Dhorpatan Trek with Gurja Khani (Hidden Village)

Dhorpatan Trek with Gurja Khani (Hidden Village)

Duration 6 Days Difficulty4,493m

Trip Highlights

Dhorpatan is a national park covering 1325 sq km which was managed for conservation and the hunting of blue sheep and other game by the royal family and paying for foreign parties. Now, of course, with the king deposed, official hunting has ceased and blue sheep, along with the musk deer, wolf, red panda, and leopard are strictly protected.

Dhorpatan Trek offers a fantastic trail through an off-beaten path for a moderately challenging experience. It takes us to the western part of Nepal that is as unscathed by modern times as it is embellished by nature. Moreover, the wildlife, the vegetation, the mountain views, and the ever-so-friendly people, will make you think about extending your trip.

Hunting yet Preserving Sanctuary

The primary destination of Dhorpatan Trek is the famous Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve. It is the only Hunting Reserve in Nepal and covers an area of 1325 km2 spanning over the districts of Baglung, Rukum, and Myagdi. As per its name, the park provides controlled hunting opportunities for Nepalese and foreigners alike. The park allows the hunting of game birds and animals like blue sheep, serow, pheasants, and partridge, among others. However, Dhorpatan is also a sanctuary of several endangered wildlife and vegetation.

Dhorpatan Trek is not necessarily a hunting trip. However, we can arrange a hunting package for you during this trek. You need to have a permit from the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation to participate in the controlled hunting.

Exploring Hidden Gems

Another major destination in the Dhorpatan Trek is the Gurja Khani Village. Situated placidly beneath the Dhaulagiri range, it is a hidden village that is quite secluded and disconnected. Owing to its remoteness and difficult accessibility, it is mostly unscathed by modernization and has its culture and traditions intact. Not many trekkers have visited this beautiful village. However, those that have visited have only praised its magnificence and beauty.

The trail begins from Pokhara as we drive to Beni and then to Darbang. We start our hiking from there and reach Dharapani. After two days of hiking, we will reach the Gurja Khani after crossing the Gurja Pass. We will explore the village for a day and then walk to Dhorpatan via Rugachaur Pass. After spending the next day exploring the vicinity of Dhorpatan, we will drive to Burtibang. We then drive to Pokhara the next day.

You can do this trek at any time of the year. However, we recommend the months of March through May or September through November. Any other time, it is either too hot, too cold or too humid. We will take care of your entire food and lodging and make sure that you’ll smoothly complete this trek. Additionally, we provide an experienced guide that will accompany you throughout Dhorpatan Trek.

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TRIP DETAILS
  • Duration 6 Days
  • Activities Trekking
  • Pickup Point Pokhara
  • Best time to visit Sep, Oct, Nov
  • Max-Altitude 4,493m
  • Difficulty Tough
  • Group Size Min. 2Pax
  • Tour Type Private and group tour
ACCOMODATION

Hotels, Tea Houses and Lodges

Itinerary

We take a bus ride to Beni, which takes about 3 hours. We will then ride a cab to Darbang along a bumpy road. Our trek begins from Darbang as we cross a bridge and head northwards. After about 3 hours of zigzag ascent, we will reach the village of Dharapani.

We will pass through a forest and terraced farmlands and reach the village of Takam. From there, we will hike further, passing through the village of Sibang and crossing the Dar Khola. After about 7 hours of hiking, we finally arrive at the village of Lulang.

We ascend uphill from Lulang through a rhododendron forest. As we come out of the woods, we are greeted with a spectacular view of the Gurja Himal. We cross the Gurja Pass and then descend to the village of Gurja Khani.

We now walk across the district border to Baglung and then to the entrance of the Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve. We hike along almost a flat trail as we traverse the dense forest to reach the Dhorpatan Valley.

We explore the protected area and also climb to the pass at Phagune Dhuri, which is at an altitude of 4493 meters. We can also visit nearby villages and monasteries. Additionally, a hunting expedition can be done here if the client has a hunting permit.

We take a 1-hour bus ride from Dhorpatan to Burtibang. From Burtibang, we get on another bus for a 6-hour drive to Pokhara.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

  • Airport picks up & drops by Private Vehicle.
  • All ground transportation.
  • 2 nights accommodation in Kathmandu (twin sharing room, Bed, and breakfast only).
  • 2-night accommodations in Pokhara (twin sharing room, bed, and breakfast only).
  • Meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) with Tea & coffee during the trek.
  • Sharing accommodation at Guesthouses during the trek.
  • 1 highly experienced,Eco Licenced, helpful and friendly Guide, porters (1 porter between 2 trekkers), their food, accommodation, salary, types of equipment, insurance.
  • National Park and TIMS permit.
  • Government taxes.
  • Office service charge.
WHAT'S EXCLUDED
  • Any meals in Kathmandu other than breakfast.
  •  Travel insurance (if you want us to arrange your travel insurance, we would greatly be happy to assist for the trekkers who are the age of under 65). For further details regarding the insurance policy, please contact us.
  •  International airfare to and from Nepal (please email at reservation to get a quote).
  •  Nepal entry visa fee. you may easily issue the visa upon your arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport – Kathmandu.
  •  Items of a personal nature.
  •  Any kind of alcoholic drinks, hot water, hot shower, cold drinks, laundry, phone call, internet.
  • Extra nights in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
  • Any others expenses which are not mentioned on including section.
  •  Tips for guide, porters, driver.

