Nepal is a cultural and conventional land where Hinduism and Buddhism, the two prominent religions are widely followed. For those of you who are looking for a slightly devout and spiritual tour, this program is apt for you. Following the Buddhist trail, we head to various Tibetan Buddhist shrines in and around Kathmandu that emits beauty in abundance.
Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha attracts a lot of devotees from all over the world. As our spiritual journey unfolds, the tour extends to visiting the archaeological sites scattered around Lumbini, all bearing significance to the life and enlightenment of the Buddha.
Lumbini - The Buddhist Trail
Day 01 Arrival in Kathmandu
Altitude: 1,400 m / 4600 ft
You will be greeted by our representative at the airport and transferred to the hotel.
In the evening, you will be briefed about the program.
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 02 In Kathmandu
Today we visit Kopan, Boudhanath and Swayambunath monasteries.
Depart the hotel early morning and drive to Kopan monastery. Perched on a hilltop near Boudhanath, in the outskirts of Kathmandu, dominated by a huge Bodhi Tree is the Kopan monastery.
We will be introduced to one of the senior monks who will talk to us about different types of meditation and will help the guests to practice meditation for around 1.5 hours. The Kopan monastery started as a a small school called the Mount Everest Center in 1971 with twenty five monks who came down from the mountain to study there. Today Kopan is a thriving monastery with over 360 monks and nuns from all over Nepal and the Himalayan regions like Tibet, Bhutan, Sikkim and India.
If the Kopan monastery is closed, we visit the Kopan nunnery.
Visit Boudhanath Stupa, one of the most imposing landmarks of Kathmandu and a center of Tibetan Buddhism. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The stupa is built on a massive three level mandala style platform and is 36 meters in height. The Stupa is said to entomb the remains of Buddhist sage, perhaps parts of the Buddha’s body, or sacred text and other ceremonial objects.
The top portion of the Stupa was slightly damaged by the April 2015 earthquake. Currently renovation is under process.
Finally, visit Swayambhunath Stupa, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This ancient stupa is the most sacred Buddhist shrines of Nepal. The area surrounding the stupa is filled with smaller chaityas, temples, painted images of deities and numerous other religious objects.
The April 2015 earthquake caused major damage to this Heritage Site and reconstruction is currently taking place.
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 03 Drive to Dhulikhel, Hike/Drive to Namo Buddha
A popular all-hike from Dhulikhel, situated between Panauti and Banepa is the sacred Buddhist pilgrimage site of Namo Buddha. Located on a slightly elevated land, glistened with distant snowcapped mountains, adorned with fluttering prayer flags this site is a sanctuary of peace and harmony. The village offers a wide range of recreational options. Shops dealing in artifacts and souvenirs are in plenty. Restaurants and eateries too serve cuisines ranging from local to international standards.
Drive back to Kathmandu.
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 04 Fly to Bhairawa, Drive to Lumbini
Flight Duration (Domestic Flight): 30 minutes approx.
Altitude: 150 m / 490 ft
Lumbini in the terai plains of Nepal is the birthplace of Lord Buddha and one of the greatest pilgrimage sites for Buddhists. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site (Culture) and holds immense archeological and religious importance. Upon reaching Lumbini, you will be transferred to the hotel. You can relax for some time and later visit World Peace Pagoda & Lumbini Crane Sanctuary.
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 05 In Lumbini
After breakfast visit the archaeological sites scattered around Lumbini, all bearing significance to the life and enlightenment of the Buddha. The Myanmar temple (Lokamani Cula Pagoda), The China temple, built by the Buddhist Association of China, is a complex of pagodas, prayer rooms and meditation cells. Across the road is the Dae Sung Suk Ga Sa Korean Temple and The Japan Peace Stupa, built by Nippon Jon Kyohoji of Japan.
There are other beautiful monuments and temples that have been built by Vietnam, Thailand, Mongolia, France, Germany and Sri Lanka.
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 06 Fly back to Kathmandu
Flight Duration (Domestic Flight): 35 minutes approx.
Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure.
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 07 Final departure
Transfer to the airport for your onward journey.
-Trip Ends-
Altitude: 1,400 m / 4600 ft
You will be greeted by our representative at the airport and transferred to the hotel.
In the evening, you will be briefed about the program.
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 02 In Kathmandu
Today we visit Kopan, Boudhanath and Swayambunath monasteries.
Depart the hotel early morning and drive to Kopan monastery. Perched on a hilltop near Boudhanath, in the outskirts of Kathmandu, dominated by a huge Bodhi Tree is the Kopan monastery.
We will be introduced to one of the senior monks who will talk to us about different types of meditation and will help the guests to practice meditation for around 1.5 hours. The Kopan monastery started as a a small school called the Mount Everest Center in 1971 with twenty five monks who came down from the mountain to study there. Today Kopan is a thriving monastery with over 360 monks and nuns from all over Nepal and the Himalayan regions like Tibet, Bhutan, Sikkim and India.
