Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour

The price is per person and drops as your group grows.

The cost of the Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour is USD 1215 per person. However, the price varies depending on the group size. As the group size increases, the cost per person decreases. Want to know how? Check out the table below:

In addition to the main tour, optional add-on services are available for an enhanced experience and added comfort. A 50-minute mountain flight with a guaranteed window seat and airport transfer costs USD 250 per person. For those seeking upgraded accommodations, there are options to upgrade to a 4-star hotel for USD 220 or a 5-star hotel for USD 450, adding luxury to your stay during the pilgrimage tour at an extra cost.

The best time to visit the Buddhist Pilgrimage sites in Nepal is from October to December and March to May. These months have pleasant weather with clear skies and moderate temperatures, making travel comfortable. In other words, the season allows you to explore the sacred sites without the discomfort of extreme heat or heavy rain, giving you an enjoyable experience.

Similarly, during these months, you can also experience important Nepali festivals. In October, Dashain is celebrated with grand family gatherings, feasts, and rituals. In November, Tihar, the festival of lights, adds color to temples and sacred places.

However, for the Buddhist Pilgrimage tour, we suggest traveling during March or April, when Buddha Jayanti is celebrated. The festival is celebrated enthusiastically, with special ceremonies in Lumbini, Bouddhath, Swayambhunath, and other prominent Buddhist landmarks. Additionally, Losar, the Tibetan New Year, is another Buddhist festival that falls in February or March, celebrated with dances and offerings that enhance the spiritual atmosphere of the pilgrimage.

Two stupas anchor Buddhism in the Kathmandu Valley, and both are monument zones inside a single Kathmandu Valley World Heritage property, inscribed in 1979. That property is made up of seven monument zones, which is why the valley gets miscounted as seven separate World Heritage Sites.

Swayambhunath, the oldest

Swayambhu sits on a hill west of the centre, and UNESCO describes the ensemble as holding the oldest Buddhist monument, a stupa, in the valley. Founding dates quoted elsewhere contradict one another, so that wording is the safe one. The nickname Monkey Temple comes from the families of monkeys living on the hill. Treat them as wildlife and keep food out of sight. The long eastern stairway most visitors climb is a later addition, built in the seventeenth century by the Malla king Pratap Malla.

Boudhanath, the largest

Boudhanath, also written Bauddhanath or simply Boudha, is what UNESCO calls the largest stupa in Nepal. The structure standing today was most likely built in the 14th century, though Newar chronicles mention a stupa on the site as early as the 5th. It stands on the old trade route from Tibet to India, which is the reason it is there at all. After the 1959 Tibetan uprising, refugee families settled around it and built the more than 50 gompas and monasteries that ring it now. The circuit is walked clockwise and it is at its best at dusk. The 25 April 2015 earthquake cracked the spire badly. The stupa was reconsecrated and reopened on 22 November 2016.

The others

Charumati at Chabahil, which locals call Little Boudhanath, sits on the same old road. Namobuddha is a great stupa but not a valley one. It is in Kavrepalanchok district about 40KM east, which is why it gets a drive of its own rather than a slot on a city circuit. Beyond those, the valley holds hundreds of small chaityas in courtyards and lanes, uncounted and mostly unlisted.

Entry is charged per site and tiered by nationality. There is no valley-wide ticket, and the published amounts move, so carry rupees and check on the day.

The Buddha named four places of pilgrimage: where he was born, where he was enlightened, where he gave his first sermon and where he passed into parinirvana. Only the first is in Nepal. Bodh Gaya, Sarnath and Kushinagar are all in India, so a Nepal pilgrimage is built around Lumbini and the country around it rather than around all four.

Lumbini, the birthplace

Lumbini is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, inscribed in 1997, in Rupandehi district on the Terai plains. The Sacred Garden at its southern end holds the Maya Devi Temple, the excavated monastic remains, and the pillar erected by the Mauryan emperor Asoka in 249 BC, whose inscription is the evidence the listing rests on. North of it runs the International Monastic Zone, laid out on Kenzo Tange's master plan with Theravada monasteries east of the central canal and Mahayana monasteries west of it, so crossing the water changes the architecture.

The Lumbini Development Trust charges a conservation fee per day: NPR 700 for other nationals, NPR 400 for SAARC nationals and Myanmar, NPR 80 for Indian nationals and NPR 20 for Nepalis. Older figures still circulate widely, so treat any published number as a guide. Lumbini is about 272KM from Kathmandu, a full day on the road, and about 20KM from Bhairahawa airport.

Tilaurakot and Ramagrama

Tilaurakot is the archaeological remains of Kapilavastu, the Shakya capital where Siddhartha grew up, on UNESCO's tentative list since 1996. Ramagrama, in Nawalparasi, is described by UNESCO as the only undisturbed original stupa containing relics of the Buddha. Every other one of them was opened and its contents redistributed. This one was not. Neither sits on this nine day route, and each needs a day of its own from Lumbini.

