BAGLUNG: Colorful flowers in a peaceful setting, shifting weather, and a cool climate have made Dhorpatan a uniquely appealing destination during the rainy season.
Adorned with vibrant wildflowers, Dhorpatan is arguably more enjoyable now than in any other season.
While tourist activity tends to slow down across most regions during the monsoon, Dhorpatan in Baglung has turned into a hub of excitement for visitors.
The valley, blanketed in wildflowers over an eight-kilometer stretch, is drawing crowds and adding to the area’s growing reputation as a scenic escape.
The fields and riverbanks of Dhorpatan are alive with hues of red, yellow, white, and pink as various species of flowers bloom. Thanks to increased publicity and improved tourism infrastructure, visitors are now making their way to Dhorpatan even during the rainy months. One of the major attractions is the sheer variety of colorful flowers that blanket the landscape.
Milan Gharti, operator of the local Dhorpatan Community Guesthouse, noted that while other areas see zero tourist arrivals from July to September, Dhorpatan remains lively.
“The road to Dhorpatan is rough during the monsoon, but the scenery here makes tourists forget the difficulties. In the past two weeks, with better weather, I’ve had to refer guests to other hotels because my guesthouse is full,” he said.
“The main attraction is the vibrant wildflowers. Those who can hike trek up to Bukipatan, which is over 4,000 meters high, while others enjoy horse safaris through the flower-filled valley.”
Locals, hoteliers, and horse traders are thrilled with the influx of visitors. Gharti’s guesthouse, which has a capacity of 25, has been fully booked even during the rainy season, with tourists coming from Pokhara, Butwal, and Kathmandu.
Anil Rajbanshi, who traveled from Kathmandu to Dhorpatan by motorcycle, said the beauty of the Uttarganga River, the flat grasslands, the array of wildflowers, and herds of grazing horses leave a lasting impression.
“I saw red, white, yellow, and pink flowers everywhere,” he said. Rajbanshi hiked up to Bukipatan and described Dhorpatan’s beauty as indescribable. “If the roughly 30-kilometer road from Burtibang to Dhorpatan were improved, tourist numbers would rise sharply. The view alone makes you forget the rough journey.”
He was inspired to visit after seeing stunning scenes on TikTok—images of the valley, the flower-covered trails to Butipatan, and flocks of sheep grazing in the meadows.
“I came with my wife during a week’s vacation. Even in the rainy season, there’s no shortage of trekkers. On the day I went to Buki Patan, there were hundreds of tourists. The construction of a sluice and shelters has made the trek easier,” he added.
Visitors typically travel beyond Dhorpatan to reach Buki and Jaljala for breathtaking mountain views. The sight of wildflowers blanketing the hills, along with horses, sheep, goats, and cattle grazing among them, captivates tourists.
Locals say the flowers growing in the highland lakes are locally referred to as Buki. With improved road access, accommodation facilities, and growing media attention, Dhorpatan has become an increasingly accessible and attractive destination.
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