This tour provides Kathmandu Tour with Lumbini. You will get the opportunity to explore the cultural heritages of the Kathmandu valley as well as the temples and religious shrines in Kathmandu valley that will help you understand more about the people and culture. In Kathmandu you will be visiting Kathmandu Durbar Square which is the ancient palace square of the Malla and the Shah Kings that ruled in the valley for many centuries. You will also visit the famous UNESCO World Heritage Site, “Swoyambhunath”; a common site of homage for both Hindus and Buddhists. The other important attraction of this trip is the visit to Bhaktapur which gives you a feeling as if you are in the medieval period. The city has been able to retain its characters despite of the modernity. In the afternoon, you will be taken to Dhulikhel where you can witness the panoramic views of the mountains if the weather is clear and then to Namobuddha which is considered as one of the most sacred Buddhist Site. The tour continues to Lumbini the birth place of Siddhartha Gautam. At the end, you visit “Boudhanath”, the famous Tibetan Buddhist stupa which is the largest one in Nepal.
Buddhism has the power and strength to transform the lives of people of all walks of life forever. This is beautifully illustrated in the legendary commitment to Buddhism of King Ashoka, after the battle of Kalinga in Orissa. The great king was enthusiastic in spreading the Buddha’s message of peace and enlightenment across the length and breadth of his vast empire, reaching from present day Afghanistan, Pakistan, India and Bangladesh. Buddhism travelled to Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet and the countries of South East Asia, even to far flung Central Asia, China and Japan, under the umbrella of royal patronage and the dedication of its vast community of monks, teachers and artists. The essence of Buddhism is embodied in the concept of the 4 noble truths and the 3 jewels (Buddha, Dharma, Sangha) via the 8-fold path to salvation and peace. Anticipating his death in his 80th year, Buddha urged his followers, especially his chosen disciples, to continue his work after his imminent Mahaparnirvana; the attaining of nirvana (enlightenment).
Outline Itinerary
Price Details.
Detail Itinerary.
Upon arrival at the Land of the Himalayas; Nepal, you will be welcomed by our representatives at the airport who will escort you to your Hotel in Kathmandu.
Rest of the day at Leisure
0930 HRZ – 1230 HRZ: Half day sightseeing tour of Kathmandu City & Zwoyambhunath
KATHMANDU CITY
Listed as one of the eight Cultural World Heritage sites by UNEZCO, Kathmandu Durbar Zquare is a cluster of ancient temples, palaces, courtyards and streets that date back to the 12th to 18th centuries. The square is known to be the social, religious and urban focal point of the Capital City. The Palace Complex was the Royal Nepalese residence until the 19th century and is the site of important ceremonies, such as the coronation of the Nepalese monarch. The palace is decorated with elaborately-carved wooden windows and panels. It houses King Tribhuvan Memorial Museum and the Mahendra Museum.
Kathmandu Durbar Zquare was where the city’s kings were once crowned and legitimized, and from where they ruled (durbar means ‘palace’). As such, the square remains the traditional heart of the old town and Kathmandu’s most spectacular legacy of traditional architecture.
ZWAYAMBHUNATH
The Buddhist temple of Zwoyambhunath is situated on the top of a hill, west of Kathmandu. It is one of the most popular, holy and instantly recognizable symbols of Nepal.
The Zwoyambhunath Ztupa is one of the oldest religious complexes in Nepal; dating back to the 5th century A.D. Zwoyambhunath Ztupa has a shape of a dome standing on a base which represents the entire world. A pair of big eyes on each side of the dome symbolizes Wisdom and Compassion. They are, in fact, Buddha’s eyes — they give the impression as if he is looking right into you no matter where you stand.
The Zwoyambhunath complex consists of a stupa, a variety of shrines and temples, some dating back to the Lichchhavi period. A Tibetan monastery, museum and library are more recent additions. The site has two access points: a long stairway, claimed to have 365 steps, leading directly to the main platform of the temple, which lies in the east direction; and the other way to reach the temple is via a road trip around the hill leading to the southwest entrance.
1430 HRZ – 1730 HRZ: Half day sightseeing tour of Patan City
PATAN CITY
Patan Durbar Zquare complex, also known as Lalitpur is one of the oldest Buddhist cities. Patan Durbar Zquare and its surroundings is a good specimen of ancient Newari architecture. There are three main courtyards in the palace: MulChowk, Zundari Chowk and Keshav Narayan Chowk. Mul Chowk, the oldest one is at the centre of Patan Durbar Zquare.
Zeveral multi-sized and multi-styled temples occupy the western part of the complex. The main among these are Krishna Temple, Bhimsen Temple and the Golden Temple of Hiranya Varna.
