Buddhist Pilgrimage - 9 Nights 10 Days

Trip Code : CAN-05

Accomodation : Hotel

Duration : 10 Days

Grading : Easy

Activity : Culture & discovery holidays

Starts at : Kathmandu

End at : Kathmandu

Overview

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Kathmandu

Meeting at airport on arrival by our staff and transfer to the hotel. Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, lies in a broad valley at the edge of the Himalayan Range. Its art and architecture are an interesting blend of Hindu and Buddhist influences.

Day 2: In Kathmandu

Morning visit Benchen Monastery in Pharping which is home to revered Tibetan masters. The Retreat is for a three years traditional training to become a lama. During this time, the monks devote themselves entirely to the study of the religion without any distraction. After 3 years, 3 months, and 3 weeks – on a lucky date – the first group of lamas leave the retreat.

Afternoon visit Swayambhunath the most ancient and enigmatic of the Valley’s holy shrines the golden-spired stupa of Swayambhunath tops a wooded hillock. It is the Kathmandu Valley’s most sacred Buddhist shrine and whilst its worshippers include the Vajrayana Buddhists of northern Nepal and Tibet, Newari Buddhists are the most fervent devotees.

Day 3: Drive Kathmandu / Dhulikhel (approx. 30 km - 1 hour drive)

Morning visit it Patan Durbar Square, including; Golden Temple, Maha Bouddha Temple, Rudrabarna Maha Bihar etc.

Afternoon drive to Dhulikhel situated east of Kathmandu valley and 5500 ft above sea level. From here one can have panoramic view of the Himalayan range and it is very popular for viewing sunrise & sunset.

Day 4: Dhulikhel / Kathmandu via Namo Buddha

Morning visit Namo Buddha from Dhulikhel. The supreme sacred place known as Namo Buddha is one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Nepal and one of the holiest in the world.

We then continue to the holiest shrine for the Buddhist culture in Nepal, Bouddhanath, with its large stupa, this is the place where all devout Buddhists come for a pilgrimage. It is not unusual to see very old devotees circumnavigate the shrine hundreds of times falling to their knees and rising again for a few steps only to go back down again to their knees.

Day 5: Drive Kathmandu / Pokhara (approx. 210 km - 6 hours drive)

Pokhara town (2,352 feet) the 25,000+ peaks of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges rise a scant 20 miles away with no intervening ridges to spoil the view. The mountains are reflected in Phewa Lake, where you can rent a boat to visit its small island temples. Pokhara offers the best mountain scenery in Nepal without undertaking a trek.

Day 6: In Pokhara

Morning visit World Peace Pagoda. It is a massive Buddhist stupa is situated on the top of a hill on the southern shore of Fewa Lake. Besides being an impressive sight in itself, the shrine is a great vantage point which offers the spectacular views of the Annapurna range, Fewa Lake, and the Pokhara city.

Day 7: Drive Pokhara / Lumbini (approx. 215 km - 6 hours drive)

Lumbini - the birthplace of Lord Buddha, situated in western Tarai of Nepal holds a special place in the Buddhist world. It is also mentioned in the Mahaparinibbana Sutta that the Buddha advised his followers to visit Lumbini.

Day 8: In Lumbini

Visit Lumbini Garden & several monasteries and stupas.

Day 9: Fly Bhairawa / Kathmandu

Transfer to Bhairawa airport which is approximately 22 km & 40 minutes drive from Lumbini to board the flight to Kathmandu. Upon arrival transfer to hotel.