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Trip Code

104

Destination

Nepal

Region

kathmandu

Trip Grade

Grade 1 : Easy

Start / End Point

Kathmandu

Durations

6-7 Hours

Max. Altitude

2762m/9062ft

Meals Included

Lunch

Group Size

1-20 Person

Best Season

All season

Transportation

Drive & Walk

Trip Highlights

A fantastic 5-6 hours to one of the tallest hills near Kathmandu

A perfect day escape from the bustle of Kathmandu Valley

Ideal for all ages of travelers, families, solo hikers, students, etc

Enjoy tranquility, the chirping of birds, fresh air, and the soothing scent of nature

Explore the rich biodiversity along the hiking route, including lush vegetation, flowers, and many species of birds and butterflies

Chances to see the stunning view of the Himalayas from the top of the Phulchowki Hill

Witness a superb aerial view of Kathmandu Valley from the top of the hill, along with nearby villages

Explore the Phulchowki Mai temple and get to know its religious significance

Visiting the rich Botanical Garden on the way

Trip Overview

Are you doing a big Trekking in Nepal like Everest Base Camp trek, Langtang Valley trek, or Annapurna Base Camp trek, Manaslu or what ever . ..you can do this hike before the trek as a day hiking as an excercise or acclimatization before jumping to big one . Or if you are in kathmandu for a short time and you want to get lost in nature for a day its probably the best things for you . if you are a volunteer , social workeer , visitng kathmandu for a short stay , conference , any things then our Guided Hike to Phulchoki is definatley for you .

"Phulchowki" means "hill full of flowers," in Nepali. Indeed, it is a wonderful site that comes alive in the springtime as the vibrant petals, painted with the hues of sunshine carpet the entire hill with its enchanting tapestry. Many varieties from trees to shrubs, wildflowers, and beautiful rhododendron and magnolia are in full bloom. Likewise, during the winter, this hill becomes a snow beauty draped in a soft, simmering white veil.

Phulchowki Day Hike is a great day excursion destination for those who do not want to spend multiple days trekking but wish to witness the snow-capped Himalayas in Nepal. Phulchowki Hill is the highest hill that encircles the Kathmandu Valley standing at an elevation of 2750 meters above sea level. This hill station is located just 20 kilometers from the city and is well-known for providing visitors with beautiful vistas that are truly enchanting.

It is a magnificent scenic spot to get away from city life for a day and be in intimate harmony with nature. It is a place where one may breathe fresh, pure country air while taking in breathtaking vistas of the Himalayan Mountain range. The hill station provides a wonderful view of high Himalayan peaks including Annapurna and Manaslu peaks in the far west, and the enormous Ganesh, Langtang, and Jugal Himal range in the middle north, as well as vistas of Mt. Everest and its range to the east.

The Phulchowki Day Hike begins, with a short drive to Godawari which lies at the base of the hill. The trail winds uphill through lush foliage and tall trees, passing through a few small farms and villages. The journey progresses through the dense vegetation till the summit of Phulchowki Hill, the highest point in the area offering a bird's eye perspective of Kathmandu Valley and nearby villages, as well as astonishing Himalayan views.

Aside from the breathtaking views of Kathmandu Valley and the surrounding stunning sceneries and Snowy Mountains, the area is also well-known for bird-watching. You can see a variety of birds such as Rufous-gorged, Yellow-browed Tit, Chestnut-headed Tesia, Rufous-bellied Niltava, Red-billed Leiothrix, different species of butterflies, and wild animals, resulting in the hill as an excellent site for botanists and naturalists. The hikers can also observe the religious ceremony happening at the Phulchowki Mai Temple which is located on this hilltop during March or April.

In a nutshell, the Phulchowki Day Hike allows visitors to explore the naturally rich sceneries and biodiversity on such a peaceful trail, which indeed makes their holiday splendid, and memorable, with soft adventure and enjoyment.