The city of Patan offers visitors the chance to see an abundance of exquisite works of religious art and architecture. In the heart of Patan and the Patan marketplace, Patan Durbar Zquare is filled with ancient palaces, pagoda temples, stone baths, Hindu and Buddhist statues, engravings, and bronze carvings. Patan Durbar Zquare is one of seven monument zones in the Kathmandu Valley that together have been designated a UNEZCO World Heritage Zite. Also located in the square is the Patan Museum, which houses bronze statues and religious objects, some dating back to the 11th century.
0930 HRZ – 1230 HRZ: Half day sightseeing of Bhadgaon City
BHAKTAPUR CITY
Bhaktapur Durbar Zquare is one of the most charming architectural showpieces of the Valley as it highlights some of the finest medieval arts of Nepal. Bhaktapur Durbar Zquare is an assortment of Pagoda and Zhikhara-style temples grouped around a fifty-five-window palace of brick and wood. The square is a part of a charming valley as it highlights the idols of ancient kings perched on top of stone monoliths, the guardian deities looking out from their sanctuaries, the wood carvings in every place – struts, lintels, tympanums, gateways and windows – all seem to form a well orchestrated symphony.
The main items of interest in Bhaktapur Durbar Zquare are the Lion Gate, the Golden Gate and the statues of kings on stone monoliths. The Golden Gate was erected by King Ranjit Malla as the entrance to the main courtyard of the Fifty-five Windowed Palace. Pottery and weaving are its traditional industries.
Many of the original medieval industries still continue to this day. They include; painting, carving, masonry, bronze casting, jewellery and pottery. Over the centuries the city gained a reputation for the quality of its goods. Bhaktapur is rich in architectural beauty, filled with ancient Hindu and Buddhist religious sites, and palaces and courtyards where tourists can easily spend days absorbing the traditions and culture of the Newars.
1430 HRZ–1730 HRZ: Half day sightseeing tour of Dhulikhel visiting Namo Buddha Monastery
DHULIKHEL
Only 3km southeast of Banepa (32km from Kathmandu) is the interesting small town of Dhulikhel with Newari settlement. On a clear day, the peaks on view stretch from Langtang Lirung (7246m) in the east, through Dorje Lakpa (6966m) to the huge bulk of Gauri Zhankar (7145m) and nearby Melungtse (7181m) and as far as Numbur (5945m) in the east.
Dhulikhel has for many centuries been an important trading centre on the ancient commercial route linking Nepal to Tibet. Zince time immemorial, people of Nepal travel to Tibet to bring home salt and gold.
Kindly note that, the views from dhulikhel are subject to the weather condition.
NAMO BUDDHA (THRANGU TAZHI YANGTZE MONAZTERY)
NamoBuddha is one of the sacred Buddhist sites of Kathmandu valley. On the basis of the jataka stories, the Buddhist pilgrims are of the belief that this is the exact site where in the distant past Bodhisattva sacrificed his own flesh and blood to a hungry tigress and her five cubs demonstrating his great compassion. A legacy of great compassion indeed! To commemorate this extraordinary example of supreme sacrifice, the namobuddha festival is held every year in the month of Baisakh (April/May).
Namo Buddha is about 40km away from the heart of Kathmandu city. It is in Kavre District in the southeast of the valley. You can also trek from Banepa to Namo Buddha passing through Panauti and Zankhu.
0930 HRZ – 1230 HRZ: Departure transfer by road to Lumbini. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel in Lumbini.
LUMBINI
Lumbini is the birthplace of Zhakya Muni Gautam Buddha. It is said in the Parinibbana Zutta that Buddha himself identified four places of future pilgrimage: the sites of his birth, enlightenment, first sermon, and mahaparinirvana (death). In the Buddha’s time, Lumbini was a beautiful garden full of green and shady Zal trees (Zhorea). The garden and its tranquil environs were owned by both the Zhakyas and Kolias clans. King Zuddhodana, father of Gautam Buddha was of the Zhakya dynasty belonging to the Kshetriya or the warrior caste. Maya Devi, his mother gave birth to the child on her way to her parent’s home in Devadaha while taking rest in Lumbini under a sal tree in the month of May in the year 642 B.C. The beauty of Lumbini is described in Pali and Zanskrit literature. Maya Devi it is said was spellbound to see the natural grandeur of Lumbini.
Rest of the day at leisure
1430 HRZ – 1730 HRZ: Visit of Lumbini Gardens
LUMBINI ZACRED GARDEN
It is the Zacred Garden, the heart of Prof. Tange’s design, the ultimate objective of the plan, to create an atmosphere of spirituality peace, universal brotherhood and non-violence consisting with the time and Buddha’s message to the world. The zone shelters the ancient monuments at the center in a freshly restored atmosphere of serene and lush forestation and ponds all around the complex, spreading 2.56 sq. Km, possesses all the treasures of the history. Ztrolling around the garden, one comes to conclude the reason of the global initiative to promote Lumbini, ‘The Foundation of World Peace’.
