lumbini maya devis temple head

Meeting With Buddha (Lumbini)

duration
1 week (7 days)
shedule
Altitude
Highest-1350m
Lowest-150m
heritage-discovery-new
Discovery , Health & Spirit
Difficult Icon
Level 1
people-icon
Group Size
From Individual
best-time
Best Time
September to May
Adventurer Download The File
trip-black The Trip route-icon The Route euro-sac The Budget more-services More Services oragnization The Organisation
You can Also

The trip

  • Road trip through rice-field landscapes and high hills
  • Stop at the Ranigath Palace, an old palace located on the banks of the Kali Gandaki river
  • Lumbini, Birthplace of the Buddha Shrine, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • World Peace Pagoda and other Buddhist temples around the world
  • Lumbini Museum,
  • Walk on the purification pond near the Maya Devi temple
  • The Manakama Temple cable car, offering panoramic views

A Mystical Encounter With Buddha – Lumbini

Lumbini is one of the world’s most important spiritual centres, attracting Buddha actetes from all over the world. There are now more than 25 Buddhist monasteries there, built by countries ranging from Vietnam to France.

 

The site of Lumbini is traditionally considered to be the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism. He was born on the road to Kapilavastu. Here you can study Buddhism, meditate and visit Buddha’s birthplace in the sacred gardens of Mayadevi.

The emotion is indescribable when you find yourself in this small village where Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) was born in 623 BC. You can discover the many remains that prove the authenticity of this village as the birthplace of the Buddha.

In fact, UNESCO recognised it in 1997, certifying its authenticity. Now more commonly known as Rummindei, Lumbini is located in the Rupandehi district (Terai region) of Nepal, not far from the Indian border. The site is highly sacred to one of the world’s great religions.

You’ll take a road trip through rice-field landscapes and high wooded hills –extra trip HERE-.

Rani Mahal or Ranigath Palace is a former palace and royal residence built on a rocky promontory overlooking the Kali Gandaki river by General Khadga Shamsher J.B. Rana in 1893. Rani Mahal was abandoned for a long time and has recently been restored, making it the first tourist stop on this trip.

The main places to visit are the Maya Devi temple, the Ashoka pillar and the Maya Deviian (Bodhi) ban.

A purification pond near the Maya Devi temple where Queen May Devi is said to have bathed and given birth to her son.

Visit the ancient stupas and the monastic area, the area of the eternal flame, the stupa of world peace, and more.

View Synonyms and Definitions

Reservation

Find Dates
Departure Return Departure status  
25 March, 2025 8 April, 2025 Guaranteed
Ask for Price
27 March, 2025 10 April, 2025 Guaranteed
Ask for Price
29 March, 2025 12 April, 2025 Guaranteed
Ask for Price
31 March, 2025 14 April, 2025 Guaranteed
Ask for Price
2 April, 2025 16 April, 2025 Guaranteed
Ask for Price
4 April, 2025 18 April, 2025 Guaranteed
Ask for Price
6 April, 2025 20 April, 2025 Guaranteed
Ask for Price
8 April, 2025 22 April, 2025 Guaranteed
Ask for Price
10 April, 2025 24 April, 2025 Guaranteed
Ask for Price
12 April, 2025 26 April, 2025 Guaranteed
Ask for Price
14 April, 2025 28 April, 2025 Guaranteed
Ask for Price
16 April, 2025 30 April, 2025 Guaranteed
Ask for Price
18 April, 2025 2 May, 2025 Guaranteed
Ask for Price
20 April, 2025 4 May, 2025 Guaranteed
Ask for Price
22 April, 2025 6 May, 2025 Guaranteed
Ask for Price

Trip Reviews: 4.3

Based on 3 Reviews

Day By Day

DAY 1

  Kathmandu to Bandipur via Manakamana

Walking time: 4-5 hours and 1 hour's drive. Altitude: (1,030 m)

Take to the road to discover the marvellous and varied landscapes, including rice paddies, hills and snow-capped peaks.

Make a stop en route at the cable car to climb up to the Manakamana temple, a religious landmark, and enjoy an exceptional view of the surrounding valleys.

Continue on to Bandipur, a traditional village with a well-preserved historical aspect.

  • Accomodation: Hotel
  • Meal: B & B
DAY 2

  Bandipur to Lumbini

Walking time: 6-7 hours' drive. Altitude: (120 m)

After a hearty breakfast, set off again for Lumbini,

  • Accomodation: Hotel
  • Meal: B & B
DAY 3

  Lumbini

Walking time: 4-5 hours. Altitude: (120 m)

The birthplace of the Buddha and its international sanctuary with more than 25 Buddhist monasteries built by various countries.

