Quick answer: The Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve Trek is a 26-day, moderate-grade camping trek in the Dhaulagiri Himal of western Nepal, topping out at 4,535 m. It crosses Nepal's only legal hunting reserve (1,325 sq km, managed by the DNPWC), where blue sheep and Himalayan tahr roam. Best seasons: spring (March–April) and autumn (September–November). It's Nepal's most remote, crowd-free wilderness trek.
In short: Dhorpatan is Nepal's only hunting reserve, established in 1983 and gazetted in 1987. The 26-day trek combines remote Dhaulagiri-region trekking with optional, quota-controlled trophy hunting of blue sheep and Himalayan tahr under DNPWC permits. Most visitors come to trek, not hunt.
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Is hunting legal in Dhorpatan?
Yes — Dhorpatan is the only place in Nepal where licensed trophy hunting is permitted, under strict quotas set by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC). Only blue sheep (Bharal) and Himalayan tahr may be hunted, with permits issued through a limited annual quota and government auction. Snow leopard, red panda, musk deer and wolf are fully protected.
- Established: 1983 (gazetted 1987)
- Area: 1,325 sq km across Baglung, Myagdi & Rukum districts
- Range: Dhaulagiri Himal, western Nepal (2,850 m–7,000 m+)
- Managed by: Department of National Parks & Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC)
- Legally huntable species: Blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur), Himalayan tahr (Hemitragus jemlahicus)
- Bird species recorded: 137+
- Trek duration: 26 days · Max altitude: 4,535 m · Grade: Moderate
Tour Overview
View Nepal Treks offers an exclusive adventure quite different to other mainstream trekking companies and agents, announcing Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve Trek, the one and only wild-life reserved for hunting within Nepal, as well depending upon the season for mountain wild-life that includes birds and pheasants.
Most of the wild animals in the mountainous areas of Nepal for hunting allowed is shooting Blue-Sheep, Himalayan Thar and Muntjac with other jungle fowls although we are committed to Eco-Tourism and conserving wildlife and green environment from destructions, where Dhorpatan Hunting Trek will be another chapter in our adventure list, as Nepal Government made this hunting reserve way back in the early 1970s, just to control the ecological balance of the nature.
As some wild-animals can create havoc among local villagers with overgrazing due to an increase of some mountain wild-life, so hunting is permitted to keep the fragile nature in perfect balance and harmony. Hunting in Nepal in early days was done by Raja-Maharaja (Kings and royal family members), due to the extension of National Parks to control and save wild animals only a few areas are reserved for hunting, where you can take the opportunity for keen hunters and interest in mountain wildlife.
For this Dhorpatan Hunting Trek, using normal flight and local drive as well flying in a chopper at the end of the trip to save time and providing you more aerial views of the country of hunting as well. Hunting in Dhorpatan is not easy, where much of animals are rare and elusive to locate as per the seasons requires much patience and skill to hunt around in the mountainous region of Nepal.
Planning a remote Himalayan adventure? Visit our Plan Your Trip guide for trekking tips, permits, transportation and travel advice.
Written & reviewed by: Bhupendra Adhikari, View Nepal Treks & Expedition (Thamel, Kathmandu) — a licensed, TAAN- and NTB-affiliated Nepali operator.
How we verify costs & permits: Reserve facts, permitted species and seasons are checked against the Department of National Parks & Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC). Permit fees are auction-based and confirmed in writing per departure before any commitment.
Last updated: June 2026 · Next review: December 2026
Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve Trek Route at a Glance
The trek starts and ends in Kathmandu, with road and air links through Pokhara and Beni before entering the reserve on foot. The core route runs:
- Kathmandu → Pokhara (drive 6 hrs / fly 30 min)
- Pokhara → Darbang via Beni (drive)
- Darbang → Sibang → Moreni → Jaljala Pass (3,400 m)
- Gurjaghat → Dhorpatan (2,870 m) — the reserve hub
- Phalunge Pass (3,915 m) → Thankur → Purbang base camp (4,065 m)
- Helicopter exit Purbang → Pokhara → Kathmandu
Total: 26 days, moderate grade, maximum altitude 4,535 m at Jangla Bhanjyang on the Dolpo frontier.
The reserve shares ecological and geographical connections with the Dolpo region , one of Nepal's most remote Himalayan landscapes.
