Trekking in Nepal

Trekking in Nepal
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Tuesday, September 18, 2012

A Buddhist Trail


 Embark on a journey to reawaken yourself and reaffirm the existence of Buddhism to its birthplace. From the birth of Lord Buddha (Siddhartha Gautama) in a pond in Lumbini, Buddhism has spread and adapted from its roots in Nepal to virtually every corner of the world. Buddhism offers a path, which provides guidelines for everyday living and for a caring approach to the environment. It shows us the way to live in harmony with others and the world we live in.
This trail will take you to UNESCO World Heritage Sites, like Swayambhunath Stupa & Boudhanath Stupa (built around 5th century AD) that stand tall in the heart of the country showing how prominent and powerful Buddhism is to the world today. Like the monasteries sheltering nuns and monks are located in Namoboudha, Pharping and Lumbini.
Because in Albert Einstein’s words "if there is any religion that would cope with modern scientific needs it would be Buddhism".

Detailed Itinerary

Day-01: Arrival in Kathmandu
Namaste & Welcome to Nepal! On arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, a Yeti Holidays’ representative will greet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel and help you check in. You will then be briefed about your daily activities.
After lunch, you will proceed on a sightseeing tour of Boudhanath.

Boudhanath: One of the oldest and the biggest Buddhist monuments ever built in Nepal; Boudhanath is one of the holiest structures imposing a height of 36 meters with three massive level Mandala style platforms. It is surrounded by colourful buildings housing families creating a friendly enclosure. The Stupa is visited every year by tens of thousands of pilgrims from all over the world.

Day-02: Sunrise from Dhulikhel & visit to Namo Bouddha
Breakfast at hotel. Sightseeing tour of Dhulikhel and Namo Bouddha.
Dhulikhel: The spectacular snowed mountains seen from Dhulikhel must be one of the finest panoramic views in the world. When a blue haze covers the lower portion of the mountains, they seem to be floating in the air. With the snowy mountains on the backdrop, Dhulikhel is a stage of immense beauty and a paradise for nature lovers. Green inviting hills of beautifully carved agricultural terraces cater to the beholders' pleasure.

Namo Bouddha: Founded at the site where “the future Buddha sacrificed his body to a tigress” in 1978, it was a small retreat center that has now grown into a large monastery. The site is supremely sacred to Tibetan Buddhists where the perfect and supreme Buddha – at that time still on the path of learning – offered his own body without regret to a tigress and her four cubs suffering from great hunger. This legendary episode is depicted in a very nice stone slab and placed right next to a holy Stupa. On the way, if you are visiting during summer and monsoon, you will get to see how Nepalese People plant and harvest the crop.

Kathmandu City: Kasthamandap, the source of the name Kathmandu means ‘made from the timber of a single tree’. Also known as Kantipur, the capital Kathmandu is the hub of Nepal's art and culture. It is a place for rest, relaxation and easy-day sightseeing of historic and artistic temples and monuments. Kathmandu Durbar Square with its arrays of temples and the ancient palaces of the former Nepali Royals enriches your experience of the centuries old civilisation.

Swoyambhunath: Said to be around 2000 years old, this Buddhist Stupa sits atop a hill. The main stupa is composed of a solid hemisphere of brick and earth supporting a lofty conical spire crowned by a pinnacle of Copper gilt. Painted on the four sided base of the spire are the all seeing eyes of Lord Buddha. The hill of Swayambhu is a mosaic of small Chaityas and Pagoda temples. You’ll get a scenic view of Kathmandu city from there.


Day-03: FLY TO LUMBINI
After breakfast, transfer to domestic airport for flight to Lumbini. On reaching Lumbini, you’ll be assisted and transferred to your hotel by an office representative. Check-in at hotel.

Lumbini is one of the most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage sites. It is the place where Queen Mayadevi is said to have given birth to Siddhartha Gautama, who as the Gautama Buddha founded Buddhism in Puskarini or Holy Pond - where the Buddha's mother took the ritual dip prior to his birth and where he, too, had his first bath. The remains of Kapilvastu palace where Buddha spent his younger days are preserved in Lumbini. Lumbini was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.

Lumbini is the perfect place to visit to if you are into cultural, archaeological and religious treasures. With the number of stupas, meditation grounds, temples, courtyards and more, a walk in Lumbini is a walk with Buddha. Enter the birthplace of one of the greatest man of world religions - Siddharta Gautama, founder of Buddhism - and be captivated by its serene environment and meditate and reflect with its outmost tranquility and peaceful atmosphere.
Overnight at hotel

Day-04: FLY BACK TO KATHMANDU
After breakfast transfer to domestic airport for flight to Lumbini. Reach Lumbini and be assisted and transferred to your hotel by an office representative. Check-in at hotel. After lunch, visit Benchen Monastery in Pharping.

Pharping is a thriving, traditional Newari settlement. The town is popular with both Tibetan and Hindu pilgrims. The area is sacred for religious and spiritual practitioners. Benchen Monastery in Pharping is home to revered Tibetan masters. The Retreat is for a three years traditional training to become a lama. During this time, the monks devote themselves entirely to the study of the religion without any distraction. After 3 years, 3 months, and 3 weeks – on a lucky date – the first group of lamas leave the retreat. Overnight at hotel

Day-05: DEPARTURE
Breakfast at hotel | Free till departure | Escorted to Tribhuvan International Airport | You leave this magical country.

Contact Details:
Web site: http://www.markerstone.com
Personal site: http://www.suraj.markerstone.com
Email: info@markerstone.com




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