Nepal Spiritual & Buddhist Trail
Seven days across Nepal's three great centres of Buddhist heritage — the stupas and living monasteries of Kathmandu, the birthplace of the Buddha at Lumbini, and the lakeside calm of Pokhara beneath the Annapurnas — with your transfers, hotels and guided sightseeing handled from arrival to departure.
Follow the path of the Buddha across Nepal
Nepal holds one of the most complete Buddhist pilgrimage circuits anywhere in the world — and it fits neatly into a week. This journey links three places that, together, tell the whole story: Kathmandu, home to two of the faith's most sacred stupas; Lumbini, the UNESCO-listed birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama; and Pokhara, where a hilltop peace pagoda looks out over a Himalayan lake.
You'll circle the golden dome of Boudhanath at dusk as monks light butter lamps, climb to Swayambhunath — the "Monkey Temple" — for views across the Kathmandu Valley, and stand at the exact spot marked as the Buddha's birthplace beside Emperor Ashoka's 3rd-century BC pillar. In Lumbini's Monastic Zone you can walk from a Thai temple to a Korean one to a German stupa in an afternoon, each built by its home country in its own architectural style. Pokhara closes the loop with a boat ride across Phewa Lake to the World Peace Pagoda and a slower pace beneath the Annapurna range.
Airport and intercity transfers, centrally located accommodation, daily breakfast and guided sightseeing at each stop are arranged for you. Prefer more time in the Lumbini Monastic Zone, a longer stay by Phewa Lake, or to pair this with a short Annapurna trek out of Pokhara? Every element here can be tailored — this itinerary is the starting point, not the ceiling.
What you'll actually see
Boudhanath & Swayambhunath, Kathmandu
Two of the largest and most sacred stupas in the Buddhist world, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Boudhanath's all-seeing painted eyes watch over a circle of Tibetan monasteries and prayer-wheel shops; Swayambhunath's hilltop perch, reached by 365 steps, gives you the whole Kathmandu Valley in one view.
The birthplace of the Buddha, Lumbini
A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997, Lumbini is where Queen Maya Devi gave birth to Siddhartha Gautama around the 6th century BC. A marker stone inside the Maya Devi Temple, the sacred Puskarini pool and Emperor Ashoka's 3rd-century BC inscribed pillar sit together in one quiet, contemplative garden.
Lumbini's international Monastic Zone
Over 30 monasteries built by Buddhist communities from more than a dozen countries, each in its own national architectural style — a Thai temple, a Myanmar golden pagoda, a Korean monastery, a Chinese courtyard temple and a German-built stupa within easy walking or cycling distance of one another.
The World Peace Pagoda & Phewa Lake, Pokhara
A short boat ride across Phewa Lake and a forested climb bring you to the brilliant-white World Peace Pagoda, with four gilded Buddha statues facing the four directions and panoramic views of the lake and the Annapurna range.
Your 7-day itinerary
A measured pace across three destinations — city stupas, sacred pilgrimage ground and lakeside calm — with breakfast daily and all listed transfers and domestic flights between Kathmandu, Lumbini and Pokhara included.
You're met at Tribhuvan International Airport and transferred to your centrally located hotel. Settle in, then ease into the city at your own pace — the narrow lanes of Thamel, with their prayer-flag-strung shopfronts and incense-heavy air, make an easy first taste of Kathmandu before the sightseeing begins in earnest.
A guided morning at Swayambhunath, climbing the stone staircase to the hilltop stupa with its painted Buddha eyes and gold-covered spire, then a look across the wider Kathmandu Valley from the same vantage point. In the afternoon, head to Boudhanath — one of the largest stupas in the world and the centre of Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal — to walk the kora clockwise past prayer wheels and monasteries, timed to linger into the evening as butter lamps are lit around the dome.
A short domestic flight to Bhairahawa, gateway to Lumbini, followed by a road transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon, enter the Sacred Garden to see the Maya Devi Temple, the marker stone traditionally believed to pinpoint the Buddha's birth, the sacred Puskarini pool, and the Ashoka Pillar — the 3rd-century BC inscription that first confirmed Lumbini's identity to the modern world.
A full day exploring the Monastic Zone on either side of the sacred canal. The East Zone holds Theravada monasteries from Thailand, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Cambodia; the West Zone brings together Mahayana and Vajrayana monasteries from Korea, China, Vietnam, Japan and Germany, each built in its home country's own style. Cycling or walking between them, with time to sit quietly in whichever resonates most.
A domestic flight to Pokhara and transfer to your lakeside hotel. In the afternoon, take a short boat ride across Phewa Lake and climb through forest to the World Peace Pagoda — a brilliant-white stupa with four gilded Buddha statues and sweeping views over the lake, the Pokhara Valley and, on clear days, the Annapurna range.
