Kathmandu and Lumbini Tour

Activities:: Depth Cultural Tours

Duration: 5 days

Destination: Nepal

Trip Grade

Easy
Group Size

Min. 2 Person.
Best Time

All Year Around

Trip Overview

The Kathmandu and Lumbini Luxury Tours is a journey that presents the best of both ancient cities of Nepal. Kathmandu- the epicenter of the country’s arts, architecture and crafts in woodcarving and stone sculptures and masonry, has one of the densest concentrations of World Heritage Sites in the world. In the city alone, there are about four major heritage sites within reasonable distance from each other. Lumbini on the other hand, is one of the most revered Buddhist pilgrimage sites in the world. It is the birthplace of Lord Buddha- the founder of Buddhism and also referred to as “the Light of Asia”. Archeologically important as well, Lumbini has had many excavations where the remains of the palaces and temples since the time of Lord Buddha have been unearthed and preserved. Today, Lumbini is one of the most visited Buddhist pilgrimage site among the people of the Buddhist sect and there are many monasteries that have been built there, each showcasing amazing Tibetan and Buddhist art in forms of Thankas, wall paintings, stone sculptures and idols of legendary mythical animals. Touring the heritage sites of both ancient cities of Nepal presents amazing insight into the religious and historical aspects of the country, and the Kathmandu and Lumbini luxury Tour lets you experience the cultural riches in the most comfortable of manners with pleasant hotel stays..

Start the tour first in the Kathmandu city where visits to heritage sites like the holy Pashupatinath temple, the Bouddhanath stupa, the Swayambhunath temple and the Kathmandu Durbar Square is done. Each of the sites holds their own importance in the context of Nepal’s religious and historical divisions. The Pashupatinath temple is held as one of the most important temples of the Hindu people and every year, thousands of pilgrims visit the temple during the festival and celebration of Shivaratri. It is located at the bank of the Bagmati River and sometimes, the cremation ceremony of the Hindu people can also be seen being performed at the temple by the riverside. The Bouddhanath is one of the largest Buddhist Mandalas in the world and has a dominating roof that towers above the area it is built at. The serene atmosphere of Bouddhanath makes visiting this Buddhist stupa one of the most relaxing and tranquil experiences. The Swayambhunath is another important temple located atop a hill in the city which is held sacred by both the Hindu and the Buddhist people. The Swayambhunath is also called the “Monkey Temple” because of all the monkeys that reside there. The Kathmandu Durbar Square is perhaps one of the most amazing showcases of Nepali architecture and art in its finest form. The Durbar Square of the city contains a complex that hold the old palace of the Malla and Shah kings who ruled over the city in medieval time along with many temples and statues that present one of the most spectacular wood carving and stone sculpture displays. Architecturally intricate and beautiful, the heritage sites each hold principal myths and tales that reflect Nepal’s past glories and dexterity that has been changed over the centuries. The Kathmandu and Lumbini Luxury Tour lets you explore these riches in the most comfortable and hassle-free event.

Then visit Lumbini and revel in the old sacred place’s many virtues like the Asoka Pillar that contains Nepal’s oldest inscriptions, the holy Mayadevi temple, the sacred Bodhi tree and the holy Puskarini pond along with many monasteries that are built in the most splendid architectural fashion. Circumbulate along the monasteries and immerse yourself in the peaceful atmosphere Lumbini presents. The well-preserved artifacts there present the opportunity to imagine what life was like here thousands of years ago, before Lord Buddha attained enlightenment and was just a mere prince who did not know about life’s struggles. The fact that the sacred place and temple here have managed to survive up till now is a miraculous feat in itself but their significance in the Buddhist culture enhances their attraction. The Kathmandu and Lumbini Luxury Tour perfectly captures the beauty of the sites and presents you with an experience that is rich and brimming with Nepal’s religious treasures in the most comfortable and relaxed forms.

Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport, Kathmandu

Day 02: Full Kathmandu City Sightseeing Tour

Today, at early in the morning, the Kathmandu valley Sightseeing tour will start, with a first visit to the holy Pashupatinath temple. It lies on the banks of the Bagmati River and is one of the most revered holy sites of the Hindu people. The Pashupatinath is built in the pagoda style architecture and contains many smaller shrines outside the main temple as well. It is also the cremation site of many Hindu people and sometimes, the ceremony being performed can be experienced as well.