The main places to visit are the Maya Devi temple, the Ashoka pillar, the Maya Deviian (Bodhi) ban, and the purification pond.

  • Accomodation: Hotel
  • Meal: B & B
DAY 4

  Lumbini

Walking time: 4-5 hours. Altitude: (120 m)

Visit the ancient stupas and the monastic area, the area of the eternal flame and the stupa of world peace.

Take a boat trip on the purification canal.

  • Accomodation: Hotel
  • Meal: B & B
DAY 5

  Lumbini to Pokara via Tansen

Walking time: 6-8 hours' drive or 25 minutes' flight. Altitude: (820 m)

You continue your journey to Pokara and discover Lake Fewa.

Enjoy a relaxing evening away from the touristy shore and rest in a quiet hotel.

  • Accomodation: Hotel
  • Meal: B & B
DAY 6

  Pokara

Walking time: 3-4 hours. Altitude: (820 m)

Get up early to contemplate the Annapurna massif and after a good breakfast you can climb to the Peace Stupa and contemplate the immensity of the lake and the town of Pokara.

  • Accomodation: Hotel
  • Meal: B & B
DAY 7

  Pokara to Kathmandu

Walking time: 6-8 hours' drive or 25 minutes' flight. Altitude: (1,350 m)

After a morning tea, take the road or plane back to Kathmandu.

  • Accomodation: Hotel
  • Meal: B & B

Benchmark

The essentials :

Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha, is home to the Maya Devi temple. This sacred site includes peaceful gardens, ancient stupas, Buddhist monasteries and historic monuments, attracting pilgrims and visitors from all over the world.

Trekking :

A walk in a tourist or historical area, on paths or built-up roads.

Level 1 :

An average of 4-5 hours of walking over terrain that is not very steep but can be rough at times, with the roads/paths/plazas modestly maintained.

Type of route :

Itinerant, with different drop-off points depending on the route and destination.

Duration :

7 days

Carry:

Only your daily essentials.

Accommodation :

Hotel

Group size :

From 1 to 10 participants

Season :

September to May

Your budget

THE PRICE INCLUDES / DOES NOT INCLUDE

The price includes
  • Ground transfers necessary for the smooth running of the trip
  • Domestic flights between Lumbini and Kathmandu or Pokara (optional)
  • Supervision by a Nepalese guide
  • Accommodation and meals as described in the programme
  • Trekking permits and access rights to parks/tourist sites
The price does not include
  • Cancellation/interruption of stay/loss of luggage and assistance insurance.
  • Registration fees
  • Visa fees on arrival in Kathmandu
  • Meals not included in the programme
  • Beverages, personal expenses and tips
  • Showers in lodges (NPR 200-300/shower) and other extras
  • Single room supplement (hotel only, it is impossible to guarantee a single room in a lodge)
  • Transfer costs in the event of transport different from that of the group or due to unforeseen local circumstances.
  • Anything not mentioned in the "price includes" section
  • The possible cost of a PCR test and any other health formalities to return to France (more information from our expert advisers). However, our local teams will help you make an appointment with a suitable centre.
Your expenses on site.
  • Free meals as described in the programme: for other meals, between €5 and €15 per meal.
  • The drinks
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Souvenir items

ADDITIONAL PRICE INFORMATION

Single room supplement for nights in hotels (on request): contact us for availability and prices.

We cannot book single rooms in lodges: check with your guide for availability and prices.

Possibility of renting a quality sleeping bag in Kathmandu: to be booked when registering. (€70 in cash).

TARIFF ADJUSTMENT

As far as optional extras are concerned, the total amount may vary. Given the high and rapid inflation in the country, some restaurant and accommodation prices may increase. Our policy is not to pass on this inflation to the price of your trip, except in the event of an exceptional crisis.

Payment Schedule

If you register more than 35 days before the departure date, you must pay a deposit of 35% of the total price of the trip. If you register less than 35 days before the departure date, payment must be made in a single instalment for the full price of the trip. The balance of the trip price must be paid, without any reminder from us, no later than 35 days before the departure date. Payment by instalments can be arranged.

More details in our link “how to make a payment” – Click HERE – https://francenepalvoyage.com/en/how-to-make-payment/

Tips

Tipping is still very common in Asia in general, and in Nepal in particular.

Linked to customer satisfaction, it is an integral part of the country’s culture:

Regardless of salary level, the Nepalese consider tipping to be a sign of appreciation.

The amount of the tip therefore depends on how much you appreciate the service. The rendering and your generosity.

During your trip

ADDITIONAL SERVICES

INDIVIDUAL ACCOMMODATION

You can opt for individual accommodation:

Single room for hotel nights only: supplement depending on the season (sometimes available for lodge nights €10 extra).

