Grand Hotel

The dedicated birdwatcher may prefer to head for the forested slopes of Phulchowki Mountain, at 9,000 feet the highest peak in the valley.  Marble quarrying is sadly affecting the area, but it still remains a wonderful birding spot.  The variety of laughing thrushes, babblers, bulbuls, flowerpeckers, flycatchers, sunbirds, tits and warblers is tremendous.  Should you choose this option, you would be advised to start in the early morning, ascending as far as the ice will allow.  Here you should get good views of the snow-clad Himalaya, including the Annapurna range, Langtang and many of Nepal's other high peaks (weather permitting!). You may then spend the rest of the day walking down the mountain through its fine temperate and subtropical forest, with a picnic lunch en route.  Some of the many highlights should include Red-flanked Bluetail, Fire-tailed Sunbird, White-collared and Grey-winged Blackbirds, Long-tailed Minivet, White-tailed Nuthatch, Orange-barred Leaf Warbler, Orange-bellied Leafbird and many more.  More elusive species include Nepal Cutia, Kalij Pheasant, Red-billed Leiothrix a