A Godawari birdwatching experience in the Kathmandu Valley is a trip for bird lovers! Godawari and Phulchauki is the habitat for well over 300 species of birds
A Godawari birdwatching experience in the Kathmandu valley is a trip for bird lovers! Godawari and Phulchauki is the habitat for well over 300 species of birds.
Godawari is the lower Phulchauki and the Phulchauki Hill itself is the highest valley rim (2760m).
It’s beautiful forest that spread over 50 square km but the diverse species of birds that spreads from the base to the summit is amazing. Godawari forest is the best birdwatching site within Kathmandu valley and is very popular for ornithologists and birdwatchers. A perfect place to explore the forest birds, among all many are rare, endangered and globally threatened species. Time spent in this trip is extremely full feeling experience being in nature right next to crowded city of Kathmandu.
Birdwatching is usually done at and around the Godawari forest (lower Phulchauki). Some of the iconic species of birds from this area are Himalayan Cutia, Rusty-fronted Barwing, Chestnut-headed Tesia, Bay and Darjeeling Woodpeckers, Blue-naped Pitta and Blue-bearded Bee-eater etc. Other important highlights of this area includes, Minivets, Common Green Magpie, Rufous-chinned Laughingthrush, Pale Blue Flycatcher, Dark-sided Laughingthrush, Rufous-chinned Laughingthrush, Himalayan Vultures, Booted Eagle, Parrotbill and etc. Come and explore with us!
Birdwatching in the area, in the past has the record of well over 100 species. For the best result of bird watching, covering the base of the hill (Godavari) and upper part of the Phulchauki hill, two days of time is highly recommended.
Early morning start for your Godawari birdwatching experience in the Kathmandu Valley: We get going for around 7-8AM travel for about an hour
Arrive at Godawari by 8-9AM and start birding in the lower part of Phulchauki and Botanical garden for about 5-6 hours, though time depends on the weather and how the sighting of birds etc.
Travel back by 2-3PM
What to expect and what not: In a good birding day it is possible to see some 100 species some time and average species count is usually -50-60. Depending on the weather and chance, some time we see lot and some time we may just see fewer number of species but you are never disappointed by the the walk in the nature. It is just great and you will love it!