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Dhorpatan Trek Itinerary

A remote forest, meadow and hill trek in Nepal's only hunting reserve. A 13-day plan from Kathmandu with daily stops, altitudes and walking times, an altitude profile, warnings and permits. Pick your start date and add it to your calendar.

Duration

13 days

8 walking, from Kathmandu

Highest point

3,850 m

Phagun Phedi

Difficulty

Challenging

Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve

Best months

March to May + October to November

Spring and autumn

Planning guide, not a substitute for a guide. Altitudes and walking times are compared from several operator itineraries and differ between sources by 10 to 150 m and by an hour or more. Weather, trail damage and road changes alter plans. Confirm your route, permits and fees with a licensed agency or guide.

Plan your dates

Add rest or spare days

Altitude profile

The height you sleep at each night. Dots: green rest day, amber and red a bigger climb than the usual guideline. Triangles mark the highest point of a day.

0k1k2k3k4k3,000 m: altitude guidelines startDay 1: Pokhara, about 820 mDay 2: Darbang, about 900 mDay 3: Dharapani, about 1,700 mDay 4: Lamsung, about 2,160 mDay 5: Jaljala, about 3,430 mDay 6: Dhorpatan, about 2,860 mDay 7: Phagun Phedi, about 3,850 mDay 8: Phagun Phedi, about 3,850 mDay 9: Gurjaghat, about 3,100 mDay 10: Patichaur, about 2,100 mDay 11: Darbang, about 900 mDay 12: Pokhara, about 820 mDay 13: Kathmandu, about 1,400 m12345678910111213Day

2 days climb faster than the usual guideline (about 500 m a night above 3,000 m, and a rest day roughly every 1,000 m). This is common on the standard route. Go slowly, drink plenty, and add the rest days above if you can.

Day by day

  1. Day 1

    Kathmandu to Pokhara

    Sleep: Pokhara · about 820 m6 to 8 h by road, or about 25 to 30 min by flight

    Pokhara is the lakeside gateway to the Annapurna region. Flights are weather dependent in the morning, so book a flexible ticket. Spend the evening sorting gear and checking your permits.

  2. Day 2

    Pokhara to Beni to Darbang

    Sleep: Darbang · about 900 m (sources: 899 to 1,150 m)About 5 to 6 h by road via Beni

    Drive to Beni and on to Darbang, the starting village. One source gives Darbang between 899 and 1,150 m.

  3. Day 3

    Darbang to Dharapani

    Sleep: Dharapani · about 1,700 m (sources: 1,565 to 1,860 m)Walking 5 h

    The start of the trek. Sources differ on the altitude of Dharapani by nearly 300 m.

  4. Day 4

    Dharapani to Lamsung

    Sleep: Lamsung · about 2,160 mWalking 6 h

    Through forest and villages.

  5. Day 5

    Lamsung to Jaljala

    Sleep: Jaljala · about 3,430 mWalking 7 hSleeping altitude +1270 m

    A big climb of more than 1,200 m to the Jaljala pass area. Go slowly and consider a night lower down if you feel the altitude.

    Your sleeping altitude rises about 1270 m. The usual guideline above 3,000 m is no more than about 500 m a night.

  6. Day 6

    Jaljala to Dhorpatan

    Sleep: Dhorpatan · about 2,860 mWalking 7 h

    Descend into the broad Dhorpatan valley, the heart of the reserve.

  7. Day 7

    Dhorpatan to Phagun Phedi

    Sleep: Phagun Phedi · about 3,850 m (sources: 3,850 to 3,900 m)Walking 4 hSleeping altitude +990 m

    Climb to a jungle camp. A large gain in one day, so go slowly. Expect camping.

    Your sleeping altitude rises about 990 m. The usual guideline above 3,000 m is no more than about 500 m a night.

  8. Day 8 · rest day

    Phagun Danda day hike

    Sleep: Phagun Phedi · about 3,850 m (sources: 3,850 to 3,900 m)Walking 7 h

    A day hike to Phagun Danda and back to camp for views and acclimatisation, or rest in camp if the weather is poor.

  9. Day 9

    Phagun Phedi to Gurjaghat

    Sleep: Gurjaghat · about 3,100 m (sources: 3,020 to 3,104 m)Walking 6 h

    Down to Gurjaghat, a meadow camp.

  10. Day 10

    Gurjaghat to Patichaur

    Sleep: Patichaur · about 2,100 m (sources: 2,097 to 2,100 m)Walking 6 h

    A long descent through forest to Patichaur.

  11. Day 11

    Patichaur to Darbang

    Sleep: Darbang · about 900 m (sources: 899 to 1,150 m)Walking 6 to 8 h

    Sources give no walking time for this day, so allow about 6 to 8 hours.

  12. Day 12

    Darbang to Beni to Pokhara

    Sleep: Pokhara · about 820 mAbout 5 to 6 h by road via Beni

    Drive back to Pokhara.

  13. Day 13

    Pokhara to Kathmandu

    Sleep: Kathmandu · about 1,400 m6 to 8 h by road, or about 25 to 30 min by flight

    Return to Kathmandu. Keep a spare day before an international flight in case of delays.

