Take an early bus or taxi from Kathmandu to Godavari and start walking beside the botanical garden. The route climbs steadily through forest rich in rhododendron and birds, using the winding summit road and the steep footpaths that shortcut its bends, which can be slippery after rain. On our map the climb is about 6.5 km with 1,270 m of ascent. A fit walker reaches the top in under three hours, and most take four to five. At the summit you find a Buddhist shrine, an army post and the tower, with views over the valley and, on clear days, the mountains to the north. Eat lunch here, then walk down the same way, faster than the climb, and take the bus back.
Phulchowki Day Hike
A one-day hike from Godavari to Phulchowki (2,782 m), the highest hill on the rim of the Kathmandu Valley, through rhododendron and oak forest, 13.1 km round trip with 1,270 m of climbing.
- Days1
- Max altitude2,782 m
- Distance13.1 km
- Ascent1,267 m
- DifficultyModerate
- Best monthsMar–Apr, Oct–Nov
Photo: Shadow Ayush · CC BY-SA 4.0
This itinerary is a draft and hasn't been verified yet. Always confirm stages with your guide.
Written by FindTrekkingPartner teamReviewed by FindTrekkingPartner teamHow we reviewFindTrekkingPartner
Phulchowki Day Hike is a 1-day trek in the Kathmandu Valley region of Nepal that climbs to 2,782 m. Foreign trekkers can find a partner for it on FindTrekkingPartner by posting a trip with their dates, budget and pace. Matches stay private until both trekkers agree, and the service is free. At mid-range rates a licensed guide costs about USD 9 per person over 1 days when four trekkers share, against USD 37 for one trekker alone. The best seasons are Oct–Nov, Mar–Apr. The Nepal Tourism Board April 2023 rule requires a licensed guide in national parks and conservation areas. Local practice differs (checked 19 October 2026): the Khumbu municipality opted out and issues its own trek card, and day hikes are rarely checked, but follow the rule and hire a guide; confirm with your agency. Last verified: October 19, 2026. Sources: Nepal Tourism Board, DNPWC, Department of Immigration.
Sources:Department of Immigration, NepalNepal Tourism BoardDepartment of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation
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Overview
Starts from Godavari1 day · max 2,782 m
Best seasons: Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov
Phulchowki is a one-day hike from Godavari, on the south-east edge of the Kathmandu Valley, to the 2,782 m summit and back. On our map the round trip is about 13.1 km with 1,270 m of climbing, partly on the summit road and partly on footpaths that cut its bends. Operators say a fit walker reaches the top in under three hours and a normal pace takes four to five; the return is faster. That makes seven to eight hours on foot from the bus stop, which is longer than the four to six hour days operators sell, because their vehicles carry you part of the way up; in the account we cite the van stopped about 7 km below the top. Pack lunch and water, since there is nothing to buy on the hill. None of our sources lists a permit fee for it.
The plan follows an account of the walk from Godavari and an operator itinerary, which agree on the forest, the birds and the summit tower. Heights vary in the sources from 2,782 to 2,823 m; OpenStreetMap gives 2,782 m, so we use that figure. The road is winding, and the shortcuts between its bends are steep and can be slippery.
What the hike is like
The route climbs out of Godavari through forest that is rich in rhododendron, with birdsong all the way. Where the road bends, footpaths cut across the slope through trees and bushes. Near the top an army post and communications towers stand beside the tower; one account notes that an army officer let the group look around the tower, so follow any instructions given. A Buddhist shrine stands at the summit. On a clear day you see mountains to the north and the whole valley below.
Permits and rules
None of our sources lists a park permit or entrance fee for the hill itself. Godavari Botanical Garden, at the start, has its own entry rules if you visit. Follow any instructions from soldiers near the military post, and carry out your litter.
Best season
Spring (March to April) fills the forest with rhododendron flowers and autumn (October to November) gives the clearest mountain views. In the monsoon the shortcuts are muddy and clouds hide the view.
