this compare to the Dhaulagiri Circuit?
Dhorpatan is cultural and lower-altitude with wildlife focus. Dhaulagiri Circuit is higher, more technical with two 5,300m passes.

Still have questions? Talk to a guide →

Why book this with us

Senior local guides. Small groups. Honest pricing.

  • Departures led by a guide who grew up in the region.
  • Max 8 trekkers per group — no convoys.
  • 100% Nepali-owned. Profit stays in the valleys.
  • Free cancellation up to 30 days before departure.
  • Permits, internal flights and TIMS handled by us.
  • 24/7 in-country support during your trek.

From $1595

per person

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