A 36-day, iconic Buddhist tour in Nepal, focusing on Guru Rinpoche and Milarepa, is designed for genuine pilgrimage seekers around the globe. The motif of this trip is to escort you to the major Buddhist pilgrimage destinations, including Lapchi, Mustang, Manang, Halesi Maratika, and Lumbini.
A real Nekhor in Nepal, this Buddhist pilgrimage tour has combined major highlights of Nepal to offer the devotees a complete Buddhist tour package and pay their homage at each site of the trip. They are not only famous destinations, but also significant in Buddhist and Tibetan Buddhist mythology, following the Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana sects of Buddhism.
Things to See or Explore
Lapchi Milarepa Cave
A scenic and serene location, where the thousands of songs of Milarepa resonate around the sacred caves and monasteries, welcome to the Lapchi Milarepa Cave Tour. In the lap of the Himalayas, close to the Tibet border, which is the last village in this border region, Lapchi welcomes hundreds of foreign Buddhist devotees and thousands of domestic pilgrimage seekers. Dudul Cave, Sephuk Cave, two monasteries, and the foot steps of Yogi Milarepa are the major highlights of the Lapchi Milarepa Cave Tour. The landscape is remote, and the maximum altitude you reach is 4700 meters.
Halesi Maratika Cave
Maratika Cave Halesi is a prominent Guru Rinpoche Buddhist Pilgrimage site in Nepal. There are mainly two caves, along with a Naga Cave in its surroundings. Maratika Cave is significant for Buddhists as Pasmasambhava is believed to have attained immortality by meditating in the cave for Buddha Amitayu. If you see closely inside the upper cave with the clear light, you will see the entire image of Guru Rinpoche in a meditating posture. There will often be hundreds of pilgrimage seekers in the Maratika caves. It is recommended to spend at least two nights to spend quality time in the caves and do meditation. For the overnight stay, we often book the Holesung resort for our guests.
Pharping Asura and Yangleshoed Cave
These two caves in Pharping- Asura and Yangleshoed Caves are enlightenment and re-enlightenment caves of Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava). These caves are highly sacred for Buddhist devotees for meditation and paying homage on pilgrimage. Thousands of pilgrimage seekers visit this cave every day, as these caves are close to Kathmandu. You will see the handprint of Guru Rinpoche at Asura Cave. There are several attractions to see in the surroundings, like Green Tara Temple, prayer flags dominated woods, and 118 feet tall statue of Guru Rinpoche at Dallu Village.
Daman Chumik Changchup
Known as the Spring of Enlightenment, Chumik Changchup/Jangchup is a significant Buddhist pilgrimage destination, especially for Vajrayana followers. It takes about 3 hours to reach this sacred site and a 800 meters walk to this site. If you are taking a Guru Rinpoche site tour in Nepal, this is an unmissable destination for you.
Manang Milarea Cave
Manang is a Milarepa paradise. Above the Braka village of Manang, about 5 km away, there lies an abode of the Tibetan Yogi Milarepa. The story of Milarepa, his meditation practice, his life from a murderer to a saint, the hunting story of Gonboppo and the dog, and the deer are so miraculous. The altitude of the cave site takes you to 4200 meters above sea level, close to the Annapurna III Glacier. With the extension of the motor road, you can drive to two-thirds of the way on a 4WD jeep and the remaining distance on foot. You can meditate in the monastery at the bottom of the cave if the walk is exhausting for you, especially to hike through the iron ladder on the hanging cliff.
Ngawal Guru Rinpoche Cave
The Ney Cave at Ngawal is another amazing attraction during this epic Buddhist tour in Nepal. It is in the Manang district, close to Braka village. The story of Guru Rinpoche and His epic Dharmic Yatra is outstanding. There is a statue of Guru Rinpoche and a long cave above the Ngawal Village in Manang. The spectacular views of the Himalayas, hills, and valleys can be seen from Ngawal.
Lo Gekar Monastery and Luri Gompa in Mustang
Lo Gekar Monastery is the oldest 8th-century monastery in the Mustang region of Nepal. This iconic Buddhist monastery is located at 3921 meters above sea level in the Lo Ghekar Damodar Kunda Rural Municipality. The myth of Tibetan Buddhism and Guru Rinpoche, who subdued demons in the premises. Also known as Ghar Gompa, it is a part of the Nyingma tradition. The monastery houses an impressive collection of ancient manuscripts, statues, and Thangkas.
The Luri Cave Monastery in the town of Ghara is probably the most famous in Mustang. It is home to the last remaining cave frescoes, and the mystery of how its extensive tunnels and caverns were created is indeed still a mystery. The entrance lies through a man-made tunnel and up an old ladder. Only two of the interconnecting chambers remain intact, the second of which is filled with a large Chhorten, so that there is little room to walk. The legend says that the god Indra came down in the form of a bird and entered the body of the Dalai Lama. He commanded him to go to the cave and meditate.
Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha
Lumbini is the birthplace of Lord Buddha, who is the founder of Buddhism and spread the message of peace and prosperity, humbleness, humility, and politeness. It's a spiritual paradise for the Buddhist devotees. Gautam Buddha was born in 623 AD as a prince in the palace, but gave up all the luxuries and left the palace to attain enlightenment. There are several attractions to see in Lumbini, especially the Ashoka Stupa, the Eternal Peace Flame, and the Stupa and Monasteries of different countries. You can meditate under a huge poplar tree on the premises. Maya Devi Temple, Lumbini Garden, and the peaceful surroundings are further attractions in the Lumbini premises.
Good to Know Beforehand
Transportation
We use only 4WD Jeeps for the tour based on the group size. It is because many of the sites are isolatedly located and require such vehicles. There will be a Scorpio jeep and a Toyota Land Cruiser (you should confirm beforehand which one to take). In one jeep, we recommend a maximum of four people.
Food and Accommodation
Guide and Staff
You need a government-authorized guide for this tour and a professional driver. Nepal Kameleon Holidays arranges the entire trip with professional services regarding guides and staff.
Required Permits
There is certain paperwork required for this trip. You should know them beforehand.
- Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) Entry Permit
- Mustang Special Entry Permit
- Gaurishankar Conservation Area Project (GCAP) Entry Permit
- Lapchi Special Permit
- UNESCO-listed world heritage sites' entrance fees
Best time to Travel
Spring (March, April, and May), Autumn (September, October, and November), and Winter (December, January, and February) are great times to travel. You should know that some of the territories are in the Himalayan region, and we should be careful while arranging an itinerary, especially making it suitable for the alpine land and the lowland region of Nepal.
Inquiry and Booking
Please, don’t forget to communicate with us beforehand so that you will be able to know if the tour suits you or check the level of difficulty. Although this is a tour, but you need to do hikes in between the tour in high altitude, so please contact us on the contact below.
WhatsApp: +977 9851159455
Email: [email protected]
.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
