Trip Details

  • Destination: Nepal
  • Trip Difficulty: Moderate
  • Trip Style: Day Hiking & Walking
  • Transport: Private Vehicle
  • Food: Lunch
  • Group Size: 2
  • Max Elevation: 2782 m

Highlights

  • Phulchowki Dada, the highest hill in Kathmandu Valley at (2,782 m/ 9,127 ft)
  • Phulchowki Temple, a religious hilltop
  • Bird’s eye view of Kathmandu Valley
  • Alluring mountain range view; Gaurishanker Himal, Langtang Himal, Ganesh Himal, Annapurna range
  • Bird Watching in Subtropical Forest
  • National Botanical Garden, Godawri Park
  • Professional, certified, and friendly guide

Phulchowki Dada (Hill) is the highest hill situated inside and around Kathmandu Valley at 2783 meters/ 9,127 feet from sea level. Literally, Phul means Flower, chowki means Garden and dada means Hill so it is the hill of flowers and indeed it is which also gives the bird’s eye view of Kathmandu and its magnificent mountain range view. Phulchowki Dada is located in the Lalitpur district where Patan Durbar Square is also located.

Pulchowki Dada (Hill) day hike is an opportunity to have a short escape from the valley and lead oneself to tranquility and enjoy the views this Dada is offering.

Phulchowki Dada (Hill) Hike Trail Detail)

Phulchowki Dada (Hill) day hike journey starts with a ride of about one hour to the Godawari area and a walk for some hours. The trails go through the green jungles with proper staircases, and rough trails as well as through wide up off-road. The forest is termed to be sub-tropical. In March-April the full-blooming rhododendron flower (the national flower of Nepal) changed the entire look of the hill into white and red.

Likewise, the Pulchowki day hike trail lets you enjoy different species of vegetation. The trail is also widely popular and praised for bird watching such that you can see different species of birds like Flycatcher, Rufous-bellied Niltava, Yellow-browed Tit, Grey-headed Woodpecker, Black-winged Cuckoo-shrike, and many more. At the apex of the Dada, you can enjoy the majestic views of Gaurishanker Himal, Langtang Himal, and Ganesh Himal to the Annapurna range towards the eastern part.

Additionally, Phulchowki Dada has a temple, and a Buddhist shrine and the place is decorated with colorful prayer flags. It is regarded to be a pilgrimage site with cultural values. The temple is of Phulchowki Mai at the top of the hill bordered by the prayer flag. The place is blessed with religious values along with natural beauty.

People rush to Phulchowki Dada during the winter season to enjoy the snow in Kathmandu Valley.

National Botanical Garden, Godawari, Lalitpur

In 1962 AD/2019 BS, National Botanical Garden, Godawari, Lalitpur was established. The two British designers G.A.C. Herklots and Tony Schilling designed the Botanical Garden. Since its establishment to date, the garden has widely worked as a center of plant conservation, education, research, and recreation. It spreads over an area of 82 hectares of varying topography, where 40 hectares have been developed into various garden units. It is surrounded by a natural evergreen forest dominated by Schima-Castanospsis and Alnus.

It is located at the foothill of Mt. Phulchowki (2765 m) highest hill of Kathmandu valley. A natural stream (Godawari) runs through the garden. It is an internationally recognized botanical garden and a member of Botanic Garden Conservation International (BGCI). Features of Botanical Garden:

Features of National Botanical Garden, Godawari:

  • Floral Diversity: Angiosperms 883 species; Gymnosperms 26 species; Pteridophyte 91 species.
  • In-situ conserved plants: 453 species
  • Ex-situ conserved plants: 557 species
  • Botanical Information and Exhibition Center
  • Thematic and Plant Landscape Gardens: Physic garden, Biodiversity education garden, Rock garden, Fern garden, Japanese style garden, Special garden, Terrace garden, Rare and endangered plant garden, Lily garden, Taxonomic family garden (Bentham and Hookers classification system), Tropical plant house, Coronation pond (aquatic plant garden), Rose garden, VVIP plantation garden, Ethno-botanical garden, Canna path
  • Garden Sections: Garden Development Section, Conservation and Education Section, Medicinal Plants and Information Section, and Floriculture Section

Detail Itinerary

  • Day 01Hike to Phulchowki Dada (Hill)- 2782m, and Botanical Garden - 4/5 Hours
  • Day 01 Hike to Phulchowki Dada (Hill)- 2782m, and Botanical Garden - 4/5 Hours

    You will be picked from your hotel or your pick up station as information provided to us, Nepal Adventure Team. You will have a short drive towards the southern part of Kathmandu Valley where the peaceful National Botanical Garden is located.

    You will begin to walk from the junction point where left leads to National Botanical Garden and right leads to Phulchowki Dada.

    First, you will be lead towards Phulchowki dada to grab the 1st hour of the day view. It will be less sunny and chillier making the climb easier. The staircase and off-road trails surrounded by sub-tropical forest will land you to Phulchowki Dada. You will have an hour to rest, relax, and cherish the surrounding at the top of Phulchowki Hill. You will return after having lunch at the Phulchowki area.

    After, lunch and break time at Phulchowki hilltop, you will descend towards the junction. If you are able to return earlier, you can also visit the National Botanical Garden. Nepal Adventure Team will lead you according to your preference and plan to climb Phulchowki's dada and explore National Botanical Garden. It is better to start earlier in order to visit the National Botanical Garden. But you can also just hike to Phulchowki Dada and return to your hotel.

    Then, you will be driving back to your station. 