For tours with nights in tents, individual tents for all nights in camp.

For lodge tours, with one to three nights in tents during ascents, no individual tents possible.

Cost: please enquire according to your needs.

Guided tour of Kathmandu/other major sites: 1 day’s travel

Guided tour of Kathmandu/other major site: 1 days trip

Trip 1 Boudhanath-Pashupati-Bhaktapur:

Discover the greatest cultural treasures of the Kathmandu Valley, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list, with an English-speaking Nepalese cultural guide. Marvel at Shree Boudhanath, a 36-metre-high stupa in the Tibetan quarter of Nepal’s capital.

Discover Pashupatinath, a Hindu shrine dedicated to Shiva and one of the four highest pilgrimage sites in Asia. And in the Kathmandu Valley, the traditional village of Bhaktapur will astonish you with its 17th-century architecture.

 

 

Trip 2 Swayanbhu-Durbar-Patan:

Climb to the top of the ‘monkey temple’, Swayambhunath and be rewarded with a breathtaking view of the whole of Kathmandu. It is one of the oldest and most revered religious sites in the valley.

You will continue with a visit to Durbar Square – Kathmandu which is the heart of the old city and consists of 3 adjoining squares, to move on after lunch to the famous town of Patan which adjoins Kathmandu and as you make your way towards the temple square, you may catch a glimpse of the silversmiths, woodcarvers and other local craftsmen whose town is renowned for their numbers and quality of work. Spend a little extra time visiting the top-quality museum in Temple Square before returning home.

 

TRIP 3 Food Tour:

If you’re looking to sample authentic Nepalese cuisine and a range of comfort foods during your stay in Nepal, Kathmandu will not disappoint when it comes to the variety of restaurants offering a collection of local and indigenous specialities.

Join our guide on a late-night stroll through Nepal’s capital and discover some of the discreet, intimate restaurants and ‘bistronomic’ places to eat.

2.5/3h trip with a 40% discount on the price charged below (minimum €38/pax)

Street food: Les 5 meilleures cantines de KTM

 

Trip 4: Kathmandu, the hidden city

Setting off to discover the old city, its old market and discreet temple squares, this journey will take you through Kathmandu and this other ‘hidden’ life in scenes that are sometimes surprising and moving, at the bend of a temple or a small square or on the edge of a well. Perhaps you’ll be lucky enough to come across a religious family ceremony or a wedding!

Kathmandu, the hidden city

Price per person (can be paid on the spot) depending on the itinerary chosen Short/Long:

1 person: €80/100, ->2 people: €70/90, ->3 to 6 people: €60/70, ->7 to 10 people: €40/55.

-25% off the 2nd trip

 

The price includes

The visit of the monuments indicated above.

Entries in the sites and temples indicated above.

The services of a French-speaking Nepali cultural guide.

A private vehicle with driver.

The price does not include

Lunch and extra drinks.

Tips.

 

NB: This tour can also be booked after registration and paid for on site in euros or Nepalese rupees (NPR). / To be paid on site.

 

Extend your trip

chitwan large rh

Extension to Chitwan Jungle National Park

In the heart of the verdant jungle of Chitwan National Park, let yourself be surprised by this three-day safari in one of Nepal’s largest forests and nature reserves. This park, which borders India to the south, is a veritable wilderness paradise: one-horned rhinos, leopards, monkeys, bears, elephants and, above all, the famous Bengal tiger inhabit these protected areas.

In autumn, just after the monsoon season, the abundant water leads the animals to spread throughout the park, where the tall grasses provide ideal hiding places.

The real attraction: Kasara Resort****, with its unique charm, situated right next to the park in a lush natural setting. Committed to preserving this delicate ecosystem, the Kasara Resort is an exceptional hotel in perfect harmony with nature for a confidential getaway, where you have the strange impression that time has stood still.

Information on the Kasara Resort -click HERE- https://www.kasararesort.com/

The price includes

Transfers by private vehicle with an English-speaking Nepalese driver (basic English).

Accommodation for two nights at the Kasara Resort in Chitwan Park, based on a double room.

Meals as described in the programme.

Guided tours and activities as described with an English-speaking naturalist guide from Kasara Resort, shared with other hotel guests.

 

The price does not include

Cancellation/interruption/loss of luggage insurance and assistance.

Alcoholic beverages or extras

Gratuities

Related services not offered by the agency

anything not mentioned in ‘the price includes’.

