Phulchowki Hike

The Phulchowki Hike is one of the most demanding day tours located at 2,700m is a top viewpoint to see the splendid Himalayan views, green Jungle, wild animals, and birds. Phulchowki literally translates to ‘hill of flowers is one of the highest points in Kathmandu valley located in the southeast part of Kathmandu. Travelers can reach Phulchowki hill top at the height to 8,859 feet about 3 hours of Hike from Godavari.

As you walk into pure nature, it is one of the most beautiful hiking trails in terms of vegetation and a variety of birds to look at. This territory of Phulchowki is also one of the last surviving ‘cloud forests’ in Central Nepal and covers an area of 50 square kilometers. It’s famous for the snowfall which sometimes occurs in January or February, which is quite rare in Kathmandu Valley. Phulchowki is the highest of the mountains which encircle the Kathmandu Valley.

Hikers can see the high Himalayan peaks Mount Manaslu (8,165m), Ganesh Himal (7,446m), and Ganesh Himal towards the west with Lantang lirung (7,245m). The view includes the central Himalayan peaks of Jugal Himal, Gauri Shankar 7,134m, and Mt. Everest (8,848m) on the far eastern horizon.

Godawari is another attraction of this journey, it is famous for its botanical garden. It is well-known as a center of plant conservation, education, research, display, and recreation. It covers an area of 82 hectares with variable topography, 40 hectares of which have been transformed into various garden units.

Around 300 species of birds are inhibiting in this green park forest therefore bird-watching tour is very popular here. Mainly Egrets, Herons, Kingfishers, Ibisbill, Wood Sandpipers, and Plovers birds can be seen on your hikes. Moreover, wild animals such as leopards, wild cats, deer, and monkeys are also possibly found in this forest hideaway.

Phulchowki Hike Itinerary.

07:00 AM – Departure from Thamel:

Meet at your hotel in Thamel. Your guide will greet you, and a private vehicle will transfer you to Godawari, the starting point of the hike (approx. 1-hour drive).

08:00 AM – Arrival at Godawari:

Upon arrival, register at the Naudhara entry point with the assistance of your guide. Begin your hike through lush forests filled with diverse flora and fauna. To ensure safety and environmental responsibility, please dispose of waste properly, avoid disturbing wildlife, and stay within the group, especially on the isolated forest trail.

08:30 AM – Hike to Phulchowki Summit:

The hike to Phulchowki is approximately 6-7 hours round trip, depending on your pace. Enjoy the scenic trail with opportunities to spot various bird species and stunning views of the Kathmandu Valley.

12:30 PM – Reach Phulchowki Summit:

Arrive at the summit at 2,782 meters, the highest point in the Kathmandu Valley. Take in panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys, travelers can observe the panoramic mountain views as well as the entire Kathmandu valley. A religious attraction at the hilltop called Phulchowki Mai temple where you can visit and worship.

01:30 PM – Begin Descent to Godawari:

After some rest, and having fun with making photoshoots, we descend from Phulchowki back to Godawari. Depends upon the month you travel because, in the wintertime, the trail gets often frozen and takes longer than usual. However, the downhill trek is a faster, but be mindful of the trail conditions.

04:30 PM – Return to Godawari and Drive Back to Thamel:

If you have enough extra time and wishing to explore the Godawari Botanical garden, pay the entrance fee by yourself. Arrive back in Godawari and board the vehicle for your return to your hotel in Thamel.

05:30 PM – Arrival in Thamel:

We will drop you off at your hotel or your preferred location, concluding the Phulchowki day tour.

Phulchowki Hike day tour highlights

Departure & Return Departure Point:

Have in mind that we pick up all the travelers from inside the ring road. They are at your location such as in Thamel, Lazimpat, Darbar Marg, Patan…etc.

What To expect on Phulchowki Hill day hiking?

This is all about hiking into the hill station and purely nature walks into the Godavari forest. Recorded wildlife in this park includes 270 bird species with 17 listed as endangered. Forest the Godavari has 100 species including tigers and leopards also. Godawari is also famous for its botanical garden and Godawari temple (Kunda and navadhara). Mt. Phulchowki is located in Godawari which is the highest peak in Kathmandu valley.

Additional Information (TIPS AND TRICKS)

Confirmation will be received at the time of booking
a wheelchair is not accessible entire the tours.
A maximum of 25 people per booking
Travelers with back pain are okay but not recommended for pregnant, and very old travelers.
It’s a private tour activity.

Cancellation Policy

You may cancel up to 7 days before the experience for a full refund. Cancellations made within 7 days of the start time are non-refundable. Please note that any changes requested within 7 days of the experience will not address. All cut-off times are based on the local time of the experience.