3-Day Lumbini Tour from Kathmandu: Buddha's Birthplace

Walk the sacred ground where Buddha was born and spent his childhood

A 3-day tour from Kathmandu to Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautam Buddha, combines a 35-minute flight with guided sightseeing across the Buddhist pilgrimage site. You visit the Mayadevi Temple where Buddha was born, the Ashoka Pillars, and stupas built by Japan, China, and Vietnam, then fly back to Kathmandu. Hotel stays, meals, transport and an English-speaking guide are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Travel from Kathmandu to Lumbini

• Pick up from hotel
• Drive to airport
• Fly to Bhairawa
• Drive to Lumbini hotel
• Relax or explore Lumbini
• Overnight at hotel

Day 2: Lumbini sightseeing tour

• Breakfast at hotel
• Visit Japanese Stupa
• Visit Chinese Stupa
• See Ashoka Pillars
• Visit Vietnam Stupa
• Visit Buddha’s birthplace
• Visit Mayadevi Temple
• Hire rickshaw for sightseeing
• Overnight at hotel

Day 3: Return flight to Kathmandu or Pokhara

• Breakfast at hotel
• Drive to Bhairawa airport
• Fly to Kathmandu or Pokhara or Chitwan
• Drop off at hotel

The experience

The tour starts with a morning pickup from your Kathmandu hotel and a flight to Bhairawa, then a drive to Lumbini. After settling into your 3-star hotel, you can rest or explore on your own. The second day is the core of the pilgrimage: a full morning and afternoon of sightseeing on foot and by hired rickshaw, visiting the Mayadevi Temple at the exact spot of Buddha's birth, the Ashoka Pillars erected by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century, and the Japanese Stupa, Chinese Stupa, and Vietnam Stupa that mark the site's importance to different Buddhist traditions. Your guide walks you through the spiritual geography and the life of Buddha as it unfolded here.

On the final morning, breakfast is included at the hotel before you drive to Bhairawa airport and fly back to Kathmandu (or onward to Pokhara or Chitwan if you prefer). The return flight and hotel drop-off are part of the package. Monument entrance fees are separate, and meals other than breakfast are on your own, so you'll want to budget for lunch and dinner in Lumbini.

What’s included

• All government taxes, VAT and service charges.
• round-trip flights between Kathmandu and Bhairawa.
• hotel pickup and drop-off by private car or van.
• two nights in a 3-star hotel in Lumbini with free breakfast both mornings.
• private car transport from Bhairawa to Lumbini and back to the airport.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 06:45

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (10 and older) · Under 10: can't be booked

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by Welcome Nepal Treks P.ltd

Is this one for you?The tour moves at a deliberate pace with a full day of sightseeing on foot and by rickshaw, so it suits travelers who want to absorb the spiritual significance of each site rather than rush through a checklist. The fixed itinerary and included flights mean you don't arrange transport yourself, which frees you to focus on the pilgrimage.

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Top questions

What is the Mayadevi Temple and why does it matter to the tour?

The Mayadevi Temple marks the exact birthplace of Gautam Buddha in Lumbini. It is the spiritual center of the pilgrimage site and the primary reason most travelers visit. You'll spend time there on day two exploring the temple and the surrounding sacred ground.

How much walking and rickshaw travel is involved on the sightseeing day?

Day two is about 6 hours of sightseeing. You'll walk between the major monuments and hire a rickshaw on your own to move around the site, so the pace is flexible and you can rest as needed.

Do I need to arrange my own transport between sites in Lumbini?

Yes, you hire a rickshaw yourself on day two for sightseeing. The tour includes the guide and hotel pickup and drop-off, but local transport around the pilgrimage sites is your choice.

What happens if I want to return to Pokhara or Chitwan instead of Kathmandu?

On day three, after breakfast, you can fly back to Kathmandu, Pokhara, or Chitwan depending on your onward plans. Let the operator know your preference when you book, and the return flight and hotel drop-off are included either way.

Is the 35-minute flight from Kathmandu to Bhairawa included in the price?

Yes, both the outbound and return flights are included in the tour package, along with the drive from Bhairawa to Lumbini and back to the airport.