Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour Overview
Nepal is a sacred land where Siddhartha Gautama was born, who later became known as Buddha(Enlightened One), and laid the foundation of the Buddhist religion. Lumbini, where Buddha was born, is one of the holy places for Buddhist people, where thousands of devotees like to visit once in their lifetime. There was always debate on where Buddha was born, and recently, it has been concluded with years of research and studies that Lumbini, which is located in modern-day Nepal, is indeed a place where Buddha was born. For decades, pilgrims from all over the world have travelled here to walk in the footsteps of Buddha, visit the places connected to his life, and experience the spiritual atmosphere that still lives in monasteries, stupas, and prayer-filled landscapes.
Born in Lumbini, situated in Rupahdehi district, is 22 Km away from Siddharthanagar (Bhairahawa airport), which makes it easily accessible by flight also. Buddha, known as the Light of Asia, was born on the full moon day in 623 BC. Kushinagar, where Buddha attained Nirvana, from his life is 181 km away from Lumbini in Buddha Gaya. The words that Buddha spoke spread over the world as Bodhisattwa (Truths).
The Journey
This 8-day Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour is designed for international Buddhist followers who wish to visit the birthplace of Buddha and connect deeply with Buddhist heritage. The journey brings together the most important Buddhist destinations in Nepal, from the birthplace of Buddha in Lumbini to the ancient stupas of Kathmandu Valley and the peaceful monastery at Namobuddha. The tour starts from Kathmandu, where you will visit various Buddhist monasteries like Swyambhunath and Boudhanath along with historical sites in Kathmandu like Patan Durbar Square, which will show you the culture, tradition, and history of Nepal. In Kathmandu, you will also do the NamoBuddha monastery day tour, a sacred pilgrimage site where Buddha, in his past life offered his body to save a tigress and her cubs from starvation.
Then we will take you to Lumbini, where you will walk inthe footsteps of Buddha. Visit Lumbini - birthplace of Buddha, Kapilvastu, and Tilaurakot, where Prince Siddhartha spent his early childhood. You will explore Lumbini for full days, learn Buddhist history, teachings, culture, ancient sites, and relics before returning back to Kathmandu.
Sacred Buddhist Sites Included in the journey
Here is the list of the sacred Buddhist sites that are included in this pilgrimage Nepal Tour;
- Lumbini - birthplace of Gautam Buddha
- Kapilvastu & Tilaurakot - ancient Shyaka Kingdom, where Prince Siddhartha spent his early childhood before he left his kingdom for spritual path
- Patan and Pharping - one of the oldest Buddhist settlements in Nepal with many monasteries, meditation caves and numerous monasteries
- Boudhanath Stupa - one of the largest stupas in the world and a center of Tibetan Buddhism
- Swyambhunath Stupa - an ancient hilltop stupa in Kathmandu which symbolswisdom and enlightenment
- NamoBuddha - a sacred pilgrimage and meditation site near the Kathmandu valley, focusing on the previous life of Buddha
Why Nepal is the heart of Buddhist Pilgrimage
Nepal holds an important place in Buddhist history for being the country where Buddha was born. And in Buddha's teachings, he told his followers to visit the place where he was born, making Nepal one of the important places for Buddhists pilgrims. Lumbini, being the birthplace of Buddha, there are also other various significant places that attract international travelers. Kathmandu Valley preserves some of the world’s oldest Buddhist stupas and living monastic traditions, and Namobuddha is one of the most sacred meditation sites in the region.
Pilgrims visiting Nepal experience:
- The birthplace of Lord Buddha
- ancient Buddhist kingdoms and archaeological sites
- sacred stupas and monasteries
- active Buddhist rituals and prayer traditions
- peaceful environments ideal for meditation
and each location reflects some chapter of Buddha's life and teaching, making this tour spiritually meaningful and historically rich.