If the Kopan monastery is closed, we visit the Kopan nunnery.
Visit Boudhanath Stupa, one of the most imposing landmarks of Kathmandu and a center of Tibetan Buddhism. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The stupa is built on a massive three level mandala style platform and is 36 meters in height. The Stupa is said to entomb the remains of Buddhist sage, perhaps parts of the Buddha’s body, or sacred text and other ceremonial objects.
The top portion of the Stupa was slightly damaged by the April 2015 earthquake. Currently renovation is under process.
Finally, visit Swayambhunath Stupa, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This ancient stupa is the most sacred Buddhist shrines of Nepal. The area surrounding the stupa is filled with smaller chaityas, temples, painted images of deities and numerous other religious objects.
The April 2015 earthquake caused major damage to this Heritage Site and reconstruction is currently taking place.
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 03 Drive to Dhulikhel, Hike/Drive to Namo Buddha
A popular all-hike from Dhulikhel, situated between Panauti and Banepa is the sacred Buddhist pilgrimage site of Namo Buddha. Located on a slightly elevated land, glistened with distant snowcapped mountains, adorned with fluttering prayer flags this site is a sanctuary of peace and harmony. The village offers a wide range of recreational options. Shops dealing in artifacts and souvenirs are in plenty. Restaurants and eateries too serve cuisines ranging from local to international standards.
Drive back to Kathmandu.
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 04 Fly to Bhairawa, Drive to Lumbini
Flight Duration (Domestic Flight): 30 minutes approx.
Altitude: 150 m / 490 ft
Lumbini in the terai plains of Nepal is the birthplace of Lord Buddha and one of the greatest pilgrimage sites for Buddhists. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site (Culture) and holds immense archeological and religious importance. Upon reaching Lumbini, you will be transferred to the hotel. You can relax for some time and later visit World Peace Pagoda & Lumbini Crane Sanctuary.
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 05 In Lumbini
After breakfast visit the archaeological sites scattered around Lumbini, all bearing significance to the life and enlightenment of the Buddha. The Myanmar temple (Lokamani Cula Pagoda), The China temple, built by the Buddhist Association of China, is a complex of pagodas, prayer rooms and meditation cells. Across the road is the Dae Sung Suk Ga Sa Korean Temple and The Japan Peace Stupa, built by Nippon Jon Kyohoji of Japan.
There are other beautiful monuments and temples that have been built by Vietnam, Thailand, Mongolia, France, Germany and Sri Lanka.
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 06 Fly back to Kathmandu
Flight Duration (Domestic Flight): 35 minutes approx.
Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure.
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 07 Final departure
Transfer to the airport for your onward journey.
-Trip Ends-
Cost Includes:
• Arrival and departure transfers by private air conditioned vehicle
• Meet and assistance at the airport by our representative
• 04 night’s hotel accommodation in Kathmandu, Heritage deluxe room in a twin sharing basis on full board plan
• 02 night’s hotel accommodation in Lumbini, in a twin sharing basis on full board plan
• All sightseeing tour with local English speaking guide in Private air conditioned vehicle
• Entrance fees at the monuments as per the program
• All necessary transfers as per the itinerary by private air-conditioned vehicle
Cost Excludes:
• Nepali visa fee
• Domestic Airfare – Will be quoted separately [Subject to Change]
• International airfare and airport tax
• Refreshments, tips, bottled drinks and bar bills
• Insurance and rescue of any form
• Cost arising out of flight cancellation/road blockades/landslides others beyond our control
• Expenses of personal nature and any other expenses not mentioned in the above cost
• Gratuities, Tipping to guides and drivers
• Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
• Any other thing that is not mentioned in cost Inclusion
• Extra cost will be charged for activities in Pokhara
• Arrival and departure transfers by private air conditioned vehicle
• Meet and assistance at the airport by our representative
• 04 night’s hotel accommodation in Kathmandu, Heritage deluxe room in a twin sharing basis on full board plan
• 02 night’s hotel accommodation in Lumbini, in a twin sharing basis on full board plan
• All sightseeing tour with local English speaking guide in Private air conditioned vehicle
• Entrance fees at the monuments as per the program
• All necessary transfers as per the itinerary by private air-conditioned vehicle
Cost Excludes:
• Nepali visa fee
• Domestic Airfare – Will be quoted separately [Subject to Change]
• International airfare and airport tax
• Refreshments, tips, bottled drinks and bar bills
• Insurance and rescue of any form
• Cost arising out of flight cancellation/road blockades/landslides others beyond our control
• Expenses of personal nature and any other expenses not mentioned in the above cost
• Gratuities, Tipping to guides and drivers
• Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
• Any other thing that is not mentioned in cost Inclusion
• Extra cost will be charged for activities in Pokhara