Discounts are solely based on your group size. We do not add anyone to your group.
- Best Price Guarantee
- Hassle-Free Booking
- Team of highly experienced Experts
- Your Happiness Guaranteed
Book Now. No Booking or Credit Card Fee
- Schedule Your Own Dates
- Group Discounts
- Guaranteed Departures
- Easy Cancellation
- 60% Repeated Customers
-
- Duration
- 1 Days
-
- Transportation
- Private Vehicle
-
- Trip Grade
- Easy
-
- Max-Altitude
- 2,762 m/ 9,061 ft
-
- Accomodation
- Not Required
-
- Primary Activity
- Hiking
-
- Meals
- Packed Lunch
-
- Best Season
- Throughout the Year
-
- Distance
- 20km
The Phulchowki Hike is a spectacular one-day trek in Nepal’s Kathmandu Valley, reaching the summit of Phulchowki, the highest hill surrounding the city at about 2,762 meters above sea level. Located just 14-20 km southeast of Kathmandu (about a 45-60 minute drive to the Godawari Botanical Garden).
The Phulchowki hike near Kathmandu takes you to the lush subtropical forests and incredible mountain vistas. Its Nepali name even means “hill of flowers,” due to the rich biodiversity on its slopes.
The Phulchowki Hike trail winds upward through dense woods filled with rhododendrons (Nepal’s national flower), magnolias, and ferns, peaking in spring bloom. In the spring, especially, the hillsides turn pink and red with the blooming of rhododendrons and magnolias.
During the Phulchowki hike, you can find many endemic birds (over one-third of Nepal’s bird species) and butterflies in the subtropical forest. Along the way, you may spot many bird and butterfly species. Phulchowki hosts roughly one-third of all Nepal’s birds and over 570 flowering plants.
From the summit of the Phulchowki hike, you are rewarded with sweeping Himalayan panoramas: on a clear day, you can see major peaks from Annapurna and Manaslu in the west to Ganesh Himal, Langtang, Jugal, and even Everest to the east. A small shrine (Phulchowki Mai Temple) and telecom towers mark the top.
The summit of Phulchowki rewards trekkers with panoramic mountain views and tranquil forest surroundings. From this viewpoint, you can gaze out over the entire Kathmandu Valley and, on a clear morning, see the snow-capped Himalayas (Everest, Annapurna, Langtang, etc.) lining the horizon.
The combination of high-altitude scenery, mid-hill temples, and flowering woodlands makes this trek an ideal escape from the city.
Access Nepal’s Phulchowki hike is designed for all types of adventurers, families, beginners, and seasoned hikers alike, since it is rated easy to moderate difficulty and can be completed by anyone in good health. This full-day Phulchowki hike itinerary is available year-round (best in spring and autumn, and generally all seasons except the heaviest monsoon rains).
With Access Nepal Tours and Trekking, professional guides, transportation, permits, and picnic lunch included, it’s an economical way to experience one of Nepal’s most beautiful nature trails on a day trip.
Puhlchowki Hike Highlights:
- Beautiful bird’s eye view of Kathmandu Sprawl from the Phulchowki summit (2,762 m)
- Hiking over a carpeted trail with a variety of flowers and plants.
- Godawari Botanical Garden visit.
- Passing through small farms and springs (like the “Nau Dhara” 9-spout spring on the way).
- From the summit, you can see a belt of great Himalayan peaks: Mount Everest, Annapurna, Manaslu, Ganesh, Langtang, and more.
- Sweeping views of the Kathmandu and Terai lowlands.
- At the top lies a small Hindu shrine (Phulchowki Mai Temple) adorned with prayer flags.
- Spotting endemic birds, butterflies, monkeys, deer, and other forest wildlife.
Day 01Phulchowki Hike (Kathmandu-Godawari-Summit-Kathmandu)
-
- 18-20km
-
- 2,762m / 9,061ft
-
- 10-12 hrs of hike
-
- 2,762m / 9,061ft
- Private vehicle transportation for pick-up and drop-off.
- Packed lunch.
- 1 Professional, licensed, first-aid trained, English-speaking guide for 6 people (insurance and fees covered).
- All the required monument fees and permits.
- First-aid kit.
- Tourist Visa.
- Accommodation and meals in Kathmandu.
- Personal expenses and insurance fees.
- Tips for guides.
- Additional stay in Nepal.
Our groups are small with maximum 14 people. We create groups of independent travelers, friends and families which maintains close interpersonal connection, engage more and get into depth of the journey. Choose a date from the calendar to reserve your spot.
Phulchowki Hike Distance & Duration
The 1-day Phulchwoki hike distance is roughly 18 km round-trip. The Phulchowki hike time is about 6 to 7 hours of hiking (including breaks). The total altitude gain is about 1,000 to 1,200 meters.
