BUDDHIST TRAIL

Day 1, ARRIVAL IN KATHMANDU

You will be greeted by our representative at the airport and transferred to the hotel.In the evening, you will be briefed about the program.

Overnight at Hotel [-/-/-]

Day 2, IN KATHMANDU

Today we visit Kopan, Boudhanath and Swayambunath monasteries.

Depart the hotel early morning and drive to Kopan monastery. Perched on a hilltop near Boudhanath, in the outskirts of Kathmandu, dominated by a huge Bodhi Tree is the Kopan monastery.

We will be introduced to one of the senior monks who will talk to us about different types of meditation and will help the guests to practice meditation for around 1.5 hours. The Kopan monastery started as a a small school called the Mount Everest Center in 1971 with twenty five monks who came down from the mountain to study there. Today Kopan is a thriving monastery with over 360 monks and nuns from all over Nepal and the Himalayan regions like Tibet, Bhutan, Sikkim and India.If the Kopan monastery is closed, we visit the Kopan nunnery.

In Afternoon visit Boudhanath Stupa, one of the most imposing landmarks of Kathmandu and a center of Tibetan Buddhism. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The stupa is built on a massive three level mandala style platform and is 36 meters in height. The Stupa is said to entomb the remains of Buddhist sage, perhaps parts of the Buddha’s body, or sacred text and other ceremonial objects.

Finally, visit Swayambhunath Stupa, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This ancient stupa is the most sacred Buddhist shrine of Nepal. The area surrounding the stupa is filled with smaller chaityas, temples, painted images of deities and numerous other religious objects.

Overnight at Hotel [B/-/-]

Day 3, DRIVE TO DHULIKHEL,HIKE/DRIVE TO NAMO BUDDHA

A popular all-hike from Dhulikhel, situated between Panauti and Banepa is the sacred Buddhist pilgrimage site of Namo Buddha. Located on a slightly elevated land, glistened with distant snowcapped mountains, adorned with fluttering prayer flags this site is a sanctuary of peace and harmony. The village offers a wide range of recreational options. Shops dealing in artifacts and souvenirs are in plenty. Restaurants and eateries too serve cuisines ranging from local to international standards.Drive back to Kathmandu.

Overnight at Hotel [B/-/-]

Day 4, FLY TO BHAIRAHWA, DRIVE TO LUMBINI

Flight Duration (Domestic Flight): 30 minutes approx.

Lumbini in the terai plains of Nepal is the birthplace of Lord Buddha and one of the greatest pilgrimage sites for Buddhists. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site (Culture) and holds immense archeological and religious importance.

Upon reaching Lumbini, you will be transferred to the hotel. You can relax for some time and later visit World Peace Pagoda & Lumbini Crane Sanctuary.

Overnight at Hotel [B/-/-]

Day 5, IN LUMBINI

After breakfast visit the archaeological sites scattered around Lumbini, all bearing significance to the life and enlightenment of the Buddha. The Myanmar temple (Lokamani Cula Pagoda), The China temple, built by the Buddhist Association of China, is a complex of pagodas, prayer rooms and meditation cells. Across the road is the Dae Sung Suk Ga Sa Korean Temple and The Japan Peace Stupa, built by Nippon Jon Kyohoji of Japan.

There are other beautiful monuments and temples that have been built by Vietnam, Thailand, Mongolia, France, Germany and Sri Lanka.

Overnight at Hotel [B/-/-]

Day 6, FLY BACK TO KATHMANDU

Flight Duration (Domestic Flight): 35 minutes approx.Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure.

Overnight at Hotel [B/-/-]

Day 7, FINAL DEPARTURE

After breakfast , you will drop at airport to catch you onward flight.

B : Breakfast , L: Lunch and D: Dinner