Dhorpatan & Bukipatan Trek Guide

Overview

The Dhorpatan & Bukipatan trek takes you into the Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve, the only hunting reserve in Nepal, a remote, 1,325 km² wilderness spread across the Baglung, Myagdi and Rukum districts of the Gandaki region, beneath the great peaks of Dhaulagiri and Putha Hiunchuli. This is one of the least-visited corners of the country, a place of broad alpine valleys, herders' camps, rhododendron forest and grazing livestock, where you can walk for days without meeting another foreign trekker.

The heart of the trek is the Dhorpatan valley itself, a wide, flat-bottomed basin at around 2,860-3,000 m with seasonal settlements and a small Tibetan-refugee community, and the surrounding high pastures, above all the vast grasslands of Bukipatan, one of Nepal's largest pasturelands, used for transhumance grazing of sheep and horses. The reserve is managed for the Himalayan blue sheep (naur) and shelters Himalayan tahr, leopard, ghoral, serow and the danphe (Himalayan monal), Nepal's national bird, so this is as much a wildlife trek as a mountain one.

The classic route reaches Dhorpatan over the forested Jaljala ridge (around 3,400 m) from the Myagdi side, starting with a drive from Pokhara to Beni and Darbang, then walking up through Magar and Gurung villages, deep forest and high meadows. Jeep roads now reach Burtibang and, in the dry season, push close to Dhorpatan, so the trek can be shortened or lengthened depending on how far you drive.

Allow 10 to 14 days for a satisfying loop including drives. It is graded moderate: the altitude stays relatively gentle, peaking around 3,400-3,660 m on the ridges and pastures, but the route is genuinely remote, with basic facilities, mostly camping on the high sections, and long drives in. If you have walked the Poon Hill or Mohare Danda trails and want something far wilder and quieter at a similar altitude, Dhorpatan is the natural next step.

Top Attractions

Day-by-Day Itinerary

This is a classic Dhorpatan & Bukipatan itinerary from the Myagdi side over the Jaljala ridge. It is best run as a guided, supported trek, lower villages have simple lodges and homestays, but the high pastures around Dhorpatan and Bukipatan have little or no lodging, so most groups carry tents and a cook. Where roads now reach (Burtibang, and in the dry season further), you can drive sections to save days.

Day 1: Drive Pokhara to Beni (830 m), continue to Darbang (1,100 m)

A scenic road day from Pokhara down to Beni at the Myagdi-Kali Gandaki confluence, then on by jeep up the Myagdi Khola to the roadhead village of Darbang. (5-7 hours driving.)

Day 2: Darbang to Dharapani (1,560 m) / Takum

The walking begins, climbing gently through terraced farmland and Magar villages above the river to Dharapani, with the valley opening out and the first hill views. (4-6 hours.)

Day 3: Dharapani to Moreni / Lumsum (2,200 m)

A steady climb through forest and scattered settlements towards the foot of the Jaljala ridge, sleeping at Moreni or Lumsum before the big pass day. (5-6 hours.)

Day 4: Cross Jaljala Pass (3,414 m) to Dhorpatan (2,900 m)

The key crossing: a long climb through dense rhododendron and oak forest to the Jaljala ridge, with sweeping views of Dhaulagiri, then a descent into the broad Dhorpatan valley. In spring the rhododendron here is spectacular. (6-7 hours.)

Day 5: Explore Dhorpatan valley and the Tibetan settlement

A day to rest and explore the wide valley, its seasonal herder camps and the small Tibetan-refugee community, with short walks to viewpoints and the chance to spot wildlife on the surrounding slopes. A good acclimatisation and photography day.

Day 6: Dhorpatan to Bukipatan pastures (3,200-3,660 m)

Climb out of the valley onto the high open grasslands of Bukipatan, one of Nepal's largest pastures, camping among the meadows where herders graze sheep and horses. This is the scenic and wildlife highlight, with big-sky views back to the Dhaulagiri peaks. (5-6 hours.)

Day 7: Bukipatan exploration / wildlife day

A full day to roam the pastures and ridgelines, the best chance to see Himalayan blue sheep (naur), tahr and the danphe pheasant, and to take in the remote grandeur of the reserve. Strong groups can add a higher ridge or viewpoint (towards 3,600-4,000 m) for wider panoramas.

Day 8: Bukipatan back to Dhorpatan (2,900 m)

Retrace across the pastures and drop back into the Dhorpatan valley, or take an alternative route through forest and herders' clearings, with more chances for wildlife on the way down. (5-6 hours.)

Days 9-10: Dhorpatan to Burtibang (1,900 m), drive out

Descend east out of the reserve towards Burtibang in Baglung, the eastern roadhead, walking or driving sections as the road allows. From Burtibang, a long jeep day leads back towards Baglung and Pokhara. (Walking 5-6 hours; driving 6-8 hours.)

Days 11-12: Drive Burtibang / Baglung to Pokhara, on to Kathmandu

Complete the drive to Pokhara and, if needed, continue to Kathmandu. Build in a contingency day, as the rough mountain roads in and out of Dhorpatan can be slow or delayed in bad weather.

Difficulty & Fitness

The Dhorpatan & Bukipatan trek is graded moderate. The altitude stays relatively gentle, the high points are the Jaljala ridge (around 3,414 m) and the Bukipatan pastures and ridges (around 3,400-3,660 m), so serious altitude sickness is less likely than on the high-pass treks. What makes Dhorpatan demanding is its remoteness and basic facilities rather than its height.

