Tired of the city’s ruckus and wild uproar, count on the Buddhist Circuit tour in Nepal as it exposes savvy visitors to the most impressive and awe-inspiring religious sites. The tour is all about driving around the most wondrous pilgrimage and religious shrine in Nepal dedicated to Buddhists.
It has the visitor travel around the country and gazes into the rich culture and heritage of Buddhist. With the Buddhist Circuit tour in Nepal, you will be discovering more than a dozen holy sites in major cities like Chitwan, Pokhara, Lumbini, and Kathmandu.
From cliff sides monasteries to old-fashioned viharas for Buddhist renunciates, Nepal has far too many stunning sacred places that’ll keep you hunkering down. Lumbini shall be one of the finest and most idyllic places to be during a Buddhist Circuit tour in Nepal.
Noted as a birthplace of Gautam Buddha, Lumbini is one of the oldest and most visited Buddhist monasteries in Nepal. It’s dotted with beautiful small temples, artistic design, and delicate carvings, and a lush green yard. It has a lot of ancient monuments to delve like World Peace Pagoda, Myanmar Golden Temple, and Gotihawa Pillar.
Boudhanath, a Kathmandu UNESCO World Heritage Site is another equally stunning monastery with statues and wall paintings of Buddha. Those who visit the monastery in the morning and evening can hear the continuous hum as monks gather for prayers.
The monastery itself is embellished with multicolored prayer flags, rolling wheels, and fascinating architecture. There are local shops around which promote Nepalese art and craft by selling Thangka, wooden statues, and singing bowls.
Highlights of Buddhist Circuit tour in Nepal
- Embracing Nepalese culture and religious beliefs practiced for ages
- Witnessing grand arts and architecture with some super-modern touch
- Proactively participating in the holy ceremonies and prayers hosted day and night
- Discovering never-before-seen pilgrimages and monasteries in and out of Kathmandu city
- Exploring an array of assorted Chortens that epitomize Buddhist art and architecture
- Spinning Tibetan prayer wheels to cleanse negative energy and cumulate wisdom
Buddhist Circuit Tour In Nepal – 10 Days Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival and transfer to hotel
As projected, you’ll turn up at Tribhuvan International Airport on this day. With our staff waiting for your ingress at the entrance, it won’t be too hard to find them out. After the quick meet up, we’ll transfer you to the hotel so that you can get some rest. In the evening, our representative will have a little pep talk about the tour with you.
Day 02: Kathmandu Sightseeing
After starting easy and homelike with a free day, it’s time for us to set off on a sightseeing tour of Kathmandu. As the city wakes up to the hymns and exhilarating chants of Swayambhunath, we’ll visit the pilgrimage first then head on to the next destination.
It takes only 15 minutes of drive from the city to arrive at the religious shrine which spills a beautiful line of architectural work. As the holiest of holies place for Hindus and Buddhist, it offers serenity along with many small and big temples, stone statues, manuscript, and
Perched at a lofty hilltop, Swayambhunath provides a spectacular view of Kathmandu Valley with no invincible buzz. It also allows you to meet the little furry friends who can sometimes be fierce so be careful while playing around.
Another sacred place you must visit while on the city tour is Boudhanath Stupa. It’s a prize worth fighting, given how artistic the monastery is. Lying at the northern outskirts of Kathmandu, Boudhanath is the 14th-century hemispherical gompa embellished with prayer flags and spinning wheels.
Day 03: Drive to Pokhara
Maximum Altitude: 1,400 km
Drive Distance: 200.9 km
Drive Duration: 5-6 hours
Following the marvelous day out in Kathmandu, it’s time for us to expedite and formally begin Buddhist Circuit Tour in Nepal. Therefore, after breakfast, we’ll take a scenic drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara that lasts roughly 5-6 hours.
Given the never-ending lane, the expedition can be tiring for some commuters. However, the marvelous scenery along the way with rolling hills and meadows creates a pleasant atmosphere. The trip has us passing several rivers and quaint villages before entering the city which seems nothing but sensational.
Gateway to the Annapurna Circuit, Pokhara is one of the most fabulous cities in Nepal with overwhelming views. In addition, it offers a lot of adrenaline activities to the visitors and keeps them occupied, Overnight stay in a hotel at Pokhara.
Day 04: Pokhara sightseeing and visit Buddhist site
Since it was a long and daunting trip yesterday, we’ll just slow down now and take some time off to scour the beauty of Pokhara. Thus, Instead of embarking on another trip, we’ll seize the moment to explore the city and some of its famous places.
After enjoying the warm breakfast bowl early in the morning, we’ll leave for the trip to Malepatan. It’s a small but prettiest village in the city with colorful homes, pilgrimages, and fancy markets. We’ll spend most of our day visiting the historic and religious sites.
