Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour - 10 days

Things to Know
  • Duration10 Days
  • Difficulty Level Easy
  • Altitude 1600 m
  • Trip Type Religious and Spiritual Tours
  • Start and End Kathmandu - Kathmandu
  • Best Time All time
What You’ll Do
  • Explore significant Buddhist sites in Nepal, including ancient monasteries, stupas, holy gardens, museums, and local markets
  • Learn about the roots of Buddhism and its connection to Nepal, the birthplace of Gautam Buddha, the founder of Buddhism
  • Visiting Boudhanath Stupa, Swayambhunath, and Kapan monastery
  • Visit Pharping monastery, spend one spiritual night at Namobuddha monastery,
  • Explore World Peace Stupa, the Tibetan Refugee Centre, and witness breathtaking views of the Himalayan mountains in Pokhara
  • Travel to the sacred birthplace of Buddha to explore the Maya Devi Temple, the Ashoka Pillar, and many monasteries
  • Immerse yourself in the vibrant cultural heritage of Nepal while enjoying the warm hospitality of the Nepali people

Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour is one of the best tour packages for spiritual seekers. This unique experience is perfect for those seeking peace, enlightenment, and a deeper connection to the roots of Buddhism. This tour is not just a pilgrimage but a celebration of culture, history, and tranquility. This 10-day Buddhist pilgrimage tour in Nepal is crafted to take you to some of the most significant sites for Buddhists. It is a leisure tour that explores monasteries, stupas, holy gardens, museums, and local markets. Our Buddhist culture tour in Nepal is a perfect holiday for you and your loved ones. You get to learn about the roots of Buddhism- where it all started, enjoy the warm hospitality of Nepali people, explore the bustling local markets, and get to see some Himalayan mountains. Suppose you want to learn in-depth about Buddhism. In that case, you can customise a specific itinerary with us, including excursions to ancient monasteries in the Himalayas, meditation retreats and learn the teachings of Buddhism.

Nepal is the birthplace of Gautam Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, so the country has a profound connection to the teachings and philosophy of Buddhism. Many monasteries and stupas are hundreds and thousands of years old, lying around the country. On our Buddhist pilgrimage tour in Nepal, we will take you to some of them that are easily accessible. The tour begins in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. In Kathmandu, you will visit Boudhanath Stupa, Swayambhunath, and Kapan monastery. The next day, you will visit Pharping monastery. Nestled in the serene hills of Pharping, Nepal, the Neydo Tashi Choling Monastery is a hidden spiritual treasure offering a profound space for meditation, Buddhist studies, and retreat experiences. Established under the Neydo Kagyu lineage, this monastery is renowned for its peaceful ambience, connection to Guru Rinpoche’s meditation cave, and well-organised retreat programs. Unlike many Tibetan Buddhist monasteries in Nepal, Neydo Monastery also provides a unique accommodation experience through its Neydo Hotel, making it accessible to both spiritual seekers and casual visitors. Then we will visit Namo Buddha Monastery is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery about 40 km (by road) southeast of Nepal's capital city, Kathmandu. The peaceful and serene atmosphere of the monastery is accentuated by its beautiful gardens and courtyards, which are perfect for relaxation and meditation.  As per your interest, we customise the package to cover all these renowned places. 

The tour leads us to the sacred birthplace of Buddha, Lumbini. Here, we will visit the Maya Devi Temple, the Ashoka Pillar, and many monasteries built by Buddhist communities from around the world. After spending two days in Lumbini, we will transfer to Pokhara via flight, stay one more day and enjoy the beauty of the lake city, visit some iconic spots of Pokhara, then transfer to  Kathmandu. At last, the tour ends in Kathmandu. 

Itinerary
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  • Altitude1400 m
  • AccommodationHotel
  • Time1-2 hour

Our dedicated team members will pick you up from the Tribhuvan International Airport and drop you at the hotel, So you will have no problem finding your way to the hotel by yourself. They will welcome you on our behalf and assist with the luggage. You have the remaining day free to rest and look around the hotel.

