Areas of WalkBeyond Kathmandu Valley Rim on South Eastern hills.
People and CultureHigh Hill is populated by Newar and Tamang people that surround Kathmandu valley . In the city, you will find mixed religion and culture people like Brahmin, Cheetri, Magar and more.
Mode of transportShort drives both ways.
Duration of HikeFrom 3 hrs to 4 hrs.
Highlights of Phulchowki Day Hiking
A beautiful panoramic view of the Kathmandu valley.
A peaceful and rich botanical garden is on the way.
Experience of a lifetime to witness wildlife in Lalitpur.
A Hindu pilgrimage stop, Phulchowki Mai Temple.
View of some of the most beautiful snow-capped mountains in Nepal.
Trip Overview
Phulchowki Hill, at a height of 2,782 m, is one of the best spots for hiking in the Kathmandu area, especially if you are anywhere around Lalitpur’s Patan. The distance from the city is not too far from Phulchowki. The hill is possibly the most scenic route you will find in Kathmandu Valley. You can see the beauty of Annapurna-Manaslu and Ganesh Himal as well as the Langtang and Jugal Himal from Phulchowki. While it seems impossible to witness the beauty of Mount Everest from Kathmandu, you can, to an extent, view the peak from the hill itself. Gauri Shankar Himal can also be seen from Phulchowki's height. Similarly, you can get a perfect view of the entire city of Kathmandu during your Phulchowki hike.
The Phulchowki day hike is all about going through nature to finally stop at a high point. There isn’t a lack of any natural beauty like tall rhododendron-oaks-pines-magnolia and fir trees throughout your hike. Though not reachable, there are also exotic birds and animals like leopards, wild cats, deer, and monkeys. If you are lucky enough, or in a few cases unlucky, there is a mild chance of seeing these animals and wild birds during your day hike. While many people tend to go to Phulchowki as tourists, there are many locals from both Kathmandu and Lalitpur, as well as some from other parts of Nepal, who are looking to find a day off from the hustling and bustling city life. Phulchowki day hike is conveniently accessible for almost anyone who is in and out of Kathmandu Valley, and the refreshing experience is worth spending a day.
Cost Details
What's Included in Phulchowki Day Hiking
A private vehicle,
A hiking guide (whose salary and expenses are added)
A packed lunch will be included in your cost for the Phulchowki day hike.
What's Excluded in Phulchowki Day Hiking
Your cost for the Phulchowki day hike will not cover the entry fees,
Tips for the guides and drivers
Your personal expenses besides the aforementioned expenses.
Price & Availability
Itinerary
Phulchowki day hiking takes you a single day to complete, as the name itself suggests. Your day will start from Patan, Lalitpur, where you will be having your breakfast. You can either choose a hotel in Patan or inside Kathmandu Valley to begin with. Then, you will be going to Godavari, famous for its botanical garden and being a small village in Lalitpur. The drive from Patan to Godavari is not time-consuming, and you will be there within an hour or two when you start in Patan. Then, you will finally get off at your stop in Godavari and walk through the 4-5 hours of trail to Phulchowki Hill from here.
Phulchowki gives you a perfect view of the city that you left behind, though not so far from the hill itself. After you enjoy your time at the peak, it is about the right time to finally get off the hill and return to Godavari. It is completely up to you, as a visitor, to decide whether you want to go to the botanical garden or not, given you have plenty more time left in hand. If not, you return from the same route to your hotel as you did during your arrival.
If the provided schedule isn't suitable for you, we can create personalized travel arrangements.
What is the best season for Phulchowki Day Hiking?
Visiting Phulchowki seems like a good option for just any season throughout the year. However, make sure to avoid your visit to the hill during monsoon season. During monsoon, rain in the hills of Nepal, or the Kathmandu valley, is pretty heavy. And, you will not find yourself conveniently walking through the trails of your hike with as much comfort as is intended. There are several challenges along the way when your trails are drenched. No matter how good of a hiker you are, it is always a wise decision to avoid unnecessary challenges that come with the rain.
Spring in Kathmandu is very favorable. During this season, you will see the growth of beautiful plants, and the rain is just as mild. Also, you will not be suffering from excessive heat if you choose the right spring month. Furthermore, if you want to choose the best alternative, you might want to consider fall or autumn. During the months of October to December, the weather is pretty favorable. It is neither too hot nor too cold, though the hill area gets quite chilly during these months. There is almost no chance of rain either. While day hiking during autumn suits well with those looking not to stay there overnight, anyone who is looking to camp there for a night is likely to have a hard time coping with the cold weather that just gets a tad bit ruthless during the nights at an altitude like that of Phulchowki.
Moreover, Phulchowki sees more snowfall than any other place in Kathmandu. Hence, if you want to experience snowfall at least once when in Kathmandu Valley, you should consider going there during the wintertime. Make sure you dress accordingly, as it can get extremely cold up on the hill. Phulchowki is almost always white and icy during the wintertime. However, this is not a common occurrence for all winters and depends on the drop in temperature and many such natural phenomena.
Well-Organized Trek to Phulchoki Hill with a Fantastic Guide
Had a great experience on a short trek to Phulchoki Hill. The organization was professional and well-handled, and the guide was both friendly and fun to be with. Highly recommended!
NNora Bergström14th Aug, 2025
Amazing Day Trek Near Kathmandu – Thank You Dhruba Dharel!
Thank you to Dhruba Dharel for organizing such a fantastic day! The foothills were just a short drive from Kathmandu but offered breathtaking views and an excellent trekking experience of Phulchoki Hill. Although Dhruba wasn’t on the trail, his excellent planning made the day truly memorable.
Special thanks to Sagar, the guide, for all the help and support during the hike. His friendly and knowledgeable assistance made the trek enjoyable and smooth.
Highly recommended for anyone visiting Nepal!
YYuna Park14th Aug, 2025
Unforgettable Phulchoki Day Hike with Eco Holidays Nepal
It was an amazing experience that I just had with Eco Holidays Nepal on their Phulchoki Day Hiking trip. We passed through lovely forests during the hike, and once we reached the summit of Phulchoki Hill, we were rewarded with breathtaking panoramas of the Kathmandu Valley and the Himalayas.
Our knowledgeable guide, Shiva, shared fascinating insights about the local history and culture, which made the journey even more enriching. The entire experience was made pleasant and comfortable thanks to the skilled and courteous team at Eco Holidays Nepal, led by Managing Director Dhruba Dharel.
Overall, if you're looking for a wonderful trekking adventure in Nepal, I wholeheartedly recommend the Phulchoki Day Hiking tour with Eco Holidays Nepal.