Then, the nest site on the tour is the holy Bouddhanath stupa. It is one of the largest Buddhist stupas in the world and is located about 11 km from the center and northeastern outskirts of the city. The influx of large populations of refugees from Tibet has seen the construction of over 50 Gompas (Tibetan convent) around Bouddhanath. The Stupa is on the ancient trade route from Tibet which enters the Kathmandu Valley by the village of Sankhu in the northeast corner. Tibetan merchants have rested and offered prayers here for many centuries.

The next site in the tour is the Kathmandu Durbar Square. It is known as the Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square, a name derived from a statue of Hanuman, the monkey devotee of Lord Ram, at the entrance of the royal palace. The Durbar at the Durbar square was the royal Nepalese residence until the 19th century and was where important ceremonies, such as the coronation of the Nepalese monarch, took place. The palace is decorated with elaborately-carved wooden windows and panels and houses the King Tribhuwan Memorial Museum and the Mahendra Museum. Time and again the temples and the palaces in the square have gone through reconstruction after being damaged by natural causes or neglect. Presently there are less than ten quadrangles in the square. On 25 April 2015, an earthquake with an estimated magnitude of 7.9 hit the region and severely damaged the Square, reducing several buildings to rubble. The oldest temples in the square are those built by King Mahendra Malla (1560–1574). They are the temples of Jaggannath, Kotilingeswara Mahadev, Mahendreswara and the Taleju Temple. More and more temples and statues were added to the Square under different ruling kings over time. It is one of the most architecturally intricate showcases of Nepali art and the unique Newa architecture.

Then finally, the last site of the tour is the Swayambhunath Stupa- an ancient religious architecture atop a hill in the Kathmandu Valley, west of Kathmandu city. For the Buddhist Newari people, in whose mythological history and origin myth as well as day-to-day religious practice Swayambhunath occupies a central position, it is probably the most sacred among Buddhist pilgrimage sites. For Tibetans and followers of the Tibetan Buddhism, it is second only to Bouddha. After visiting each site, we will head back to the Hotel.

Overnight stay at a 5-star hotel in Kathmandu. Meals: Breakfast Included.

Day 03: Fly to Bhairahawa, transfer to Lumbini Hotel and Sightseeing Tour, Duration: 30-45 minutes

An early morning transfer to Bhairahawa will be done today. The flight from Kathmandu to Bhairahawa takes about 30 to 40 minute. Upon your arrival at Bhairahawa, you will be transferred to a 5-star hotel in Lumbini. After checking in at the hotel, we will begin our sightseeing tour of Lumbini.

Lumbini is the place where, according to Buddhist tradition, Queen Mayadevi gave birth to Siddhartha Gautama in 563 BCE. Lumbini is one of many magnets for pilgrimage that sprang up in places pivotal to the life of the Buddha. It has a number of temples, including the Mayadevi Temple and several others. Many monuments, monasteries and a museum- the Lumbini International Research Institute, are also within the holy site. Also there is the “Puskarini”, or the Holy Pond, where the Buddha’s mother took the ritual dip prior to his birth and where he had his first bath. At other sites near Lumbini, earlier Buddhas were, according to tradition, born, then achieved ultimate Enlightenment and finally relinquished their earthly forms. It is 4.8 km in length and 1.6 km in width and is bordered by a large monastic zone in which only monasteries can be built, no shops, hotels or restaurants. It is separated into an eastern and western monastic zone- the eastern having the Theravadin monasteries, the western having Mahayana and Vajrayana monasteries. The holy site of Lumbini also has ruins of ancient monasteries, a sacred Bodhi tree and the Ashoka pillar. From early morning to early evening, pilgrims can be seen from various countries perform chanting and meditation at the site. Nipponzan Myohoji decided to build a Peace Pagoda in the park in 2001, which is visited by many different cultures and religions every day. Because some Hindus regard the Buddha as an incarnation of Vishnu, thousands of Hindus also come here on pilgrimage during the full moon of the Nepali month of Baisakh (April–May) to worship Queen Mayadevi as Rupa Devi, the mother goddess of Lumbini. After spending time exploring and looking around at Lumbini and its many monasteries, we will return back to the hotel.

Overnight stay at a 5-star hotel in Lumbini. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included.

Day 04: Transfer to the airport and fly back to Kathmandu

Day 05: Farewell

Cost Includes

All ground transportation by private vehicle including airport transfers.
Three nights’ accommodation with breakfast at 5- star hotel in Kathmandu.
Round trip airfare Kathmandu to Bhairahawa and Bhairahawa to Kathmandu including tour guide.
A night accommodation with breakfast at a 4-star hotel in Lumbini.
All guided sightseeing tours & activities including entry fees
Farewell dinner at a typical Nepalese restaurant in Kathmandu
All government taxes and office service charge.