    • Meals: Lunch
    • Place: Near Kathmandu Valley
    • Altitude: 2782m

What's Included

Included

  • Private car/jeep transport from and to Godawari.
  • Professional Guide Service.
  • Lunch during the hike with tea/coffee.
  • First aid medical kit bag 
  • Phulchowki Dada entry fee
  • National Botanical Garden fee
  • All the paper works and service charges

Excluded

  • Any alcoholic beverages.
  • Tips to the guide.

PRICES & DATES

Trip DatesStatusPriceNote  
09 Dec, 2024 - 09 Dec, 2024GuaranteedUS$ 75
11 Dec, 2024 - 11 Dec, 2024GuaranteedUS$ 75
13 Dec, 2024 - 13 Dec, 2024GuaranteedUS$ 75
15 Dec, 2024 - 15 Dec, 2024GuaranteedUS$ 75
17 Dec, 2024 - 17 Dec, 2024GuaranteedUS$ 75
19 Dec, 2024 - 19 Dec, 2024GuaranteedUS$ 75
21 Dec, 2024 - 21 Dec, 2024GuaranteedUS$ 75
23 Dec, 2024 - 23 Dec, 2024GuaranteedUS$ 75
25 Dec, 2024 - 25 Dec, 2024GuaranteedUS$ 75
27 Dec, 2024 - 27 Dec, 2024GuaranteedUS$ 75
29 Dec, 2024 - 29 Dec, 2024GuaranteedUS$ 75
30 Dec, 2024 - 30 Dec, 2024GuaranteedUS$ 75
31 Dec, 2024 - 31 Dec, 2024GuaranteedUS$ 75

Useful Information

Guide for Phulchowki Dada (Hill) Day Hike

The guide will lead you to Phulchowki Dada (Hill) day hike. The number of guides depends on the number of individuals registered for the Phulchowki Dada  (Hill) day hike. Each group of 4-5 pax is assigned one guide.

The guide with a Nepal government-certified license is only assigned to lead the Phulchowki Dada day hike. Additionally, the guide is also trained in first aid and eco-tourism. Usually, an English-speaking guide is available but on request, Chinese and another language-speaking guides can be made available. The guide will lead as well as inform you about the locality, culture, rules, and importance. Overall, the guide will have the feature of friendliness, leadership, communication expertise, and jolly nature.

Transportation at Phulchowki Dada (Hill) Day Hike

Early morning after you have your breakfast, the guide assigned by the Nepal Adventure team will come to pick you up for the hike. You will have a short drive from your pick-up point to Godawari. Similarly, you will be driven back to your station. A private vehicle will be used for your transportation which may be a car or van as per the group size.

Food and Drinks on Phulchowki Dada (Hill) Day Hike

Lunch will be provided during the Phulchowki Dada day hike. Basically, lunch includes typical Nepali food: Dhaal(lentil soup), Bhat (Rice), Tarkari (Vegetable/Chicken curry), and pickles.

A Mineral water bottle is handed to you prior to the hike.

Checklist for Phulchowki Dada (Hill) Day Hike

  • Light and Comfortable shoe
  • Weather-appropriate clothing (moisture-wicking/ quick-drying cloth is best)
  • Lightweight fleece or jacket/ windproof jacket
  • Sunglasses and Hat/ Cap to cover the face from direct sunlight
  • Hiking stick and bag (optional)
  • Umbrella or waterproof jacket
  • Sunscreen of 60 SPF +
  • Snacks, juice, and energy bar (if you want)
  • Water bottle/ water purifier/ water chemical treatment (if you prefer)
  • Hand sanitizer, toilet paper

Booking and Payment for Phulchowki Dada (Hill) Day Hike

For the day hike, the cost is minimal so full payment is requested for booking the Phulchowki Dada day hike. Even at the last moment, Phulchowki Dada 1 Day Hike can be booked. For any cancellation, the amount cannot be refunded as the amount will be allocated for the preparation of the hike.

You can make the payment in cash and credit card where a 3% - 4% additional charge is imposed if you pay through the card. You can also pay through the following services:

A. Online Payment

Please Click Here for online payment.

B. Bank Transfer

Bank Name: Himalayan Bank Limited
Bank Address: Tridevi Marga, Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal
Account Name: Nepal Adventure Team Pvt. Ltd
Account No: 01906210910018
Swift Code: HIMANPKA

Tipping

An experienced and certified guide will be leading your Phulchowki Dada day hike. Usually, tourists and hikers tip guides as an appreciation for their polite and loyal service towards them. So, you may tip the guide as per your satisfaction with their services. The tipping guide is not compulsory. It is not forced by the company and it is solely your decision.

Request by Nepal Adventure Team

Nepal Adventure Team believes in and practices responsible for tourism. We request each traveler maintain a clean area. You are also requested to care for the flora and fauna you encounter on the Phulchowki Dada day hike.

Client Reviews

  • Marie Dupont
    Rating Review by: Marie Dupont, France

    Nature's Beauty at Its Best

    I thoroughly enjoyed the Phulchowki Day Hike! The trail was a perfect blend of moderate challenge and scenic beauty. Walking through dense forests, we encountered a variety of flora and fauna, which our guide explained in great detail. The hike took around 6 hours, including breaks to enjoy the surroundings and take photos. The view from the summit was breathtaking, offering a panoramic vista of the entire Kathmandu Valley.

  • Kritesh Sharma
    Rating Review by: Kritesh Sharma, India

    A Refreshing Day in the Hills!!

    The Phulchowki Day Hike was a wonderful escape from the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu. The hike started early in the morning, and the trail was lush and green, filled with beautiful flowers and diverse bird species. The ascent was moderately challenging but manageable for most fitness levels. Reaching the top, we were greeted with stunning views of the Kathmandu Valley. It was a day well spent in nature, and I highly recommend this hike for anyone visiting the area.