Upon your arrival at the Kathmandu airport (TIA) you will be greeted by a representative from Accessible Adventure Trekking. After completing your custom formalities (Visa, etc) pick up your luggage and look for our representative with an Accessible Adventure display board at the arrival gate. You will be then transferred to Hotel Kathmandu Suite Home or a similar category hotel.

Today we pay our visit to Boudhanath Stupa, one of the largest stupas in the world and an important Buddhist pilgrimage. The unique octagonal Mandala design with hundreds of prayer wheels and the 108 images of the Buddha set into the niches around the huge structure. The area of Boudhnath is also famous for over 50 Tibetan Gompas or monasteries, the also being known as the ‘Little Tibet’. The Kapan Monastery at Kapan Hill, a few kilometers higher north from Boudhanath is also known as Nepal Bouddhist Mahayan Centre. Kapan Monastery follows Gelug tradition of Tibetan Mahayana Buddhism under the guidance of Lama Zopa Rinpoche. There is also a nunnery nearby the main monastery, known as the Khachoe Ghakyil Ling Nunnery, home to about 400 nuns. Overnight at Kathmandu.

Boudhanath Stupa

Situated 8 km to the east of downtown Kathmandu, Boudha, is one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites and one of the most imposing landmarks in Kathmandu. Visible as soon as you land at the Tribhuvan International Airport, it is the largest stupa in the Kathmandu Valley. The 36-meter-high stupa of Boudha is massive and dominates the skyline in the area. With countless monasteries around it, Boudha is the center of Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal. Built-in the shape of a mandala designed to replicate the Gyangtse of Tibet, the stupa was renovated by Licchhavi rulers in the 8th century. The location of the stupa is interesting as it once lay on the ancient trade route to Tibet and it was here that Tibetan merchants rested and offered prayers for many centuries. It is one of the major pilgrimage sites for Buddhists from around the world. On each side are the all-seeing eyes of the Buddha symbolizing awareness. The canopy has 13 stages.

Kopan Monastery

Just north of the ancient Buddhist town of Boudhanath is the Kopan hill, which rises up out of the terraced fields of the Kathmandu valley and is visible for miles. Dominated by a magnificent bodhi tree, it was once the home of the astrologer to the king of Nepal. This same hill is now the home of Kopan Monastery, a monastery in the Gelug tradition of Tibetan Mahayana Buddhism under the guidance of Lama Zopa Rinpoche. The air is clean and the view across the valley magical. It is the home of 360 monks, lamas, teachers and workers. The monks come from all areas of Nepal and Tibet with ages ranging from seven to sixty years old. They have devoted their lives to the study and practice of the teachings of Buddha Shakyamuni, with special emphasis on the teachings of Lama Tsong Khapa, the founder of the Gelug Lineage. Visitors from all over the world come here to attend courses and enjoy the spiritual atmosphere of the place for study and practice.

We drive to Swoyambhu Stupa in the morning, which is one of the oldest Buddhist monuments in the world with more than 2000 years of history and also a major Buddhist pilgrimmage. According to legend, the civilization of Kathmandu Vallley itself begins with Swoyambhu, which literally means “the self-existent.” It is said that Bodhisattva Manjusri came across a beautiful lake while traveling and saw a lotus, with thousand golden petals, diamonds pistils, ruby anthers, and lapis lazuli stalk. The legend also says that the lotus seed was planted on a full moon night by Bipaswi Buddha himself. In the course of time, Santikarcarya, the king who turned into a Bhikchu or a monk, raised the first stupa on the holy site. After visiting Swayambhunath, we make a 6-hour drive to Pokhara in the afternoon to pay our visit to some Buddhist sites there. Overnight at Pokhara.

Swayambhunath Stupa, also known as “Monkey Temple” is located on the hilltop in the Northwest of Kathmandu Valley. It is a peaceful place where the beautiful panoramic view of Kathmandu city can be observed. It is said that the glory of Kathmandu valley has been started from here. Swayambhunath is the holiest and religious place for both Buddhists and Hindus in Nepal. It is said to have evolved spontaneously when the valley was created out of a primordial lake more than the 2000 years ago. It has numerous shrines and monasteries on its premises. Swayambhu literally means "self-existent one" or “sway update”. According to translations from an inscription dating back to 460 A.D., it was built by King Mandev in 13th century. The stupa sits atop the hill and the exceedingly steep stone steps leading up to the shrine is quite a challenge. However, there is also a road going up almost to the top. Swayambhu is perhaps the best place to observe religious harmony in Nepal.

Today we visit some Buddhist landmarks in Pokhara and also enjoy the nature’s majesty. The massive Buddhist stupa of World Peace Pagoda was constructed by Buddhist monks from the Japanese Nipponzan Myohji organisation on a narrow ridge high above Phewa Tal. Besides being a cultural monument, the site is also famous for the panoramic view it offers of the Pokhara Valley. We cross the Phewa Lake on a boat and then hike to the Stupa. Then we will visit the Malepatan Gomba or monastery at Malepatan. Then we make another hike to Hyangja, the site for Tibetan refugee camp who fled Tibet after the Cultural Revolution in China. You may try the Tibetan variety of foods, bargain for curios, and at the same time acquaint yourself with the Tibetan culture. There is the Tashi Palkhiel monastery in the tradition of Karma Kagyu tradition. Overnight at Pokhara.

