An INTIMATE INTRODUCTION to BUDDHISM in the Kathmandu Valley

This tour is intended for those who wish to gain a more intimate experience of the practice of Buddhism in one of its most ancient, intriguing and authentic settings – the Kathmandu Valley. It takes into account that some visitors may wish to have a more intimate experience than the usual arms-length tourist itineraries. Hence, time is built into the tour so our guests can enjoy the special qualities of the places they encounter on this tour and, if they desire, make offerings in some of the places this is traditionally done.

Duration: 1 day (approx. 7.5 hours)

Highlights: Optional walking tour to Swayambu Stupa (Monkey Temple); visit Tibetan Monasteries & Temples; meet Lamas & monks; experience Buddhist ritual*; visit some of Buddhism’s most holy pilgrimage sites in the Indian Subcontinent; and time for personal reflection and offerings.

Included: Introductory educational talk; expert guide; entrance fees; non-air-conditioned bus transport from hotel and return; refreshments as outlined; offering katas (traditional Tibetan offering scarfs).

Not included: Lunch, money offerings, extras such as drinks or tips to drivers.
Fitness level: average fitness is required as some stairs are steep at times, but in the main the walking is on a flat level at an easy pace.

Itinerary in summary: Kathmandu Valley: Swayambunath; Boudhanath; Pharping.

*Some aspects of this tour are subject to change due to daily activities or last-minute changes of monastic communities, weather conditions, and/or if special events create alternative opportunities of interest.

DAY’S ITINERARY

Morning

8.30am - Meet your tour guide at your hotel for an introductory talk about the tour and its features. The introduction includes a short talk on the history and practices of Buddhism in the Kathmandu Valley and how the places we visit play a role in this. The talk will also address cultural and religious protocols to ensure your experience of the complex and fascinating Tibetan Buddhist culture is as relaxed and enjoyable as possible.

Depending on hotel location and group member preferences, we either stroll or drive to Swayambu Stupa, passing Buddhist funerary ghats and crossing one of the subcontinent’s holy rivers, the Bagmati. Continuing through one of Kathmandu’s lively Tibetan communities, we arrive at the base of a 13th century staircase, which, in itself, is a fascinating cultural experience. As we climb with pilgrims and pass stall holders carving their stone mantra amulets, we also encounter lots of impudent monkeys – the source of the site’s other common name, Monkey Temple.

On reaching the top of the spectacular ancient staircase, we find one of the world’s most wondrous ancient structures, the Swayambu Stupa, whose actual age is unknown but thought to be at least 1400 years. Your time is spent here exploring the Stupa and its surrounds, which includes Nepal’s largest Buddha statue. An explanation of the site and its symbolism is given as we take in the expansive views of Kathmandu city below.

We then visit nearby Manjushri Hill, the birthplace of Kathmandu and hear an explanation of this legend, which uncannily coincides with the scientific knowledge of how the Kathmandu Valley was formed.

We then take a tour and morning tea at nearby Thuckje Choeling, a working monastery within the Swayambu Temple complex which houses what is reputed to be the oldest Buddhist temple in the Valley. If we are fortunate with our timing here (or if it can be specially arranged), there will be the opportunity to sit in on a ceremonial puja (or chanting service). Regardless, for those who wish to do so, there will be the opportunity to make offerings to the shrines and to Lamas present.

Boarding our bus at the foot of Manjushri Hill we head for the centre of Boudhanath, about 20 minutes drive away – the location of another of Kathmandu’s central Buddhist pilgrimage sites. Very different in setting from Swayambu, the awe-inspiring Boudha Stupa has been likewise the focus of Buddhist pilgrims, merchants and travellers in the Himalaya for thousands of years. Today it remains one of the world’s most important sites for Buddhists and the surrounding area, called Boudhanath, is the home for a large portion of Tibetans living in Nepal.

Here we take time to perform the kora (or circumambulation) of the stupa alongside locals and pilgrims, whilst hearing an explanation on some aspects of the stupa and its place in the lives of local Buddhists.

We recommend you take lunch at one of the great restaurants whose balconies overlook the bustling scene. Your free time here also allows you to visit gompas (prayer halls) and roam through the extraordinary array of shops in the precinct selling Tibetan wares and artefacts, thankas (religious paintings), ceremonial and medicinal incense, and prayer flags. No matter how you spend your time here, your visit to Boudha Stupa will be an experience you will never forget!

Afternoon

[Note: Depending on group interest, Pharping may be replaced by a visit to humanitarian project sites in Kathmandu such as animal welfare and women’s or cultural projects]

1.00pm: Depart for the hour’s drive to Pharping, a small yet highly significant centre for Buddhists south-west of Kathmandu.

On arrival, we visit the famous self-emanating image of the female Buddhist deity, Tara. This has been a widely known phenomenon since it first appeared in the 1970s, and each year grows more distinct as it emerges from the solid rock of one of the most holy hills in the Kathmandu Valley.

We then climb the slopes to visit the meditation cave of Padmasambhava (or Guru Rinpoche) who spent time here in the 8th century before travelling (some say he flew) to Tibet to introduce the Vajrayana Buddhist practices to that culture. Here, too, there is a special treat for lovers of the challenging phenomena of Tibetan lore, as we see the hand-print believed to have been left here by the great master himself. Visitors are permitted to spend a short silent time in the tiny butter-lamp-lit cave in respectful contemplation. Climbing still higher to wander among the thousands of lung-ta or hung prayer flags which festoon the trees, we take in the beautiful views of Pharping area with the Himalayan mountains as the backdrop.

Before departing Pharping we visit Manjushri Dechen Buddhist Learning Centre (for monks) for afternoon tea before a tour of the school, its facilities and gompa.
Returning to Kathmandu, our tour ends at your hotel.