FAQs

  • Trekking through Nepal’s only hunting reserve, with its abundance of wildlife.
  • See a part of Nepal that around only 100 foreigners visit each year.
  • Close-up views of Dhaulagiri, as well as lesser-seen peaks in the west of Nepal.
  • Interact with the curious Magar locals.

Dhorpatan is best visited in the peak trekking seasons in Nepal when the weather is at its finest: March to May and September to November.

All foreigners except Indian nationals must have a valid visa to enter into Nepal. Visa is available on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport upon entry in Kathmandu, Nepal and at Nepal borders of India and Tibet. Visa can be easily extended at the central immigration office. www.immigration.gov.np; Visa application requires a passport with at least 6 months until expiration and one passport -size photo. The current cost of the visa for 30 days is US$40(to be paid in cash) for 30 days that is required to make in cash. Other currencies are also accepted although rates may differ.  Other nationalities should check entry requirements. visitors are requested to specify return flight tickets, time intended stay in Nepal. We recommended you schedule at least 1-2 day extra at the end of the trip just in case there is a delay. If no delay occurs we can arrange an additional activity for your time in Nepal. To help calculate the exact dates of these crossings we have found the website www.timeanddate.com to be very useful. The children under the age of 10 will get a free visa. Please be advised to check the current regulation. Visa regulation can change without prior notice. Citizens of China, as well as citizens of south Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka), get the free visa. countries not entitled to get a visa upon arrival are Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Cameroon, Somalia, Liberia, Ethiopia, Iraq, Palestine, and Afghanistan If you are a citizen of one of these countries, please contact your local Nepalese embassy.

Nepali Rupees (NPR/Rs) is the local currency.
(1 USD = ~ Rs.100 NPR).
We can exchange most of the foreign currencies through local banks and legitimate money exchanges in Kathmandu and all over Thamel. Small amounts of cash can also be exchanged at the hotel.
The ongoing rate of exchange is visibly displayed. The government of Nepal has banned the import, export, and use of 500 and 1000 Indian Rupee note in Nepal. You should ensure that you are not carrying these notes on arrival in Nepal as they will be confiscated and you may also be fined.
Despite having security advantage of traveller’s cheque, we prefer cash exchange to avoid hassles like a lengthy process and high rate of commission at the banks. You can withdraw cash (in Rupees only) from one of the many ATMs in Kathmandu and Thamel itself. There are quite several ATMs that are open around the clock. The maximum withdrawal amount is 35,000 Rupees for a 500 Rupees processing fee if you are using your foreign card. If you use the money exchange facility at banks and financial institutions the service fee charge imposed is about four percent or more depending upon the bank.  Please note that most of the established banks in Asia will not accept foreign currency notes that are old, torn or faded. Please ensure that you have new, clean notes.

Depending on the season you wish to go trekking you may have to make adjustments to clothing and equipment however these are the necessities list we prepared to keep your comfort and utility in mind.
We never recommend our clients to bring over types of equipment which are not necessary for the trek.
Head

  • Sun hat or scarf
  • Winter hat or insulating hat or Wide-brimmed hat
  • Headlight with extra batteries

Face

  • Sunscreen
  • Sunglass with UV protection
  • Face/body wipes

Hands

  • Lightweight gloves
  • Heavyweight winter gloves

Body

  • Hiking shirts
  • Long sleeved shirt made of synthetic fiber
  • Hooded rain jacket
  • Fleece jacket
  • Lightweight cotton pants
  • T-shirts ( bring Lightweight wool)
  • Polypropylene underwear
  • down jacket ( available in rent in Kathmandu)
  • Sweater
  • Waterproof jacket and pants

Footwear

  • Hiking Boots that been worn in
  • Thick wool socks (Take an extra pair of thick light socks)

Essential gear

  • Backpack or daypack (Size depends on whether you take porter or not).
  • Thermal bottle
  • Water purification
  • Trekking pole
  • Sleeping bag (-15 bag is best in the high altitude trek)
  • Toiletries (toilet papers,  toothpaste, toothbrush, )

Toiletries

  • Medium size drying towel
  • Toothbrush
  • Toothpaste
  • Deodorant/ floss
  • Biodegradable bar soap
  • Nail clippers
  • Small mirror

Personal accessories

  • Money
  • Watch
  • Cell phone
  • Camera
  • Extra items
  • First aid kit
  • Extra passport photos and photocopies of passport
  • Notebook and pen
  • Binocular

The most importantly, tipping is at travelers discretion and should be relied on good service that does not form the part of wages for your Guides, porters, and crew although they are very much appreciated. In Nepalese culture, a tip is an accepted and honored way to say thank you (Dhanyabada) for good service. Normally the tips are offered at the end of the trek and this is best done as a group. Most groups will give the trips in farewell dinner on the last evening or last day of the trek, to mark the end of the trip. The amount of the trip is entirely a personal preference that may be more or less depending upon your perception of service quality, length of trip, budget, and appreciation of their work. It is important to Discovery World Trekking crews who professionally take care of you all the time during the trekking, inspire excellent service and offer enriching journey- the trip of once in a lifetime experience. We ensure that all of our crews including guides and porters are paid well and treated fairly with respect.

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