Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour - 8 Days

The second day of the tour takes you to significant Buddhist pilgrimage sites like Kashi Shimbhu, White Tara Temple, and Aryaavolokiteshor Temples of the Valley. In the morning, have a nice breakfast and visit Kashi Shimbhu, which is called Shreegha in the local language. Shreegha was built by Vakvajra Vajracharya, one of the four prominent Vajracharya of Newar Buddhism.

After exploring Kashi Shibhu, we go for the next visit to White Tara and Arya Avolokiteshor Temples. These famous Newari Buddhist temples are taken as talking Tara and Bodhisattva. After a lunch break, we continue our further visit to Bouddha Khasti, where you get to explore the largest Buddhist stupa in Nepal, Boudhanath Stupa, related to Padmasambhava.

Next, we will drive towards the final destination of the day, Sakhu , one of the oldest settlements of Kathmandu Valley. This place was once used by prominent Tibetan Masters like Milarepa for meditation retreats. Sakhu has one of the oldest Vajrayogini Temples , which is worth exploring. As such, the second day of the tour concludes, and in the evening, have a nice stay at the hotel, savoring the delicious dinner.

Similar to the previous day’s travel, have breakfast and get ready to set out for this day’s exploration of the splendid spiritual and religious landmarks in the Valley. Initially, we will visit Chovar to explore the Anandadi Lokeshor. Anandadi Lokeshor is one of the four major Bodhisattvas/Lokeshor Temples in the Kathmandu Valley. Lokeshwars is a deity regarded as one of four Matsyendranaths. Constructed in the 15th century, this temple was again reconstructed around 1640. Worshippers visit the temple to hang utensils on behalf of their loved ones, wishing for well-being and prosperity.

The second visit on this day’s excursion is Pharping , where Guru Rinpoche got enlightenment. It is said that one of the great masters (Buddhist gurus), Phantimpha, stayed here around 11 th century and built the Vajrayogini Temple. Today, it is considered one of the major power places around Kathmandu Valley.

After enjoying the afternoon lunch, you will be visiting the Thahabil Bihar , where we will have a brief introduction to Pragyaparamita. You can have a golden opportunity to witness and explore the 400-year-old handwritten book with golden ink. During the 10th century, in the very place of Bihar, guru Atisha Dipankar Shreegyan stayed for about a year. The exploration of Thahabil Bihar concludes today’s day of the journey, so you can return back to your hotel to rest and relax.

This day, have breakfast at the hotel and embark on a drive out of the Kathmandu Valley for an overland tour to Maratika. Heading east on the BP Highway, passing Dhulikhel and Bradibas, the road takes towards Maratika, Khotang. Covering a distance of around 360 kilometers/224 miles, it takes about 9-10 hours to reach Maratika (Locally, the place is called Halesi ).

Maratika Cave is a sacred pilgrimage site for Buddhists, associated with Guru Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche). Guru here got the siddhi of Aparamitayus' longevity. This cave is also known as Halesi Mahadev Cave , with a diving quality that the pilgrims are blessed with the fulfillment of their wishes. Have a last-minute visit to this miraculous cave, and in the evening, have an enjoyable dinner time and rest in the hotel at Halesi.

After having breakfast at the hotel in Halesi, we will head back to Kathmandu with a scenic drive. You will enjoy a picturesque journey on this day of the Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour, traveling in a comfy vehicle. A day of driving is fulfilled by crossing the enchanted deep forested areas, passing several charming local villages, and navigating the magnificent rivers and rivulets. The marvelous journey on the winding roads of hills and valleys finally reaches you back in Kathmandu, a place from where you started.

Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you will be transferred to your hotel. Time permitting, you can enjoy the rest of the day with quality time strolling around the city streets and busy markets of the Kathmandu Valley. Get back to the hotel for a peaceful evening and delectable dinner. Relish the hotel stay reflecting on a so far journey.

On this day, you will visit the birthplace of the Lord Gautam Buddha, Lumbini. This day of your tour can provide you with a different journey experience of sheer wonder and excitement. After breakfast, we will embark on a glorious drive to Lumbini through the Siddhartha Highway (Mahendra Highway).

On the way, after driving approximately 200 kilometers , we make a quick stop to visit and witness the Ramgram Stupa. Ramgram, in Nawalparasi district, is the only remaining stupa containing Buddha relics among the total 8 stupas. Visiting the ancient Ramgram Stupa in a peaceful setting of the Jharahi River, with historical and cultural significance, can be an enriching experience for your journey.

After the Ramgram exploration, the drive resumes to reach Lumbini. After the 8-9 hours of long scenic drive, we will cover the significant distance of approximately 290 kilometers/180 miles to reach Lumbini from Kathmandu. On this day, we do not have any time left for the exploration of the Lumbini, so setting the excitement aside for tomorrow, it's time for the rest. Upon reaching the destination, with several accommodation options like guesthouses, hotels, and lodges, check in your place of stay, savor the dinner, and have a good nap overnight to start fresh on the next day’s tour.

Lumbini is the biggest and most significant attraction of the Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour in Nepal. The tour holds the spiritual and historical importance of the Buddhist origin and religion. On this day, the Lumbini excursion enables you to explore valuable landmarks of the Buddha’s birthplace. Here, you can also explore several temples and monasteries, which are named after different countries, like the Korean Temple, Myanmar Golden Temple, Sri Lankan Monastery, China Temple, Royal Thai Monastery, Vietnam Phat Quoc Tu Temple, etc.

After an initial breakfast, we will take you to visit Kudan. Kundan Stupa is the place where Siddhartha Gautam visited his parents after getting enlightenment or being Buddha. The tour then leads to Kapilvastu, where Siddhartha Gautam had spent the early 29 years of his life. Fascinated by this spiritual exploration, the journey moves forward to witness and understand the significance of Niglihawa, Gotihawa, and Sagarhawa. The Ashokan Pillar of the Niglihawa claims the place to be the birthplace of Kanakmuni Buddha. Likewise, the Ashokan Pillar at Gotihawa marks the birth of Krakuchchhanda Budhha. Then again, Sagarhawa is a place with a history of the terrible massacre of Shakyas during the lifetime of Buddha.

Visit the Maya Devi Temple, an important focal point of Lumbini. It is the exact spot where Queen Maya Devi is said to have given birth to the Lord Gautam Buddha. This day of the Lumbini tour comes to an end, and exhausted you, can rest in your hotel.

After the final visit to Lumbini, we will take you back to Kathmandu on an exhilarating drive journey. Have breakfast at the hotel and join the drive that follows the same route back to Kathmandu. There’s a plan for rest stops along the way, so take time for refreshment and stretch your legs. Passing through the diverse landscapes and covering the same distance at maybe the same or different duration, we arrive at Kathmandu.

After your arrival, return to the hotel, have dinner and rest the rest of the time. You can reflect and evaluate the Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour experiences.