  • Altitude1400 m
  • AccommodationHotel
  • Time7-8 hours

You will have a delicious breakfast early in the morning, and soon after that, our tour guide will meet you in your hotel lobby. He will quickly brief you on the day's program, and we'll leave the hotel. First, we will drive to Swyambhunath Stupa, also known as Monkey Temple, a hill station near Kathmandu city centre, a perfect place to see the Kathmandu valley. Then we will drive to  Boudhanath Stupa, one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Nepal. Located in the heart of Kathmandu city, the Boudhanath is the largest stupa in the country. There are many monasteries around the stupa, along with numerous eateries and souvenir shops. After Boudhanath Stupa, the tour continues to Kapan monastery. Located north of Boudhanath Stupa, the Kapan monastery offers a tranquil retreat away from the bustling city. As the monastery is perched on the hilltop, we will get to see a fantastic view of Kathmandu. After the tour, drive back to Kathmandu. Spend the evening enjoying the vibrant streets of Thamel and window shopping. Many stores in Thamel sell thangka paintings, singing bowls, artefacts, and many other souvenirs that you can check out.

  • Altitude1750 m
  • AccommodationHotel
  • Time5-6 hours

Travel today to Pharping, which is rich in Buddhist culture as well as Hindu deities. You'll visit the Guru Rinpoche Cave, which is said to be where Guru Padmasambhava meditated. The spiritual peace seekers would find this mystical site serene and quiet. Namobuddha is a sacred Buddhist site located in the hills outside of Kathmandu. It is believed to be the place where Buddha, in one of his previous lives, offered his body to a starving tigress and her cubs. The site is home to a monastery and a stupa and is a popular destination for Buddhist pilgrims and hikers. Visitors can enjoy the stunning views of the Himalayan Mountains and the surrounding. Today we will stay at Namobuddha for a better experience.

  • Altitude150 m
  • AccommodationHotel
  • Time35 min flight. 1hrs drive

Will start with a wonderful breakfast before you fly to Bhairahawa, which is located southwest of Kathmandu. You will be visiting Lumbini today, the most important Buddhist pilgrimage site in the world. You will land at the closest domestic airport in Bhairahawa because there are no direct flights to Lumbini. After checking out from the airport, drive 26km to reach Lumbini. Given that Lumbini is where Lord Buddha was born before he attained enlightenment.

  • Altitude150 m
  • AccommodationHotel
  • Time6-7 hours

Lumbini is the epicentre of Buddhism. This place lets you understand the roots of Buddhism and the early life of Gautam Buddha. We will begin our tour by visiting the revered Maya Devi temple, the very spot where Queen Maya Devi is believed to have given birth to Siddhartha Gautama, who later became Buddha. Here, we will also see the sacred Pushkarini Pond where the newborn Buddha was believed to bathe. We will then head to the Ashoka Pillar, erected by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century. Afternoon involves visiting numerous monasteries built by different Buddhist communities from around the world. After the tour, the guide will drop you at the hotel.

  • Altitude822 m
  • AccommodationHotel
  • Time30 min flight

Get on board for Pokhara, this pristine lake city that's nothing short of a beauty when it comes to the quiet of its nature-touched, mountainous view. Your tour would begin at the Peace Pagoda, a lovely little architectural structure that shoots up toward the sky, with divine views of the Annapurna Range and Phewa Lake. Just to commemorate world peace, the pagoda serves as an ideal location for all those peaceful meditations around nature's extremely beautiful face.

 

  • Altitude822 m
  • AccommodationHotel
  • Time6-7 hours

Begin your day with a serene drive to Hemja Monastery, where Tibetan Buddhist traditions come alive amidst tranquil surroundings. Engage with the local community, learning about their cultural heritage and way of life. Then, ascend to Matepani Monastery, perched atop a hill, offering stunning views of Pokhara and the Himalayas. Marvel at the monastery's intricate architecture and serene ambience. Capture the moment with panoramic photos before indulging in a delicious Nepali snack.

  • Altitude822 m
  • AccommodationHotel
  • Time5-6 hrs

After breakfast, heading to the airport for the kathmandu flight. After reaching, visit one of the best Iconic Heritage sites, Patan Durbar Square. Patan City is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the three ancient cities in the Kathmandu Valley. The city is known for its rich history and culture and is home to many beautiful temples, palaces, and museums. Visitors can explore the narrow streets and alleyways lined with traditional Newari architecture and marvel at the intricate carvings and sculptures.

  • Altitude2540 m Chandragiri
  • AccommodationHotel
  • Time5-6 hours

After breakfast at the hotel, heading to Chandragiri for sightseeing. The Chandragiri hill tour is one of the best things to do in the Kathmandu valley. This is also an opportunity to see the great Himalayan scenery from the top of Chandragiri, which is elevated to around 2540 meters. Travellers can have a great view of the city as well as the green hills of Chitlang site. This is one of the best hill stations around Kathmandu.

    You will be escorted to the international airport by one of our airport representatives in preparation for your return trip. We wish you luck in your future travels and hope to see you again in Nepal soon.