Down the road, we’ll get to scent the cold breeze coming right from the crest of Annapurna. As a part of the Buddhist Circuit Tour in Nepal, we’ll stopover Hemja Monastery which seemingly exudes Tibetan culture.
Among others, we’ll take a quick tour of Peace Pagoda Stupa sited at the northwest of Pokhara. Built-in pagoda style, the pilgrimage sits at Anuda Hill from where the view of Annapurna pops up clear and magnificent.
The cobbled stone stairs and rugged path before the city makes great trekking trails to traverse. Avid trekkers more often than not visit the city to climb the hills and explore its cliffs which provide a beautiful sunrise view.
Day 05: Drive to Lumbini
Maximum Altitude: 150 meters
Drive Distance: 163.8 km
Drive Duration: 5-6 hours
The fifth day of the Buddhist Circuit tour in Nepal kicks off with a drive from Pokhara to Lumbini. Thus, you can expect the day to be fun-filled with lots of sightseeing in the places of interest. The drive is about 6 hours long and has us crisscrossing Narayanghat as well as Tansen.
It’s a marvelous Newari village with soaring hills and willows that manages to get a fabulous backdrop. Expect the change in landscapes once the trail moves from hillsides to the flat terrains of Terai which delivers eye-popping sight.
The driveway passes through numerous hamlets and grassy plains of Terai before arriving at the Buddhist pilgrimage site. Lumbini, of course, has an incredible vista with ancient tombs, stone pillars, and pilgrimages.
There are a bunch of notable places here to explore including Myanmar Golden Temple, Great Lotus Stupa, and Chinese Monastery. World Peace Pagoda is not a bad choice either for the day out as it showcases excellent masterwork.
Paved with stone on the base, the stupa is white-washed with golden statues surrounded, figurines, and a small pool. As the day comes to an end, we’ll head back to the hotel and get some sleep.
Day 06: Lumbini Sightseeing, drive to Kundan
Maximum Altitude: 150 meters
Drive Distance: 53 km
Drive Duration: 1-2 hours
Today, we shall stay at Lumbini and visit some of its iconic places that articulate Buddhist culture in the truest sense. While there are numerous places to visit in the town, nothing seems better than the birthplace of Gautam Buddha to start off the day.
Listed in UNESCO’s World Heritage site, Lumbini is as splendid as it gets with prehistoric monasteries and pilgrimage that acts as a magnet to visitors. Every year, travelers from around the world visit the pilgrimage to pay their offers.
It’s a sacred place for Hindus and Buddhists as they visit the shrine to participate in the prayer. Though there are ample places to explore into the chamber, the honeypot persists to be the Mayadevi temple where Gautam Buddha was born.
It holds a lot of archetypal ruins alongside centuries-old Ashoka pillars, courtyards, and statues of deities. Just next to the pilgrimage is a hidden garden with undefined prayer flags that flap when hit by the wind.
After taking a walk through the pilgrimage, we’ll drive to Kundan where there are more than 60 archaeological sites to range over. We’ll run across some of the most famous landmarks in the town including Gothihawa, Tilaurakot, Devdaha, and Sagarhawa. Tonight, we’ll stay in a hotel in Lumbini.
Day 07: Visit Ramagrama monastery, drive to Chitwan
Maximum Altitude: 415 meters
Drive Distance: 160 km
Drive Duration: 4 hours
For the 7th day of the Buddhist Circuit Tour in Nepal, we’ll be exploring the Ramagrama stupa in Parasi. It’s about 32.4 km far from Lumbini so we’ll go for an early morning drive via East-West Highway. The trail rewards commuters with an amazing sight of towering hills, breathtaking cliffs, and flooding rivers.
At Ramagrama monastery, we’ll get a chance to see primeval art and architecture inspired by Tibetan culture. It has a collection of various Buddha statues, the finest sculptures, and portraits.
After the field trip of the stupa, we’ll head to Chitwan which is nearly 160 km far from Lumbini. The ride can be daunting for many travelers as its trails are rugged, but the scenery outside is really impressive.
The drive from Lumbini to Chitwan will allow us to look around the unique geographical features and majestic valleys. Nested in the southwest of Bharatpur, Chitwan is a major tourist attraction. People who enjoy nature and the tranquil atmosphere often visit Chitwan for jungle safari.
Day 08: Full day Chitwan scenic tour
It’s hard to picture leaving Chitwan without catching a glimpse of its wilderness and sweeping views. Hence, we’ll spend the whole day taking a stroll around the city and the remarkable national park which redefines the beauty of nature.
Lying in the lowlands of south-central Nepal, Chitwan National Park is the most popular destination for holidaymakers. It may have been centuries ago but the sanctuary is still in mint condition with unique flora and fauna.
Listed in UNESCO’s World Heritage Site, Chitwan National Park is a natural habitat to more than 700 wild species. It provides shelter to numerous animals including honey badgers, yellow-throated martens, and spotted linsangs.
