Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour in Nepal - 8 days

Best time to do the Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour in Nepal

Planning your Nepal Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour at the perfect time makes all the difference for this ultimate cultural trip. The months from October through May are best for our 8-day Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour when the weather is dry and sunny. These months make our travel to all Nepal Buddhist Pilgrimage Sites easy, without worrying about heavy rainfall or snow blocking up mountain roads.

October and November are excellent months for our Nepal Buddhist Heritage Tour because of the two big festivals happening, that is, Dashain and Tihar. During Dashain, families assemble, and colorful decorations beautify just about everywhere. Being the festival of lights, all Buddhist temples and monasteries glitter under oil lamps and candles, so visiting Boudhanath and Swayambhunath during the time of celebrations is magical!

While March to May is good as well, so warm and clear weather with spectacular mountain views of clear skies from Sarangkot and World Peace Pagoda are there. Spring flowers everywhere add to a more serene experience of visiting these monasteries. Buddha Jayanti (the birthday of Buddha), which falls sometime during April or May, happens to be the most important festival in the Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour in Nepal Package. Lumbini gets special consideration during this period as thousands of pilgrims from across the world come together at the birthplace of Lord Buddha.

We are basically a cultural tour focusing on Buddhist Pilgrimage Sites, so we need not worry about wonderful trekking weather. One can very well go during winter months (December to February), though the mornings will be quite cold, and one might find the daylight hours a bit too short to explore a lot of sites. However, in February, there is the Tibetan New Year called Losar, and everyone rejoices when they celebrate this in all the monasteries as part of our Nepal Buddhist Heritage Tour. Specially performed prayers, the masked dancing, and colorful decorations may be observed in places such as Kapan Monastery and Tibetan camps in Pokhara.

However, Heavy monsoons (June to September) might hinder comfortable temple visits and safe mountain road drives. Regardless of the time of visit, the Nepal Buddhist Heritage Tour Itinerary offers us calmness, spirituality, and fascinating cultural expressions all year round.

Why take the Nepal Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour?

The Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour 8 days is worthwhile to feel the beating of the soul and consider Buddhist history and teachings, which are more than 2000 years old. It does not matter whether you are simply an involved historian or a very religious-minded individual, because this pilgrimage will open the door to experiences that you will always treasure.

Cultural And Spiritual Interest

Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour in Nepal leads you into a world where age-old customs are really still alive and well. Pilgrims can visit Boudhanath Stupa, where prayer flags in bright colors dance in the wind of the mountains as they tour around a huge white domed structure. We find numerous attractive stupas, monasteries, and old artworks that tell the story telling about the life and teachings of Buddha. It is a chance to actually witness the living Buddhist culture of Nepal, interact with the locals, and just feel the serene vibe of respect that envelops these sacred places.

Deepens The Understanding Of The Buddhist Teachings

Learning about Buddhism in the books will be one thing and being in Nepal and visiting the sacred locations in person during the Nepal Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour is absolutely something of different dimension. Being in the Maya Devi Temple in Lumbini, in that very earthly place that Buddha saw the light of the world in, would transform the entire teaching into something very personal, into reality. We listen, meditate, discuss with the monks and read on kindness, awareness and tranquility. As we visit these epic Buddhist sites that formed the history of the world, monks at Swayambhunath Stupa and Namo Buddha put forth the Buddhist concepts and doctrines in simple words.

Connect With Local Monks And Leaders

One of the most unique aspects of any Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour, perhaps, is that you get to make acquaintance with beautiful monks in holy places such as Kapan Monastery or Thrangu Tashi Yangtze Monastery, and they are people who have devoted their lives to share the message of Buddha. Monks can even provide us with basic meditation or mindfulness exercises that we can do every day. It is not only about learning but an occasion to feel the warm hospitality and kind wisdom of these monks. Throughout your 8-day Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour, you will realize that your wise teachers also enjoy engaging in simple talk and laughter.

Thrive In The Buddhist Ritual And Ceremonies

Your Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour in Nepal Package provides you with a variety of opportunities to be a part of real Buddhist ceremonies every day at sacred sites. Feel free to walk around Boudhanath or Swayambhunath and touch the Wheels of Dharma, chant mantras, or offer prayers. The lighting of butter lamps, going around the stupas following the clockwise direction, and hearing the chanting of monks are some of the spiritual practices that can help in developing being and understanding more about Buddhism. The festivals of Buddha Jayanti and Lhosar are celebrated inside the sacred areas of the monasteries and stupas with prayers, dancing, and singing.

