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.

Per garantire la disponibilità, prenota il prima possibile. La prenotazione anticipata è consigliata soprattutto se stai pianificando il viaggio durante l'alta stagione come le festività pubbliche o i fine settimana.

Questa escursione può essere annullata senza costi fino a 24 ore prima dell'inizio del viaggio. Se la annulli dopo 24 ore o non ti presenti all'escursione, ti verrà comunque addebitato il prezzo intero dell'attività. Essere in ritardo al ritiro o alla partenza sarà considerato come non presentarsi.