Buddhist pilgrimage tour of Nepal

9 day tour w/ Namobuddha, Lumbini and Maratika cave

Nepal, in the Himalayan lap, has always been a sacred retreat center for spiritual practices. The internal strife and invasion adversely affected the dissemination of Buddhism in the place of its origin (the Border of India and Nepal). The mountainous country of Nepal became a haven for Buddhist practices for centuries. Kathmandu and its periphery is dotted with meditation caves, monasteries, and stupas related to Bodhisattvas, Shiddhas, and Buddha. Here one can find meditation caves of Guru Padmasambhava, Milarepa, Naropa and Tilopa. The Maratika cave of Halesi and Namobuddha are two most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites outside Kathmandu. Most importantly, the birth place of Lord Buddha - Lumbini is in Nepal. Over 60 archaeological sites have been identified around Lumbini, including the only surviving and unexcavated Buddha relic Stupa of Ramgram.

A Buddhist tour of Nepal is a combination of a Buddhist pilgrimage and experiencing the oldest living Buddhist practices of the Himalayas.

US 890 + Includes

What makes Nepal the best Buddhist pilgrimage destination ?

Nepal Buddhist Tour Review

This was one of a lifetime tours! I took the Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour and I will never forget about it. Rabi is super professional and flexible to adapt to each person's needs and wishes. He has a deep knowledge of the places and I really enjoyed our philosophical discussions of Buddhism, Hinduism, life, destiny and Karma! He was always very helpful and super kind to me.

Yeyuni - Maxico Review >

Buddhist tour of Nepal 9 Days

DAY 01: ARRIVE TO KATHMANDU, NEPAL
You will be received at Kathmandu airport by our representative holding your name plate. After the formal meeting, you will drive to the Hotel. There is an option of a familiarization walk to the old Kathmandu in the suburb of the tourist center of Thamel. The old Kathmandu has some of the important Bajarayana Buddhist Stupas and monasteries.

DAY 02: BUDDHIST PILGRIMAGE OF KATHMANDU
Come down to the Hotel restaurant for breakfast. Your tour guide will be introduced. He will guide you through the Buddhist sites of Kathmandu. We will visit two stupas of Swayambhunath and Boudhanath, Naropa and Tilopa caves of Pashupatinath, and the oldest existing Buddhist city of Patan.

DAY 3 - 4: LUMBINI BUDDHIST CIRCUIT TOUR
Lumbini and its surroundings are dotted with archeological sites related to Lord Buddha. There are over 60 excavation sites, among which are popular Buddhist pilgrimage sites. The legendary Lumbini garden is now developed into a sanctuary that spreads over a 6 sq km area. The Mayadevi temple houses the marker stone and foundation of an ancient temple resembling the exact birthplace of Lord Buddha. The monastic zone is developed into a World Buddhist center with monasteries constructed by Buddhist communities from different countries.
The ruins of the Tilaurakot Palace have been discovered 27 km west of Lumbini.
The Tilaurakot is ancient capital of the Sakya kingdom (Kapilavastu) where Siddhartha lived his early 29 years as a prince. Along with other structures, one can still observe the remains of the eastern gate through which Prince Siddhartha took great renunciation.
Ramgram Stupa is the only Stupa that still retains Buddha relics in its intact form. When Buddha attained 'Mahaparinirvana', his body was cremated. The mortal relic was divided among the 8 claimants. While other Stupas were later excavated by Emperor Ashoka or distorted in conflict, the relic remained intact until the date in the Ramagram Stupa.
Kudan (Nigrodharma) has the stupa remains, where King Suddhodhana (father of Buddha) met Lord Buddha after he attained enlightenment.
Gotihawa was ancient Khemavati ,the birthplace of Krakucchanda Buddha.
Niglihawa is the birthplace of Kanakmuni Buddha. Emperor Ashoka visited both places and erected pillars with inscriptions. The pillars are broken in both places. Sagarhawa is the place where the Sakyas were massacred by King Virudhaka out of vengeance. About 70,000 Sakyas were killed in the massacre. The sakyas didn't strike back as they believed in nonviolence.

DAY 05: DRIVE OR FLY BACK TO KATHMANDU

DAY 06: BHAKTAPUR TOUR, MILAREPA CAVE & NAMOBUDDHA
After breakfast, we will drive to Bhaktapur, which is 17 km (45 mints)from Kathmandu. Bhaktapur is known as 'The Living Museum' as it still retains its medieval fragrance. Just the hill above Bhaktapur lies the cave where Milarepa meditated. It is known as Bagishwari Saraswati Sthan (Manjushree cave). Later drive to Namobuddha. The Namobuddha Stupa is believed to be erected over the relic of a Bodhisattva who sacrificed himself to feed a starving mother tigress and her cubs. Namobuddha at 1,700 m also provides a panoramic view of the Himalayas. Drive back and spend a night in Dhulikhel.

DAY 07: VISIT PADMASAMBHAVA'S ASURA CAVE PHARPING

Sunrise over the Himalayas from Dhulikhel is what drives hundreds of tourists to this hill station town. After breakfast, we will drive to Pharping in the south of Kathmandu. Pharping (Yanglesho) is the place where Guru Padmasambhava attained the state of enlightenment. There are two major caves blessed by Padmasambhava. Drive back to Kathmandu and have a free evening for the last hour of packing.

OPTION : DAY 8 - 9: VISIT MARATIKA CAVE, HALESI

Maratika cave, Halesi, is one of the six most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites. This is where Buddha Amitabha taught the eighteen Tantras of long life. The Dakini Sangwa Yeshe recorded and hid these teachings as Terma at Maratika. Later, Guru Padmasambhava received the teachings. After practicing for ninety days, Buddha Amitayus appeared in the sky and gave initiations to the Guru and Mandarava. They then attained the Vidyadhara of longevity.
With the extension of the highway, it is possible to take a 4WD to Halesi and back. Maratika cave is located 221 km east of Kathmandu.

Day 10: Final departure
Our tour officer will come with a transportation to drive to the Kathmandu Airport for final departure.

Buddhist Tour inquiry >

Customize Buddhist Tour of Nepal

The Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour of Nepal could be customized for 5 days or longer. It is also possible to visit Lumbini as a day trip or take a helicopter to Maratika cave, which will make the itinerary shorter.

Buddhist Tour of Nepal from India

If you are coming overland from India, it is possible to start the Buddhist tour of Nepal with a pick-up from the border. Lumbini is only about 25 km from the Sunauli border. If you are coming from the Kakarbhitta border, the tour starts with a visit to the Maratika cave. Write to us to customize a Buddhist tour of Nepal coming from India.

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