Cost in USD

1 Person 90 USD Per Head
2-3 Person 70 USD Per Head
4 Person to Above 50 USD Per head

Detailed Itinerary

8:30 Am: Pick up from your respective hotel and drive to Godawari (14km drive around an hour)

9:30 Am: Hike to Phulchowki Hill

2:00 Pm: Explore the Phulchowki Hill and descend towards Godawari .

2:300 Pm: bried visit to Botanical Garden and have some snacks around

4:00 Pm: Drive back to Kathmandu

5:00 Pm: Drop at your hotel

Altitude:2762m/9062ft
Duration:5-6 Hours

Cost Includes

  • Professional English-speaking tour guide.
  • Transfer from hotel to Godawari with private vehicle
  • National Park entrance fees
  • Packed Lunch
  • 2 Bottle of mineral water per person
  • All fees and taxes

Cost Excludes

  • Personal expenses
  • Breakfast
  • Trips for the guide and driver

of 68 reviews

USD USD 125

USD USD 125

Please email us for the trip cost as prices may vary according to the group size and time of travel.

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Additional Info

March through May is one of the best seasons for clear views and it is when the wildflowers are in bloom, especially red Rhododendrons and magnolia, and the mountains are spectacular. The day will be lovely, with a cool morning and evening. Also, during March or April, there is a month-long religious celebration at the Phulchowki Mai Temple which could be a unique experience for the visitors.

The fall months, September to early December are great for mountain vistas as well as landscape views. The days are clear, stable, and warm with cooler mornings and evenings. The hiking trail is at its best with few local and international companions. The entire trail is covered with amber hues making the hiking experience surreal.

The rainy season which also is summer in Nepal runs from June to August. Hiking during these months is possible and offers stunning views . The route is green and air quality is more clean and fresh due to daily rain , it is an unique experience to walk with clouds in monsoon days .

Hiking to Phulchowki hill station in the winter allows hikers to enjoy the snowfall. Also, during the winter months, the views of the snow-capped mountains are the most attractive.

Generally, if the location we are hiking towards consists of restaurants or cafes then we will have our meals and tea/coffee in those local restaurants/cafes. But Phulchowki doesn’t have any restaurants so our guide will take a packed lunchbox (veg, vegan, and non-veg) as per the traveler’s choice, and a water bottle with him/her. We will enjoy the hygienically packed lunch overlooking the mesmerizing scenery seen from the hilltop.

 

 

 

Hiking to Phulchowki is less time-consuming. You can complete the Phulchowki hike in 5 to 6 hours. Start early in the morning and get done with the hike by early afternoon. It makes this hike one of the fantastic short gateways.

Likewise, the hiking route is easy and has a good pace. So, all ages can do the Phulchowki day hiking without any worry. If you are someone who is just getting into hiking, then the Phulchowki day hike is one of the best options to start with.

Apart from the hiking trail, Phulchowki Hill also has religious importance for both Hindu and Buddhist followers. On the top of the hill, there is a temple dedicated to the goddess Phulchowki Mai. You can see prayer flags and tridents around the temple. During some auspicious days, the entire hill sees celebration.

Once you are at the top of Phulchowki hill, you will get to see stunning distant views of the mountains like Gaurishankar, Langtang Lirung, Ganesh Himal, and Annapurna Range. In the winter season, the hills experience snowfall. Between late December to February and early March, the hike is even more mesmerizing because of snowfall all around the hilltop.

All these make Phulchowki day hiking a great day excursion near Kathmandu. If you are not ready to commit to a multi-day hike in Nepal but would love some trip into nature, then the Phulchowki hike is an excellent alternative.

 

Our package includes a visit to the National Botanical Garden- Godawari ,Godawari, or the National Botanical Garden, is a center of plant conservation, education, research, and recreation. If you are into plants and flowers, you should definitely stop at this garden and spend some time exploring. Spread into 82 hectares of varying topography. As you will be starting and ending the Phulchowki hike from Godawari, we highly recommend you visit the garden. You will get to witness a huge species of floral diversity and different types of gardens.

The Phulchowki day hiking distance is approximately 6.8 kilometers. From the starting point of the hike, you will reach the top of the hill in around 4 hours of gradual ascent. From the top, it takes around 2 hours to descend
which makes it a perfect activity to do if you have a free half-day in Kathmandu. Similarly, Phulchowki day hiking difficulty is easy.

