| Day 1 | Fly from Kathmandu to Bhairahawa which takes 30 minutes and drive from Bhairahawa to Lumbini and it takes 30 minutes. On this day you can observe Lumbini Gardens and surrounding areas.
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| Day 2 | Excursion in and around Lumbini. You visit the Maya Devi Temple and a tour of surrounding areas. Maya Devi temple is the famous sacred pool of 'Puskarani', believed to be the same sacred pool in which queen Maya Devi bathed just before giving birth to Buddha. It is also believed to be the same sacred pool in which queen Maya Devi bathed just before giving birth to Buddha. It is also believe to be the pool where the infant Buddha was given his first purification bath. The structure consists of three projecting terraces in descending order and is riveted with fine brick masonry. In addition you can interact with the local people in surrounding villages and make a peek observation of their lifestyle. A walk through the villages surrounding Lumbini interaction with the warm and hospitable local people, buying their authentic handicraft products and observing their traditional rituals will bring one closer to understanding the diversity of Terai cultures in Nepal. Tour of villages also offers opportunity to enjoy Terai landscapes and vegetation found in the outskirts of the settlements. The people in these traditional villages offer a close observation at their agro-based rural lifestyle, colorful costume, festivals which they celebrate with much joy and enthusiasm and gracious hospitality. The main festivals are Nag Panchami, Holi, Dashain and Tihar. The wetland areas, lakes and ponds in the villages also offer bird watching opportunities. Visitors have the option of choosing to walk through the villages, riding through a local rickshaw or bullock cart. |
| Day 3 | You can make a tour from Lumbini to Gotihawa to Tilaurakot via Kudan and finally drive back to Lumbini. This day you will visit religious and archaeological sites at Gotihawa, Kudan, Tilaurakot and Lumbini. Gotihawa is an important religious and archaeological site for the Buddhist world community and also historically and archaeologically important. Located about 3 km southwest of Taulihawa, it is believed that Krakuchanda Buddha, who came before Shakyamuni Buddha, was born in Gotihawa and attained Nirvana here. Brick structures of stupa and monasteries can be seen in the area outside modern Gotihawa village. At the centre of the main mound the remains of a broken Ashokan Pillar lie on a slab. Adjoining the pillar on the northeast side is a huge stupa with rings of wedge-shaped ancient bricks, identifying the Nirvana Stupa of Krakuchanda Buddha. The villagers are still using an ancient well in the center of the village. Kudan is located some of 4.5 km south of Tilaurakot. It is a huge mound of structural ruins and a pond nearby appears to be the ruins of stupa and monasteries. These are believed to the Kasya Stupa, where a Kasaya (yellow robe worn by monks) was presented to Lord Buddha. This is where King Suddhodhana met Lord Buddha for the first time after he returned from Enlightenment. Tilaurakot has been identified by archaeologists as the actual capital of Kapilvastu and the home of King Suddhodhan, father of Prince Siddhartha who later went on to become the Buddha. This is believed to be the place where Lore Buddha spent the first 29 years of his life as prince. The Chinese pilgrims Fa-Hien and Hiuen-Tsang noted that they saw Kapilavastu in complete ruins and counted 10 deserted cities within Kapilvastu. |
| Day 4 | Drive from Lumbini to Devadaha and to Ramagrama. On the same day fly back to Kathmandu from Bhairahawa. You visit religious and archaeological sites at Devadaha and Ramagrama. Afterwards you drive to Bharahawa.
Devadaha, 54 km east of Lumbini across the Rohini River, is the ancient capital of the Koliya kingdom. It is the maternal hometown of Queen Maya Devi, Prince Siddhartha's mother, Prajapati Gautam, his stepmother, and Princess Yasodhara, his consort. This is where Prince Siddhartha spent his childhood. Seven years after his Enlightenment, Lord Buddha visited Devdaha and ordained the followers of Jain Sadhu Nirgrantha Nathputra. There are several other sites around Devdaha such as Kumarbarti, Khayardanda, Bairimai / Kanyamai, Bhabanipur / Devidamar, Mathagadi (ancient weapons). Ramagrama is a brick mound on the bank of the Jharahi River. It is a 7 meter high brick stupa containing one of the eight Astha Dhatu (relics) of Lord Buddha. The king of Ramagrama, the eighth king to obtain the Buddha's relics, built the stupa. History says that Emperor Ashoka wanted to open it to multiply into eight four thousand stupa. However, the Dragon King of Ramagrama stupa did not permit. Finally you fly back to Kathamandu from Bhairahawa. |
Central Tibet Tour
Full Board Camping Trek
