ABOUT DHORPATAN

  

  

Dhorpatan village on a sunny day

  

Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve

A View of mountain from Dhorpatan

              The Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve, the only hunting reserve of Nepal spreads across Bobang, Adhikarichaur and  Nishi villages at the western part of Baglung district of Dhaulagiri Zone. The also shares its boundary with Baglung, Rukum and Myagdi Districts. The Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve full of natural beauty and a plethora of diverse flora and fauna has an area of 1325 sq km and is located in a lofty highland area.The Hunting Reserve has gained a reputation among both Nepali and foreign tourists for the adventure unsurpassed by any other place. Hunting enthusiasts from arround the world gather at Dhorpatan to hunt for trophy. The reserve provides an opportunity to hunt upto the altitude of 9000 feet above sea level and is opened for public twice a year. The season of autumn and spring are considered the best time of the year for hunting. The reserve remained closed during 12-year internal conflict but has been reopened for hunting since march 2008. The reserve is divided into 7 blocks of hunting. Tourists can hunt at any block of their wish but must possess a government issued hunting license. Tourists are mostly attaracted to hunt the resident Blue Sheep(Naur), Wild Boar, Jharal and other animals living within the reserve. The hunters are allowed to take the horns and skin of the animal they have killed to their home country as a trophy.

Blue Sheeep

Dhorpatan in winter

                Rich in tourism diversity, Dhorpatan is also renowed for mountain climbing. The peak like Putha, Sisne and Chure mountains higher than 7000 m are located in Dhorpatan. Likewise, the treks to Surtibang, Fagune, Dhorpatan, Jhapa Lake offer an unimaginable experience. The sights of birdsas beautiful like Danphe(lophophorus), monal kasturi(musk deer), Naur(Blue Sheep) dancing arround the hillside leaves an indelible memory in one's mind. The stunning view itself cannot be described in words. The Dhorpatan Region is dotted with lakes, ponds, caves, waterfalls, cliffs,stone quarries and bee hives. Likewise, Dhorpatan is also renowed as the valley of nature and flower. The Dhorpatan valley as well as the sorounding hillsides is adorned with a variety of bloomong laligurans (rhododendron), Buki flower and numerous species of herbs. On the otherhand, the conifer forests cover the high altitude area decorating the mountains like newly and brides. The multitude of colors resemble that of a rainbow in some seasons that lure the nature lovers. The Hindu holy sites of Uttarganga temple, Bahara temple and the Buddhist monastries represent the diverse religious heritage of the area. A major fair is organized at the Bahara temple on the Janai Purnima and Baisakh Purnima festivals. Likewise, Dhorpatan is also famous for adventure sports like skiing, paragliding and golf as well. There are however only a limited number of hotels at Dhorpatan. Dhorpatan is ideally suited for the enthusiasts of hunting as well as those yearning to spend some time amdist the nature. One can choose any route from Dolpa, Rukum, Rolpa, Pyuthan or Myagdi tp enter Dhorpatan. Buses to Baglung leave daily from Kathmandu's New Buspark that as far as Baglung's Burtibang. Likewise jeeps operate everyday from Pokhara to Burtibang. It takes one day from Baglung headquarters to reach Burtibang and from there it is a day's walk to reach Dhoraptan. Tourists can also charter helicopter or small aircrafts to reach Dhorpatan. There is also an option to trek to Dhorpatan from Baglung through Burtibang and a return trek through Jaljala near Poonhill and Myagdi's Beni. This route offers the oppprtunity of having closer view the Dhaulagiri Mountain