Overview
Buddhist Pilgrimage tour is an ideal trip for the travelers who have deep faith in Buddhism and want to seek peace and tranquility. This tour provides you a profound insight in the philosophy and history of Buddhism. The history of Buddhism dates back to 536 BC, when Lord Buddha was born in Lumbini. Since then, Nepal has been a sacred place for meditation and spiritual pursuits. You will start your tour by exploring the monasteries and pilgrimage sites in and nearby Kathmandu including UNESCO heritage sites and Namo Buddha. After the exploration in the Valley, you will continue to Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha. Lumbini is full of monuments and monasteries dedicated to Lord Buddha. The spiritual vibes and the serenity of the place is sure to leave you speechless and inspire you for further exploration of Buddhist philosophy and practices.
Trip Facts:
Trip duration: 8 Days
Destination: Kathmandu, Pharping, Swayambhunath, Boudha Stupa, Kapan Gumba, Patan, Namo Buddha & Lumbini
Hotel Accommodation: Twin Sharing
Transportation: Air and Road Transfer
Type of Tour: Easy
Maximum Elevation: 1750m
Preferred age Group: Any
Special Training / Skill: Not Required
Seasonality: Round the Year
Start and End: Kathmandu/Kathmandu
Outline Itinerary
Day 1Arrival at Kathmandu (1400 m)
Day 2In Kathmandu (B)
Day 3Sightseeing tour in Kathmandu. Drive to Namo Buddha - 2 hrs / 43 km (B, L, D)
Day 4In Namo Buddha (1750 m) – 2 hrs / 43 km (B, L, D)
Day 5Fly to Bhairahawa (109 m) – 35 mins & drive to Lumbini (150 m) – 25 mins / 16 km (B, L, D)
Day 6In Lumbini (B)
Day 7Drive to Bhairahawa (109 m) – 25 mins / 16 km, Fly to Kathmandu – 35 mins (B)
Day 8Depart from Kathmandu
Detailed Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival at Kathmandu (1400m)
During the time of arrival you will get the aerial view of the Valley. After landing you will be escorted to the hotel by our staff. Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu
Day 02: In Kathmandu (B)
Breakfast at hotel/ Lunch and Dinner own arrangement
AM: Swayambhunath, Boudhanath stupa & Kapan Gumba tour
Swayambhunath: Swayambhunath, a little hillock in the northwest of Kathmandu Valley, is the oldest monument of Kathmandu Valley. It is also called Monkey Temple. Records of its history date as far as the 5th century, but its origins are believed to be older. It is the Kathmandu Valley’s most sacred Buddhist shrine and whilst its worshippers include the Vajrayana Buddhists of northern Nepal and Tibet, Newari Buddhists are the most fervent devotees.
Boudhanath Stupa: Boudhanath Stupa is one of the ancient and important Buddhist pilgrimage sites of Nepal. It is one of the largest stupas in the world with a diameter of over 100m. It is enlisted in the UNESCO world heritage site and is a popular destination for travelers in Kathmandu. As it’s an important locus of Kathmandu’s Buddhist community, throughout the day you can see countless devotees circumambulating the stupa spinning prayer wheels and reciting mantras.
Kapan Gumba: Kapan Gumba or Monastery is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery, located near Boudhanath. This gumba was established by the Foundation for the preservation of Mahayana Tradition (FPMT). The Gumba is known after the name of the hill on which it is built. The monastery is famous for teaching Buddhism. The gumba can be easily reached by hiking, local bus or taxi. It is a quiet place, ideal for meditating and getting away from the chaotic life in Kathmandu.
Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu
Day 03: Sightseeing tour in Kathmandu. Drive to Namo Buddha – 2 hrs / 43 km (B, L, D)
Breakfast at hotel/Lunch on the way to Namo Buddha/Dinner at resort at Namo Buddha
Pharping: Pharping is an ancient Buddhist pilgrimage site located 21 km south from Kathmandu. It is considered to be the place where Guru Padmasambhava attained the state of enlightenment. More specifically the two caves are the places that hold spiritual importance as it is said that Guru Rinpoche meditated in them. One is Asura cave or the “upper cave of Yanglesho” and the other one is “lower cave of Yanglesho”.
Late afternoon Drive to Namo Buddha. Overnight at hotel in Namo Buddha
Day 04: In Namo Buddha (1750 m) (B, L, D)
Breakfast at hotel/Lunch and Dinner at resort at Namo Buddha
Namo Buddha: Namo Buddha is one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Nepal. It is about 43 km away from Kathmandu. The place holds a significant history of Buddha offering his body in generosity to a tigress. It is also a right place for meditation as it is very quiet and peaceful with clean and fresh air. From Namo Buddha, you can enjoy a beautiful sunrise and sunset along with an amazing view of the snow-covered mountains.
Overnight hotel in Kath
Day 05: Fly to Bhairahawa (109 m) – 35 mins & drive to Lumbini (150 m) – 25 mins / 255 km (B, L, D)
Breakfast at hotel in Namo Buddha/ Lunch and Dinner at hotel in Lumbini
Lumbini: Lumbini is the birth place of Lord Gautam Buddha. It is a Buddhist pilgrimage site in Rupandehi district of Nepal. It comprises of a number of ancient monuments, Mayadevi temple and various new monasteries built by Buddhist organizations from various countries. A museum and Lumbini International Research Institute are also in this holy site. It is enlisted in the UNESCO world heritage site in 1997.
Overnight at hotel in Lumbini
Day 06: In Lumbini (B, L, D)
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner at hotel in Lumbini
Major attractions of Lumbini are Mayadevi temple, Ashoka’s Pillar, Sal tree, sacred pond, 62 archaeological sites scattered and many more.
Mayadevi Temple: Mayadevi temple is the spiritual heart of Lumbini as it is considered as the birthplace of Gautam Buddha in around 563 BC. It is an ancient Buddhist monument that contains ancient artifacts related to the birth of Buddha. The temple is situated next to the Sacred pool and sacred garden.
Ashoka’s Pillar: Ashoka’s Pillar is one of the important landmarks of Lumbini. It is the pillar erected by the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka. It is one of the 3rd century stones, erected as a mark of respect by Ashoka after he visited the birthplace of Lord Buddha. The Ashoka’s pillar is an important attraction of Lumbini.
Mayadevi Pond: Mayadevi Pond is a sacred pond located right in front of the Maya Devi temple. The pond is in a square shaped structure with steps all around to ascend to the water level. It is believed that Mayadevi, mother of Lord Buddha used to take bath in this pond. Myth also says that the first bathing of Lord Buddha was done in this pond.
Overnight at hotel in Lumbini
Day 07: Drive to Bhairahawa (109 m) – 25 mins / 16 km, Fly to Kathmandu – 35 mins (B)
Breakfast at hotel at Lumbini/Lunch and Dinner own arrangement
After breakfast at the hotel, you will drive to Bairahawa for a flight back to Kathmandu. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you will be transferred to your hotel. Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu
Day 08: Depart from Kathmandu (B)
Breakfast at hotel in Kathmandu
You will be transferred to airport to board the flight for onward journey.
7 Nights / 8 Days
2+
Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour
Arrival City
Departure City
Lodging Level
Trip Grade
Attractions
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Airport transfers (Drop/pickup) 
International flight to Kathmandu 
