godavari: located around 16 kms from kathmandu and 45 mins to 60 mins drive, this place is home to nepal’s national botanical garden. key places of interest around here include:

• bishankhu narayan temple: one of the four major temples of narayan of the kathmandu valley located at bishankhu narayan village, godavari on top of hillock around 11 kms from lagankhel. devotees come in large number on the 9th and 14th day of every lunar cycle as well as on the full moon day. the temple can be reached by steep stairway that climbs to the temple and then drops into a narrow gap in the rock known as dharmadwar cave where pilgrims test their sin levels by trying to squeeze through it.
• phulchowki: phulchowki (2,760 m) meaning hill of flowers is highest hill surrounding kathmandu valley from where we get spectacular view of the whole kathmandu valley. on a clear sunny day, visitors can get excellent view of himalayan mountain range and is around 14 kms away from kathmandu city centre. it is popular spot for hiking which can take about 4 to 5 hours depending upon fitness level. rhododendrons of various colours are found here and in spring season, hillsides are covered with rhododendrons. a temple dedicated to phulchowki mai is at hilltop. the place is also accessible by small vehicles and motorcycles. the hilltop is about 13 km from godavari. kathmandu to godavari is around 30 to 45 minutes mins drive and the drive to top of phulchowki takes further 30 to 45 minutes.
• godavari botanical garden: situated at the foothills of phulchowki, godavari botanical garden founded by king mahendra in 1962 is a beautiful place to visit. the jungles here are home to more than 256 species of birds and 300 species of butterflies and other insects. the weather of the place remains cool even in the summer. there also are boating facilities here.