Located about 4,000 meters above sea level and roughly four and a half hours on foot from the Dhorpatan Valley, Garpacheda serves as the primary entry point to Bukipatan.
The route, which winds through cliffs, steep slopes, and rugged highlands, leaves many trekkers exhausted by the time they reach Garpacheda. Until recently, the only available shelters were simple sheepfolds used by local herders. Recognizing the need for better facilities, gothstays were introduced here to provide rest and hospitality for trekkers.
With the growing popularity of Bukipatan, particularly during the lush monsoon season—when the meadows are green and herds of sheep roam under a backdrop of snowcapped peaks—Garpacheda’s gothstay has become an essential stopover.
Previously, a lack of food and accommodation options meant tourists had to spend nights in herders’ huts, often falling ill due to cold and poor conditions. That changed last year when Sandesh Thapa, a resident of Dhorpatan, launched the first gothstay in Garpacheda.
This year, local entrepreneur Mahendra Gharti Magar followed suit, opening his own gothstay nearby. Together, they welcome weary hikers arriving from Dhorpatan and offer a much-needed place to rest. The gothstays provide panoramic views of the Himalayas and a glimpse into the lives of mountain herders.
According to Thapa, tourist numbers have significantly increased this year compared to last, thanks in part to growing publicity through media and social media platforms. His main motivation, he says, is to promote the area and offer better service to visitors. Guests at the gothstay are served locally grown potatoes, mutton from Bukipatan sheep, wild greens, and traditional Nepali dishes like dhindo (a thick porridge made from millet or buckwheat flour).
“Bukipatan has only recently started attracting tourists,” said Thapa. “Until two or three years ago, it was still off the radar. I opened the gothstay last year, and now another friend has joined in. Before this, tourists had no choice but to sleep in herders’ huts, which lacked basic facilities. We’ve changed that.”
Gharti Magar, who also runs a hotel in the Dhorpatan Valley, began his gothstay service in Garpacheda in mid-June (early Asar). Since then, he has seen an uptick in overnight visitors. He charges Rs. 2,500 per person, which includes lodging, meals, and snacks.
“Tourist footfall in Bukipatan has increased significantly,” he said. “Since there’s no road access, everyone has to come on foot, which is physically demanding. Plus, the high altitude can cause altitude sickness. That’s why we’ve set up basic first-aid facilities in the gothstays. Tourists no longer have to endure the discomfort of sleeping in herders’ huts.”
From Garpacheda, trekkers can continue to other scenic locations such as Phagune and Tikadhar. Mukesh Subba, a visitor from Pokhara Metropolitan City–7, said the gothstay significantly improved his experience of Bukipatan. Reflecting on his first visit four years ago, when he had to sleep in a basic herder’s hut, he said the current arrangements are a welcome improvement.
“While the gothstays don’t offer hotel-level luxury, they’re far more convenient for both meals and overnight stays,” he noted.
-Dambar Buddha Magar/RSS
