Phulchowki (2760 m) is the highest of the mountains encircling the Kathmandu valley. This broad-leafed-sub tropical forest is the richest for birds and wildlife in the valley and remains the most convenient place to see some of the birds that are rare or local to Nepal . Phulchowki lies 18 km south east of Kathmandu above Godawari village (1525 m). The drive to Godawari is about half and hour and it is another half and hour drive to the top of the Phulchowki by four wheel drive. Phulchowki and Godawari forest are internationally famous for the species richness of their flora and fauna, specially butterflies and birds. They are one of the few remaining examples of this type of sub-tropical forest in Nepal . Mammals include Spotted Leopard, Yellow-throated Marten and Orange-bellied Squirrel.

Forest types : Rhododendron-Oaks- and Fir and thickets of cane bamboo.

Recommended length of birding is a day for lower a slopes (including Godawari Botanical Garden ) and a day for the upper slopes.

Specialties :

Resident (regular) : Besra, Black Eagle, Mountain Hawk Eagle, Kalij Pheasant, Common Hill Partridge, Ashy Wood Pigeon, Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon, Mountain Scops Owl, Collared Owlet, Golden Throated Barbet, Speckled Piculet, Crimson Breasted Pied and Rufous bellied Pied Woodpeckers, Grey Chinned Minivet, Striated Bulbul, Orange-bellied Leafbird, Spotted Forktail, Chestnut Headed and Grey bellied Tesias, Chestnut Crowned and Black-faced Warblers, Rufous-bellied Niltava, Lesser Scaly-breasted Wren-Babbler, Streaked-breasted Scimitar Babbler, Grey throated and Spiny babblers, White-crested, Striated, Rufous Chinned and Grey-sided Laughing Thrushes, Red-billed Leiothrix, Cutia, White-browed Green and Black-eared Shrike Babblers, Hoary Barwing, Blue-winged Minla, Nepal Fulvetta, Yellow-browed Tit, Brown-throated Tree Creeper, Black-throated Sunbird, Maroon Oriole, Eurasian and Lanceolated Jays, Red Billed Blue Magpie, and Brown Bull Finch.

Winter (rare) : Rufous-throated Hill Partridge, Barred Cuckoo-dove, Bay Woodpecker, Blue-naped Pitta, Grey Cheeked Warbler, Large Niltava, Pygmy Blue Flycatcher, Black Throated Parrotbill, Blue winged Laughing thrush and Red-tailed Minla, Speckled Wood-Pigeon, Golden Bush-Robin, Hodgson's Redstart, Plain-backed and Long-tailed Mountain Thrushes, Long-billed Thrush, White-collared and Grey-winged Blackbirds, Chestnut Thrush, and Fires-tailed Sunbirds, Slaty backed Flycatcher, Greater Scaly-breasted Wren Babbler, Yellow-bellied Flowerpecker, Mrs. Gould's and Fire-tailed Sunbirds, Pink-browed Rosefinch, Crimson browed, Scarlet, and Gold naped Finches, Red-headed Bullfinch and Spot-winged Grosbeak.

Summer (rare ) : Crested Serpent Eagle, Lesser Cuckoo, White-throated Needletail, Blue-bearded Bee-eater, White-tailed Robin, Blue-capped Rock-thrush, Orange headed and Tickell's Thrushes, Small Niltava, Asian Sooty, Ultramarine, Little Pied, and Snowy-browed Flycatchers and Bronzed and Lesser Raquet-tailed Drongo.