• Remoteness. This is one of the least-visited regions in Nepal. There are no teahouses on the high pastures, little or no phone signal, and the nearest road, hospital and reliable resupply are a long way off. Self-sufficiency matters.
• Camping on the high sections. Lower villages have simple lodges and homestays, but Dhorpatan's pastures and Bukipatan are usually camped, so you carry tents, a cook and supplies.
• Long days and rough trails. Expect 5-7 hours of walking on forest paths, herders' tracks and open pasture, with the long Jaljala crossing the toughest single day.
• Long, rough drives. The road days to Darbang/Burtibang are long and bumpy, and can be slow or cut by weather and landslides.

You should be comfortable walking 5-7 hours a day on uneven trails for a week or more and happy with simple food and camping. No technical skills or prior high-altitude experience are required, but good general fitness and a flexible, adventurous attitude make the remote logistics far more enjoyable. Train with regular hill walks and loaded day-pack hikes in the weeks beforehand.

Permits & Regulations

Dhorpatan is a protected hunting reserve, so it has its own entry rules. The route does not lie in a restricted area in the special-permit sense, and it is outside the Annapurna Conservation Area, so you do not need an ACAP permit. You do need:

• Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve entry permit, around NPR 3,000 for foreign nationals (less for SAARC nationals, minimal for Nepalis), issued under the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation. A registered trekking agency can arrange it; carry your passport and several passport photos.
• TIMS card (Trekkers' Information Management System), around NPR 2,000, arranged through a registered trekking agency.

Since 2023, Nepal requires trekkers on national-park and protected-area routes to trek with a licensed guide rather than fully independently. For Dhorpatan this is doubly sensible given the remoteness and the camping logistics. Note that trophy hunting of blue sheep and Himalayan tahr is a separate, tightly regulated activity in the reserve: it requires a costly hunting licence and quota allocated by the authorities and is not part of an ordinary trek. As a trekker you are simply a visitor passing through. Rules and fees can change, so confirm the current requirements with a registered agency or the DNPWC before you travel.

Cost & Budget

The Dhorpatan & Bukipatan trek is mid-priced for Nepal. It is cheaper than the big expedition treks because the altitude is modest, but the remoteness, long jeep transfers and camping crew on the high pastures push the cost above the standard teahouse trails.

• Guided package: typically around NPR 120,000-240,000 per person depending on group size, how much you camp versus use lodges, and how far you drive in. This usually covers the guide, porters or pack animals, camping gear where needed, the reserve and TIMS permits, ground transport and meals on the trek.
• Transport: the long jeep transfers from Pokhara to Darbang and out via Burtibang are a notable cost; private jeeps are dearer but far more comfortable than shared ones on these rough roads.
• Permits: the Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve entry permit (around NPR 3,000) plus TIMS (around NPR 2,000).
• On-trail spending: carry enough Nepali rupees in cash for the whole trek, there are no ATMs once you leave the larger towns, and the high pastures have nothing to buy.

Because the high sections are camped and supplies must be carried in, smaller groups pay more per head as the fixed crew is shared among fewer trekkers. A tip for guides and porters is customary, and it is wise to budget a contingency for slow roads and weather delays.

Best Time to Trek

There are two clear seasons for the Dhorpatan & Bukipatan trek, and the choice shapes what you see.

• March-May (spring) is the classic window, the rhododendron forest on the Jaljala ridge is in full bloom, the pastures green up, and wildlife is active, making it the best time for both scenery and naur sightings.
• September-November (autumn) brings the most stable weather and the clearest views of Dhaulagiri and Putha Hiunchuli after the monsoon, with crisp days and firm trails on the high pastures.

Avoid the monsoon (June-early September): the forest is wet, leech-ridden and slippery, the rough access roads are prone to landslides, and clouds hide the peaks. Deep winter (December-February) brings heavy snow to the high valley and pastures, the herders move their livestock down, and access becomes difficult, so it is generally best avoided unless you are prepared for cold, snowbound camping.

Packing, Safety & Tips

Acclimatisation

With high points around 3,400-3,660 m, altitude sickness is much less likely than on the high-pass treks, but it can affect anyone above 2,500 m. Ascend at a steady pace, especially on the Jaljala crossing and the climb to Bukipatan, stay hydrated, and descend if you develop a persistent headache, nausea or dizziness.

Gear & packing

Pack for cold-weather camping in a remote area: a warm sleeping bag (rated to around -10 C), an insulated mat, a down jacket, full layered clothing, sturdy broken-in boots, trekking poles, a rain shell and a headlamp. Because the high pastures have no shops, bring personal snacks, a reliable water-purification method and a first-aid kit including blister care. For spring trekking, pack leech protection and waterproofs for the wet lower forest.

Communications & money

Phone signal is patchy to non-existent across the reserve; many groups carry a satellite communicator for emergencies. There are no ATMs once you leave the larger towns, so carry enough cash for the whole trek plus a buffer for delays.

Safety & insurance

Buy comprehensive travel insurance that covers trekking and includes helicopter evacuation, rescue from Dhorpatan is slow and expensive without cover. Trek with a licensed guide and crew who know the reserve, never split from your group on the open pastures, and keep contingency days for slow roads and weather. Respect the reserve's wildlife: keep your distance, do not disturb herders' livestock, and carry out all your rubbish.

Combining with other treks

Dhorpatan sits between the Dhaulagiri and Rukum regions, so committed trekkers sometimes link it with the long, wild routes towards the Dhaulagiri Circuit or the Guerrilla Trail of Rukum. For most visitors, though, Dhorpatan is a standalone wilderness trek best paired with time in Pokhara before and after to arrange permits, transport and gear. If you want a gentler warm-up at a similar altitude, the nearby Mohare Danda and Khopra Ridge community trails make a good pairing.