Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour

Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu:

You will be picked up at the airport by one of the Tour and Trekking Nepal staff and driven to your Kathmandu host family or a hotel. Here you will be welcomed into the family, be given your own room and be provided with all your meals while in Kathmandu. This will be your home during your orientation and volunteering in Nepal. With easy bus routes into town and the surrounding countryside, this quiet and safe suburb is the perfect base for your time in Nepal. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Day 02: Sightseeing in Swoyambhunath, Boudhanath and Monasteries at Boudha:

We pay our visit to Boudhanath Stupa, one of the largest stupas in the world and an important Buddhist pilgrimage. The unique octagonal Mandala design with hundreds of prayer wheels and the 108 images of the Buddha set into the niches around the huge structure. The area of Boudhnath is also famous for over 50 Tibetan Gompas or monasteries, also being known as the ‘Little Tibet’. Swoyambhu Stupa is one of the oldest Buddhist monuments in the world with more than 2000 years of history and also a major Buddhist pilgrimage. According to legend, the civilization of Kathmandu Valley itself begins with Swoyambhu, which literally means “the self-existent.” It is said that Bodhisattva Manjusri came across a beautiful lake while travelling and saw a lotus, with a thousand golden petals, diamond pistils, ruby anthers, and lapis lazuli stalk. The legend also says that the lotus seed was planted on a full moon night by Bipaswi Buddha himself. In the course of time, Santikarcarya, the king who turned into a Bhikchu or a monk, raised the first stupa on the holy site. Overnight at Kathmandu.

Day 03: Drive to Pokhara:

The journey to the city of lakes begins from the valley heading out of its twisty roads and reaching Prithvi Highway and the thrashing Trishuli River. The tranquil journey gives us a peek at the majestic Himalayas right as we enter the mesmerizing Pokhara valley. Overnight stay at a hotel in Pokhara. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Day 04: Pokhara: World Peace Pagoda, Malepatan Gumba, Hyangja Tibetan Refugee Camp:

We visit some Buddhist landmarks in Pokhara and also enjoy nature’s majesty. The massive Buddhist stupa of World Peace Pagoda was constructed by Buddhist monks from the Japanese Nipponzan Myohji organisation on a narrow ridge high above Phewa Tal. Besides being a cultural monument, the site is also famous for the panoramic view it offers of the Pokhara Valley. We cross the Phewa Lake on a boat and then hike to the Stupa. Then we will visit the Malepatan Gomba or monastery at Malepatan. Then we make another hike to Hyangja, the site of the Tibetan refugee camp that fled Tibet after the Cultural Revolution in China. You may try the Tibetan variety of foods, bargain for curios, and at the same time acquaint yourself with the Tibetan culture. There is the Tashi Palkhiel monastery in the tradition of Karma Kagyu tradition. Overnight at Pokhara.

Day 05: Drive to Lumbini:

We drive to Lumbini today – about 290 kilometres southwest from Pokhara which takes about 6-7 hours. We bid goodbye to the Himalayas in Pokhara, and head toward the more flat lands of Nepal’s Terai. Generally, the weather gets hot and humid in the plains except in the winter. Perhaps, Lumbini is the most important Buddhist pilgrimage site – the place where Buddha was born. In case we reach Lumbini around sunset time, we can stroll in the local market to have a glimpse into the local lifestyle. Overnight at Lumbini.

Day 06: Full Day Explore Lumbini:

Lumbini is one of the world’s major religious, architectural, and historical places. We devote today’s time to visiting as many places and sites in Lumbini as possible. The place is really a big area with monuments, temples, and ancient sites making it a UNESCO World Heritage Site. First, we visit the Mayadevi temple which is built on the exact place where Buddha was born. We spent some time wandering around the gardens. We also visited the museum and Peace Pagoda. Some of the important landmarks and monuments in Lumbini include Ashoka’s Pillar erected by Emperor Ashoka (249 BC) on the spot of Buddha’s birth which also has the oldest inscription in Nepal. There are many Buddhist Temples founded by devotees from different countries: Tibetan, Chinese, Japanese Burmese, Korean, etc. Overnight stay in Lumbini.

Day 07: Drive back to Kathmandu:

We are nearing the end of our Buddhist Cultural Tour. We head back toward Kathmandu today – about a 300-kilometre journey into the winding mountain road. The journey would take about 6-7 hours. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you will be transferred to your hotel. There is nothing to do but trade emails with travel companions and organize the photos.

Day 08: Farewell friend and departure/Fly back home:

Our journey in Nepal comes to an end today! A Tour and Trekking Nepal representative will drop us off at the airport approximately 3 hours before our scheduled flight. On our way home, we have plenty of time to plan our next adventure in the wonderful country of Nepal.

Note: The above-mentioned program itinerary is a sample. The period and cost of tour, trekking, volunteering or internship can be changed or extended as per travellers or volunteers' availability of duration.