Buddhist Meditation Tour to Lumbini and Pokhara – 8 Days

● Learn basic Philosophy and rituals of Lord Gautama Buddha

● Learn about the history of Buddha’s life and legacy

● Learn Buddhist Meditation from Lamas.

● Visit Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha and a world heritage site

● Explore Sarus Crane Sanctuary, Buddhist Library, World Peace Pagoda

● Visit Matepani Gumba and World Peace Stupa in Pokhara

● All airport/hotel transfers.

●Two night accommodation in Kathmandu at a 3 star hotel on twin/double sharing basis on BB Plan.

●Two night accommodation in Pokhara at a 3 star hotel on twin/double sharing basis on BB Plan.

●Three night accommodation in Lumbini at a 3 star hotel on twin/double sharing basis on BB Plan.

● Domestic Flight tickets (Kathmandu-Lumbini-Pokhara-Kathmandu).

● Guided sightseeing tour in Kathmandu

● An experienced local licensed English-Speaking guide and supporting staff.

● All ground transportation on a comfortable private vehicle as per the itinerary.

● World heritage sites entry fee where applicable.

● Farewell dinner

● All government and local taxes

● Nepal Visa Fee

● International airfare to and from Kathmandu

● Meals during the tour.

● Any kind of refreshment beverages and alcohol.

● Extra accommodation in Kathmandu in cases of early arrival and late departure than the scheduled itinerary.

● Travel and rescue insurance.

● Personal expenses (phone calls, laundry, bar bills, battery recharge, bottle water, etc.)

● Any extra costs resulting from cancellation, weather, political unrest or illness

● Tips for guide, drivers and supporting staff.

● Duffel/Rucksack bag/Suitcase Day bag.( Small handbag) Sports shoes or sandals.

● Sun Hat/cap

● Warm woolen cap ( During winter season)

● Warm jacket and sweater (During winter Season)

● Raincoat or umbrella

● Eye glass

● Water bottle

● Flash or Torch light Camera and batteries.

Group Size
For meditation tours, we ensure the standard group size, not exceed 16 pax. This group size is perfect for us to perform our best without compromising with our service quality. For this tour we provide one licensed professional guide who can communicate or speak in English and supporting staff. Also,a group of 16 participants will have one complimentary group leader.

Our staff are entirely made up of locals who are trained to conduct their duties and responsibilities diligently and smoothly. They have excellent knowledge about local customs and practices and can also perform, if needed, first aid and rescue operations.

Accomodation
There are various levels and types of accommodation facilities available in major cities such as Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan and Lumbini. A variety of choices exists from budget hotels to deluxe to five-star hotels depending upon your interests. We choose accommodation for your tour program specifically based on the destination you will be visiting, the level of services you require and your interests. Our tour programs offer single rooms for independent tourists, double/twin sharing for couples and friends.

For this tour we offer a double/twin sharing room in a ‘3-Star Hotel’ with bed & breakfast plan. The hotels have been selected by the Asia Buddhist Tours & Treks after personal inspection. We look at the conditions of the inns, local hygiene, quality of food, type of service and more. All rooms are double occupancy, but you can request a single occupancy room for an additional fee. The availability of rooms vary between peak and lean tourist seasons which also affect the prices. We suggest you inform us in advance the types of hotels you prefer while making a booking with us.

Foods
Nepal offers a plethora of delicacies and cuisines as far as food is concerned. Major cities like Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan have great restaurants with great dining experience.Whether you like to try local cuisine, Indian or Chinese food or continental, you are in for a feast.

Please note that this tour package does not include meal plans (dinner and lunch). We can customize your tour program to include meal plans if you want, so do let us know during the booking of tour programs.

As per your arrival time in Kathmandu, we will come to receive you at the airport. After clearing your luggage from the customs, you will be driven to a pre-booked hotel where you can refresh and rest. Visit our office in the afternoon/evening and attend a tour briefing program conducted by your tour guide. Stay overnight in Kathmandu.

