9 days · easy
Lumbini & Pokhara Tour
Nine days linking Kathmandu’s UNESCO stupas, Namo Buddha monastery, Lumbini’s sacred garden, Pokhara’s lakes, Sarangkot sunrise, Peace Pagoda, and Pharping with Swayambhunath—spiritual, cultural, and Himalayan scenery in one tour.
From US$2143 per person (indicative)
Best seasons: All year round
At a glance
- Distance
- 761 km
- Altitude (max · min)
- (↑) 1750 m · (↓) 150 m
- Days
- 9
- Route grade
- Grade A (an easy endeavour)
- Fitness
- Aerobic fitness
Gallery
Route map
Overview of the trekking corridor (illustrative—not a substitute for navigation).
Trip overview
This Buddhist pilgrimage with Pokhara tour blends spiritual, cultural, and natural experiences across Nepal’s diversity. Visit Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, and Swayambhunath in the Kathmandu Valley, spend time with monks at Namo Buddha, fly to Lumbini—the birthplace of Lord Buddha and a UNESCO World Heritage Site—and continue to Pokhara for Sarangkot’s sunrise over Machhapuchhre and the Annapurna range, the World Peace Pagoda, and optional adventure activities. Pharping’s Padmasambhava caves complete the arc before departure. Monastery and hotel stays, domestic flights, and guided valley tours offer religious harmony, medieval heritage, and lakeside Himalayan views in a well-rounded nine-day itinerary.
Indicative pricing
Per-person rates for the listed group sizes. For each traveller beyond the quoted group size, a supplementary charge of 30% may apply.
| Option | 2 travellers | 4 travellers | 8 travellers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | US$2359 | US$2263 | US$2143 |
| Deluxe | US$2682 | US$2586 | US$2466 |
Indicative per-person pricing for the services described in this offer. Cost varies with customization. International flights are not included. Deluxe package includes domestic flights as per itinerary.
Services
Included
- ✓Domestic and international airport pickup and hotel transfers
- ✓Twin-sharing accommodation with breakfast in Kathmandu, Pokhara, Namo Buddha, and Lumbini
- ✓English-speaking tour guide in Kathmandu and Lumbini
- ✓Kathmandu–Namo Buddha–Kathmandu airport private vehicle with driver
- ✓Kathmandu–Bhairawa domestic flight
- ✓Tricycle tour in Lumbini garden
- ✓Lumbini to Pokhara in a private vehicle
- ✓Pokhara to Kathmandu by domestic flight
- ✓Airport transfer upon completion of the programs
- ✓Government tax
Excluded
- -Bar bills and personal drinks
- -Client personal insurance and unforeseen expenses
- -Natural calamities beyond our control and rescue expenses
- -Travel / medical insurance
- -Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu, Namo Buddha, Lumbini, and Pokhara
- -Gratuity to staff
Optional
- +Paragliding, zip flyer, or skymotion in Pokhara
- +Extra nights in Kathmandu or Pokhara
- +Mountain flight from Kathmandu
Fees, bookings & tickets
- T-shirt
- Entrance fee
- Spiritual practices
- Learn Buddhism
Gear & equipment
- · Backpack
- · T-shirts
- · First-aid kit
- · Easy-dry T-shirts
- · Sandals
- · Rain jacket
- · Plug adapter (if needed)
- · Travel towels
- · Sunglasses / sun hat
- · Sun block
- · Lip balm
- · Personal medicines
- · Modest clothing for monastery and temple visits
Trekking grade
A pilgrimage and cultural tour with short walks and domestic flights—no high-altitude trekking. Modest dress is appreciated at temples and monasteries.
Good to know
What cultural norms should I follow in Nepal?
Nepal has deep religious traditions—dress modestly at temples and monasteries, remove shoes where required, ask before photographing people or rituals, and walk clockwise around stupas when locals do.
Do I need vaccinations before traveling to Nepal?
No specific vaccinations are required for entry, but consult your doctor or a travel clinic for personalized advice on routine and recommended immunizations before departure.
