BAGLUNG: Blanketed in vibrant wildflowers, Dhorpatan Valley has transformed into a colorful landscape this monsoon, attracting a growing number of domestic tourists eager to experience its natural beauty.
The valley, surrounded by towering mountains, is carpeted with red, yellow, pink and purple blossoms, making it one of Nepal’s most picturesque monsoon destinations. Visitors have been arriving daily to enjoy the spectacular floral display.
Located within Nepal’s only hunting reserve, Dhorpatan has seen a steady rise in tourist arrivals over the past three years, thanks largely to increased exposure through traditional and social media. Before 2075 BS, relatively few tourists visited the area, with most coming only to worship at the Dhor Barah Temple.
While many tourist destinations across the country see fewer visitors during the rainy season, Dhorpatan experiences the opposite trend. The valley is at its most scenic during the monsoon, when the wildflowers are in full bloom.
According to Jiwan Pun, chairman of the Hoteliers Association, more than 200 tourists now visit Dhorpatan each day during the season.
“Wildflowers have always bloomed across Dhorpatan Valley, but the area remained largely unknown because there was little publicity,” Pun said. “Now, photos and videos shared through the media and social media have significantly increased its popularity. A decade ago, very few tourists came here, and many local residents relied mainly on a nomadic lifestyle.”
The Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve is home to numerous species of wildflowers, known locally by names such as Rake, Nakephuli, Bukiphul and Madanephul. Visitors from Kathmandu, Pokhara, Nepalgunj, Bhairahawa and Chitwan are among those travelling to the valley to witness the seasonal bloom.
The open grasslands, where horses, sheep, goats and cattle graze freely, further enhance the landscape. Locals say the livestock manure helps nourish the wildflowers.
Mahesh Thapa of Madi, Chitwan, said he finally visited Dhorpatan after seeing photos and videos of the valley circulating on social media.
“I had planned to come since last year,” he said. “This time, a group of 13 of us made the trip to see the wildflowers. The flowers blooming everywhere and the surrounding environment are truly beautiful.”
Another visitor, Kulendra Paneru from Tulsipur, Dang, said the cool climate of Dhorpatan offered welcome relief from the intense summer heat in the plains.
“If we can properly promote the area’s natural beauty and pleasant climate, it can attract many foreign tourists as well,” he said. However, he noted that poor road conditions made the journey difficult.
Travellers must drive about 32 kilometres from Burtibang to Dhorpatan along a rough road. While the stretch from Burtibang Bazaar to Falleghar has been graveled, the section beyond remains in poor condition, causing inconvenience to visitors.
Deputy Mayor of Dhorpatan Municipality Dhan Bahadur Kayat said the municipality is working to improve the road.
“The road is currently being widened in preparation for blacktopping, and recent rains have made some sections muddy,” Kayat said. “We plan to lay gravel on those sections to make travel easier for tourists.”
He added that the municipality is encouraged by the growing number of visitors and hopes improved infrastructure will further boost tourism in Dhorpatan.
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