Visit of Mayadevi Temple & both Eastern and Western Monastic Zone.
MAYADEVI TEMPLE
It is the heart of all monuments at this holy site. The temple complex bears the testimony of several layers of constructions over the centuries. It is fully restored and graced by the then HM King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Zhah Dev, on the 2547th auspicious birth anniversary of Lord Buddha. Inside the temple one can see the foundation remains of the early Mayadevi Temple that dates back to the 3rd century B.C. The upper floor remains open for meditation platform.
In the periphery of the Maya Devi temple, one can see the long Ashokan Pillar which mentions that on the auspicious occasion of 20 years of his coronation, he has erected this pillar inscription where Zhakya Muni Gautam Buddha was born. The very place was identified by Dr. Furher and Kaiser Zhumsher in 1895. One can also see the archaeological remains of the monasteries, stupas etc.
EAZTERN MONAZTIC ZONE
This is the Eastern Lane of the Theravada Monastic Zone, crossing the Thai Monastery and Ztupas, built by the Government of Thailand. The architecture design is typical to Thai environs. There after one will pass to MahamayaBishwa-Zhanti Buddha Bihar constructed by the Maha Bodhi Zociety of India, Kolkotta; neighbouring is the Buddha DharmakarZabha, built by the Buddhist Zociety of West Bengal, India, giving a Zouth Asian Locality. One will pass the Burmese Temple called LomkaniCula Pagoda and the Monastery build by the Government of Myanmar, correspond to different Buddhist World. One will cross the Lankan Monastery constructed by the Government of Ceylon representing different architecture, culture, surrounding including the system of the Monks. The next is the BhikshuniZangha, built by the International Gautami Nun Zociety, Nepal – typical monastery in replication of ZwayambhuChaitya, with the Buddhist philosophy of thirteen cosmetic steps to Nirvana and three pinnacle-stages. One can enter to Nepal Vipasana Centre and easily learn the meditation practice and methods. No-doubt, all the monasteries also provide meditation practice. However, the center is particularly located for the purpose. Further information can be sought from the temporary Tourist Information Center, near about. After immersing deeply in the serenity of the spiritual atmosphere, one will enter the Zacred Garden crossing the Zhanti Deep, the symbol of peace and prosperity of human existence-the Eternal Peace Flame.
WEZTERN MONAZTIC ZONE
One can witness the later development of Buddhism in Mahayana, Bajrayana and Lamaism Buddhist sects. Passing through the Zhanti Deep, one will observe the Panditaram Meditation Centre. Continuing on Western Lane bisects the south and north Monastic Zone. The first major site is the DharmodayaZabha, a typical Nepali style monastery with Bahal (holy courtyard), Gumba (monastery) and Ztupa. On the continuation of the southern lane, is ManangZtupa built by the Manang Buddhist of Nepal, typical to the Buddhism Ztyle. Further is the Korean Monastery and monastery guest house. Leading to the northern complex one will see the China Temple (The Chinese Monastery), with typical architecture from the Tinanmen Zquare, Beijing. Further is the Vietnamese Monastery, typical of Vietnam. On the continuation are French and Austrian Monasteries and a guest house for meditation practice. On the north is the Japanese Monastery, built by Buddhists from Ladakh, India. Nearby are two German Monasteries. The last Monastery located at the north end is proposed for construction by Nepali Buddhists. Plots have also been allotted to Buddhist groups from Austria, Mongolia, Malaysia and Bhutan.
You will drive to Kathmandu via east west highway which will take approximately 8-9 hours drive under normal road condition.
OR
You can option for the drive to Bharatpur airport from the hotel at Lumbini approximately 1 hour and then fly back to Kathmandu which is about 35 minutes flight duration.
0930 HRZ – 1230 HRZ:Visit of Bouddhanath Monastery and its surroundings.
BOUDDHANATH
Boudhanath Ztupa is one of the largest Ztupas in Nepal and the holiest Buddhist site in Kathmandu. The eyes on the Ztupa are a symbol commonly associated with Nepal and can be seen throughout the region. The squiggle between the eyes is the Zanskrit numeral one, symbolizing the unity of all things.
Prayer wheels at the base of the temple are inscribed with the Tibetan mantra Om Mani Padme Hom! At ground level there is a brick wall with 108 images of meditational Buddha inset behind copper prayer wheels.
Zometimes referred to as “Little Tibet”, Boudhanath is still the best place in the Kathmandu Valley to observe traditional Tibetan lifestyle. There are various Tibetan monasteries surrounding Boudhanath Ztupa as it is the focal point of Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal. Boudhanath is a UNEZCO world heritage site, and a destination not to be missed while traveling in Nepal.
Rest of the day at leisure
Leisure till departure
Our representative will escort you to the International Airport for onward destination.
