Trip Duration
8 Days
Difficulty
Easy
Group size
12 People max

Overview

Nepal is home to some significant, sacred, Buddhist sites and Monasteries, not to mention, Lumbini; the birthplace of Lord Buddha.

We take you around the Kathmandu Valley, visiting Namo Buddha and other ancient temples and monasteries.

There will be a focus on the serene atmosphere where you will have time to meditate and reflect on these sacred sites.

The world heritage site of Boudhanath and Swayambunath is on our agenda before we head to the beautiful lakeside town of Pokhara to climb the hill that is home to the World Peace Pagoda.

Our journey continues to Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha.

We wonder the temples and monasteries in the sacred gardens, marvel at the sculpture of Maya Devi and visit the historical archaeological site of Tilaurakot.

A perfect pilgrimage, incorporating the wonderful, historic and sacred Buddhist places of Nepal.

Day 01 :

Welcome to Nepal!

Activities: We will meet you at the airport and drive you to your hotel, just relax for
the rest of the day to recover from your long journey.

Highlights: Bustling Thamel, an array of restaurants, bars and shops.

Accommodation: 3* hotel in Kathmandu.

Day 02 :

Visits to important Buddhist sites, stupas and monasteries in the Kathmandu Valley

The details: Boudhanath Stupa; a UNESCO world heritage site and one of the largest stupas in the world. Swaymbhunath; an ancient religious site that sits on top of a hill west of Kathmandu, here you will see a large vajra (thunder bolt scepter) and a stupa with the eyes of Buddha looking out over the Kathmandu Valley. Patan; here there are many Buddhist sites of interest including Uka Bahal; a well-known temple in Patan adorned with dorjes, bells, statues of lions and a Rana General. Mahaboudha; this dates back to 1585 and is covered in terracotta tiles each adorning an image of Buddha, it is modeled on the Mahaboudha temple in Bodhgaya, India where Buddha gained enlightenment. The Golden Temple (also known as Hiranya Varna and Suwarna Matiavihara); legend dates the temple to the 12th century and the main priest is a boy below the age of 12 who will have his duties for 30 days before passing on the role. Rato Machhandranath; the God of rain and plenty and to Buddhists is the Tantric edition of Avalokiteshvara, this is a 3 story temple dating back to 1673. Namo Buddha; a very important Buddhist pilgrimage site in Nepal, it is believed to be built on the bones and hair of Mahasattva (seen as a former incarnation of Buddha Shakyamuni).

Accommodation: 3* hotel in Kathmandu.

Day 03 :

Drive to Pokhara and free time to explore in the afternoon

Duration: 6-7 hours.

Accommodation: 3* hotel in Pokhara.

Day 04 :

Visit the Peace Pagoda

The details: We take a boat ride across the beautiful Phewa Lake and trek up the hill to the Peace Pagoda that stands lookinb out over the lake and beyond to the Annapurna Mountain Range. The monument is meant to inspire peace and unite the human race in the quest for world peace. Buddhist monks form the Japanese Nipponzan Myōhōji organization built the monument and it houses a golden statue of Lord Buddha. Its position means you will enjoy magnificent views from the stupa.

Accommodation: 3* hotel in Pokhara.

Day 05 :

Drive to Lumbini and exploration

Duration: 6 hours.

The details: We walk through the Sacred Lumbini Garden where Lord Buddha was born. We will also visit the Maya Devi Temple with its bas-relief sculpture depicting Maya Devi holding on with her right hand to a branch of a Pipal tree and giving birth to the infant Buddha who stands up on a lotus pedestal

Accommodation: 3* hotel in Lumbini.

Day 06 :

Exploration in and around Lumbini

The details: After breakfast, we begin the day by driving 27km west of Lumbini and visiting the important archaeological site, Tilaurakot, the ancient palace of King Suddodha (Siddhartha Gautam’s father), where Lord Buddha spent his formative years as a Shakya Prince. Allow yourself for a moment to wonder around and soak up the atmosphere. There’s a museum nearby, the Kapilvastu Museum where you will find fine, ancient pottery, jewelry and ornaments. We end the day by visiting the shrines, monasteries and Stupas near the sacred garden.

Accommodation: 3* hotel in Lumbini.

Day 07 :

Drive to Kathmandu and free time in the evening

Duration: 7-8 hours.

Accommodation: 3* star hotel in Kathmandu.

Day 08 :

Departure

Goodbye and farewell from Nepal!