Welcome to Kathmandu, the colorful capital of Nepal. Upon arriving at Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport, you will be welcomed by our enthusiastic local guide with smiles, then transfer to Kathmandu downtown to check in your hotel by an air-conditioned vehicle. The rest of today is on your own to relax. If you want to explore nearby, feel free to get some practical suggestions from your tour guide.

At evening, a "Welcome Dinner" will be held for you at an excellent traditional Nepalese Restaurant where you will enjoy a Nepalese cultural program as well as a fine dinner.

Free time ideas: 1) visit Garden of Dreams, Royal Botanical Garden; 2) Walk around Thamel, Ason or Indrachowk bazaar.

This morning, meet your tour guide in your hotel, you will travel towards the western delight of the Valley - Swayambhunath, the Kathmandu's most ancient and enigmatic holy shrine with a history over 2500 years. There are a lot of monkeys residing in the Temple, that's why the shrine is also famous as the Monkey Temple.It is an excellent place for a quick hike and some fresh air. On the clear days, you are able to see a line of Himalayan Ranges, and enjoy a fine view over Kathmandu city and the valley.

Next, you will get to the giant Buddhist stupa of Boudhanath which is the largest stupa in the world with a height of 131ft (39.93 m) , also one of the most important Buddhist sacred sites in Kathmandu valley. The stupa was was around the 5th century A.D. with a highly unique three level mandala style structure. The location of the stupa is on the ancient trade road to Tibet where the merchants from Tibet rested and hanged prayer flags here for centuries.

After that, you will move to Kopan Monastery, a Tibetan Buddhist monastery once serving as the headquarters of Gelugpa dharma centers. It is now well-known for teaching Buddhism to visiting Western foreigners. In this peaceful monastery, you can pay a pilgrimage around the stupas and take a view of the monastic lifestyle. Overlooking the valley, Kopan Monastery also offers you a great view of the beautiful and sublime surroundings.

After today’s sightseeing, drive to Dhulikhel, the ancient town which is situated 30-km east of Kathmandu on the side of the Arniko Rajmarga. 

Today after breakfast, you’ll visit Namo Buddha Stupa, one of three main stupas of Kathmandu Valley. There is a mysterious story concerned with prince Mahasatta (one of the Lord Buddha’s former incarnations). The stupa is believed to be built on is bones and hairs. Besides its Buddhist significance, the natural environment is very pleasant, with fresh air and good views of Himalayan ranges. Many Buddhists come here for meditation and practice.

Afterwards, drive to Bhaktapur which offers you the less disturbed cultural experience. In the ancient time, Bhaktapur was also known as Bhadgaon(the land of rice). The city was one of three medieval city-states in the Kathmandu Valley as well as the best preserved one. You can please your eyes with beautiful medieval arts and grand architecture, and walk through the stone patched streets to explore local culture and lifestyle. Not to be missed place include Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Nyatapola Temple square, Bhaktapur national art gallery and the 55 windows palace. There is also a pottery square where you can find a traditional way of producing pottery which has been passed down from generation to generation.

Leaving Bhaktapur, you will visit Patan, the second largest city in Kathmandu valley. Compared with Kathmandu city, Patan is quieter, a living place to experience Nepal local culture and lifestyle. You will visit its landmark - Patan Durbar Square which is honored as the finest collection of temples and palaces with exquisite carvings in Nepal. There are Hindu and Buddhist relic sites spread around the square. Most famous one is Krishna Temple which is said to be carved from a single enormous stone. Enjoy the beautiful stone works, religious sculptures, and enjoy a leisure stroll through packed streets of souvenirs in the square.

After the sightseeing, drive back to your hotel in Kathmandu.

After breakfast, your local guide will escort you to Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport to catch the flight to Gautama Buddha Airport Bhairahawa in Lumbini. It takes 35 minutes for the transfer from Kathmandu to Lumbini, which is known as the birthplace of Sakyamuni (also called Lord Buddha and Gautama Buddha), who founded the world religion of Buddhism. Because of its religious significance, it is designated a UNESCO World Heritage site and becomes one of the four greatest Buddhist pilgrimage site based on major events in the life of Gautama Buddha. Upon your arrival, the guide will pick you at the airport and then escorts you to your hotel

In the afternoon, take a visit to the Monastic Sites, where there are various temples and pagodas built by different Buddhist nations. All the buildings show their featured style, including, Chinese Monastery with a complex of several pagodas and prayer rooms built by Buddhist Association of China, Royal Thai Monastery with featured Thai-style architecture, Korean Monastery containing delicate images of Lord Buddha, and some others.

After breakfast, you will visit Maya Devi Temple which was built to dedicate Maya Devi – the mother of the Lord Buddha. According to the Buddhist scholars, Lord Buddha was given birth here. The Sacred pond is believed to be where Maya Devi took ritual dip prior to giving birth to the Buddha. The surrounded grounds are the ruined foundations of a great number of brick pagodas and monasteries which can be trace back to the 2nd century BC to the 9th century AD. Just in front Maya Devi Temple, you can find Ashokan Pillar, an inscribed sandstone pillar to commemorate that the Indian emperor Ashoka visited Lumbini in 249 BC.

In the afternoon, your local guide will escort you to Gautam Buddha Airport in Lumbini to catch the flight to Kathmandu. Upon your arrival, your guide will pick you at the airport and then escorts you to your hotel. The rest of today is free at your own leisure.

Today, you will drive about 1.5 hours to Pharping, a sacred monastic zone with beautiful myth of Guru Rinpoche visiting the place. There are many holy caves for Buddhist practice and pilgrimages as well. You will begin your pilgrimages from the old Vajrayogini Temple, which is at the bottom of the stairs to others. Then the stairs will lead you up to Asura Cave which is the major cave sacred to Guru Rinpoche. On the upper left side of the entrance door is the handprint left by Guru Rinpoche. After that, continue your trip to Yanglesho Cave, where Guru Guru Padmasambhava attained the state of enlightenment.

After this spiritual tour, drive back to Kathmandu.

Today is free for you until your guide pick you up from hotel to the airport to catch your departing flight in time.

Tips: Please pack your luggage carefully and make sure all your belongs are packed, especially small things like camera charge, power adaptor, mobile phone, phone charger, wallet, towel, etc. If your flight is arranged in the afternoon, please make sure you check out hotel before 12pm.