Buddhist Heritage Tour of Nepal
●●●●● 4.9 · 60+ TripAdvisor reviewsWalk the kora at Boudhanath, sleep at a hilltop monastery and stand where the Buddha was born. Eight unhurried days with a guide who knows the stories behind each place.
On the Trip
What It Really Looks Like
Buddhist Heritage Tour of Nepal: What to Expect
Two full days in Lumbini. See the Maya Devi Temple, the Ashoka Pillar and monasteries built by a dozen countries.
Sleep at a hilltop monastery east of Kathmandu. Wake early and join the monks for morning prayers.
Fly to Lumbini and back in under an hour each way. No eight-hour bus rides.
Your guide explains the history behind each stupa and cave, not just the dates.
Nepal is where the Buddha was born. Kathmandu has been a centre of Buddhist life for well over a thousand years. This tour takes you to the places that matter most, at a pace that leaves time to sit and take them in.
You start at Boudhanath, one of the largest stupas in the world. Join the early morning kora with local pilgrims as they walk and spin prayer wheels. Then visit Kopan Monastery on the hill above, where monks study and foreign students come for meditation courses.
Day three goes south. Patan’s Golden Temple is a working monastery from the 12th century, hidden in a courtyard off the main square. Further on is Pharping, where Guru Rinpoche is said to have meditated in a small cave before bringing Buddhism to Tibet. Pilgrims still crawl in to touch the rock.
A night at Namo Buddha
Namo Buddha sits on a ridge east of the valley. The story goes that a young prince gave his body here to feed a starving tigress and her cubs. A large monastery now stands on the hill. You stay the night, hear the evening chanting and wake early for morning prayers.
Two days in Lumbini
A short flight takes you down to the plains and Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha. Inside the Maya Devi Temple you can see the stone that marks the exact spot. Outside stands a pillar the Emperor Ashoka put up when he visited in the 3rd century BC. The monastic zone around it has temples built by Buddhist countries from Thailand to Germany. You have a full day to explore by bike, rickshaw or on foot.
You fly back to Kathmandu and end the trip at Swayambhunath in the late afternoon, with the whole valley spread out below.
Who this tour suits
Practising Buddhists, people curious about Buddhism and anyone who prefers temples and quiet mornings to long drives. There is no trekking. The longest walk is the climb up the steps at Swayambhu.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Arrive in Kathmandu
We meet you at the airport and drive you to your hotel near Boudhanath. If you land early, walk over to the stupa in the evening. The butter lamps are lit and the square is full of people walking the kora. Your guide joins you for dinner and goes over the plan.
Boudhanath Kora and Kopan Monastery
Start before sunrise with the morning kora around Boudhanath. Pilgrims walk clockwise, spin prayer wheels and count beads. Your guide explains the stupa and the monasteries around the square. After breakfast you can visit a thangka painting school nearby.
Later we drive up to Kopan Monastery on the hill north of Boudha. Around 300 monks and nuns live here, and there are views across the whole valley. You may catch the monks debating in the courtyard in the afternoon. The rest of the day is free.
Patan Golden Temple and Pharping
Drive south to Patan. The Golden Temple sits in a quiet courtyard just off Durbar Square. It dates to the 12th century and is still run by local Newar Buddhist families. Walk around Patan Durbar Square before lunch.
In the afternoon we continue to Pharping on the southern rim of the valley. This is where Guru Rinpoche is said to have meditated before taking Buddhism to Tibet. You can visit the small cave with his handprint in the rock and the monasteries built around it. Drive back to Boudha in the evening.
Drive to Namo Buddha
Leave the city and drive east past Bhaktapur and Dhulikhel into the hills. Namo Buddha sits on a ridge with views to the Himalaya on clear days. Your guide tells the story of the prince and the tigress at the small stupa below the monastery.
Spend the afternoon walking the ridge or sitting in on the evening puja. Rooms are simple but clean. It is quiet here after dark, which is the point.
Fly to Lumbini
Join the monks for early morning prayers if you like. After breakfast we drive back to Kathmandu airport for the short flight to Bhairahawa. From there it is about 30 minutes to Lumbini.
The plains are warmer and flatter than the valley. Rest at the hotel, then take an easy evening walk to the Eternal Peace Flame at the end of the main canal.
Birthplace of the Buddha
Go early to the Maya Devi Temple while it is cool and calm. Inside is the marker stone for the spot where the Buddha was born. Outside are the ruins of old monasteries, the sacred pond and the Ashoka Pillar, put up by the emperor around 249 BC.
After lunch explore the monastic zone by bike or rickshaw. Countries from Thailand and Myanmar to Germany and Korea have built temples here, each in its own style. Your guide will pick the best few for the afternoon.
Fly to Kathmandu, Swayambhunath at Sunset
Fly back to Kathmandu in the morning and rest at your hotel. In the late afternoon we drive to Swayambhunath on its hill west of the city. Climb the steps past the monkeys to the stupa at the top. The whole valley spreads out below as the sun goes down.
Departure
Free time depending on your flight. We drive you to the airport three hours before departure.