Shanti Stupa in Pokhara was built by Nipponzan-Myōhōji monk Morioka Sonin with local supporters under the guidance of Nichidatsu Fujii, a Buddhist monk and the founder of Nipponzan-Myōhōji. Shanti is a Sanskrit word meaning peace, also widely used in the Nepali and Hindi languages, and Shanti Stupa means Peace Pagoda. Shanti Stupa shrine was built as a symbol of peace. Situated at the height of 1100 meters on the Anadu Hill, Nichidatsu Fujii laid the foundation stone along with relics of the Buddha on 12 September 1973. Nepal has two of the eighty peace pagodas in the world: Shanti Stupa in Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha and Shanti Stupa in Pokhara. Shanti Stupa in Pokhara has also become a tourist attraction. It provides a panoramic view of the Annapurna range, Pokhara city and Fewa Lake.

The four official Tibetan settlement camps in the city of Pokhara is a small world in itself. These refugee camps were built for the thousands of Tibetan refugees that came to settle in Nepal after the Chinese takeover. They sell beautiful handmade jewellery, trinkets, carving and carpets for the visitors to showcase the beauties of Tibet. This is a popular place where tourists come to buy souvenirs.

Matepani Gumba

Matepani Gumba was established in 1960 A.D. by Nyeshang people who migrated to Pokhara from Manang. Situated on a small hill, east of the Pokhara city, the monastery is about five kms from downtown Pokhara. The visitors can get there by local means of transport. The monastery has striking scenic beauty and ideal vantage point to view the valley and Mt. Fishtail. Several eye-catching wall paintings, magnificent monuments, a huge statue of Lord Buddha in meditation flanked by Gurun pinpoche and Karmapa are an astonishing sight. The statues are about 11 ft. tall. No entrance fee is charged to visitors. The monks are very hospitable and pleased to receive visitors regardless of the caste or religion.

We drive to Lumbini today – about 290 kilometers southwest from Pokhara which takes about 6-7 hours. We bid goodbye to the Himalayas in Pokhara, and head toward a more flat land of Nepal’s Terai. Generally, the weather gets hot and humid in the plains except in the winter. Perhaps, Lumbini is the most important Buddhist pilgrimage site – the place where Buddha was born. In case we reach Lumbini around sunset time, we can stroll in the local market to have a glimpse into the local lifestyle.

Lumbini

Lumbini (or Lumpini, Lumphini) means “the lovely”. Located in the south Terai Plain of Nepal, only about 7 km to India, Lumbini is a small country, which is world famous as the “the Birthplace of Lord Buddha” and one of the seven UNESCO World Heritages of Nepal. Because it is the place where Queen Māyādevī gave birth to Siddhartha Gautama (Sakyamuni, the founder of Buddhism), today, Lumbini is a celebrated and most important pilgrimage site for Buddhists from all over the world. When Sakyamuni was 35 years old, he achieved his enlightenment - becoming the Buddha and founding Buddhism. According to legend, many his significant Buddhist events occurred under a Sal tree. As a site pivotal to the life of the Buddha, Lumbini is also the base of modern Buddhist renaissance and a unique museum of international Buddhist temples, where over 20 countries constructed representative temples in monastic zones.

Lumbini is one of the world’s major religious, architectural, and historical places. We devote today’s time to visiting as many places and sites in Lumbini as possible. The place is really a big area with monuments, temples, and ancients sites making it a UNESCO World Heritage Site. First we visit the Mayadevi temple which is built on the exact place where Buddha was born. We spend some time wandering around the gardens. We also visit the museum and peace pagoda. Some of the important landmarks and monuments in Lumbini include Ashoka’s Pillar erected by Emperor Ashoka (249 BC) on the spot of Buddha’s birth which also has the oldest inscription in Nepal. There are many Buddhist Temples founded by devotees from different countries: Tibetan, Chinese, Japanese and Burmese, Korean, etc.

In the morning you will visit Tilaurakot, the place where Lord Gautam Buddha spent his 29 years. After that, we head back toward Kathmandu today – about 300 kilometers journey into the winding mountain road. The journey would take about 6-7 hours. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you will be transferred to your hotel.

Pharping is a little however extending town around 23 km southwest of Kathmandu, on a slope over the principle valley. Pharping is referred to the Tibetans as Yangleshö and furthermore once in a while as Phamting, as some state it is the origin of the Phamtingpa, the heart-­son of Naropa. Chatral Rinpoche clarifies that the 'Indian Phamting' (Tib. rgya gar pham thing) gets its name from the nearness of the extraordinary hood of the Naga ruler Lhakmachen or Shesha, which marks it as a site of his capacity. Accordingly to scholarly experts of the past used to call it Phanathingu (Tib. pha na thinggu), which signifies 'the nine hoods'. In the end, it was articulated Phamting. As a rule, the consecrated site of Yangleshö is alluding to the entire region of Pharping.

Chobar

Chobhar is known for the Chobhar Gorge which is closely linked to the creation of Kathmandu Valley from a lake. According to a legend the divine being Manjushree cut a hill and created the Chobar gorge which drained the water from the lake. Chobhar caves, a network of underground caves, and a temple dedicated to Adinath Lokeshwar are the other highlights of this place.

Namo Buddha (Stupa)

Namobudha is one of the most important religious sites of the Buddhists after Kathmandu's, Swyambhunath and Bouddhanath. It is located on a picturesque hill, 45 km along Banepa, Panauti route. The religiously important Namobuddha, surrounded by serene environment and green hills, is gaining fame as an important Buddhist pilgrimage site. The site is also gaining reputation as a tourist destination and more and more foreign tourists reach the place every year. Huge festival is organized here on the full moon day of Basisakh (May). the Birthday of Lord Buddha. Thousands of devotees both Buddhist and Hindu gather here for the festival. Tourist are also attracted to the artistic monasteries and the idol of "Sacrifice to the Tigress" located around the hilltop famous for viewing sunrise and sunset.

The trip concludes – our airport representative will drop you at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport for your flight departure from Nepal.