Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve is Nepal’s only game sanctuary. Established in 1983, it spans 1,325 sq km, touching the districts of Baglung, Rukum, and Myagdi. I had been hearing about the untamed beauty of Dhorpatan since childhood and always longed to see it. But as I grew older, adult responsibilities, jobs, and family commitments pushed that wish aside for years.
I believe that anyone who has heard of Dhorpatan feels its pull, the desire to experience its raw, untouched beauty. So, I finally ventured into this hidden paradise of Nepal that many have heard of but few have truly explored. I was joined by a group of acquaintances, for adventures are best when shared.
We gathered at the New Bus Park in Gongabu at 3:30 pm to begin our 400 km overnight journey from Kathmandu. My long-cherished dream to see Dhorpatan—a land of vast grasslands, dense forests, rivers, and timeless mountains—was finally taking shape. As we left behind the bustle of Kathmandu, the cityscape gradually gave way to lush hills and serene valleys.
The bus stopped at Naubise for tea and later at Damauli for dinner. The Prithvi Highway up to Muglin was in miserable condition, but beyond that, the road improved, carrying us smoothly toward Pokhara. Fatigue soon took over, and I fell asleep scrolling through Facebook.
When I opened my eyes, it was around 7 am, and we had already reached Burtibang, the second-largest commercial center in Baglung district. Since we hadn’t eaten dinner the night before, we decided to have breakfast before continuing our journey to Dhorpatan.
At around 9 am, the jeep we had booked from Kathmandu arrived. The driver told us it would take roughly three hours to reach Dhorpatan from Burtibang. We drove along the river, passing cascading waterfalls and small hamlets. The road, however, was rough and poorly maintained. With rain adding to the challenge, the drive became an exhilarating adventure.
When we finally entered Dhorpatan, a thick fog blanketed the valley, concealing everything in sight. But as the mist began to lift, the view before us was simply breathtaking. Wide grasslands dotted with wildflowers, canals glinting in the sunlight, crystal-clear rivers winding through meadows, herds of grazing horses, and lush forests. It felt like another world.
‘Dhor’ means marshland, and ‘Patan’ means flat meadow. These meadows are home to blue sheep, Himalayan tahr, and other wildlife. After checking into our hotel and having lunch, we rested for a while and spoke with the owner about places to explore in the valley.
Following his suggestion, we set out for a place called Kang to see a wooden bridge that had recently become quite popular. A 45-minute jeep ride followed by a 20-minute walk brought us to an enchanting spot. There were rolling hillocks blanketed with wildflowers of every imaginable color, the turquoise Uttarganga River flowed gently below, and we could see a backdrop of verdant hills. The sheer beauty left us speechless. We spent hours taking photos and videos, hoping to capture even a fraction of what we felt.
After feasting our eyes on nature’s splendor, we went in search of more vibrant wildflowers and later set up a tent by the river to enjoy the scene until dusk. We returned to the hotel afterward, had dinner, and went to bed early.
The next morning, we woke up late, as the hotel owner had told us that our next stop, Bukipatan, could be reached in five to six hours of trek. After breakfast, we began our journey at around 10 am. The trail was scenic and gentle from the start, leading us through lush forests and along a lively river. There was only one teahouse along the way, where we stopped for tea and noodles.
Suddenly, it began to rain. We put on our raincoats and continued toward Thade Khola. Since we had enough time, we paused often to enjoy the views and document the journey through photos and videos.
We reached Bukipatan around 3 pm. As it was raining heavily, we spent the evening playing games inside a large tent that sheltered about 25 people that night. Dinner was served around 11 pm, after which we went to sleep to the sound of rain drumming on the tent.
At dawn, we began our hike, guided by the soft glow of headlamps. When we reached Tikadhar, the sun was just rising, painting the sky in shades of pink, orange, and gold. The sight was surreal, dreamlike, and unforgettable.
The weather favored us that day, offering clear views of the stunning landscape. We spent a couple of hours soaking in the serenity, surrounded by wildflowers and whispering wind. As fog slowly enveloped the valley and the air turned cold, we descended back to Bukipatan for breakfast before returning to Dhorpatan. Two of our friends boarded a night bus to Kathmandu, while the remaining four of us took a jeep to Pokhara, grateful to have finally lived the dream of Dhorpatan.
