Kathmandu: Phulchowki Birdwatching Tour with Expert Guide

Discover the diverse birdlife of Phulchowki Hill on a guided tour from Kathmandu. Visit the Godavari Botanical Garden, drive up the hill, and enjoy a packed lunch with views of the Himalayas.
Begin your day with a drive from Kathmandu to Godavari, situated at the base of Phulchowki Hill. Arrive at the National Botanical Garden, a bird "supermarket" due to its dense and varied vegetation. Spend about 1.5 hours here, looking out for birds like the Spotted Forktail, Red-billed Blue Magpie, Common Green Magpie, and Black-throated Sunbird.

Next, leave the garden and begin your drive up Phulchowki. Instead of hiking the entire way (which takes 4+ hours one way), we will use our vehicle to drive up and stop at key "bird waves" along the road. Drive slowly with windows down, listening for bird calls and stopping at different elevations.

On the lower slopes, keep a sharp ear out for Nepal's only endemic bird, the Spiny Babbler, and look for the Kalij Pheasant crossing the road or in the undergrowth. On the middle slopes, look for the Himalayan Cutia, Striated Laughingthrush, and woodpeckers like the Grey-headed and Darjeeling Woodpeckers.

Reach the top of Phulchowki (approx. 2782m) and enjoy your packed lunch with panoramic views of the Himalayas (weather permitting). Visit the small shrine of Phulchowki Mai and look for high-altitude specialties like the Yellow-browed Tit and Fire-tailed Sunbird.

Begin your descent, using this time to stop at any curves or forested patches you missed on the way up. Bird activity often picks up again in the early afternoon as temperatures stabilize. Gravity is on your side; you can walk short downhill sections while your vehicle follows, which is less strenuous and silent.

Finally, depart Godavari for the drive back to Kathmandu, where your tour ends.

To guarantee availability book as soon as possible. Early booking is worth consideration especially if you planning the trip during high season like public holidays or weekends.

This excursion you can cancel with no cost up to 24 hours before the start of the trip. If you cancel it after 24 hours or not show up on the excursion you will still be charged the full price of the activity. Being late on pick-up or departure will be considered as not showing up.