Buddha Purnima, known in Nepal as Buddha Jayanti, falls on Baisakh Purnima, the full moon of the month of Baisakh, so its Western date moves every year. Check Nepal's public holiday list for the year you travel before you book flights.

Kathmandu

Kathmandu is home to many important Buddhist sites that are worth visiting. Each place is a deep, peaceful exposure, providing you with the opportunity to learn about Buddha’s life and teachings. You can see old stupas, monasteries, and meditation centers that are special in Buddhism. Visiting these locations allows you to appreciate Nepalese culture and connect with the Buddha’s journey. You can also relax, worship, or reflect in the peaceful environment.

• Swayambhunath Stupa (Monkey Temple)
• Boudhanath Stupa
• Kopan Monastery
• Pharping

Pokhara

Pokhara is a peaceful place with beautiful mountains and lakes, perfect for spiritual travelers. You can visit several Buddhist sites here, where the calm atmosphere allows you to relax and meditate. The natural beauty of Pokhara makes it even more special, providing a peaceful space to reflect on Buddha’s teachings. It is a great place for you to experience both nature and spirituality.

• World Peace Pagoda
• Tibetan Refugee Camp
• Hemja gumba

Lumbini

Lumbini is a peaceful place where you can visit the location where Buddha was born. Ashoka pillar, Mayadevi temple, and stupas at the location mark the historical significance of this place. The footsteps of Lord Buddha, representing his teachings and journey, are also visible here. Additionally, Lumbini provides a peaceful space for pilgrims to meditate and connect deeply with Buddhist teachings. The significant places in Lumbini include:

• Maya Devi Temple
• Lumbini Garden
• Puskarini Pond
• The Ashoka Pillar
• Lumbini Museum
• Royal Monastery

Nepal is a deeply spiritual land where Buddhism thrives through daily practice, sacred rituals, and diverse traditions like Tibetan and Theravada Buddhism. So, embarking on a 9-day Buddhist cultural tour in Nepal offers you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the heart of Buddhist teachings, visit revered locations like Lumbini, and experience the rich cultural tapestry of Nepal.

Approximately 9% of Nepal’s population practices Buddhism, making it the second-largest religion in the country. Buddhism is very important to the people here. Many Nepali people practice prayer, meditation, and rituals on a daily basis. Nepal has different schools of Buddhism, like Tibetan Buddhism and Theravada Buddhism. Each school teaches something unique about Buddha’s path and offers different ways to understand and follow the teachings of Buddha.

Tibetan Buddhism focuses on meditation and rituals, while Theravada Buddhism focuses on personal enlightenment. The Buddhist culture in Nepal is peaceful and deeply connected to the land, making it a special place to experience the Buddhist culture.

Gautam Buddha, also known as Siddhartha Gautama, was born in Lumbini, Nepal, over 2,500 years ago. He was born into the royal family of the Shakya kingdom, with his father being King Suddhodana. Siddhartha’s early life in the palace was luxurious, but after seeing the suffering of life, he left his kingdom in search of enlightenment.

Lumbini, his birthplace, is now a major pilgrimage site for Buddhists worldwide. Thus, being the birthplace of the founder of Buddhism, Nepal is special for a Buddhist Pilgrimage tour.

Nepal has many holy Buddhist pilgrimage sites, each offering a peaceful and spiritual experience. These places are perfect for meditation and reflection, allowing visitors to connect with the teachings of the Buddha. Key sites, such as the Mayadevi Temple in Lumbini, where the Buddha was born, and the sacred stupas of Swayambhunath and Boudhanath, provide a peaceful atmosphere.

Visiting these locations not only brings a sense of relaxation but also a deeper understanding of Buddhism and its significance, making Nepal an ideal location for a Buddhist Pilgrimage tour.

At Himalayan 360, a company deeply rooted in Nepal, we aim to give you a safe and enjoyable experience on your Buddhist Pilgrimage tour. Our team’s primary goal is to provide you with the most enjoyable experience. Hence, we offer a variety of tour packages. From visiting sacred sites to exploring Nepal’s culture, we handle everything to make your trip memorable. There is an absolutely local touch and personalized service to guarantee a meaningful and special pilgrimage experience.

Here are some reasons for you to choose us for your cultural tour:

• We arrange personalized pilgrimage tour packages tailored to your desires.
• Our experienced guides offer in-depth knowledge of the Buddhist pilgrimage sites.
• We ensure your safety and comfort throughout the entire tour.
• We allow every itinerary to be adjusted with the time and changes in interest.
• Our team is available 24/7 to assist with any concerns during the tour.
• We provide access to blessings from monks at monasteries.
• Transparent pricing with no hidden costs.
• We promote responsible tourism, respecting local cultures and the environment.