Lumbini
The traditional birthplace of the Buddha and a UNESCO-listed pilgrimage site. Monasteries built by different countries sit in a wide garden area around the sacred zone and the Maya Devi Temple.
Lumbini
The Buddha was born here, and the Maya Devi Temple stands alongside monasteries that many Buddhist countries have built.
Attractive locations
Maya Devi Temple
The temple built at the place traditionally held to be the birthplace of the Buddha. The ruins, a marker stone and a nearby pond are at the centre of a World Heritage site and pilgrimage ground.
World Peace Pagoda
A white pagoda in the Lumbini grounds, set among gardens and monasteries built by Buddhist communities from different countries. It is a calm place for a walk and for quiet reflection.
Ramagrama Stupa
An ancient brick stupa that is thought to hold relics of the Buddha and has been left largely unexcavated. It sits in a peaceful setting of trees and monastery grounds.
Nigali Sagar
An ancient pond and archaeological site near Niglihawa, linked to an earlier Buddha. An Ashoka-era stone pillar with an inscription stands close by, adding to the region's Buddhist heritage.
Jagdishpur Reservoir
A large man-made lake protected as an internationally recognised wetland, popular with birdwatchers. Many migratory and resident waterbirds gather here, especially in the cooler months.
Kapilavastu
An ancient Buddhist city west of Lumbini, linked by tradition to the Buddha's early life. Brick ruins of gates, walls and stupas can be seen at the Tilaurakot site.
Airports
Gautam Buddha International Airport BWA
It is about 14 km in a straight line from Lumbini.
Pokhara International Airport PHH
It is about 107 km in a straight line from Lumbini.
Pokhara Domestic Airport PKR
It is about 106 km in a straight line from Lumbini.
Scams and safe taxis
Weather by month
Each month shows its average temperature in °C and its mm of rain per month.
- Jan15.3 °C17 mm
- Feb19.2 °C23 mm
- Mar24.9 °C18 mm
- Apr30.6 °C20 mm
- May32.9 °C67 mm
- Jun33.0 °C217 mm
- Jul29.6 °C417 mm
- Aug28.7 °C301 mm
- Sep27.5 °C200 mm
- Oct25.0 °C55 mm
- Nov20.8 °C2 mm
- Dec16.6 °C5 mm
Driest months: Jan, Nov, Dec. Wettest months: Jun, Jul, Aug.
Costs
Prices here are about 24% of US prices (World Bank, 2025). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.
Who can help
Emergency
Police 100. Fire 101. Ambulance 102. (Confirm with your hotel or guide on arrival.)
local government
Tourist Police (Nepal Police)
Helps with: A special unit of Nepal Police to prevent harassment and crime against tourists. It takes complaints, helps recover lost documents, and liaises with embassies. Its page says it operates 24/7 in Kathmandu Valley and Pokhara.
Who qualifies: Tourists in Nepal, mainly around Kathmandu Valley, Pokhara and other tourist areas where it has units.
Phone: 1144
Email: [email protected]
Address: Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu, Nepal (inside the Nepal Tourism Board premises)
local government
Nepal Tourism Board
Helps with: Nepal's national tourism body. Contact its Kathmandu office for visitor information. It also publishes official updates and the tourist police information page.
Who qualifies: Anyone travelling in Nepal or planning a trip there.
Phone: +977 1 5356909
Email: [email protected]
Address: Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu, P.O. Box 11018
ngo
Nepal Red Cross Society
Helps with: Nepal's national Red Cross society. Its website reports its flood, monsoon and earthquake relief work and invites volunteers and members. Contact its national headquarters in Kalimati.
Who qualifies: People in Nepal affected by disasters or needing its humanitarian services.
Phone: +977-1-5370650
Email: [email protected]
Address: Redcross Marg, Kalimati, Post Box 217
local government
National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA)
Helps with: Nepal's national disaster agency, which coordinates search, rescue and relief and publishes situation reports on floods and other disasters.
Who qualifies: Anyone in Nepal affected by a disaster or seeking official disaster information.
Phone: +977-01-4211195
Email: [email protected]
Address: Singhadurbar, Kathmandu, Nepal
un agency
International Organization for Migration (IOM) Nepal
Helps with: The UN migration agency, in Nepal since 2006. It supports flood response, displacement tracking and migrant services. Its contact page offers an online form.
Who qualifies: Migrants and people affected by displacement. It is not a help service for ordinary tourists.
Address: Lazimpat Sadak, Panipokhari, Ward-3, Kathmandu, Nepal, PO Box 25503
local government
Police emergency number 100
Helps with: Reaches the police. UK government travel advice lists this number.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors.
Phone: 100
local government
Ambulance emergency number 102
Helps with: Reaches the ambulance service. UK government travel advice lists this number.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors.
Phone: 102
local government
Fire emergency number 101
Helps with: Reaches the fire service. UK government travel advice lists this number.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors.
Phone: 101