Buddhist Circuit Tour (10 Days)

Publisher Splendid Holidays

AY 01: KATHMANDU ARRIVAL Upon arrival, you are greeted by our representative at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Welcome drink & Refreshment, then after a tour to the Kathmandu City. Kathmandu is the capital of Nepal and the Kathmandu Valley is the political and cultural heart of the Kingdom. The urban sprawl that makes up modern Kathmandu is in fact two cities, Patan & Kathmandu. Overnight stay at the hotel. DAY 02: KOPAN & NAMOBUDDHA MONASTERY TOUR (B) A popular center for courses on Buddhism and other Tibetan- related subject, stand on a hill top to the north of Bodhnath. If you’ve ever thought of leaning a little more about Tibetan Buddhism, this could well be the place to do it. The center has short courses on Tibetan medicine, thangka painting and other subjects, but the major attraction for westerner, are the 10-days residential courses introducing Buddhist psychology and philosophy. See p357 for more details. Kopan’s founder, lama Thubten Yeshe, died in 1984, and a young Spanish boy, osel Torres, was declared his reincarnation. The young reincarnation, who was partly the inspiration for Bernardo Bertolucci’s film little Buddha, on onger resides at Kopan. You can visit Kopan on the pleasant walk between Bodnath and the Gokarna Mahadev Temple. Explore half a day surroundings of Kopan Monastery. PM: Drive to Dhulikhel to Namobuddha Monastery. The Hike or Mountain bike or by 4 WD Jeep from Dhulikhel to Namobuddha is a fine leg –stretcher. It take about three hours each way, so it makes a good day walk. From Dhulikhel the trial first climbs up to the Kali temple and drops down for half an hour to the village of Kavre, by the new road to Sindhuli and follow road by some battered old prayer flags to the village of Phulbari, soon, you crest the hill and in the distance you “ll see Tibetan Monastery atop a hill, with Namobuddha Just below it. Overnight at Namobuddha Monastery – BB basis. DAY 03: VISIT OF BOUDDHNATH STUPA (B) Drive to Bouddhanath Stupa from Namobuddha for next 2 hrs and explore the area covering Tsmchen Gompa (is the only Gompa that opens directly onto the stupa (on the western side). There are some fine paintings and a magnificent (jampa in Tibetan ) , the future Buddha , covered in beautiful embroideries . Do not miss the massive enclosed prayer wheel on the left of the entrance. The new TAMANG Gompa and Guru Lhakhang are currently built. Visit Eastern side, the Gelugpa SAMTENLING Gompa is the oldest Monastery in Bouddhanath. The Tarik Gompa to the northeast of it and just east of here is Tabsang Gompa a Kargyud Monastery. North of here down a side alley, is the large “white Gompa “of Ka- Nying Sheldrup Ling Gompa “one of the largest monasteries in Bouddhanath. Northwest of the stupa, the impressive Shechen Tengyi Dargyeling Gompa, which has a large and thriving Community o 180 Monks and is a popular destination for Tibetan piligrames. PM: Full day sightseeing of Swayambhunath ( Monkey Temple) The Great Buddhist Temple of Swayambhunath (entry fees RS. 100 PP ), on the top of hill a west of Kathmandu, is one of the most popular and instantly recognizable symbols of Nepal. Legends relate that the Kathmandu valley was once a lake (geologists agree on this point) and that the hill on which Swayambhunath Stupa stands was “self –arisen “(swayambhu) . Much like lotus leaf risen from the muddy waters of the Lake. An inscription indicates that King Manadeva ordered work done here in AD 460 and certainly by the 13the Century it was an Important Buddhist Center. Look for the trinity of Yellow- and – Red stone Buddha’s at the base of the hill. Half a way of the steps there is another small collection of stone work, including a scene depicting the birth of Buddha, with his mother Maya Devi grasping a tree branch and the Buddha taking seven miraculous steps immediately after his birth. As you climb the final (steepest) stretch look for the pair of animals – Garudas, lions, elephants’ , horses and peacocks- the vechiles of the Dhyani Buddhas. Great Thunderbolt, as well as building the great stairway, King Pratap Malla added a pair of Shikharas (corncoblike) Indian – style spires ) and the stone snow lions and dorje ( a Tibetan word for this Thunderbolt symbol ).Stupa Atop the soaring swell of the whitewashed dome, a gold – colored squre depicts the watchful eyes of the Buddha, which gaze out across the valley in each direction. The question mark like” nose” is actually the Nepali Number one and a symbol of the unity of all life. Between and above the two eyes is a third eye, which symbolizes the Buddha’s insight. Overnight at the Buddhist Hotel in Town – BB basis. DAY 04: DRIVE TO DAKSHINKALI & PHARPING VIA KRITIPUR CITY (B) Kritipur stretches across two hills , with a lower saddle between them. The Chilanchu Vihara ( built 1515) tops the southeastern hill and consists of a central stupa surrounded by four small stupas, numerous statues and some dilapidated Buddhist Monastery buildings. From the rear of the stupa go right , down to the 16th century stone Shikhara –style Lohan Dehar and left to 12th Century Bagh Bhairab Temple.Pharping is a thriving, traditional Newari town, 19 Km south of Kathmandu and surprisingly untouched by the swarms of tourists that visit Dakshinkali. The town is famous for its pilgrimages sites, the