Phulchowki Hike Distance from Godawari
The Phulchwoki hike distance from Godawari is about 16 km. To complete the hike, it takes around 7 to 8 hours.
Phulchowki Hike Height
The Phulchowki hike height is 2,762 m above sea level, making Phulchowki the tallest hill around the Kathmandu Valley. Acclimatization is usually not needed for this hike, but take it at a comfortable pace.
Phulchowki Hike Difficulty
The Phulchowki Hike is an easy-level adventure. The trail is well-defined with some steep stone steps and switchbacks.
No technical climbing is required, so it is suitable for most active people, including teenagers and older hikers. Beginners should be prepared for steady uphill walking and plan for frequent rest stops.
Phulchowki Hiking Route
The Phulchowki hiking route starts at Godawari Garden and goes via Kunda and Latta Bhanjyang to the top (returning past Nau Dhara).
We provide an experienced guide who knows the trail well, and you will receive directions as needed. (Alternatively, the climb is familiar to many locals, so even those without detailed maps typically follow the signposted path.) Similar to this hike, another one is the Shivapuri National Park hiking.
Phulchowki Hike from Kathmandu
This Phulchowki Hike from Kathmandu is planned as a full-day excursion. All land transportation (to and from Kathmandu) is included in a private vehicle, along with a professional English-speaking guide, entry fees, bottled water, and a first-aid box.
Overall hiking distance is about 18 km round-trip, spread over 6 to 7 hours on the trail (3 to 4 hours up, 2 to 3 hours down). Despite the steady elevation gain (1,000 to 1,200 m), the climb is rated easy to moderate and suitable even for families and casual hikers.
Phulchowki Hike Cost
The Phulchowki Hike cost is very reasonable for a day-long adventure in Nepal. Access Nepal Tours prides itself on offering this popular day-hike at an economical price without compromising quality.
We offer an all-inclusive package at USD 120, which covers meals, private vehicle, guide, and all the other essentials for making this hike memorable for you. On the other hand, solo trekking in this area might cost you around USD 100 too.
The best thing is that no national park permit is required for the Phulchowki hike.
Note: You might need to pay a small entry fee to pass the Godawari Botanical Garden if you’re going for a solo hike.
Best Season for Phulchowki Hike
Offered year-round. The clearest weather is usually in spring (March to May) and autumn (Sept to Nov). In spring, the hills erupt in rhododendron blossoms; in autumn, the skies are crisp and clear.
Winter (Dec to Feb) can also be pleasant (with occasional snowfall on the summit), while the monsoon (June to August) brings heavy rains that make the trail slippery. Access Nepal Tours still operates this hike in all seasons except during extreme monsoon downpours.
What to Bring:
Sturdy hiking shoes, comfortable sportswear (layered clothing for changing temperatures), a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. We recommend a light rain jacket in case of showers.
Bring a refillable water bottle (we also provide bottled water and a secure place to refill at streams) and small snacks (fruit or nuts) for energy. A camera is a must for the summit scenery!
Booking & Cancellation
You can easily book the Phulchowki Hike via the official websites of Access Nepal Tours and Trekking. To book this trip, you have to pay 10% of the total trip cost in advance. The second installment should be done after arrival in Kathmandu. We accept wire transfers and card/online payments.
Access Nepal Tours offers this Phulchwoki hike at a cheap cost in comparison to larger treks, reflecting its short duration and group pricing. (Exact pricing depends on group size; please inquire directly.) The fee covers all services listed above. There are no hidden charges; transportation, guide, permits, and packaged lunch are included.
Other Notes: All trekkers must carry a valid ID. Photography is allowed (share your best shots with us!). Mobile phone signal is intermittent on the trail, but briefly returns at the summit. Toilets are available at Godawari before/after the hike. No special permits are required beyond the garden entry; this is not in a restricted or national park zone.
With Access Nepal Tours, your Phulchowki hike is planned to be memorable, safe, and hassle-free. Our expert guides will handle all logistics so you can focus on enjoying the forest trails, fresh mountain air, and spectacular views.
Whether you’re a local seeking a weekend getaway or an international visitor looking for an off-the-beaten-path experience, this Phulchowki day hike in Nepal delivers adventure and natural beauty at a fantastic value.
Besides the Phulchowki hike, we also offer popular treks like the Everest Base Camp Trek, the Gokyo Valley Trek, the Annapurna Base Camp Trek, the Kailash Parikrama, and many more. Book now and join us for a refreshing hill-of-flowers adventure near Kathmandu!
Awards and Achievements
Access Nepal Tour and Treks has been recognized with TripAdvisor’s prestigious Travelers’ Choice Award for multiple consecutive years, reflecting our unwavering commitment to quality and clients’ satisfaction.