3D Route Map
Includes & Excludes
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Airport pickup and drop-off
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7 nights accommodation 3 nights Boudha, 1 night Namo Buddha, 2 nights Lumbini, 1 night Kathmandu
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Kathmandu to Bhairahawa return flights Domestic airport tax included
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Private car and driver for all sightseeing and transfers
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English-speaking guide for the whole tour Your guide flies with you to Lumbini
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Entry fees at all sites on the itinerary
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Daily breakfast, welcome dinner and full board at Namo Buddha
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Bike or rickshaw in the Lumbini monastic zone
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Government taxes and service charges
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International flights
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Nepal visa Available on arrival at Kathmandu airport
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Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu and Lumbini About $10 to $20 per meal
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Travel insurance Required
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Donations and offerings at monasteries Up to you
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Meditation courses at Kopan We can help you book one
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Tips for guide and driver
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Personal expenses Drinks, laundry and shopping
Add to Your Trip
We Handle the Details
FreeWhere You'll Sleep & What You'll Eat
Clean, comfortable 3-star hotels in Kathmandu and Lumbini, picked for location. In Boudha you stay within walking distance of the stupa. At Namo Buddha you sleep in the monastery guesthouse.
Breakfast is included every day. You also get a welcome dinner on day 1 and all meals at Namo Buddha. For other lunches and dinners your guide will take you to good local places. Lumbini has plenty of simple vegetarian restaurants. Boudha has rooftop cafes with views of the stupa.
| Lunch at a local restaurant | $5 to $10 |
| Dinner in Boudha or Thamel | $10 to $20 |
| Coffee or tea at a rooftop cafe | $2 to $4 |
| Butter lamp offering at Boudha | Under $1 |
| Bottled water per day | $1 to $2 |
What Our Trekkers Say
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Finally, I had the opportunity to meander across the splendor of the Himalayas. My first concern after researching everything there was to know about Nepal was my safety and my child’s welfare. But upon our arrival at the airport, I found out that Kathmandu is one of the meanest places…
“MountainKick is haven for trekkers and one cannot afford to miss it if you are interested in trekking in Nepal.”
To whoever reading this and wondering about the legitimacy of this company, they are for real. The team is genuinely dedicated to making your trekking memorable and rewarding. Such is the professionalism of the company that they went steps further to assist us that included the tracking down of the…
“We liked the concern of this company for its staffs and the environmental awareness and it has.”
There was always a response from Jagat as we had so many things to ask. We had insisted on having a Nepali guide instead of a westerner because we had to make sure the money we spend actually goes to Nepali people. We chose this company because we had heard…
“We had the trip of our lifetime”
We had the trip of our lifetime thanks to the warm hospitality bestowed upon us and the beauty of such amazing country. From well-organized trips, exotic locations, cultural sightseeing to the thrill of safari, “soft” trekking to Poon Hill, everything was memorable. Our trekking guide was Shiva, apparently named after…
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be Buddhist to join?
No. Many of our guests are just curious about Buddhism or love old temples. Everyone is welcome at the sites on this tour. Your guide explains things without assuming you already know them.
Can I join a meditation session?
Yes. You can sit in on the evening puja at Namo Buddha and the morning prayers there. Kopan runs short meditation courses most months. Tell us when you book and we can fit one in, or add extra days for a longer course.
How much walking is there?
Very little. The longest walks are the kora at Boudhanath, the steps up to Swayambhu and a few hours around the Lumbini monastic zone. There is no trekking. Anyone who can manage stairs at their own pace can do this tour.
What is the best time to go?
October to March. The weather is clear and Lumbini is comfortable. Buddha Jayanti, the Buddha’s birthday, falls in April or May. It is a wonderful time to be in Lumbini and Boudha, but it is hot on the plains.
What if the Lumbini flight is cancelled?
We drive you instead. It takes about 7 hours each way on a good road. Your guide stays with you and we adjust the plan so you still get a full day in Lumbini.
Can I change the hotels?
Yes. We use clean, comfortable 3-star hotels. If you want something nicer, like Hyatt Regency near Boudha, ask us and we will send a new price.
Can I add more days?
Yes. Popular add-ons are a longer stay at Kopan for a course, a day trip to Bhaktapur, or the Everest mountain flight on your last morning.
Departure Dates & Pricing
No upcoming fixed departures are scheduled at the moment. Contact us to arrange a private departure on dates that suit you.
We never force our customers to follow our set itinerary. You can customize your itinerary exactly the way you want. Please share with us your ideas.
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20% deposit: due on booking Secures your place on the departure. The deposit is non-refundable. We also need a copy of your passport.
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80% balance: due on arrival Pay the rest in Kathmandu before the trip starts. Bank transfer, cash, or card (4% card fee).
| Cancel before you arrive | Deposit not refunded, nothing more to pay |
| Cancel after the pre-trip meeting | No refund |
| Date or name change | USD 200 per person |
| MountainKick cancels trip | Full refund or reschedule |
Weather delays and extra days cost extra, so travel insurance is required. We give you documents for any claim.
Read the full terms and conditionsPacking List
Clothes
ⓘ Cover shoulders and knees at temples
Shoes
ⓘ You take them off a lot
Day bag
ⓘ What to carry each day
Documents and tech
Travelling in Winter (Dec to Feb)
Leave at home
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Trekking gear No trekking on this tour
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Shorts and sleeveless tops Not suitable at temples and monasteries
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Expensive jewellery You don't need it, so leave it at home
Sleeping bags and down jackets can be rented through us. Trekking poles are best purchased in Thamel. We'll connect you with trusted shops during your pre-trip meeting. We provide a duffel bag for every trekker as part of the package.
Buddhist Heritage Tour of Nepal
Talk to Kumar and the team before you commit. Ask about pace, hotels, a private group or adding extra days.
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