Buddhist Tour - Nepal

Arrival at Kathmandu airport, pick up by our correspondent and transfer to the hotel. (At the foot of the Himalayas, where they assure that their gods live, Nepal stands, a land of spectacular landscapes, temples and cities with a rich cultural heritage. These seem to transfer the traveler to medieval times on their walks through KATHMANDU, BHAKTAPUR and PATAN, the three urban cities that represent the backbone of the country. Stay overnight at 3-star hotel.

This day after having breakfast, preapre to visit the famous and important Buddhist pilgrimage: Boudhanath - Dhulikhel - Namobuddha. 

• Bouddhanth: Boudhhanath stupa is one of the largest Buddhist stupa in the world. The Stupa 100 meters in diameter, was built on an octagonal base inset with prayer wheels by the Lichchivi King Mana Deva in the 15th century. The pinnacle of this stupa represents the stages of enlightenment, symbol of royalty, compassion, knowing and nirvana. There are many myths about the origins of the Stupa. Early morning and evening are the times to visit Bouddha to join the residents in Kora. There is an enclosure with several monasteries of the different schools of Tibetan Buddhism.
• Dhulikhel: Dhulikhel is a charming hill town located about 30 km east of Kathmandu, known for its panoramic Himalayan views, Newari heritage, and peaceful atmosphere. It's a perfect spot for a short escape or spiritual retreat. Visitors can enjoy sunrise/sunset views of peaks like Langtang, Gauri Shankar, and Everest (on clear days), explore ancient temples and traditional Newari houses, or hike to nearby spots like Namobuddha and Kavre. Dhulikhel also offers wellness retreats, yoga centers, and quiet resorts, making it ideal for relaxation and nature-based experiences near the capital.
• Namo Buddha (1750 m): Namo Buddha is one of the most revered Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Nepal, located in the Kavrepalanchok District. This tranquil hilltop is associated with a profound legend of compassion and self-sacrifice by a previous incarnation of Lord Buddha. According to Buddhist tradition, the site marks the location where Prince Mahasattva (an earlier life of the Buddha) selflessly offered his body to a starving tigress and her cubs. Deeply moved by this act of compassion, the site came to be known as "Namo Buddha", meaning "Homage to the Buddha." The white painted stupa we find here commemorates the actions of the Buddha Sakyamuni’s self-less sacrifice to feed a starving tiger by offering his own flesh. In fact, this place is one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Buddhists. The stupa is more than 20 ft high and its upper gilded tower is covered with prayer flags.

Stay overnight at Namobuddha Monastery. 

This day after having breakfast prepare to drive towards another must visit destination for Buddhist admirers and pilgrimage: Pharping.

Pharping is the place where Guru Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche) had attended enlightenment. So, it is one of the most sacred sites related to him. For Tibetan Buddhists, the hills of Pharping are believed to be as holy as Bodhgaya in India. Within the area of Pharping, there are two sacred caves, Asura cave, and Yanglesho cave, on the mountainside, and several Tibetan Buddhist Monasteries and retreat centers in and around this small town. 

Stay overnight at hotel. 

This day you will have breakfast in the hotel and prepare to drive towards Pokhara. Stay overnight at hotel in Pokhara. 

This day after having breakfast prepare to explore around: 

Tibetan Refugee Camp, where you can learn about the Tibetan community’s culture and history. Continue to the Pokhara International Mountaineering Museum to discover Nepal’s rich mountaineering heritage, followed by visits to Gupteshwor Cave and the spectacular David Fall.

Finally Overnight stay at Ganden Yiga Chozin Buddhist Meditation Centre. 

After breakfast drive from Pokhara to Lumbini. 

Today after having breakfast in the hotel, prepare to explore Birthplace of Lord Buddha. You will explore around: 

• Maya Devi Temple: The exact birthplace of Lord Buddha, this sacred site houses a marker stone and the ruins of ancient temples dating back to the 3rd century BCE.
• Ashoka Pillar: Erected by Emperor Ashoka in 249 BCE, this stone pillar bears inscriptions confirming Lumbini as the birthplace of the Buddha.
• Sacred Garden: A peaceful area surrounding the Maya Devi Temple, symbolizing enlightenment and home to the Bodhi tree, sacred pond (Puskarini), and ancient stupas.
• Puskarini Sacred Pond: Said to be where Queen Maya Devi bathed before giving birth and where infant Buddha received his first purification bath.

After visiting this side of Lumbini, you will continue to visit the Monastic Zone (East and West). Lumbini’s monastic zone is divided into two sections:

1. East Zone (Theravāda monasteries)
2. West Zone (Mahayāna and Vajrayāna monasteries)

Explore different monasteries like:

Royal Thai Monastery, Myanmar Golden Temple (Lokamani Cula Pagoda) & Cambodian Monastery (Wat Anandokharam). Again, explore around: Great Lotus Stupa (Germany), Zhong Hua Chinese Buddhist Monastery, Korean Buddhist Temple (Woncheuk), Nepal Vajrayana Mahavihara and Drigung Kagyud Monastery (Germany/Tibet).

Today is the last day of the tour, the return drive from Lumbini to Kathmandu takes you from the flat plains of the Terai to the hilly and mountainous terrain of central Nepal. It's a long but scenic journey, often broken with lunch or tea stops along the way. Stay overnight at hotel.

Today after having breakfast prepare to explore around UNESCO Listed World Heritage sites (half day sightseeing:

• Patan Durbar Square (Hiranya Varna Mahavihar): Patan Durbar Square boasts of many famous sites and unique architectures. The major attractions of Patan Durbar Square are the stone temple of Lord Krishna, the Royal Bath with many carvings on stone, Viswanath temple and temple of Bhimsen with a magnificent golden balcony overlooking the square. Many more temple dedicated to Ganesh, the elephant-headed god, Shiva, Narsingh, Taleju and other are situated in the Patan Durbar Square.
• Swoyambhunath: Swoyambhunath is one of the most glorious Buddhist stupa. It is said to be 2000 years old. Swoyambhunath is, perhaps, the best place to observe the religious harmony in Nepal. The stupa is among the most ancient in this part of the world and its worshippers are diverse from Newar nuns, Tibetan monks and Brahman Priests to lay Buddhist and Hindus. Swoyambhunath provides an excellent view of the Kathmandu valley.

Rest day for shopping / relax. Stay overnight at hotel.