Program 4
9 NIGHTS / 10 DAYS DHARMA YATRA

DAY 01

Arrive in Kathmandu. Following a traditional Nepali welcome at the airport, drive to your hotel. If time permits, start your extraordinary journey by visiting some of the most important power places of Buddhism in Kathmandu valley.

Overnight: Hotel.

DAY 02

Visit more of two power places of Buddhism in the Kathmandu valley including the famous stupas of Bouddha and Swayambhu. The Buddhism practiced in the valley is very strongly influenced by Tantrism and the Hinayana or the yellow hat sects' dominance is evident.

Overnight: Hotel.

DAY 03

A mid morning flight will get you to Bhairahawa and a half hour's drive will see you in the vicinity of the magical garden at Lumbini. Here Mayadevi gave birth to Siddhartha and set in motion one of the most awe inspiring events in the last two and half millennium: the starting a blossoming of one of the world's greatest religious. A religion that would preach Peace, Tolerance and Harmony as cornerstones of one's life long before these words became fashionable.
Sightseeing in the gardens in the afternoon will include visits to various Monasteries that have been built here by people of nations that largely follow Buddhism.

Overnight: Hotel.

DAY 04

A morning visit to the Mayadevi temple which is built on the site where the Buddha was born is a refreshing way to begin your day. Continue visiting the various other monasteries and see the subtle differences in the way that various communities practice this great religion.

Overnight: Hotel.

DAY 05

Spend this day exploring the other important Buddhist sites in and around the Lumbini area. These include Tilaurakot, Niglihawa and Piplihawa.

Overnight: Hotel.

DAY 06

Drive the Nepal-India border and upon completion of immigration formalities continue driving to Bodhgaya. It was here nearly 2500 years ago that Siddhartha, meditating under a Bodhi tree attained supreme enlightenment and became the Buddha or the "all knowing one".
In Bodhgaya, visit the various sites which are considered important in the life of Buddha.

Overnight: Hotel.

DAY 07

Drive to Sarnath. Upon attaining Supreme Enlightenment Buddha delivered his very first sermon here in this ancient town and thus began the journey that would shake established faiths of the time and begin something that would sweep the world with its message of love, peace, understanding and non-violence.

Overnight: Hotel.

DAY 08

Drive to Kushinagar. Having ceaselessly traveled the plains of present day north India, delivering his message to all who cared to listen, Buddha was returning to the place of his birth-Lumbini when in this remote town has attained Maha Painirvana or was freed from the ceaseless cycle of re-births.

Overnight: Hotel.

DAY 09

Drive back to Indo-Nepal border and cross back to Lumbini. In the evening attend a meditation session at one of the monasteries.

Overnight: Hotel.

DAY 10

Fly back to Kathmandu in the mid morning and sightseeing of Kathmandu city in the afternoon.
Overnight: Hotel.

DAY 11