Hindu origins of which been largely absorbed by the now predominant Tibetan Buddhist Monasteries. As you enter the town from the main road, take the first right by the foot-ball pitch and head uphill , pass the large Tibetan style Dzongsar Chorten and Sakyapa School Tharig Gompa with its huge chorten.Behind here, at the bend in the road, it is Tibetan monastery signposted “ Pharping Ganesh and Saraswati Temple “ . To the right of this Chapel is the Rizu Phedrang Gompa , Ascend the flight of stairs between the two temples ,past prayer flags and a rock fissure, eventually you will come to the Guru Rinpoche Cave surrounded by the Monastery Buildings. Contd... To the 17th –century Newari Style Vajra Yogini Temple, the tantric Buddhist Goddess, from here. Continue east up a patway to the Nyingmmpa school DO NGAK CHOLING GOMPA. Drive back to Kathmandu by Evening The Small Chovar Gorge is 1 KM southeast of Chovar Village, where the Bagmati River cuts through the edge of the Chovar hill. Down by the river, just south of the gorge, is the important Jal Binayak Temple ( 1602 ) one of the valleys most important Ganesh Shrines. Overnight in Buddhist style Hotel in Thamel. DAY 05: DRIVE TO SHIVAPURI - NAGARJUN NATIONAL PARK & NAGI GOMPA Shivapuri National Park upgraded in 2002, the valleys main water source, as well 177 species of birds, orchids, rhesus monkey and even, it is alleged, leopard and bear. Several good hikes and mountain-bike routes criss –cross the park. The Tibetan nunnery of Nagi Gompa is perched 3 km from the main gate. ome Bouddhnaths Ka- Nying sheldrup ling gompa holds retreats here for foreign students every November. It’s a very bumpy 30 minutes 4 WD or a 2 hrs hike up to the nunnery, which has lovely views and is home to about 100 nuns. An excellent alternative is to walk down hill from Nagi Gompa to Budhanilkantha, or to continue down the ridgeline south to Kopan (three hours) and Bouddhanath. Drive back to Kathmandu / Overnight. DAY 06: DRIVE FROM KATHMANDU – LUMBINI (BIRTH PLACE OF LORD BUDDHA) As the historical birth place of Gautam Siddhartha Buddha, Lumbini is one of the most important religious sites in the world. The Man who would later achieve enlightenment under a bodhi Tree, inspiring a global philosophy of peace and reflection, was burn under a Sal tree in Lumbini in the month of May in 563 BC.Despite being an important destination , pilgrims here come in a slow, respectful trickle and many stay on to meditate in the Monasteries surrounding the sacred site. The Center of Lumbini is s the Maya Devi Temple, which marks the exact spot where Queen Maya Devi of Kapilavastu gave birth to Gautam Siddharta. Surrounding the temple is a sacred Garden containing the piller of Ashoka as well as the ruined foundation of Dozens of ancient stupas and Monasteries. Extending for miles around the sacred garden is a huge park known as the Lumbini Development Zone, designed by Japanese architect kenzotenge in 1978. It’s a work in progress but the grounds are already full of landscaped lakes and Buddhist Monasteries, constructed by Buddhist communities from around the world. DAY 07: EXPLORE LUMBINI/ OVERNIGHT IN LUMBINI Maya Devi Temple.Oppostite the temple are two small Buddhist monasteries The Dharma Swami Maharaj Buddha Bihar was constructed by Pilgrims from Mustang in Nepal, while the Nepal Buddha Bihar was constructed by Monks from Bihar in India. Ashokan Pillar The Indian emperor Ashoka visited Lumbini in around 249 BC, leaving behind an inscribed sand stone pillar of commemorates the occasion. Buddhist Monasteries. Since the Lumbini development Zone was founded in 1978, Buddhist Nation from around the world have constructed extra vagant monasteries around the birth place of Buddha. DAY 08: DRIVE FROM LUMBINI – POKHARA Upon arrival welcome drink & short briefing about activities and facilities. Quick visit of Lakeside in Pokhara. Overnight in lakeside. DAY 09: POKHARA FULL DAY Cross the Phewa lake by boat (en-route visit Tal-barahi temple) and hike to the Stupa (Monastery) situated on the top of the hill. Trek to Pame, enjoying magnificent views of Mt. Fishtail, Annapurna and Dhaulagiri and Lunch en-route. Drive from Pame to Pokhara and Overnight at the hotel – BB basis. Karma Dubgyu Chokhorling Monastery: Overlooking Pokhara on the east side of the Seti River, this huge gompa is worth visiting just for the views. The main prayer hall has a gilded statute of the historical Buddha and Bhadrakali Temple a two –tiered Newari –style temple dedicated to the eight armed Bhadrikali, to get here, walk east from the Karma Dubgyu Gompa. Walking to the World Peace Pagoda. Balanced on a narrow ridge high above Phewa Tal, the brilliant white world peace pagoda was constructed by Buddhist monks from the Japanese Nipponzan Myohoji Organization to promote world peace. There are three paths up to the pagoda and several small cafes for snacks and drinks once you arrive. DAY 10: POKHARA – KATHMANDU Drive to Kathmandu. Overnight at hotel. DAY 11: KATHMANDU DEPARTURE Morning is free for shopping or visits close by areas. Beautiful memories of the land and an exotic holiday. In the noon check out from the hotel & proceed to Kathmandu Airport for the back home journey with sweet memories of your holiday. We will wait for you again and promise to deliver dreams to destinations. Tour ends... Sweet memories remain!