Permits

  • Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve entry permit
  • Check at the time of travel whether any local-government permit is also required

Fees and rules change, so this page does not quote prices. Check the current fee with your agency or the permit office.

Altitude sickness basics

  • Above 3,000 m, raise your sleeping altitude by no more than about 500 m a night, and rest about every 1,000 m of climbing.
  • Headache, nausea, dizziness and unusual tiredness are early signs. Do not go higher with symptoms.
  • If symptoms get worse, or you feel confused or unsteady, go down immediately.
  • Drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol and do not travel alone. Ask a doctor about medication before you go.

General information, not medical advice.

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Dhorpatan Trek Itinerary from Kathmandu

Dhorpatan is Nepal's only hunting reserve, a remote area west of the Dhaulagiri range with rhododendron forest, high meadows and few trekkers. Check with the reserve office about hunting seasons and any restricted blocks before you go.

Teahouses are limited, and most itineraries mix homestays, simple lodges and tented camps, including a jungle camp near Phagun Phedi. Altitudes and times differ more between sources here than on the main routes, so treat the figures as approximate.

Day-by-day itinerary (13 days)

  1. Day 1: Kathmandu to Pokhara. Sleep at Pokhara (about 820 m). 6 to 8 h by road, or about 25 to 30 min by flight.
  2. Day 2: Pokhara to Beni to Darbang. Sleep at Darbang (about 900 m). About 5 to 6 h by road via Beni.
  3. Day 3: Darbang to Dharapani. Sleep at Dharapani (about 1,700 m). Walking about 5 h.
  4. Day 4: Dharapani to Lamsung. Sleep at Lamsung (about 2,160 m). Walking about 6 h.
  5. Day 5: Lamsung to Jaljala. Sleep at Jaljala (about 3,430 m). Walking about 7 h.
  6. Day 6: Jaljala to Dhorpatan. Sleep at Dhorpatan (about 2,860 m). Walking about 7 h.
  7. Day 7: Dhorpatan to Phagun Phedi. Sleep at Phagun Phedi (about 3,850 m). Walking about 4 h.
  8. Day 8: Phagun Danda day hike. Sleep at Phagun Phedi (about 3,850 m). Walking about 7 h.
  9. Day 9: Phagun Phedi to Gurjaghat. Sleep at Gurjaghat (about 3,100 m). Walking about 6 h.
  10. Day 10: Gurjaghat to Patichaur. Sleep at Patichaur (about 2,100 m). Walking about 6 h.
  11. Day 11: Patichaur to Darbang. Sleep at Darbang (about 900 m). Walking about 6 to 8 h.
  12. Day 12: Darbang to Beni to Pokhara. Sleep at Pokhara (about 820 m). About 5 to 6 h by road via Beni.
  13. Day 13: Pokhara to Kathmandu. Sleep at Kathmandu (about 1,400 m). 6 to 8 h by road, or about 25 to 30 min by flight.

Altitudes and walking times are compared from several operator itineraries and differ between sources. Confirm your route, permits and fees with a licensed agency or guide.

Best time

Spring (March to May) and autumn (October to November) are the best seasons. Autumn has the clearest skies and is the busiest. Spring is warmer, with rhododendrons in bloom, but afternoon cloud is common. June to August is monsoon, and December to February is cold with snow at height. October and November are among the best months; December is much colder.

Permits

  • Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve entry permit
  • Check at the time of travel whether any local-government permit is also required

Altitude sickness

Above 3,000 m, raise your sleeping altitude by no more than about 500 m a night and rest about every 1,000 m of climbing. Do not go higher with symptoms, and descend if they get worse. This is general information, not medical advice.

Frequently asked questions

How many days is the Dhorpatan Trek from Kathmandu?

This plan takes 13 days from Kathmandu back to Kathmandu, with 8 days of walking and the rest for travel and rest. Itineraries from operators vary, and you can add extra rest days on the page.

How high does the Dhorpatan Trek go?

The highest point most itineraries reach is Phagun Phedi, at about 3,850 m.

What is the best time for the Dhorpatan Trek?

March to May and October to November. Spring (March to May) and autumn (October to November) are the best seasons. Autumn has the clearest skies and is the busiest. Spring is warmer, with rhododendrons in bloom, but afternoon cloud is common. June to August is monsoon, and December to February is cold with snow at height. October and November are among the best months; December is much colder.

Do I need a permit for the Dhorpatan Trek?

Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve entry permit. Check at the time of travel whether any local-government permit is also required. Fees change, so confirm the current amounts with your agency.

Is there accommodation on the Dhorpatan trek?

A mix. Sources describe homestays, simple teahouses and tented camps, with a jungle camp at Phagun Phedi. Most trekkers camp at some point, so the trek is usually arranged through an agency with camping gear and support.

How high is the Dhorpatan trek?

The highest point on most itineraries is the Phagun Phedi camp at about 3,850 to 3,900 m. Jaljala is about 3,430 m and Dhorpatan itself about 2,860 m.