Getting there and away
Local buses run from Ratna Park in Kathmandu to Godavari for about NPR 30 according to a 2018 transport guide, so expect a little more now. An office van took about 1.5 hours from Kathmandu in the account we cite. Allow time for the bus back.
Difficulty and fitness
The hike is moderate to hard for a day walk: 1,270 m up and down in 13 km. Start by 7 am, carry two litres of water and lunch, and turn back by 1 pm to be down before dark.
Budget notes
The main costs are the bus or taxi to Godavari and lunch. The costs section shows the bus fare from the 2018 guide, which is likely to have gone up.
Highlights
- Phulchowki at 2,782 m, the highest hill rim of the Kathmandu Valley
- Forest rich in rhododendron and birds
- Godavari Botanical Garden at the start
- Views of northern mountains and the whole valley on clear days
- A Buddhist shrine and tower at the top
Route map
Route data from OpenStreetMap, not yet checked by our team. Use it for planning, not navigation.
Day by day
What it costs
Estimated all-in cost per person: lodge and food by altitude, transport, permits, and the guide and porters. The more trekkers share a guide and porters, the less each person pays. As of October 2026.
| Style | 1 trekker | 2 trekkers sharing | 4 trekkers sharing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | $0–$10 | $0–$10 | $0–$10 |
| Mid-range | $40–$80 | $20–$40 | $10–$30 |
| Comfort | $40–$80 | $30–$50 | $20–$40 |
Share a guide, save money
At mid-range, a solo trekker pays about $40–$80; four trekkers sharing one guide and two porters pay about $10–$30 each (65% less at the top of the range).
Breakdown for 2 trekkers sharing
| Item | Budget | Mid-range | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transport | $0–$10 | $0–$10 | $0–$10 |
| Guide | — | $10–$30 | $10–$30 |
| Porters | — | $0–$20 | $10–$30 |
Budget uses public transport and no porter; mid-range shares one porter between two trekkers and a private vehicle; comfort gives each trekker a porter. A guide is included where one is required or the style is mid-range or comfort.
Not included
A day hike: no lodging and no permit. A guide is optional.
Cost sources
- PriceNepal: Nepal Travel Cost Guide 2026 (2026-05-14)
- Third Rock Adventures: Nepal trek budget planner (2026-05-09)
- Himalayan Partner: Guide and porter price in Nepal 2026 (2026-02-10)
- Shikhar Adventure: Annapurna Circuit trek cost (2026-02-03)
- Nepal Tourism Board: Trekking Permit (2026-10-18)
Estimates from operator guides, not quotes. Tips, insurance, gear and Kathmandu hotels are not included; USD at the platform exchange rate.
Photos
Frequently asked questions
Operators say a fit walker reaches the summit in under three hours and four to five hours is normal. With the descent, allow seven to eight hours on foot from Godavari; operators who drive part of the way quote four to six hours.
2,782 m according to OpenStreetMap and most operator pages. One operator page gives 2,791 m in its itinerary and 2,823 m elsewhere.
A local bus from Ratna Park cost about NPR 30 in a 2018 guide; an office van took about 1.5 hours in the account we cite.
None of our sources lists a permit or fee for Phulchowki itself. Godavari Botanical Garden at the start has its own entry rules.
Yes. Operators list forest birdwatching as a highlight, and the forest is rich in rhododendron. The walk is quiet, with birdsong on the way up.
Sources
Along the trail
Stays, medical help, water and sights on each day of the route.
1. Godavari
- Hotel View Bhrikuti Godavari · Stays · 1,493 m
- Hotel Sunflower · Stays · 1,493 m
- View Bhrikuti · Stays · 1,496 m
- Ayushya Health Home (Pvt) Ltd · Medical · 1,443 m
- Prabin Medical Hall · Medical · 1,499 m
- Best Western · Stays · 1,532 m
- Drinking Water · Practical · 1,498 m