Possibility of extending the stay: +1 night

Cost: please enquire according to your requirements

Organisation Content

TRAVEL

  • Car, minibus or private bus for road travel within the country.
  • 6-seater Jeep with local comfort for transfers on the track. Managed by local companies, the Jeeps impose Spartan comfort. Most of the time, they have several seats at the front facing the road, then, at the rear, two seats parallel to the road, which face each other.
  • Domestic flights mainly operated by Yeti Airlines and Tara Airlines.

NB: Domestic flights in Nepal are subject to weather conditions, they can be postponed and / or canceled. In the event of a problem, we will do our best to preserve the initial program. However, the stages of the trek can be adapted and, very rarely, the international flights shifted. In this case, FNV will reorganize your air transport. However, participants cannot claim any compensation and any extra cost will be on charge of the customer.

ACCOMMODATION

  • In Kathmandu: accommodation in a family-run hotel (local standard), based on a double room.
  • During the trek: accommodation in a lodge. Halfway between refuges and lodges, which offer varying degrees of comfort depending on the region. However, as you climb towards the valleys, they become more welcoming. Because of the isolation and lack of fuel, the rooms in the lodges are not heated. For your personal comfort, it is sometimes suggested that you bring a good sleeping bag, but these days lodges have good duvets/blankets available for everyone.

Separate toilets or in the lodge: In all lodges, the toilets are the most rustic part! Bring light sandals, as hygiene is… local.

Heating the water in the showers requires a lot of energy. There is often a charge for hot showers, but they are often lukewarm because they are heated only by solar energy (more recently & locally by cumulus heaters) or by the fire that prepares your meal. Above an altitude of 3,000 metres, you can order hot-water tanks, which consume less energy and will no doubt save you from catching a cold!

The lodges have electricity: you can recharge the batteries (for a fee, but only a few rupees) and, sometimes, a low-speed Wi-Fi connection (sometimes for a fee).
Lodge owners very rarely accept advance bookings for single rooms.

MEALS

  • At midday, picnics in the fields or meals at the lodge. But be careful! This is a real break, and a relatively long one. Our porters take the opportunity to eat copiously. Their traditional dal-bhat, made from rice and lentils, is the main meal of the day. The pace of the walk is therefore different from that generally adopted for trekking, where the lunch break is short. Take the opportunity to rest or go for a walk. -Dall Bath Power HERE- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dal_bhat
  • Dinner and breakfast at the lodge. We try to vary the meals (shared menus) between each lodge. However, the majority of Hindus and Buddhists are vegetarians. So we eat very little meat or fish. Dishes are based on pasta, rice, potatoes, lentils, etc.
  • During the trek, additional energy foods are available throughout. Bought locally, they offer a more limited choice than in France. If you wish, you can bring extra cereal bars to suit your tastes. Drinks: during the trek, tea is served at meals within reason (max 2 cups/person). Additional cups of tea and other drinks, including mineral water, are at the expense of the participants.
  • You can fill your water bottles in the lodges, but it is essential to treat it with purifying tablets. Avoid buying plastic bottles, which should be recycled. You can buy water that has already been treated in the villages (drinking water), which reduces the problem of bottles.

BAGGAGE TRANSPORT

Each participant travels on foot with a light backpack, carrying only their personal belongings necessary for the day (water bottle, camera, protective clothing, etc.). The rest of the equipment is carried by the porters to the next accommodation.

We ask everyone to have only one bag (trekking bag that will be carried) of 13 kilos maximum. Possibility of leaving things at the hotel in Kathmandu and picking them up when you return from trekking.

YOUR INSURANCE AND ASSISTANCE

Adventure travel involves risks that need to be covered by adequate insurance. Assistance mainly covers search and rescue costs, repatriation and medical expenses. It comes into play as soon as a medical report indicates that repatriation is necessary. Beforehand, in regions far from medical facilities and difficult to access, you must agree to the organisation of first aid using local resources (porters, horses, 4X4s, etc.).

Check that your insurance covers loss or theft of luggage and that it protects against the financial risk of cancellation (Visa cards do not offer cancellation cover).

ECO-FRIENDLY TOURISM

Working for responsible tourism. We are committed to developing responsible tourism.

From the outset, we have tried to create different kinds of travel using all the earth’s resources, but with a duty to ensure its sustainability for future generations.

So, for example, we want to become partners of the association ATR (Agir pour un Tourisme Responsable).

Through its label, ATR pursues several objectives: To disseminate good practice in responsible tourism; To develop relationships based on good social and environmental practice with all the tourism players in the destinations; these projects always have an objective of autonomous economic development for the local populations.

In Nepal, KEEP (Kathmandu Environmental Education Project)

A non-profit, non-governmental organisation, its mission is to ensure the future ecological and cultural prosperity of Nepal and its people by maximising the benefits and reducing the negative impacts associated with tourism.