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Kathmandu Lumbini Tour
The Lumbini, birthplace of Lord Buddha, who was born in 623 BC in Lumbini, Nepal. It is southwest of Kathmandu. There are many flights to get to Lumbini from Kathmandu Airport.
Highlights
Key trip facts at a glance.
Gallery
Trip photos and moments.
Overview
The Lumbini, birthplace of Lord Buddha, who was born in 623 BC in Lumbini, Nepal. It is southwest of Kathmandu. There are many flights to get to Lumbini from Kathmandu Airport. You can also travel by land; it takes 6 to 7 hours and is 300 km from Kathmandu. The main attractions at Lumbini remain the Sacred Garden that is spread over 8 sq. km, the Mayadevi Temple, the Ashoka Pillar, the sacred pond, the China Temple, etc. The Sacred Garden possesses all the treasures of the historic area. The Mayadevi temple is the main attraction for pilgrims and archaeologists alike. Here we find a bas-relief of Mayadevi, the Buddha’s mother, giving birth to him. Standing west of the Mayadevi shrine is the oldest monument of Nepal: Ashoka’s pillar. Emperor Ashoka built the pillar in 249 BC to commemorate his pilgrimage to the sacred site. To the south of the pillar, we find the sacred pond, Puskarni, where Queen Mayadevi had taken a bath just before giving birth to the Buddha. Today the holy site is being developed as the supreme Buddhist pilgrimage and a symbol of world peace. The shrines and monasteries built by different countries and in different times reflect the architectural traditions of the respective countries, thus giving Lumbini an international feel with a message of universal friendship and brotherhood.
About 30 km east of Lumbini is the village called Tilaurakot, which is believed to have been the location of the Kapilvastu Royal Palace, where the Lord Buddha grew up as the Shakya dynasty prince until he renounced it at the age of 29 in search of enlightenment. A tour to this destination will bring emancipation in one’s life, which is so pure, peaceful, and prosperous to those who seek salvation from the filthy activities practiced in the world. There are other places of interest nearby too, such as Kapilbastu. After Lumbini, we went back to Bhairahawa airport; it is about 30 km. We then take a domestic flight to Kathmandu.
Highlights of the Kathmandu-Lumbini Tour
- The tour starts from Kathmandu, where tourists are briefed about Nepal’s religious, Buddhism, Lumbini and historical origins.
- Visiting World Heritage Sites such as Swyambhunath (Monkey Temple), Boudhanath Stupa, Pashupatinath Temple, and Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha
- The major shrines of Boudhanath stupa, Swyambhunath, and Pashupatinath temple are a few of the most important Hindu and Buddhist religious places in Nepal, indicating the extent of faith in Nepal.
- Sightseeing at Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Patan Durbar Squares to capture the feel of royal palaces with their exquisite architecture.
- Lumbini is a sacred site in the Tarai region, which is about 265 km west of Kathmandu.
- Lumbini is recognized as the birthplace of Lord Gautama Buddha. It is also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the most important pilgrimage destinations for Buddhists from all over the world.
Accommodation and Food
Accommodation is typically provided on a twin-sharing basis in downtown cities, though a single supplement can be requested for an additional fee. During peak season, it can be difficult to find single or twin rooms, so we suggest our valuable guests book their Kathmandu holiday trip in advance. Our priority is always to provide clean and safe rooms for our guests. Nepal Himalaya Tours will provide all breakfasts and a farewell dinner on the final night of the trip. So, you will enjoy your dinner with a Nepali culture show.
Best time to travel
You are always welcome for a round-the-year Kathmandu-Lumbini holiday tour except during the rainy season. Although a Kathmandu holiday trip can be taken in winter as well, the cold temperature might not be suitable for everyone.
Itinerary
Arrival at Kathmandu International Airport. There you will be met by Nepal Himalaya’s representative and transferred to the hotel by private vehicle and overnight at the hotel.
The Kathmandu Holiday Tour Package has everything planned for the capital city on the second day, and it is a very busy day. We start the day with a breakfast and embark on a journey toward the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our first visit would be to Pashupatinath Temple, a holy Hindu shrine, followed by Swayambhunath Stupa and then Baudhanath Stupa. The last destination for today would be the Kathmandu Durbar Square, basically a palace enriched in the history of the kings who called it their home. The day wraps up with a free evening for roaming local streets and snacking on the street foods that can be found in the Basantapur area.
We drive a tourist bus from Kathmandu to Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, which has been honored as the place of holy pilgrimage. It has been listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and is the most important place for Buddhists. Upon arrival in Lumbini, check in at the hotel, and then we go walking through the Sacred Lumbini Garden, where the Buddha was born, converging on the Ashoka pillar. Again, visit the Maya Devi Temple with its bas-relief sculpture depicting Maya Devi holding on with her right hand to a branch of a Pipal tree and giving birth to the infant Buddha, who stands up on a lotus pedestal.
After breakfast, we begin the trip by driving away about 30 km west from Lumbini and visit the important archaeological site, Tilaurakot, the ancient palace of King Suddodha (father of Siddhartha Gautam), where the Buddha spent his formative years as a Shakya Prince. Allow yourself for a moment to wander around and soak in the atmosphere. There’s a museum nearby, the Kapilvastu Museum; the pottery, jewelry, and ornaments are gathered in-house. End the remarkable tour in Tilaurakot by visiting the shrines, monasteries, and stupa near the sacred garden.
Today, we fly back from Lumbini to Kathmandu. Check in at the hotel, and in the evening, explore the local market nearby your hotel downtown. We will have a farewell dinner with a culture show at a Nepali restaurant.
Our representative will drop you at the International Airport for your flight departure to the destination country.
Includes / Excludes
Trip Includes
- Accommodation at a 3-star hotel in Kathmandu and Lumbini.
- Flight from Lumbini to Kathmandu.
- All airport transfers (pickup and drop-off) and ground transportation in a private tourist vehicle.
- Final night farewell dinner.
- English-speaking tour guide.
- All fees and government tax.
- All breakfast.
Trip Excludes
- Lunches and dinners while in Kathmandu and Lumbini
- International airfare
- Nepal entry visa
- Personal travel insurance and emergency evacuation
Know Before You Go
- Lumbini is located in Rupandehi District, which is in southern Nepal, and it is about 265 km from Kathmandu.
- It is close to the Indian border.
- The birthplace of Lord Buddha and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Inside Lumbini, mostly a vehicle-free zone, you can walk, take a rickshaw, or cycle.
- We must maintain silence and respectful behavior around monasteries.
- Must ask before taking photography; it may be restricted inside temples.
- The main attractions of Lumbini are Maya Devi Temple (birthplace of Buddha), Ashoka Pillar, Sacred Pushkarini Pond, and International Buddhist Monasteries.