Kathmandu Valley Bird Watching Tour

On arrival in Kathmandu received by our guides and staff with warm welcome and garland, then transfer to respective hotels in the heart of the city around or near interesting and happening area of Thamel, on checking into rooms with refreshment our guide will brief with information regarding your stay in Nepal with us and of the program activities, evening a nice welcome dinner in typical Nepalese or similar restaurants.

Morning a drive of an hour or more leading towards the southern east suburb of Kathmandu valley through the city of Patan / Lalitpur, journey continues beyond the Ring Road the circles the valley and heading further on the rural farm areas of peaceful surrounding away from the busy traffic of the city, as the ride brings at Godavari Botanical Garden area, from here ride leads higher on the steep winding road to reach at Phulchoki hill top. A great scenic hill adjoining within Kathmandu Valley and the highest point of Kathmandu valley, a picturesque spot for Himalayan mountain views and flora and fauna with Redheaded Trogan, a very rare bird sighted here in April 2002 (it was last seen n Nepal 44 years ago). Phulchowki Hill top at 2,759 meters high about 18 kms South East of Kathmandu on the route to Godawari Botanical Gardens, certainly a great place and famous for birds and some wild life with amazing panorama of mountains views from the top of Phulchowki with Annapurna, Manaslu and Ganesh Himal towards North West and with central Himalaya range of mountains of Langtang-Jugal Himal and continues towards North East Mt. Everest extending to other high Himalayan peaks. Around this lovely forested area, about 90 species have been recorded including the endemic spring babbler, as well as the Curia, Mountain Hawk Eagle, Rufous Bellied Pied Woodpeckers and the Black-throated Parrot bill, to name a few. After an enjoyable and peaceful stop for few hours admiring the mountains and surrounding landscapes views and its serene environment, drive leads to a descent at Godawari Botanical Garden, here with time visit of Botanical Garden with exotic Himalayan plants, herbs and flowers and the traditional village life drive back to Kathmandu which takes an hour, lunch depending upon the time either on route in Patan or Godawari area as there are many fine restaurants along the drive back to Kathmandu and check into respective hotels after an interesting and wonderful day at Phulchowki hill top and Godavari Botanical Garden.

Morning a short drive towards North of Kathmandu after a 40 minutes of ride reaching at the entrance of Shivapuri Watershed & Wildlife Reserve where the top ridge stands at 2,523 meters high, here after getting the entrance tickets a slow hike into a pristine wooded area with nice views of Kathmandu valley below, after a leisure walk listening to the sound of birds, here our guide will try his best finding birds and recognizing with the sounds of different species of birds life found around, the most common birds that can be seen here are White-capped and Plumbeous Water Redstart near the stream, Spotted Forktail, Orange-flanked Bush-robin and Yellow-billed Blue Magpie. In the forest patch on the right hand side upon entering the reserve is a good chance for seeing male Blue-fronted Redstart and a Scaly Thrush, following the road can hear and observe barbets, and Chestnut-crowned, Whistler’s, Grey-cheeked and Grey-hooded Warblers, White-throated Laughingthrush, Streak-breasted Scimitar-babbler, Grey Treepie, Black-throated, Green-backed and Black-lored Tit, Flycatcher, Orange-bellied Leafbird, White-bellied Yuhina, Grey-chinned and unidentified other Minivets, Grey-throated Babbler, Booted Eagle and Mountain Hawk-Eagle. thrush, exotic sun birds of red and yellow color with black stripe, wood peckers, hoopoe, sparrows, Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch, Green-backed Tit, Black-colored Tit, Black-throated Tit, Himalayan Bulbul, Red-vented Bulbul, Ashy-throated Warbler, Warbler, Black-chinned Babbler, Nepal Fulveta, Fire-tailed Sunbird with some Himalayan brown eagles flying high above, after a pleasant break and walk reaching at Nagi Gompa (monastery) which is nunnery with 20 or more young nuns stays here for Buddhism study some after few years can retire back to normal life or continue with further high level, located in a peaceful environment this monastery about 50 years old, a great spot with views of Kathmandu valley. After a short visit in the main hall of the monastery, walk leads uphill for an hour or more reaching at the top of Shivapuri Hill where there is a shrine of Lord Shiva with asram (rest houses for the pilgrims and visitors) little further from here in this heavily forested area spending some time to observe the bird life, with picnic pack lunch and refreshment heading downhill back to the main entrance gate for the drive back to hotel in the busy city of life of Kathmandu.