We’ll also do some bird watching in the wildlife park as it’s dwelling to at least 543 species of them. You can either go for jeep safari or elephant safari to watch the animals as well as the buffer zone with Bishazari Tal. We’ll stay in a hotel overnight.
Day 09: Drive back to Kathmandu
Maximum Altitude: 1,350 km
Drive Distance: 175 km
Drive Duration: 5-6 hours
As we’re done with all the sightseeing related to Buddhist Circuit tour in Nepal, it’s time for us to head back to Kathmandu. Thus, after accumulating the energy needed with a morning breakfast bowl, we’ll take a drive of almost 6 hours from Pokhara to Kathmandu via Prithvi Highway.
The expedition surely won’t disappoint us as it provides an imposing view of diverse landscapes, staggering mountains, and waterfalls. In-between the endless journey, you shall witness verdant valleys, steep cliffs, and a few pristine lakes which are engaging.
As the driveway meanders through Palpa and Mugling, we’ll get to see authentic Nepali villages and hilltops. After the voyage of almost 5-6 hours, we’ll finally reach Kathmandu Valley that’s festooned in lights. From here, our officials will drive you to the hotel so that you can call the day off as soon as possible.
Day 10: Final departure
Sadly, it’s the last day of your Buddhist Circuit Tour in Nepal. So, if you want to visit local shops for souvenirs or eat any of your favorite restaurants one more time, let us know we’re ready to help you. After that, we’ll drop you at Tribhuvan International Airport in order to board the flight on time.
Best time for Buddhist Circuit Tour in Nepal
Nepal is such an inviting place that it’s willing to host visitors all year round. Anyone can make a surprise visit to the country whenever they like and they’ll be treated with the same intensity and compassion.
In Spite of that, some seasons do succeed to stand out than the others with pleasant weather and surreal views. Spring surely tops the bill for that as it spells a raw charm with a calm and placid atmosphere that creates a mood.
As the chilly winter wilts, spring brightens with a clear sky and moderate weather all day long. Thus, it cannot be any better than the season for outdoor activities including hiking. Spring witnesses blooming wildflowers right across the freeway and forests which look refreshing and fabulous.
Autumn is another season that works perfectly well for the Buddhist Circuit Tour in Nepal as it endures lovely weather. You can totally see the autumnal colors everywhere with tree leaves turning into gold, orange, and yellow.
Days in Autumn beams with sunshine all day long. The skies are clearer than ever during fall, providing you an unobstructed view from far off. Autumn is also the season of festivals in Nepal following which you’ll get inside pictures of the
The average temperature ranges from 13.4 to 26.8 Degree Celsius, making it just good for a short walk and hike. October is the peak of autumn so it’s neither cold nor hot during the time. But, as the days approach winter, the nights and mornings start to get bitterly cold. Henceforth, those who travel in late autumn must carry warm clothes to resist the freezing weather.
Winter and monsoon too provide a beautiful view with soft snowfall in the mountains and lofty hills. But, since you won’t be scrambling the crest or wandering on a filthy trail every single day, the months are just fine to traverse the level ground of Terai.
However, the unpredictable climate of winter and monsoon can be a hindrance for many travelers. So, as long as it’s possible, make sure that you don’t arrange the Buddhist Circuit Tour in Nepal during these months.
The continuous snowfall and heavy rain occurring during the seasons can impede the trip and even compel you to scrap. Therefore, to prevent unanticipated circumstances and enjoy the best of nature, do make the Buddhist Circuit Tour in Nepal during spring or autumn.
Food and Accommodation
Food and Accommodation during Buddhist Circuit Tour in Nepal vary based on the territories you traverse. Along the way, you can discover a wide range of lodgings from high-quality restaurants to five-star hotels and guest houses.
Usually, the accommodation during Buddhist Circuit tours in Nepal is standard with premium hotels and lodges. Cities like Kathmandu and Chitwan offer all kinds of accommodation so you have plenty of options to go with. However, in remote areas, the choices of accommodations are limited by basic amenities.
You’ll get the cheaper ones for as little as US$5 to US$35 while the well-furnished ones are extremely pricey. It can cost you anywhere between US$100 to US$150 and even more. However, their services are really great with en-suite rooms, continuous internet facilities, and delicious food of different types of cuisine.
There isn’t much to worry about the food served in the hotels and guest houses during your stay in Nepal. They prepare the dishes according to the taste of customers and make sure that it’s healthy. Unless you decide to go with fast food, the meals provided to visitors anywhere in Nepal are wholesome and made with fresh produce.
The amenities are excellent here and so are the restaurateurs as they are more than glad to cater to the guest with home-like meals. Unlike any other country, food in Nepal is least expensive unless you stop at the tourist area or the city’s heart, Thamel. But, in the rest of the other places, you can have your favorite meal at a lower price and sometimes even get a discount.
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