BAGLUNG: Despite the biting cold, Dhorpatan is witnessing a surge in winter tourism this year. Water freezes in taps, thick frost covers the ground, and many locals have moved down to the valleys, leaving mostly temporary residents and business owners.
While the area used to be largely deserted during winter just five years ago, its natural beauty is now attracting visitors year-round, with hotels reporting steady occupancy even in the cold season.
Last year, Dhorpatan was also quiet at this time. Although tourist activity remained strong until the last week of Mangsir, the area stayed deserted until Chait. Hoteliers say they are encouraged by the growing winter tourist inflow. Jeevan Adai, president of the Dhorpatan Valley Hoteliers Association, said that while hotels remained closed for about four months last year, this year they have not had to shut down even for a single day.
According to Adai, tourist numbers in Dhorpatan have risen steadily over the past five years, and this is the first time the area has seen a noticeable influx of visitors during winter. He said around 200 tourists visit Dhorpatan on Fridays and Saturdays during this season, while 30 to 50 tourists arrive on other days. Due to increased publicity, visitors are now coming from across the country, including Butwal, Pokhara, Kathmandu, Chitwan, and Bhairahawa.
“Last year it was deserted at this time, but now tourists are arriving almost every day,” Adai said. “Previously, people from Burtibang and nearby areas would only come to play in the snow. Now they are coming as regular tourists.” He added that with gradual improvements to road connectivity, Dhorpatan is expected to attract visitors throughout the year from next year onward.
A decade ago, tourist arrivals in Dhorpatan were low. Today, however, intensive promotion has drawn thousands of domestic and foreign tourists, especially during the monsoon season. The number of visitors to nearby destinations such as Bukipatan and Jaljala is also comparable to that of the Dhorpatan Valley. Hotelier Dhirendra Gharti Magar said that improved food and accommodation facilities have encouraged tourists to visit even in winter, with many travelers from distant places now booking rooms in advance.
Ashish Puri, a visitor from Nawalpur, said that despite the cold, Dhorpatan’s beauty attracted him and his group. He said nine people traveled together during their winter vacation after seeing photos and videos of Dhorpatan on social media and in the media. He advised visitors to dress warmly when traveling to the area in this season.
Due to the harsh winter, residents from Bobang, Adhikarichaur, and Nisikhola have moved down to lower areas, returning to Dhorpatan only after the onset of Chaitra. Until last year, fewer tourists meant business owners could take it easy during winter. That is no longer the case. While only a handful of locals were engaged in hotel businesses five years ago, around 40 hotels are now operating in the Dhorpatan Valley alone.
(RSS)
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