People & Culture
The reserve is ringed by villages of Magar, Gurung and Tamang communities, with Tibetan-origin settlers around Dhorpatan itself — a genuine cultural crossroads of mid-west Nepal. Near the reserve, the Hindu pilgrimage site of Dhorbaraha sits on the banks of the Uttarganga River; every August on Janai Purnima it draws devotees to a lively local fair. Trekking here, you pass working summer pastures (patans) and herders' shelters that have shaped this landscape for generations.
Where Animals are Located?
Herds of wild-life like Bharal / Blue Sheep dwells and graze on high rocky cliffs and mountain slopes, Bharal or Himalayan Blue Sheep also known as Nayaur in Nepalese found in the high Himalayas of India, Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet, and Pakistan.
Common Name: Bharal or Blue Sheep
Scientific name: Pseudois Nayaur
Conservation status: Least Concern depending upon the area and countries.
Weighs: 52 kg (Adult)
Gestation period: 160 days
Bharal (Pseudois Nayaur) also known as blue sheep have short, dense hair. Distinctive physical features are labeled on the pictures below. Females can be half to two-thirds the size of males. Young bharals are smaller and browner.
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The Seven Hunting Blocks of Dhorpatan
For management, the DNPWC divides the reserve into seven blocks — three in the north, four in the south — each with its own quota and species mix:
| Block | Sector | Main species |
|---|---|---|
| Seng | North | Blue sheep & Himalayan tahr |
| Dogadi | North | Blue sheep & Himalayan tahr |
| Sundaha | North | Blue sheep & Himalayan tahr |
| Fagune (Falguna) | South | Blue sheep & Himalayan tahr |
| Ghustung (Gustang) | South | Blue sheep & Himalayan tahr |
| Barse | South | Blue sheep |
| Surtibang | South | Himalayan tahr |
Northern blocks (Seng, Sundaha) are the most remote and wildlife-rich; southern blocks are easier to reach. The Dhorbaraha pilgrimage site sits in the Fagune block.
Conservation & Responsible Hunting
Regulated hunting at Dhorpatan is a wildlife-management tool, not a free-for-all. The DNPWC sets a small annual quota based on population surveys (a 2007 survey counted around 852 blue sheep), targeting surplus older males so herd numbers stay healthy. Permit revenue funds local conservation and community programmes, and fully protected species — snow leopard, red panda, musk deer, wolf, cheer pheasant and the Himalayan monal (danphe) — may never be hunted. Whether you come to hunt within quota or simply to trek and photograph, your visit supports the reserve's protection.
Which Animals Can Be Hunted at Dhorpatan — and Which Are Protected
| Species | Status at Dhorpatan | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blue sheep / Bharal (Pseudois nayaur) | Huntable (quota + permit) | The primary trophy species; herds graze high patans above 4,000 m. |
| Himalayan tahr (Hemitragus jemlahicus) | Huntable (quota + permit) | Shaggy wild goat of steep temperate slopes. |
| Wild boar | Limited, lower zones | Occasionally available in temperate belts. |
| Snow leopard, red panda, musk deer, wolf, cheer pheasant, danphe | Fully protected — no hunting | Sightings only; strictly conserved under Nepali law. |
If you are coming purely to trek and watch wildlife, no hunting permit is required — the same route works as a remote wilderness trek.
Dhorpatan Permits & Cost: What to Actually Expect
There are two cost layers, and it's important to separate them:
- Trek package cost — guiding, camping, staff, permits handling, transport and the helicopter exit. Request a current quote for your dates and group size.
- Trophy hunting permit (only if you intend to hunt) — issued by DNPWC through a limited annual quota and a government auction. Blue-sheep permit fees have recently ranged widely (reported figures of roughly USD 15,000–25,000), and vary by species, block and season. We confirm the live quota and exact permit fee in writing before you commit.
Trekkers and wildlife watchers who do not hunt pay only the trek package cost and standard area permits.
Best Time for the Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve Trek
| Season | Months | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | March–April | Best overall: clearing skies, active wildlife on the patans, rhododendron forests in bloom. |
| Autumn | September–November | Stable weather, sharp Dhaulagiri views, the other main hunting window. |
| Winter | December–February | Very cold, high passes snow-blocked; not recommended. |
| Monsoon | June–August | Wet, leeches, poor visibility; avoid. |
Who the Dhorpatan Trek Is For
This is one of Nepal's most remote, least-trekked routes — there are no teahouse crowds and several full camping days. It suits travellers who want genuine wilderness, can handle 6–7 hour walking days and basic camp conditions, and are drawn to wildlife, the Dhaulagiri massif and the cultural mix of Magar and Tibetan-origin villages. It is not ideal for first-time trekkers wanting lodges, hot showers and short days.
