Buddhist Circuit Tour – 12 days

Your pilgrimage begins as you land in the Kathmandu Valley. A Nirvana Journeys representative will escort you to your hotel. This is a day for arrival and grounding—take a gentle walk near your hotel, perhaps visiting a local neighborhood shrine to offer your first intentions for the journey.

Today focuses on the two most iconic symbols of Buddhism in Nepal:

• Swoyambhunath (The Monkey Temple): Climb the stairs to this "self-arisen" stupa. Observe the syncretism of Hindu and Buddhist devotees and enjoy the panoramic view of the valley.
• Boudhanath Stupa: In the afternoon, visit the heart of the Tibetan community. Join the hundreds of pilgrims in a "Kora" (circumambulation) as the sun sets, accompanied by the low hum of "Om Mani Padme Hum."

Explore Patan, historically known as Lalitpur (City of Beauty). You will visit:

• Hiranya Varna Mahavihar (Golden Temple): A unique, three-story golden pagoda dedicated to Shakyamuni Buddha.
• Patan Durbar Square: Discover the ancient Bahals (monastic courtyards) tucked away in narrow alleys, where Vajrayana traditions have been preserved for a thousand years.

Drive to the Newari town of Dhulikhel for a short hike or scenic drive to Namo Buddha.

• The Legend: This is where the Buddha, in a previous incarnation as a Prince, offered his flesh to a starving tigress and her cubs.
• Overnight: You will stay at the Thrangu Tashi Yangtse Monastery lodge, allowing you to hear the evening gongs and chants of the resident monks.

Wake up to the sounds of monastic life. After witnessing the morning Puja (prayer ceremony), spend time meditating at the "Sacrifice to the Tigress" stupa. In the afternoon, we drive back to Kathmandu, enjoying the terraced green hills along the way.

Pharping: Visit the Asura and Yanglesho Caves, where the great master Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche) attained Mahamudra enlightenment. It is one of the most significant sites for Vajrayana practitioners.

Kirtipur: Explore this hilltop medieval town, visiting the Chilamchu Stupa and observing the local lifestyle of the Newar people.

Sankhu: Visit the ancient Bajrayogini Temple, a powerful site for both Buddhists and Hindus. Sankhu was once an important stop on the ancient trade route to Tibet.

Nagarkot: Continue the drive to the ridge of Nagarkot. Spend the evening watching the sky turn pink over the Langtang and Everest ranges.

Explore Changu Narayan, the oldest temple in the valley. While primarily Hindu, the site contains rare 5th-century stone carvings that depict the interconnectedness of Buddhist and Hindu iconography. Return to Kathmandu for your final preparations before heading to the plains.

Take a 25-minute flight (or scenic drive) to Bhairahawa, then transfer to Lumbini. The air here is warmer and more humid, reflecting the transition to the Terai plains. Check into your hotel and take an evening stroll to the Peace Flame.

A full day within the Lumbini World Heritage Site:

• Mayadevi Temple: Stand at the exact spot of the Buddha’s birth. See the Ashoka Pillar, erected in 249 BC, and the Sacred Pond where the newborn Prince Siddhartha took his first bath.
• Monastic Zone: Visit the diverse international monasteries, including the Tibetan, Thai, Chinese, and German temples, each showcasing unique Buddhist architecture.

Fly or drive back to Kathmandu. This is your final evening in the city—a perfect time to return to Boudhanath for a final circumambulation or to do some last-minute shopping for singing bowls, thangkas, or prayer beads.

After breakfast, we will transfer you to the airport. Your Buddhist Circuit Tour concludes as you fly home, carrying a renewed sense of peace and the ancient wisdom of the Himalayas.