After breakfast we will take an easy flight of 35 minutes to Bhairahawa Airport, and then just a 35 km journey to Lumbini. At Lumbini, we check into our hotel before and then visit the most sacred place: the Maya Devi Temple where Lord Buddha was born. Inside of the temple there is a footprint of the baby Siddhartha preserved in the rock. We will Meditate next to the sacred pond where the very pregnant Queen Maya Devi bathed. There is a sacred fig tree or Bodhi tree (also called a peepal tree) that Queen Maya Devi held onto in labor pain. We will tour the secret garden as well as just sit next to the pond and fill ourselves with the immense spirituality that permeates the place. We will check into our hotel for dinner and afterwards, perform prayers and pooja before going to bed.

Wake up early and perform morning prayer and pooja before breakfast. Following a good breakfast, we will attend an introductory class on Buddhist philosophy as well as introduction to the proper way to do meditation. These classes are taught by a lama who has done at least 20 years of study. Following dinner is prayer and meditation before going to bed.

Today you will visit nearby places of Lumbini which are also connected with the childhood of Lord Buddha and the Shakya Kingdom. Ramagram was once the maternal home of Lord Buddha and preserves many ancient relics. Tilaurakot was the center of Shakya Kingdom believed to be ruled by the Lord Buddha’s father and Sagarhawa, Kudan, Niglihawa and Gothihawa are also equally important archaeological and historical sites. Stay overnight in Lumbini

Have an early morning breakfast and then drive to the Bhairahawa airport to catch a flight to Pokhara. After lunch visit you will be taken to Matepani Gumba, a Buddhist monastery on top of a high hill overlooking the city. Here there are chanting lamas along with a colossal guardian image of Lord Buddha. Spend some time in meditation before dinner. Stay overnight in Pokhara.

Today you will participate in a full day guided tour of Pokhara. Take an early morning hike to Sarangkot to capture golden sunrise views and majestic Himalayan peaks of Annapurna, Machhapuchhre and Dhaulagiri.

Later hike to World Peace Pagoda and then visit Davis Fall, Gupteswar Cave & International Mountaineering Museum. Other optional activities include Paragliding from Sarangkot and boating in Phewa Lake. Stay overnight in Pokhara.

We fly back to Kathmandu today and after landing, travel to Pharping in the Kathmandu Valley where Guru Padma Sam bhava meditation for six months in the 8th century. Pharping is a strong Buddhist area in the Kathmandu Valley and is home to the world’s largest statue of Padma Sam bhava who brought Buddhism to Tibet and Nepal. We will visit the sacred site where Guru Padma Sam bhava attained the level of Mahamudra Vidyadhara. There are Ashura caves and the Yangleshö cave. There are many important monasteries and retreat centers. In the evening you will visit Swoymbhu Stupa (Monkey temple) and Kathmandu Durbar Square.

Today is your last day in Nepal. Depending on the timing of your international flight, we will drive you to the airport 3-4 hrs before your scheduled flight. Time to bid farewell.

The program cost we offer to you is both comparative and reasonable. Since we practice sustainable tourism, we attempt to give the best experience to our tourists while ensuring equal economic dividends to locals of the host destination and our staff. We do not overprice and we discourage unhealthy practices of undercutting. We believe in providing quality service to our guests at a sustainable competitive price.

Yes, you can always customize the itinerary according to your requirements. We are quite flexible in re-designing the itinerary by taking into consideration your time availability and needs.

We are flexible in designing programs that suit your interests and needs. Feel free to let us know what you prefer and what your choices are. You can combine two or three tours & trek programs in one go or even more. We are open to any set of combinations you want to pursue.

Yes, we do offer a unique and authentic local food experience tour in Nepal. We have multiple choices for programs that focus on giving gastronomical experience in Nepal. Whether you want to try fine Nepalese dining experience or street food or visit ethnic restaurants, it is up to you. We know some of the best local food restaurants in Nepal that you may want to experience

We offer single to multiple day village experience tours. Please check our website for village experience tours. We present to you a unique opportunity to visit Nepali villages, experience traditional lifestyle, taste authentic and ethnic Nepali cuisines and dishes as well as take part in cultural festivals.

You can cancel the trip if you have personal reasons to do so. Please read our Terms & Conditions for refund details.