Cost Excludes

Meals not specified in the 'Meal Inclusions' in the itinerary'
International airfare
Nepal entry visa: you can obtain a visa easily upon your arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu. (a multiple-entry tourist visa good for 30 days can be obtained by paying US $ 40 or equivalent foreign currency. Similarly, multiple-entry tourist visas for 90 days can be obtained by paying US $ 100. Please bring 2 copies of passport-size photos.)
Tips for tour guide and Driver

Cost & Dates

Group tours are unavailable for this trip, however, you can opt for the private trip. The private trips are available on any date of your choice at any time of the year. Let us know about your preferred travel dates and we shall organize it as per your convenience. Get in touch with your query now.

Reviews

Bogdan Ilie, USA My wife and I were lucky to have chosen Nepal Hiking Team to plan our trip. We opted for a private guide and had a porter as well. We waited at the airport, and we were dropped off there as well when we left Nepal. Our guide, Ram, made sure that our trip was organized flawlessly and that we were doing well and happy at all times. He chose the best available teahouses, and we were allowed to chose the food from the menu in all of them (there seem to be agencies that say you can either choose dal bhat or pay out of pocket). We were even served, during dinner, sliced apples carried by the porter. Ram was very knowledgeable, and he shared information related to mountain peaks, vegetation, and animals. As we saw, his English skills are excellent. Above all, he is friendly and has a positive attitude, so we enjoyed talking and interacting with him. The porter, Bhola, was also very friendly. He looked like he was 50 kg but carried 55-65 kg easily. Overall, it was a fantastic once-in-a-lifetime experience to which Ram, Bhola, and Nepal Hiking Team contributed substantially. One of the owners, Ganga, even offered free rides to do the PCR tests or other purposes. We couldn't have hoped for better treatment from this agency. Note: Read Original Review on Trip Advisor (Click Here)

Lucie H, UK In May this year - some friends and I joined the NHT For 16 days. Every fine detail was considered, with our guides and porters going above & beyond to ensure we were comfortable and happy. Their knowledge and experience created a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for us all. I have no hesitation in recommending Nepal Hiking Team to anyone! They made this experience perfect, thank you, guys.

Mike, USA I went with my girlfriend to the Everest Base Camp with a guide and porter from Nepal Hiking Team. Right from the pick-up from the airport, we felt like valued clients, and we were made to feel very welcome and relaxed in an otherwise hectic city. From the moment the trek started, our guide Bheg ensured we were comfortable and constantly checked on our physical state throughout each day and provided advice and assistance where we needed it. Overall, the experience was one I'll never forget, primarily because I proposed at the top and because the Nepal Hiking team made the experience as stress-free and as organized as possible, all with a smile on their face at all times. I highly recommend NHT.

Megan Y., China Ganga, Balaram, and the team were fantastic; even when we had a 24-hour flight delay, they re-scheduled everything without fuss or fee. We had an excellent driver for just us (and guide where we had them). We even changed things along the way, and whether the driver, guide, or agent, they were more than willing to help and be flexible. :) The trip took in some hiking, some sightseeing, some relaxing, the jungle, and for each occasion and location, we were provided a specialist guide for the event/location. The hotels they chose for us were precisely our requirements based on the activity we were experiencing on any given day. Balaram even met us many times in person to round off the experience and ensure all was well and take honest feedback in person - the personal touch makes you feel even more appreciated and welcome as a customer. We would recommend anyone contact the team if they are planning a trip to Nepal. Thank you, guys, for a memorable vacation.

Jonathan, USA The team NHT provided the best possible service. They were attentive in every aspect in the months leading up to the trek through emails and were responsive and thorough in addressing my questions and concerns. During our tour, Bheg (our guide) and our porter were there to take care of our (myself and one other trekker) needs and always smile and graciously. I have used other more expensive and well-known trekking teams in the Himalayas in the past and would rank NHT on an equal or higher plain. Bheg has many years of experience, as did our porter, and was very competent in their roles and Bheg in his knowledge of the area and the trek. Though our porter did not speak very much, Bheg was kind enough to translate when asked, and our porter was equally attentive in assisting Bheg and us to ensure a successful trek. Very competitive price and an excellent team and experience. I highly recommend them.