Early morning drive to Lumbini. It takes around 8-9 hours to reach Lumbini following Prithivi Highway and East West Highway. You can also choose to fly to avoid long driving.

A world heritage site, Lumbini is the birthplace of Lord Buddha, the founder of Buddhism and apostle of peace. Located in southwestern region of Nepal in the Terai plains, Lumbini is a world heritage site and one of the world’s greatest pilgrimage centers.  Hundreds of thousands tourists and pilgrims visit to this sacred site every year to pay their respects to Lord Buddha.

Lumbini hosts archaeological remains of palaces, courtyards, ponds, stones and statues that date back to some 2500 years ago. At the heart of Lumbini is the Sacred Garden. Spread around 9 km, this is where Buddha was born as Prince Siddartha Gautam to Queen Maya Devi. The exact nativity site is marked by a Ashokan Pillar erected by Emperor Ashoka in 249 BC. A marker stone discovered in the Mayadevi Temple which stands adjacent to this pillar is regarded as the exact spot where Siddhartha Gautam Buddha was born.Another sacred site in the Garden is the Puskarni Pond where Queen Mayadevi is believed to have taken bath before giving birth to Buddha.

There are as many as 62 archaeological sites scattered around Lumbini such as Tilaurakot, Kudan, Gothihawa, Niglihawa, Sagarhawa, Aurorakot, Devadaha and Ramagrama.  Each of these sites hold significance in the life and times of Buddha are highly recommended for any visitors. Other sites of importance in Lumbini are Buddhist Library, Crane Sanctuary, world peace stupa, international monastic zones, and numerous monasteries, stupas and viharas that dot the landscape.

Stay overnight at hotel in Lumbini.

You will spend the day sightseeing in and around Lumbini with a tour guide. Some of the sites you will visit include Maya Devi Temple, Puskarni Pond, Ashkoa Pillar, Peace Stupa, Buddhist Library and Museum, Crane Sanctuary and international monasteries.

Stay overnight at hotel in Lumbini.

Important sites in Lumbini:

Sacred Garden: The Sacred Garden was where Buddha was born in 623 BC. The garden is marked by a marker stone, the exact spot where Buddha descended at birth.

Ashoka Pillar: This stone pillar was erected by Emperor Ashoka to marked the birth spot of Buddha, almost 800 years after Buddha was born. The pillar carries inscription in pali script.

Puskarni or Mayadevi Pond: Puskarni Pond sits right in front of Mayadevi Temple. The pond is considered to be sacred since it was here Queen Mayadevi took a bath before giving birth to Buddha.

Lumbini Museum and Lumbini Research Center: These two are located within a few meters of each other. The museum has a substantial collection of Buddhist manuscripts, sculptures and coins dating back to 4th century. The Research Center is currently being developed as a knowledge repository for the benefit of scholars, researchers, students, pilgrims as well as travelers. There are over 12,000 books on religion, philosophy, art and architecture preserved in the center.

Tilaurankot, Kudan, Gothihawa, Niglihawa, Devdaha, Sagarhawa are other important places around Lumbini.

Take an early morning drive back to Kathmandu. The entire journey takes about 8-9 hours. You can enjoy the scenic ride with beautiful green hills, rivers and villages. You can also fly back to Kathmandu.