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Pilgrimage Tour in Nepal—Following Footsteps of Buddha

Tour Duration
  • 7 Days
  • 6 Nights
  • 0 Reviews

Nepal is the right country for Spiritual Discovery. Mornings in Nepal begin with sacred sounds of prayers and hymns. One will be connected to his/her inner being with the chanting of mantras and ringing of bells in temples and stupas.

Spirituality is the very core of Nepal as the country is a confluence of two key religions—Hinduism and Buddhism. The presence of the greatest Hindu shrine—the temple of Pashupatinath—and Lumbini—the birthplace of Lord Buddha—make this land a promising destination for those who have faith in spirituality and are interested in learning meditation techniques.

Pilgrimage Tour in Nepal—Following Footsteps of Buddha is almost a complete spiritual package that will lead you to key Buddhist pilgrimage sites. Further, it will also help you to acquire new profound meditation skills to balance your physical and spiritual life.

The tour begins from Kathmandu as we will lead you to Swoyambhunath and Bouddhanath along with renowned monasteries located in its vicinity. The trip further stretches to Pharping followed by Namo Buddha.

Pharping, a beautiful Newar town, is located in the southern part of Kathmandu Valley. The site is popular for key Buddhist pilgrimage sites along with a number of Buddhist monasteries and yoga centers.

Similarly, Namo Buddha is another prominent Buddhist pilgrimage site. It is located 40km south-east of Kathmandu. Of a total of three main stupas of the Kathmandu Valley, one is in Namo Buddha.

Lumbini is a prime pilgrimage site for Buddhists as Lord Gautam Buddha was born here. The Mayadevi Temple, Ashoka Pillar, sacred pond, and the monasteries built by different countries in the vicinity of the main temple are key things to observe.

Tour facts

Package Duration: 07 days

Tour Grade: Easier

Max. elevation gained: Approx. 1,750m in Sarangkot

Best Time: Mid Feb to May and Sept to Nov

Tour Type: Luxury

An Outline Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu
Day 02: Drive to Pharping/Visit Bouddhanath and Swoyambhunath
Day 03: Drive to Namo Buddha/Drive back to Kathmandu via Patan Durbar Square
Day 04: Drive to Lumbini
Day 05: Explore Lumbini
Day 06: Drive to Kathmandu
Day 07: Back to your Destination

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu

Welcome to Nepal!
Upon your arrival in the City of Temples, we will receive you at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) and escort you to the hotel.
Today’s Highlights

  • Transfer to the hotel
  • Introduce your tour guide
  • If time permits, roam around Thamel

Day 02: Drive to Pharping/Visit Bouddhanath and Swoyambhunath

After btreakfast, we will lead you to Pharping. It is a small Newar town, is located in the southern part of Kathmandu Valley. There are a lot of Buddhist pilgrimage sites including Buddhist monasteries and meditation retreat centers. Phamting Vajrayogini temple and Yanglesho cave are the main attractions of the site.

Phamting Vajrayogini Temple: This temple is dedicated to Vajrayogini. Buddhist Newar regards this as one of the main temples among Vajrayogini such as Sankhu Vajrayogini, Vidhyeshvari Vajrayogini, Phamting Vajrayogini, Guhyeshwari, and the Pulchowk Khagayogini temples. As per legends, the temple was established by the Pamtingpa brothers who were disciples of mahasiddhas named Naropa and Maitrepa.

Yanglesho Cave: This site goes through beautiful ponds shrines dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The statue of Sesh Narayan is quite attractive, and following the flight of stairs, we reach the cave. According to scriptures, Guru Padmasambhava and his consort—the Princess Shakyadevi—meditated in this small cave. We will also visit a small monastery located in the vicinity of this cave.
Now we will proceed toward Bouddhanath. It is one of the key pilgrimage sites for Buddhists. The stupa is one of the largest in South Asia. According to stone scriptures, Bouddhanath was built by a Lichhavi King named Shivadev in 590 AD. The great earthquake of 2015 damaged this stupa badly but is already constructed at present. Finally, we will drive toward Swoyambhunath. This stupa is located in the hillock, west of Bouddhanath. Like Bouddhanath, it is also a renowned pilgrimage site for Buddhists residing all over the world. As per legends, the stupa is said to be constructed by King Vrsadev in the 5th century. Swoyambhu is a Sanskrit name which means self-existing in English. People also believe that civilization in Kathmandu Valley started with the construction of this stupa.

Today’s Highlights

  • Visit sacred sites in Pharping such as Phamting Vajrayogini Temple and Yanglesho Cave
  • Visit monasteries Neydo Tashi Choling Monastery, and Palyul Samten Osel Ling
  • Visit Bouddhanath
  • Pave the way to Swoyambhunath

Day 03: Drive to Namo Buddha/Drive back to Kathmandu via Patan Durbar Square
Nearly, two hours' drive will bring us to Namo Buddha. It also an important pilgrimage site for Buddhists residing all over the world. It is said that the stupa here is built on the bones and hair of Prince Mahasattva. According to legends, Mahasattva was so compassionate that he offered his body to a hungry Tigress and the stupa was built on the remainings of his body—bones and hair.

From Namo Buddha, we drive to Patan Durbar Square. Things to do in Patan Durbar Square:
* Visit the palace
* Visit Krishna Temple
* Bhimsen Temple
* Vishwanath Temple
* Taleju Bhawani Temple
 

Day 04: Drive to Lumbini
After breakfast, we will ride toward Lumbini. It is a drive of nearly eight and a half hours. The ride is smooth and goes through the low-land of the country—Terai.
Today’s Highlights

  • Observe local culture and traditions which is completely different than Pokhara and Kathmandu
  • Stroll around the local market
  • In the evening, observe Sarus Cranel in the wetland of Lumbini

Day 05: Explore Lumbini

Today’s Highlights

  • Pave the way to World Peace Pagoda
  • Dwell in the garden of Lumbini
  • Visit Tilaurakot. In Buddha’s time, this place used to be the Kingdom of Shakya dynasty
  • Observe the Ashoka Pillar. It was built by King Ashoka from India in the third century. This pillar is key evidence which iterates that Buddha was born in Nepal.
  • Visit Mayadevi Temple—Lord Buddha’s mother
  • Observe Puskarni (the sacred pond) where Buddha was given purification bath after his birth

Day 06: Drive to Kathmandu
After breakfast, we will ride to Kathmandu. We will be driving along Narayani and Trishuli River to get in Capital. If time permits, you will get an opportunity to stroll around Thamel.

Day 07: Back to your Destination
So, here ends our beautiful trip— Pilgrimage Tour in Nepal—Following Footsteps of Buddha. We will drop you at TIA three hours earlier than your scheduled flight. Enjoy your journey. See you soon!

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Cost Inclusion

  • 4Nights Accommodation @ Kathmandu with Breakfast plan in twin sharing basis
  • 2Nights Accommodation @ Lumbini with Breakfast plan in twin sharing basis
  • Arrival & Departure International Airport
  • Sightseeing as specified in the itinerary
  • Transportation in A/C private vehicles as Specified in the itinerary
  • Entrance Fee as specified in the itinerary
  • English speaking guide.

Cost Exclusion

  • Lunch and Dinner
  • Drinks and bar menu
  • Telephone & laundry
  • Personal expenses
  • Nepal Visa Fee
  • Any accidental and emergency support (if any)
  • Driver and guide tips
  • Emergency evacuation
  • Domestic and International Air Tickets
  • Extra activities other than above itinerary

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