Tour code: IH/ BC/05
Trip Duration: 4 Days & 3 Nights
Destination: Kathmandu & Lumbini
Activities: Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour
Hotel Category : Standard/ Superior Standard/ Deluxe
Transportation: A/C Private Transfer/ Domestic Flight
Starts & Ends in: Kathmandu
A short pilgrimage tour that takes you to sacred Buddhist destinations…
This Buddhist pilgrimage tour has been designed for those pilgrims with busy schedules and limited time. The itinerary offers visits to major Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Nepal within a short time frame of just four days. Begin your sacred tour by visiting Lumbini– the birthplace of Lord Gautama Buddha. Within the precincts of the protected UNESCO World Heritage Site in Lumbini are the Maya Devi Temple where Lord Buddha was born, Puskarini Pond where He was given His first ritual bath, Ashoka’s Pillar, Sacred Gardenand several monasteries.
In Kathmandu, savor the experience of stepping on a giant ‘mandala’ at one of the largest stupas in the world(biggest in Nepal), the Boudhanath Stupa. The plinths supporting the ancient dome of the stupa have been designed to resemble a giant cosmos or ‘mandala’. Boudhanath Stupa is an important centre of Tibetan Buddhism. Wrap your visit by watching Kathmandu valley unfolding like a picturesque postcard from the hilltop shrine of Swoyambhunath Temple– a Buddhist and Hindu temple as old as Kathmandu Valley.
Kathmandu
3 Hours Before Flight Time
Day 1 – Arrive Kathmandu
Day 2 – Fly to Lumbini/Afternoon visit Maya Devi Temple, Puskarini Pond, Sacred Garden, Ashoka’s Pillar, Monastery (meditation & prayers)
Day 3 – Fly to Kathmandu/ Afternoon Visit Boudhanath and Swoyambhunath
Day 4 –Depart Kathmandu
Day 1 – Arrive Kathmandu
Transfer from airport to hotel. A representative from our office will be there to receive you at the Tribhuvan International Airport. At the hotel, you will be briefed on your itinerary.
Day 2 – Fly to Lumbini/Afternoon visit Maya Devi temple, Puskarini Pond, Ashoka’s Pillar, Sacred Garden, Monastery (Prayers / Meditiation)
After an early breakfast, we catch our flight for Lumbini. From Kathmandu it takes about thirty five minutes to reach Bhairahawa Airport. From Bhairahawa Airport, Lumbini is just an hour’s drive away.
After checking in at our hotel, we have some refreshments. Later in the afternoon, we proceed to the UNESCO World Heritage Site in Lumbini. Here we visit the spot where Lord Buddha was born (Maya Devi Temple), the Puskarini Pond where he was given his first ritual bath, Ashoka’s Pillar and the Sacred Garden. We spend some quiet hours praying and meditating at a monastery.
Day 3 – Fly to Kathmandu/ Afternoon Visit Boudhanath(special puja) and Swoyambhunath
We return to Kathmandu by flight. After refreshments, we visit Boudhanath Stupa. A protected UNESCO World Heritage Site, Boudhanath Stupa is regarded as the most important centre of Tibetan Buddhism outside Tibet. The plinths supporting the Stupa has been designed to resemble a giant ‘mandala’ or the Buddhist cosmic world. At the four corners, sit the Dhyani Buddhas, while the fifth Buddha, Vairocana, sits at the centre. Buddhists believe that the remains of Kasyapa Buddha (Lord Buddha’s previous incarnation) were interred at the spot where the stupa is built. At this holy site, light butter lamps and pray to Lord Buddha to bestow his blessings upon you.
Later we proceed to Swoyambhunath Temple. Located on a hilltop, Swoyambhunath is regarded as the first temple in Kathmandu valley. According to local folklore, the Bodhisattva Manjushri built a temple here after draining the water that inundated Kathmandu valley. There are Buddhist monasteries and Hindu temples in the vicinity of the stupa. Enjoy a 360 degree view of Kathmandu Valley from the temple. Evening, enjoy a traditional Nepali feast and a lively Nepali cultural programme.
Day 4 –Depart Kathmandu
Our representative will drop you at the airport on time to catch your return flight.