There is no risk of altitude sickness during this hike, and our expert guide will make sure you are hiking safely.

Most Common FAQs

Cell phone reception can vary along the Phulchowki hiking trail because of the forested route and rocky terrain.

We recommend hiking with a group . Good karma Trekking Guide can support your trip with their best experience.

Travel insurance is not necessary for Phulchowki hiking. If you are traveling to Nepal and doing different activities, you may get comprehensive travel insurance.

Yes, there are specific rules for waste disposal during the Phulchowki hike. First of all, do not throw your garbage on the trail. Carry a disposal bag or plastic bag and put all our garbage in it. Bring the waste down the hill and throw it accordingly in designated dustbins.

Yes, you can combine another hike of your choice with Phulchowki hiking. For instance, bird watching, visits to Godawari Botanical Garden, and Lakuri Bhanjyang Hike are some famous options.

There are several local eateries at the base of the Phulchowki Hill, around Godawari. There is no entry on the way to Phulchowki Hill. At the top of the hill, you may see some locals selling food in temporary stalls.

On the weekends and holidays, a handful of locals do the Phulchowki hiking. The route will not be extremely busy, but you may come across a few fellow hikers along the way

There are a few rest points along the Phulchowki hiking route. You can see a bunch of rocks gathered at a place where hikers rest for a few minutes while walking uphill or downhill.

Yes, you can expect to see unique flora and vegetation during the Phulchowki hiking. You can see flowers like rhododendrons, orchids, magnolias, mosses, ferns, different kinds of herbal plants, etc. Likewise, you may also come across several types of pheasants, Spiny Babblers (Nepal’s endemic bird), Himalayan Monal, butterflies, monkeys, etc, on the way

Yes, there are a few notable landmarks along the Phulchowki trail. They are the Godawari Botanical Garden and Phulchowki Mai Temple.

Along the Phulchowki day hiking trail, you will get to witness diverse vegetation, beautiful flowers, and stunning landscapes. Likewise, from the top of the hill, you will see a wonderful aerial panorama of Kathmandu Valley and a mesmerizing distant view of the snow-capped mountains.

From the starting point of the trail, it takes around 4 hours to reach the top of Phulchowki Hill. Likewise, you will spend around 2 hours descending to the ending point of the trail. Overall, you will spend approximately 6 hours during the Phulchowki day hiking.

If you feel any discomfort or get injured during hiking, inform your guide and stay calm. Our guide will provide you with first aid and further help you as needed.

No, there are no wildlife risks along the Phulchowki hiking trail. Stay on the marked trail, and do not wander alone in the unmarked sections of the hills. You may come across monkeys. They can be curious to see you and may approach you for food.

It depends on the individual. We do not strictly recommend hiking poles for the Phulchowki hike. However, if you think you are not that strong and hiking poles will help you maintain your balance on the rugged trail, then it is totally fine to use them. Hiking poles will overall enhance your hiking experience.

There are very limited drinking water sources along the Phulchowki day hiking route. We recommend hikers to carry 1-2 or 2-3 liters of water bottle with water in it.

For the Phulchowki hiking, you have to be in good health. If you suffer from Asthma or any health issue that may make hiking uphill tough, you should consider before joining the Phulchowki day hiking. It is not technical climbing, but 3 to 4 hours of uphill walking and around 2 hours of downhill walking are required

Godawari is the starting and ending point of the Phulchowki day hiking. It is located around 14 kilometers away from Kathmandu.

No permit is needed for the Phulchowki day hiking. However, you may have to pay a small Godawari Botanical Garden entrance fee.

Pre-monsoon and post-monsoon are the best times for Phulchowki hiking. You will enjoy this hike in these months- March, April, Map, late September, October, November, December, January, and February.

To go to Phulchowki, first, you have to drive to Godawai. It takes around 45 minutes to one hour to reach here. From Godawari, you will start hiking to the top of the hill.

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