Phulchoki bird-watching tour
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 5 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Phulchoki bird-watching tour worth booking?
Phulchoki bird-watching tour is a 7-hour experience in Kathmandu, Nepal, from $48 per person. It scores 66 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 5/5 rating across 5 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 66 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (5)
- Duration
- 7 hours
- From
- $48 per person
From Kathmandu drive to16 kilometre to the Godawari. From Godawari your birdwatching day hiking tour will start to Phulchoki. The Phulchoki is situated southern east of Kathmandu valley. Phulchoki means - hill of flowers
What you get
- A professional birding guide
- light packed lunch
- Private transportation - Pick / drop to Godawori
About this experience
From Kathmandu drive to16 kilometre to the Godawari. From Godawari your birdwatching day hiking tour will start to Phulchoki. The Phulchoki is situated southern east of Kathmandu valley. Phulchoki means - hill of flowers in Nepali. It is hill of flower if you visit in the spring, the forest blossom different species of wild flower including the country's national flower - Rhododendron. Phulchoki is one of the highest hill in Kathmandu valley at an elevation of 2782 m above sea level.This beautiful hill consists of various species of flora and fauna. For the bird lover, Phulchoki is one of the best place for birding tour. So far, around 265 species of the birds does shelter here in Phulchoki. Some of them are tits, warblers, woodpeckers, thrushes, minivets, eagles and many migrant birds. After this amazing birdwatching hike, drive back to Kathmandu.
What's included
Included
- A professional birding guide
- light packed lunch
- Private transportation - Pick / drop to Godawori
Not included
- Lunch
- Entrance fees while entering Phulchoki
- Emergency rescue evacuation if needed
- Hot drinks, Soft drinks such as cola, mineral water
- Any other expenses which are not in ‘Cost Includes’ Section
What you'll see and do
Phulchoki
Our private vehicle will drop you to the Godawari which is the starting point for hiking via Naudhara entry point. A professional birding guide will help you figure out the bird species and their nature. The bird species such as: long-tailed Drongos, Greater Yellow nape, Grey-headed Woodpecker, Nepal Cutia, Ultramarine Flycatcher, and Black-winged Cuckoo shrike, etc. are found. We would suggest not to touch or harm any birds/animals that are found on the way. As you reach Phulchowki hill (2.791m) you can enjoy the 360 scenic views of mountains, landscapes, and Kathmandu valley. You can also visit the Phulchowki Mai temple located in the hilltop. After a lunch break, hike back to Godawari and drive to Kathmandu.
420 minutes here · Admission not included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 15 minutes before departure.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 10 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Himalayan Smile Treks and Adventure Pvt. Ltd
Know before you go
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 5 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
5 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
2 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Food and drink
2 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Physical effort
2 mentionsExpect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
Photo opportunities
1 mentionThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Organization
1 mentionPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Traveler reviews
5 verified traveler reviews for Phulchoki bird-watching tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Great tour for birdwatching in Nepal
Pratap was a great guide, knowledgeable and passionate about the birdlife of Nepal. He spotted plenty of species with his binoculars that I would never have, and we spent roughly 5 hours hiking through peaceful Godawari forest. Pick up and drop off easy and on time. A great thing to do in Kathmandu outside the city center!
Response from the operator: Thank you very much for your nice review! 🌿 We are pleased to hear you had a good experience birding in Godawari with Himalayan Smile Treks. Pratap will be so pleased to know his knowledge and passion contributed to your day. We greatly appreciate your kind words and support, and we look forward to welcoming you back for another adventure in nature in Nepal! 🐦
via Tripadvisor
Peaceful hike with loads of different bird species to explore
I didn't know what to expect from this tour as I never went bird watching before. It was a fun and peaceful experience. The guide was very friendly, knew his birds, and had a professional camera with him, resulting in stunning pictures of the spotted birds. If you want to hike for a day in Kathmandu valley instead of multi-day trekking, this is a great option. Awesome breakfast and lunch as well.
via Tripadvisor
exceptional
Spent two days birding in this area . guided by Ram dav .. ramdev099@yahoo.com One of the best and knowledgeble guides I have met so far. A simple good and caring human. very well recommended.
via Tripadvisor
Outstanding birding tour!
I highly recommend the Phulchoki bird-watching tour expertly guided by Nepali specialist Yubin Shrestha. Our customized tour led by Yubin was one of the highlights of our pre-trek week in Kathmandu. The all-day tour increased our life-lists immeasurably, introduced us to woodlands and cultural features close to Kathmandu but little visited by tourists, and most importantly added Yubin to our global network of birding experts. If you are a veteran bird watcher, or wanna' be bird watcher, or something in between, don't miss this tour with Yubin when you’re in Nepal!
via Tripadvisor
Excellent tour
This was an excellent tour to the bird-rich Phulchoki hills, about an hour’s drive from the centre of Kathmandu. Ramesh was a very knowledgeable and experienced guide, who is heavily involved with various conservation initiatives in Nepal. The tour left my hotel just before 7a.m., returning to central Kathmandu at 5 p.m. Lunch was provided (probably worth mentioning specifically if you’re a vegetarian). We saw an impressive range of species of birds and butterflies, in a large tract of peaceful forest, which made a very pleasant break from the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu. Highly recommended for birders with limited time in the area.
Response from the operator: Hello Nick, thank you so much for sharing your experience. We are so glad you enjoyed the bird watching hike to Phulchoki hill. Hope to see you and serve you our best services again.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 7 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- 10+
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $48 to $208
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 2
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 66
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Phulchoki bird-watching tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Kathmandu.
How much does Phulchoki bird-watching tour cost?
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Prices start at $48 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Kathmandu usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Phulchoki bird-watching tour take?
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Plan for about 7 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Kathmandu is not rushed.
Is Phulchoki bird-watching tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 66 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 5 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Kathmandu, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Phulchoki bird-watching tour?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Phulchoki bird-watching tour suitable for kids and families?
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The operator sets a minimum age of 10. Older children generally do well here, and families should factor in the 7-hour running time when deciding.
How far in advance should I book Phulchoki bird-watching tour?
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Around 2 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Kathmandu can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Kathmandu and add a light layer if any part of the 7-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Phulchoki bird-watching tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Kathmandu within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Kathmandu?
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On Outty we rank every Kathmandu experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Private Kathmandu Sightseeing Tour | UNESCO World Heritage sites, Classic Everest Base Camp Trek, Manaslu Circuit Trek. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Kathmandu?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Kathmandu?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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