Lumbini by Car: Driving to the Birthplace of the Buddha

Lumbini, in the western Terai near the Indian border, is where Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, was born. Its sacred garden and the monasteries built by Buddhist countries from around the world make it a pilgrimage for some and a quiet, fascinating stop for everyone else.

From Chitwan

Chitwan is the natural jumping-off point. From Narayangarh, drive west along the East-West Highway to Butwal, then south to Bhairahawa and west to Lumbini. Allow about four to five hours.

From Kathmandu

Follow the Prithvi Highway to Mugling, turn south to Narayangarh and continue as above. It is a long day, often eight hours or more, so most travellers stop a night in Chitwan on the way.

From Pokhara

The Siddhartha Highway runs south from Pokhara to Butwal through steep, winding hill country. It is beautiful but slow. A night in Tansen, an old hill town in Palpa district roughly halfway, makes the journey far more enjoyable.

Getting around Lumbini

The monastic zone is large and laid out along a long canal. Much of it is best explored by bicycle or on foot, with your car parked near the main entrance. Plan a full day to see the Maya Devi Temple and a selection of the international monasteries.

A western loop

Kathmandu, Chitwan, Lumbini, Tansen, Pokhara and back to Kathmandu makes a rewarding circuit of about a week to ten days. It is a trip that really shows the advantage of your own vehicle.