    Trip Cost Details
    Included
    • International & domestic airport transfers as per the itinerary
    • Twin-sharing/double accommodation in a tourist standard hotel in Kathmandu, Pokhara and Lumbini, including breakfast. (Private room accommodation can be organized at an extra cost)
    • Guided city tour in Kathmandu, Pokhara and Lumbini on a private vehicle
    • All ground transportation is by private vehicle. (Depending upon the group size we provide Car, Van, Jeep, and Coaster)
    • A professional English-speaking guide for the entire trip
    • Entry permits and fees for all temples, parks, monasteries, and cultural and historical sites
    • Complementary farewell dinner in a Typical Nepali cultural restaurant
    • All government taxes, VAT, Tourist Service charges, and official expenses
    Excluded
    • International airfare
    • Entry Visa fees - at present $25 for 15 days, US$ 40 for 30 days, and US$ 100 for a three-month visa on entry into Nepal
    • Lunch and Dinner in Kathmandu, Pokhara and Lumbini
    • Bar bills and Personal Expenses.
    • Tips and gratitude provided to staff expenses.
    Useful Info

    Best Time

    You can do the Buddhist pilgrimage tour in Nepal throughout the year. March, April, May, September, October, and November are the best times, climate-wise. You can also do this tour in winter, from December to February, or in summer/monsoon from June to August. While travelling to Nepal in winter for this tour, make sure to pack enough warm clothing. Likewise, the summer/monsoon season brings lots of rainfall, and the climate remains hot and humid.

    Do I need to get travel insurance for this tour?

    No, you do not need travel insurance for this tour. However, for your peace of mind, you can get travel insurance that covers international flight cancellation, baggage loss, medical bills, etc. Our team will be with you throughout your trip with us to Nepal, so you do not have to worry about anything.

    Accommodation and Meals

    We will book you three-star hotels or nice tourist-standard hotels in Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Lumbini. You can request a shared or single room as per your wish. The rooms will be big and clean, with an attached washroom. You will have all the modern amenities in the room. The cafes and restaurants in Nepal usually have a multi-cuisine menu. You can get a wide variety of dishes from dal bhat to momo, pizza, burger, pasta, etc for the meals. Likewise, we will also make you taste many Nepali dishes during the tour.

    FAQs
    • Nepal has very close ties with Buddhism, which has resulted in monasteries thousands of years old throughout the country. Some of the famous Buddhist pilgrimages of Nepal are Swayambhunath, Boudhanath Stupa, Kapan monastery, Namobuddha, etc. Likewise, Lumbini, the entire town, is a pilgrimage site, and there are many ancient monasteries in the Himalayas of Nepal with great significance.

    • Lumbini is the birthplace of Lord Gautam Buddha. He was believed to be born in 623 B.C. in the famous holy garden of Lumbini. There are many monasteries and stupas in Lumbini that pilgrims visit.

    • During the Buddhist pilgrimage tour with us, we will take you to different historical sites in Nepal that hold huge importance for Buddhist people. You will visit the monasteries and stupas, learn about their significance, explore the local markets around the sites, and also understand the values of Buddhism for Nepali people. It is an easy and very immersive tour.

    • The two famous Buddhist sites in Kathmandu are Swayambhunath, which is widely known as Monkey temple, and the Boudhanath Stupa.

    • Lumbini, a small town in the Terai region of Nepal, is the home of Gautam Buddha. Gautam Buddha was a royal child, a prince, and was known as Siddhartha Gautam in his early age. You can still visit the ruins of the place where he spent his childhood.

    • Boudhanath in Kathmandu is the biggest Buddhist temple in Nepal. Likewise, Lumbini has a great number of monasteries.

    • Yes, you can do our 8 days Buddhist pilgrimage tour in Nepal with your family. You can bring kids and elders of the family on this tour. We always have special discounts for big groups.

    • No, there is no risk of difficulty associated with the Buddhist pilgrimage tour. It is an easy tour with light walking involved around the sites.

    • Yes, our Buddhist pilgrimage tour package cost covers all permits, accommodation, meals, and expenses of the tour guide. You only have to bear your personal costs like international flights, tips, shopping, etc.

    • It depends on whether you can take pictures inside the monasteries and tourist sites or not. Some places may have prohibitions on taking pictures and videos. So, it's better to look out for any photo prohibition or ask your guide before taking pictures.

    • Yes, you have to open your shoes before entering any temple or monastery in Nepal. It is Nepali culture to open shoes before entering a religious place or any one house.

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