Meditation and Spiritual Growth

If you have never meditated, then the Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour in Nepal presents a great chance to learn this ancient art at the most tranquil locations. Sacred gardens in Lumbini present solitary locations close to the Maya Devi Temple where one can practice inner reflection. At Namo Buddha and Kapan Monastery, with beautiful mountainous backgrounds, you can also find stillness easily and be focused on the meditation spots. Meditation is a unique opportunity to experience a spiritual connection in the World Peace Pagoda in a lovely scenic landscape behind you in Pokhara. The period is an opportunity to connect with the feelings, forget the pain, and build strength.

Suitable For Devout Buddhists And History Enthusiasts

You can take this tour if devout Buddhist or someone who simply loves studying ancient Buddhist history. Devout Buddhists find deep spiritual meaning at Lumbini, at Maya Devi Temple, and walking the same paths Buddha walked at the ruins of Tilaurakot palace. The history enthusiast finds plenty of interesting stories at the Ashoka Pillar and UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Swayambhunath Stupa and Boudhanath Stupa. The 8-day Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour Package truly mixes culture, spirituality, and history for everyone.

How to Prepare for an 8-Day Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour?

• Make your reservation 2-3 months in advance since the pilgrimage tours get booked fast, especially during festival times and spring months when the weather is just perfect.
• Get insurance to cover medical treatments, trip cancellations, and missing baggage, so you do not land into any unexpected problems all by yourself.
• Before the tour, get your doctor for your general physical health and basic medical considerations. Ask them which vaccinations you might need for Nepal. 
• Change some currency into Nepali Rupees. Cards are acceptable in almost all hotels, but you will need cash for temple offerings, buying prayer flags at Boudhanath Stupa, and shopping at local markets.
• Having some elementary understanding of Buddha's life and teachings. This will enable you to treat the locals with respect and even have a more enjoyable time learning about their culture.
• Ensure that your passport is valid for a further duration of at least 6 months following the date on which you intend to travel. Travelers must get this to enter Nepal.
• Create copies of your passport, visa, insurance papers, and tickets for your flight. It is wise to have copies of your documents just in case you lose the originals. Be sure to handle your credit cards carefully.
• Decide what to do during free time. Your Nepal Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour Package offers some free hours in Kathmandu and Pokhara for private exploration, shopping, or additional meditation sessions.

Essential Packing List For Buddhist Pilgrimage Travelers

• Shoes for comfortable walking during driving time. Any temple visit and jungle walk requires strong-soled walking shoes. Flip-flops to wear during those carefree days.
• Sarangkot can be rather cold in the morning, and a late morning sun will demand something warm even amid afternoon heat.
• You will be outdoors for hours outdoors such as the World Peace Pagoda, and strolling around the large Boudhanath Stupa ground under the glaring mountain sun.
• A good quality camera with extra batteries; views from Sarangkot and the striking architecture in the Thai Monastery truly merit the best photographs.
• An adequately equipped small personal medicine kit: include your ordinary meds and some for the common headache, stomach trouble, and cuts. Also, include a few band-aids and antiseptic cream.
• A small backpack; it makes going in and out of activities easier while your important items are stored. Out and about sightseeing? Bring water, a camera, maybe a few snacks, along with your addresses and personal stuff.
• Keep in a waterproof folder all your travel papers, your passport, your visa, your insurance policy and a phone contact person in the event that something happens. Also, carry spare copies of your papers, so in case of loss of the originals, you have something to rely on.