Itinerary
- 1
Arrival in Kathmandu
Kathmandu
Welcome to Nepal
- Distance: 5 km
- Altitude: (↑) 1400 m · (↓) 1400 m
- Duration: 0.5 h
- Stay: Hotel
- 2
Boudhanath, Pashupatinath, and Namo Buddha
Namo Buddha
Spiritual sightseeing
- Distance: 49 km
- Altitude: (↑) 1750 m · (↓) 1400 m
- Duration: 5 h
- Stay: Monastery
- 3
Free day with monks at Namo Buddha
Namo Buddha
Monastery immersion
- Distance: 0 km
- Altitude: (↑) 1750 m · (↓) 1750 m
- Duration: 0 h
- Stay: Monastery
- 4
Fly to Bhairawa — Lumbini
Lumbini
Birthplace of Buddha
- Distance: 288 km
- Altitude: (↑) 150 m · (↓) 1750 m
- Duration: 8 h
- Stay: Hotel
- 5
Drive to Pokhara
Pokhara
Lake city
- Distance: 203 km
- Altitude: (↑) 900 m · (↓) 150 m
- Duration: 7 h
- Stay: Hotel
- 6
Sarangkot sunrise and Peace Pagoda
Pokhara
Himalayan views
- Distance: 10 km
- Altitude: (↑) 1600 m · (↓) 900 m
- Duration: 6 h
- Stay: Hotel
- 7
Free day in Pokhara
Pokhara
Leisure and adventure
- Distance: 0 km
- Altitude: (↑) 900 m · (↓) 900 m
- Duration: 0 h
- Stay: Hotel
- 8
Fly to Kathmandu — Pharping and Swayambhunath
Kathmandu
Valley heritage
- Distance: 201 km
- Altitude: (↑) 1400 m · (↓) 900 m
- Duration: 7 h
- Stay: Hotel
- 9
Departure
Kathmandu
Farewell Nepal
- Distance: 5 km
- Altitude: (↑) 1400 m · (↓) 1400 m
- Duration: 0.5 h
- Stay: N/A
Detailed itinerary
Day 1
Arrival in Kathmandu
Welcome to Nepal
- Distance: 5 km
- Altitude: (↑) 1400 m · (↓) 1400 m
- Duration: 0.5 h
- Stay: Hotel
After arrival at the airport, our representative welcomes you and transfers you to your hotel in the heart of the city. Explore Thamel’s restaurants, cafés, and shops, or rest after your journey.
As arranged
Day 2
Boudhanath, Pashupatinath, and Namo Buddha
Spiritual sightseeing
- Distance: 49 km
- Altitude: (↑) 1750 m · (↓) 1400 m
- Duration: 5 h
- Stay: Monastery
Visit Boudhanath—the 36 m stupa with prayer wheels and rooftop lunch views—then Pashupatinath on the Bagmati River, where Hindu cremation rites offer perspective on life’s cycle. Continue to serene Namo Buddha amid Himalayan panoramas for an overnight monastery stay.
Breakfast, dinner
Day 3
Free day with monks at Namo Buddha
Monastery immersion
- Distance: 0 km
- Altitude: (↑) 1750 m · (↓) 1750 m
- Duration: 0 h
- Stay: Monastery
Free time at Namo Buddha to spend with monks, meditate, or hike nearby villages and absorb local culture and ridge-top landscapes.
Breakfast, dinner
Day 4
Fly to Bhairawa — Lumbini
Birthplace of Buddha
- Distance: 288 km
- Altitude: (↑) 150 m · (↓) 1750 m
- Duration: 8 h
- Stay: Hotel
Leave early from Namo Buddha and fly to Lumbini in the Terai—one of Buddhism’s greatest pilgrimage sites where Prince Siddhartha Gautama was born in 623 BC, visited by more than 400,000 pilgrims yearly and protected as UNESCO heritage.
Breakfast
Day 5
Drive to Pokhara
Lake city
- Distance: 203 km
- Altitude: (↑) 900 m · (↓) 150 m
- Duration: 7 h
- Stay: Hotel
After breakfast, drive to Pokhara—Nepal’s third-largest city and tourism capital—famous for Himalayan views, Phewa Lake, boating, trekking gateways, paragliding, and zip lining.
Breakfast
Day 6
Sarangkot sunrise and Peace Pagoda
Himalayan views
- Distance: 10 km
- Altitude: (↑) 1600 m · (↓) 900 m
- Duration: 6 h
- Stay: Hotel
Pre-dawn visit to Sarangkot for sunrise on Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchhre, and Ganesh Himal with Phewa Lake below. Afternoon hike to the World Peace Pagoda—Nepal’s first Nipponzan-Myōhōji pagoda—for sunset over the range and lake.
Breakfast
Day 7
Free day in Pokhara
Leisure and adventure
- Distance: 0 km
- Altitude: (↑) 900 m · (↓) 900 m
- Duration: 0 h
- Stay: Hotel
Explore Devi’s Fall, Mahendra and Bat caves, Tibetan refugee camp, or museums—or add paragliding, zip flyer, skymotion, or mountain biking with your guide’s help organizing sightseeing.
Breakfast
Day 8
Fly to Kathmandu — Pharping and Swayambhunath
Valley heritage
- Distance: 201 km
- Altitude: (↑) 1400 m · (↓) 900 m
- Duration: 7 h
- Stay: Hotel
Fly back to Kathmandu and visit Pharping’s Dakshinkali Temple, Asura Cave, Gorakhanath, Sheshnarayan, and monasteries linked to Guru Padmasambhava. Finish at Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) for valley panoramas and centuries of Hindu–Buddhist harmony.
Breakfast
Day 9
Departure
Farewell Nepal
- Distance: 5 km
- Altitude: (↑) 1400 m · (↓) 1400 m
- Duration: 0.5 h
- Stay: N/A
Transfer to the airport for your flight home with memories of temples, Lumbini, lakes, and Himalayan sunrises.
Breakfast
Traveler notes
Shortlisted guests who have travelled with partner operators (illustrative).
- Christopher · UK · 2026-04-20
- David · Australia · 2026-04-09
- Mathis & Ida · Germany · 2026-04-06
- Paul & Tim · Germany · 2026-03-25
- Claudia · Germany · 2026-03-18
Detail inspiration: https://himalayancircuit.com/tour/lumbini-pokhara-tour