A free day to make Pokhara your own — an early drive to Sarangkot for sunrise over the Annapurna and Machhapuchhre peaks, a slower morning along the Lakeside boardwalk, or simply more time by Phewa Lake. This is also the natural point to add on a short Annapurna day hike or an extra night if you'd like to extend beyond the standard itinerary.
Enjoy a final breakfast by the lake before your flight back to Kathmandu to connect with your onward international journey, or a direct departure from Pokhara depending on your route. If you'd like to extend, we can add nights in any of the three destinations or link this trip to a short Annapurna trek.
Indicative itinerary. The exact order of sightseeing, flight times and transfers is confirmed at the time of booking and may adapt to flight schedules, weather and local conditions. Domestic flight schedules in Nepal are subject to seasonal and weather-related change.
What's included — and what's not
Clear from the start, so there are no surprises when you travel.
Included
- Accommodation for 6 nights
- Daily breakfast
- Airport transfers (arrival & departure)
- Intercity transfers where applicable
- Sightseeing as listed in the itinerary
- Selected entrance fees
- Local assistance throughout
Not included
- International flights (unless stated)
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
- Meals not stated in the itinerary
- Optional activities & hotel upgrades
- Tips & gratuities
Before you go
Best time to visit
September to November and March to May offer the clearest skies and the best mountain views. December to February is cool and generally dry; June to August brings the summer monsoon, with more rain and cloud, especially in the hills.
Currency
The Nepalese Rupee (NPR). ATMs are widely available in Kathmandu and Pokhara; carry some cash for Lumbini, temple donations, small vendors and rural transfers, where card acceptance is limited.
Visas & documents
Most nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, generally paid in cash US dollars. A small number of nationalities must apply in advance through a Nepali embassy. Please verify based on your own passport before you travel — requirements and fees change, and we're happy to point you to the right official source.
Monastery & stupa etiquette
Walk clockwise around stupas and prayer wheels, remove your shoes before entering temple interiors, dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered), and ask before photographing monks or ceremonies. A quiet, unhurried pace is appreciated at every site on this itinerary.
Altitude & pace
This is a non-trekking, cultural itinerary. Kathmandu sits around 1,400m and Pokhara around 820m, well below altitudes that typically cause discomfort, and each day involves gentle walking rather than strenuous hiking — comfortable for most fitness levels.
What to pack
Comfortable walking shoes, layers (mornings and evenings can be cool, especially in Kathmandu and Pokhara outside summer), modest clothing for temples and monasteries, sun protection, and a light rain layer if travelling in the monsoon months.
Nepal, from stupa to sacred garden to lake
Good to have answered
Is the US$799 price per person? What does it cover?
Yes — that's a starting price, per person, for the 7-day itinerary based on twin-share accommodation. It covers your hotels across Kathmandu, Lumbini and Pokhara, daily breakfast, airport and intercity transfers, the sightseeing in the itinerary, selected entrance fees and local assistance. The final figure depends on your travel dates, hotel choice, group size and whether you'd like it private, so we confirm an exact quote when you enquire.
Is this a trekking trip?
No — this is a non-trekking, cultural and pilgrimage itinerary built around sightseeing at a comfortable pace, with gentle walking rather than mountain trails. If you'd like to combine it with a short Annapurna trek out of Pokhara, we can add that on and adjust the itinerary and price accordingly.
Are international flights included?
No — international flights aren't included unless we've specifically stated so in your quote. Domestic flights between Kathmandu, Lumbini (via Bhairahawa) and Pokhara are included as listed in the itinerary. We can advise on convenient international routings into Kathmandu.
Do I need a visa for Nepal?
Most travellers can get a visa on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, usually paid in cash US dollars, though a small number of nationalities need to apply in advance. Please verify based on your own passport before you travel, as requirements and fees can change — we're glad to point you to the right official source.
What's the etiquette at stupas and monasteries?
Walk clockwise around stupas and prayer wheels, remove your shoes before entering temple interiors, dress modestly, and be mindful around monks and ongoing ceremonies. Your guide will brief you on the specific customs at each site as you go.
Can this itinerary be customised or run privately?
Absolutely — this is a template, not a fixed package. Run it fully private, add nights in Lumbini or Pokhara, upgrade the hotels, extend into a short Annapurna trek, or reshape the pace entirely. Tell us what you have in mind and we'll shape it around you.
How do I book or get a quote?
Send us an enquiry with your rough dates and traveller numbers and we'll come back with a tailored quote and next steps. There's no obligation, and no payment needed to get a proposal.
Let's plan your Nepal pilgrimage
Tell us your dates and who's travelling. We'll send back a tailored itinerary and a clear, all-in quote — with the flexibility to make it exactly the trip you want.