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Idyllic India Tours

Kathmandu, Pokhara and Lumbini

Experience Heritage, Serenity & Wilderness in Pure Comfort

Route

Kathmandu – Pokhara – Lumbini

Duration

07 Nights - 08 Days

Tour Type

Luxury Private Tour

Complete Tour Itinerary

Day 01 : Kathmandu / Arrival

Upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, our representative will meet, assist, and transfer you to your hotel.

 

Overnight at the hotel on a Bed & Breakfast basis.

Day 02 : Kathmandu

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Afterward, proceed for a comprehensive, full-day tour of Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swoyambhunath Stupa, and Patan Durbar Square.

 

Kathmandu Durbar Square: Founded between 1069 and 1083 AD, this magnificent complex of palaces, courtyards, and temples was built primarily between 1200 and 1768 AD. It once served as the seat of the ancient Malla kings of Kathmandu. The primary attractions include the Royal Palace, Hanuman Dhoka, Taleju Temple, Kashtamandap Temple, and the Kumari Temple (the residence of the Living Goddess).

 

Swoyambhunath Stupa: Perched atop a lush green hillock west of Kathmandu, this ancient Buddhist monument is believed to be over 2,000 years old. Legend says it marks the exact location where the deity Manjushree discovered the miraculous lotus blooming on the ancient valley lake. Key highlights include the massive main stupa, the 365 steps, the Pratapur and Anantapur Temples, the Manjushree Temple, and a multitude of small chhortens (shrines).

 

Patan Durbar Square: Believed to have been founded by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BC, most of Patan’s surviving monuments were built between the 12th and 18th centuries by the Malla Kings. It is universally celebrated as a center of fine arts and master Newari craftsmanship. Main attractions include the old Royal Palace, Krishna Temple, Taleju Temple, Bhimsen Temple, and the Golden Temple (Hiranyavarna Mahabihar).

 

Overnight at the hotel on a Bed & Breakfast basis.

Day 03 : Kathmandu / Pokhra

Following breakfast, embark on a scenic drive to Pokhara (approximately 7 hours).

 

Pokhara is Nepal’s second-most famous city, beautifully nestled beneath the snow-crested Annapurna massif in a tranquil valley. It serves as the ultimate launching pad for many of Nepal’s most celebrated trekking routes. A place of remarkable natural beauty, the town offers a perfect balance of peaceful lakes and adventurous mountain environments. Scanning the horizon from east to west, visitors can observe the mountain ranges including Annapurna I through IV and Annapurna South, though it is the iconic, fish-tailed silhouette of Machhapuchhre that truly dominates the skyline. The remainder of the day is yours at leisure to explore the lakeside area.

 

Overnight at the hotel on a Bed & Breakfast basis.

Day 04 : Pokhra

Early in the morning, drive to Sarangkot to witness a breathtaking sunrise over the Himalayas (weather permitting).

 

Sarangkot: This renowned viewpoint offers a close, panoramic perspective of the spectacular Annapurna mountain range. While Annapurna I stands as the highest peak in the neighborhood at 8,091 meters, it is the sharp, dramatic ridge of Machhapuchhre that captivates every visitor. After taking in the sunrise, return to the hotel for breakfast.

 

In the afternoon, enjoy an extensive city tour of Pokhara. Visits include Davis Falls, Seti Gorge, Bindhyabasini Temple, the Old Bazaar, and the Tibetan Refugee Camp, concluding with a peaceful boat ride on Phewa Lake.

 

Overnight at the hotel on a Bed & Breakfast basis.

Day 05 : Pokhra / Lumbini

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, followed by a drive to Lumbini (approximately 5 hours).

 

Lumbini: Located in the plains of southern Nepal, Lumbini is the sacred birthplace of Lord Buddha, who was born here in 543 BC as the Shakya Prince, Siddhartha Gautama. As a major pilgrimage site for both Buddhists and Hindus, Lumbini was “lost” to the world for centuries. In the 4th century AD, the Chinese monk Fa-Hien traveled here in search of Buddhist manuscripts and left vivid descriptions of the ruins. However, it wasn’t until 1895 that archaeologists unearthed the inscribed pillar marking the exact birthplace, erected to commemorate a historic visit by the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka in 249 BC.

 

The massive Ashoka Pillar explicitly marks the spot of Buddha’s birth. Nearby, the Maya Devi Temple houses a stone nativity panel depicting Queen Maya Devi holding onto the branch of a fig tree during the miraculous birth. The grounds also feature the sacred pond where Queen Maya Devi bathed immediately prior to giving birth. Spend the afternoon exploring the peaceful Lumbini monastic zone and its international gardens.

 

Overnight at the hotel on a Bed & Breakfast basis.

Day 06 : Lumbini

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Afterward, set out to visit the important historical and archaeological sites of Tilaurakot, Kudan, and Niglihawa.

 

Tilaurakot: Located 24 km from Lumbini, Tilaurakot houses the grand archaeological remains of ancient Kapilavastu. This is the historic palace site where Siddhartha Gautama spent the first 29 years of his life as a prince before relinquishing worldly pleasures.

 

Kudan: Historically known as Nyigrodharama, Kudan is believed to be the exact spot where the Buddha first reunited with his father, King Suddhodhana, after attaining enlightenment. It became a vital center for the early Buddhist order; it was here that his son, Rahula, was ordained into the monkhood at the fragile age of eight. Today, you can walk among a series of impressive, ancient brick stupas built to commemorate these emotional events.

 

Niglihawa: This tranquil site is traditionally revered as the birthplace of the Kanakamuni Buddha (an ancient Buddha preceding Gautama Buddha). It features another significant pillar erected by Emperor Ashoka in 249 BC, featuring inscriptions written in the historic Brahmi script and Pali language.

 

Overnight at the hotel on a Bed & Breakfast basis.

Day 07 : Lumbini / Kathmandu

Following breakfast, transfer to the airport for your domestic flight back to Kathmandu, departing at approximately 12:30 PM (flight duration is roughly 45 minutes). Upon arrival in Kathmandu, our representative will meet and transfer you back to your hotel.

 

In the afternoon, set out for a tour of the Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa, and Bhaktapur Durbar Square.

 

Pashupatinath Temple: As the oldest and most sacred Hindu temple complex in Kathmandu, Pashupatinath sits majestically on the banks of the holy Bagmati River. While its exact date of construction is lost to time, ancient texts like the Nepal Mahatmaya and Himvatkhanda celebrate the deity as Pashupati—the Lord of all living beings. Dating back to at least 400 BC, the beautifully ornamented pagoda houses the sacred Shiva linga.

 

Boudhanath Stupa: Built by King Lichchhavi Mana Dev in the 5th century AD, Boudhanath (or Khasti Chaitya) features a colossal mandala design that makes it one of the largest spherical stupas in the world. From its pristine white dome to its gleaming gilded tower painted with the all-seeing eyes of the Buddha, the monument is mathematically flawless. Every evening, you can observe hundreds of pilgrims performing koras (ritual circumambulations) around its base.

 

Bhaktapur Durbar Square: The glorious 14th-century capital of the Kathmandu Valley founded by King Yakshya Malla, Bhaktapur once controlled the lucrative trade routes to Tibet. Today, it stands as a living museum of medieval art. Key highlights include the 55-Window Palace, the Golden Gate, the multi-tiered Nyatapola Temple, the statue of King Bhupatindra Malla, and the famous wood-carved Peacock Window.

 

Overnight at the hotel on a Bed & Breakfast basis.

Day 08 : Kathmandu / Departure

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. You will have free time for last-minute shopping or leisure until you are transferred to Tribhuvan International Airport for your onward flight home.

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