Cultural Etiquettes and Respectful Behavior at Sacred Sites

• Circle stupas and temples clockwise. In Boudhanath Stupa and Swayambhunath Stupa, be accompanied by the other pilgrims in a clockwise loop, not the opposite direction.
• Take off one's shoes before entering temple buildings. Inside almost all temples, like at Maya Devi Temple in Lumbini and monastery prayer halls, you are expected to remove your shoes as the floors may be considered sacred.
• Keep dress codes down to modesty, with shoulders and knees well covered. This is a standard mark of respect at all Nepal Buddhist Pilgrimage Sites and holds utmost value while interacting with monks.
• Keep voices low and peaceful. Areas like meditation halls and prayer halls require people to converse only in whispers and remain calm.
• Ask before taking pictures of anybody. This is more so for monks and local pilgrims at places and ceremonies throughout the various locations.
• Do not put your feet toward Buddha statues or altars. One is usually expected to sit cross-legged or to have their feet tucked in while meditating or just resting around the temples.
• Make tiny donations politely. Put the money in the donation box at the temples, or if allowed, hand it directly to the monks with both hands, foregoing a slight bow.
• Turn off phone sound and avoid loud talking. This is because such places hold the relaxed ambiance that pilgrims go seeking.
• Do not touch religious statues or things. Many items available at Nepal Buddhist Pilgrimage Sites are ancient and sacred; look with your eyes, but hands off. 
• Observe the rules for photography at each location. Some areas may not allow pictures to be taken inside the Maya Devi Temple or certain monastery halls.

Accommodation along the Buddhist Pilgrimage Route in Nepal

Where you get to sleep during the Nepal Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour would be the very factor between having a good or a bad spiritual experience. The good news: you will hardly have to worry about finding accommodation! Your Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour in Nepal Package offers accommodation in good hotels in all three major cities to be visited. 

In Kathmandu

Your Nepal Buddhist Heritage Tour will start and end in Kathmandu, and accommodations are comfortable, have private bathrooms, and offer Wi-Fi. The hotels have clean rooms with good food and offer basic to average hotel service within walking distance to temples and markets while discovering the city's rich Buddhist heritage.

In Pokhara

Hotels in Pokhara during the Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour in Nepal offer something special in the way of the view of the lake! Most of the rooms face the calm waters of the Phewa Lake with the majestic snow-studded mountains in the background. The rooms are clean with attached bathrooms and give you a comfortable stay.

In Lumbini

It is a truly extra-special experience to stay in Lumbini, since you can sleep very close to the actual birth-site of Buddha in the Maya Devi Temple. The hotels are not fancy but pretty good in cleanliness and comfort, so pilgrim guests will readily emphasize spiritual experiences rather than fine goods or services. Many have fruits and flowers growing out in the gardens, and would be good places to meditate quietly after visiting the sacred places. 

Transportation facilities 

Getting around from one place to another is easier on our Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour. You use private vehicles or touring coaches and these are secure and dependable. Roads, including the ones linking Kathmandu to Pokhara and Lumbini, are highways and you will find few rough places. No long walks are involved in the course of the tour, and Buddhist temples or monasteries are only one step away just behind the car parking site. The mountain road to Sarangkot is rough yet lovely, with its beauty. Our driver is well seasoned on these roads and guarantees you will be driven carefully. Overall, the transport of the Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour in Nepal is comfortable in a way that you may appreciate the spiritual experiences without worrying about getting from one spot to the other.

Travel Tips during the Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour in Nepal

• Avoid showing shoulders and knees whenever entering a temple or monastery. Loose, breathable clothing fitting the climate is considered respectful for such sacred places.
• Take off your shoes and hats inside any temple or monastery building. Most places provide racks or storage for shoes. 
• Layer up for weather changes. Normally, it can be extremely cold when you take a walk on a sunrise watching trip at Sarangkot. Even in spring and autumn, a warm jacket, a sweater, and long trousers have to be worn even during the warm days.
• Have small-denomination bills ready. As with any trip, always carry pocket change to hand to people; temple donations, entry fees, purchasing prayer flags or incense, or tipping local guides.
• Hydrate well during the whole trip. The bottled water is your best choice, especially for long drives between cities or while walking around the temple and stupas areas.
• Photographing people should be done after you have received their permission, especially when they are monks and pilgrims. Some temple interiors do not allow the camera at all. Respect and be careful when it comes to being in a prayer ceremony or during a meditation session; put your camera away.
• Speak low and never in a hurry when you are going into a temple or a monastery. Put the ringer of your cell phone on mute, and avoid loud conversations. After all, these are the places where we are supposed to pray, meditate, and have a spiritual reflection.
• Reflect on food and water. Only stick to bottled water and well-prepared meals in good restaurants. Raw vegetables, street food, and ice cubes should be avoided when you do not have a stomach that tolerates local food.
• Have an easy carry-out backpack with the essential items. It is advisable to carry along some water bottles, light snacks, sun block, some basic medicines, and the key documents for any temples and monastery entry. 
• At times, the road may have contingent delays in the form of traffic holdups, road repairs, or even bad weather. Talk to your guide or other travelers in the meantime.