With morning breakfast depart from the hotel for a leisure bird watch tour and few hours hike, s drive of 20 minutes or more reaching at Rani Ban also known as Nagarjun Forest or Jamacho, situated 5 km north west of Kathmandu, on reaching the main entrance of Nagarjun park a steep climb for few hours in the shade of cool forest of rhododendron, oaks, pines and fir trees on reaching the top of the hill at 2,145 meters high with awesome views of snow capped peaks and Kathmandu valley, this place with an observation tower for better views and a small monastery where you can find the statue of Padmasamba (Guru Ringpoche) one of main guru of Mayana Buddhism of mid 6th Century, this place is gifted with blue magpies, Kalij Pheasants, Bonillo’s eagles, Great Himalayan Barbets and other exotic birds. After a wonderful time here we return back to the Hotel.

After a wonderful time around Kathmandu Valley with interesting bird watching, we have allowed you to experience with a visit of world heritage sites around Kathmandu city, our guide will pick you after breakfast for our interesting tour, visit of holy Hindu Temple of Pashupatinath with golden roofs, as non Hindu cannot enter the main premises, one can have view from the east bank of the River Bagmati, this temple famous and dedicated to Lord Shiva, one of the main gods in Hindu religion, in the month of February as per Hindu calendar celebration and fare takes place where thousands of pilgrims and worshippers from India and Nepal. From this holy sites a short drive to Bouddhanath Stupa, also called as ‘Little Tibet’ as this place is inhabited by Tibetans and Tibetan origin Nepalese people of Tibetan Buddhism. A huge dome of Stupa with prayer wheels that circles the wall, a fascinating Stupa with all seeing eyes of Lord Buddha believed to be more than 600 years old or more, the entire area with markets of Tibetan and Chinese goods and nice restaurants, shops and many monasteries. Afternoon tour continues towards the historical monument of old Swayambhunath stupa of more than 2,500 old history with super views of Kathmandu valley, it is also commonly named as Monkey Temple due to mass population of monkeys that reside around the forest within Swayambhunath Stupa, an old heritage sites and the landmark of Kathmandu valley where the four cardinal eyes of Lord Buddha watches the valley. A holy stupa located on a hill lock west of Kathmandu city with tremendous views of the valley and city with snow capped mountains towards north with dramatic contrast against rolling green hills that sounds the Kathmandu Valley. Time permitting visit the old Kathmandu Durbar Square in the heart of the city our guide will take you on a short tour visiting the gems of Kathmandu city the Durbar Marg (old Kings Palace) with uncountable monuments in the Kathmandu Durbar Square. The house of the Living Goddess (Kumari Ghar), the ferocious Kal Bhairab, the red monkey god, and hundreds of erotic carvings are a few examples of the sights at the Square! The buildings here are the greatest achievements of the Malla dynasty. After s wonderful day retire back to hotel with evening free at leisure.

Today a free day for individual activities and sort out the birds recorded during this trip, a leisure day where you can go for shopping souvenirs or explore the market of Kathmandu for interested people one can book for sightseeing tours as well to other famous area within Kathmandu valley.

Morning free for last hour shopping souvenirs and other genuine handicrafts, as Kathmandu streets is full of stores for shopping spree and delights, as per the international flight time our staff will transfer you back to Kathmandu Tribhuvan International airport for the flight back home or to respective port of call after a memorable and fascinating “Kathmandu Valley Bird Watching Tour” with a cultural and historical tour around famous world heritage sites with wonderful service of Himalayan Smiles Treks & Adventure (P) Ltd.